Jul22493 7. The drug industry has advanced significantly over the years and as more innovative drugs and treatments are introduced, with them come more triumphs, but also more trials and tribulations. Renowned innovators within the fields of biotechnology and pharma, Vect-Horus has introduced its breakthrough proprietary platform, VECTrans®, to directly meet the pain points of targeted drug delivery. Below, we speak with Jamal Temsamani, Chief Business Officer of Vect-Horus, as the company is named in the European Enterprise Awards 2024. There are countless diseases around the world that are still lacking treatments, despite the advanced state of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The field of targeted drug delivery has worked tirelessly to optimise and streamline the transport of biotherapeutics across biological barriers, though certain obstacles have been encountered along the way. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is composed of a highly selective endothelial system that remains a major hurdle for the development of central nervous system drugs, as it prevents the vast majority of biotherapeutics of penetrating through the nervous system. This results in low efficacy and high attrition rates for central nervous system drug developers. At the same time, drug developers are faced with the challenge of improving the therapeutic and diagnostic benefits of drugs, whilst minimising dose-levels and off-target effects. Certain advanced medicines can become trapped in the liver and kidneys, which impedes their distribution to their intended areas. Based in Marseille, Vect-Horus has developed an innovative technology that facilitates the transportation of therapeutic drugs and imaging agents to the central nervous system and other pathological tissues. VECTrans®, its proprietary platform, exploits specific receptors selected for their high rate of endocytosis and constitutive recycling capacity, thereby allowing significant intracellular transport and accumulation of therapeutic or imaging agents. Currently, receptor mediated transport (RMT) is considered one of the most effective and safest way to bypass the BBB, which prevents the passage of more than 98% of drugs to the central nervous system. Vect-Horus is a leading biotechnology company, founded in 2005 by CEO Alexandre Tokay and Scientific Advisor Dr. Michel Khrestchatisky. Since its inception, VectHorus has upheld the core values of cohesion, innovation, and professionalism, allowing these qualities to guide it towards success as it revolutionises the world of targeted drug delivery. The company continually strives to develop the broad potential of its technology platform through partnerships and licensing agreements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in multiple therapeutic applications, both within and outside the central nervous system. Vect-Horus has signed several partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including licensing agreements with Novo Nordisk, Ionis, and RadioMedix, and has several research and development collaborations promising to lead to even more agreements. Some of these partnerships have brought significant upfront fees to the Company and will generate in the future royalties, as well as a number of developmental, and commercial milestones. Not only do these partnerships certify VectHorus’ frontrunning position as a leader in the RMT field but can also lead to groundbreaking developments in targeted drug delivery. "Worldwide, there are few biotechnology companies involved in the transport of drugs via RMT to the central nervous system,” Jamal tells us. “Some major pharmaceutical companies have also developed RMT technology for their internal programs. Compared to our competitors, however, Vect-Horus targets well-defined receptors and currently has the smallest vectors.” What’s more, Vect-Horus has established proof of concept in animals, showing its vectors can deliver small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides and large biomolecules including antibodies across the BBB. The studies have supported projects including the co-development with RadioMedix of a theragnostic agent, which is currently evaluated in early clinical trials. Having seen significant success in recent years, we ask Jamal about the future of CNS targeted drug delivery. “The effective delivery of therapeutic agents into the brain can greatly improve the treatments of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases,” he tells us. “Therefore, there is a growing interest within the pharmaceutical industry to use BBB technologies to enhance the transport of their drugs into the central nervous system. It is noteworthy that the market value of brain delivery was valued at approximately $4.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $11 billion in 2032.” Looking ahead, Vect-Horus will continue to support the industry by focusing on the development of its pipeline products and optimising its VECTrans® technology platform. Additionally, the company will expand its business even further with the continuation of out licensing its technology to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Evidently, the future of the biotechnology sector is brimming with prosperity, especially in the capable hands of Vect-Horus, named the Pharma and Biotech Innovators of the Year 2024. Contact: Jamal Temsamani Company: Vect-Horus Web Address: www.vect-horus.com/ Pharma & Biotech Innovators of the Year 2024
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