Innovative Cancer Treatment: Algae-Based Antibodies to Stimulate the Immune System

2024-05-05 05:30:02

A start-up from Rouen has developed a treatment based on algae that can create antibodies to stimulate the immune system and cure certain forms of cancer. Explanations.

What if algae might cure cancer? This is the innovation that the startup is working on Alga Biologics. Created in 2021 in Rouen, the young company produces antibodies from marine microalgae.

This marine microalgae is it Phaeodactylum tricornutum. It is found naturally in various oceans, in the deep seabed. It grows easily at room temperature, around 16 to 19 degrees.

At the origin of this unique innovation in the world, Muriel Bardor, researcher and professor at the University of Rouen. She has been interested in microalgae for more than 10 years. “They are used as a cell factory to produce protein drugs, especially antibodies, that target cancer.”

We use the natural capacity of microalgae to produce additional proteins, which are antibodies for therapeutic purposes.

Muriel Bardor, President and Scientific Director d’Alga Biologics

These proteins are used to fight cancer. “The antibody will attach to the cancer cells and form a bridge with the cells of the immune system. This will send a signal to the immune system which must then break down the tumour. continues Muriel Bardor.

The researchers chose that focus first on the treatment of pediatric neuroblastomaa cancer that affects 24,000 young children worldwide each year, including 200 new cases in France.

The microalgae develop proteins that will create antibodies to stimulate the immune system.
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© Stéphane l’Hôte / France Télévisions

This cancer mainly affects children aged 0 to 14 years. Although rare, it is the fourth most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in children.

Very expensive treatments existing already in Europe a to UNITED STATES. The one d’Alga Biological imagine to be Plus virtuous Everyone in decreasing of costs of production of 70%.

The process improves antibody quality and environmental footprint. “As the algae grow at room temperature, there is no need to heat the culture.”explains the professor.

This micromarine algae is found naturally in various oceans, at fairly deep underwater depths.
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© Stéphane l’Hôte / France Télévisions

Compared to existing treatments, Alga Biologics’ first studies show that these plant proteins activate the cells of the immune system three times more.

Laboratory work shows that the antibody is able to engage the immune system three times more effectively than an antibody produced from mammalian cells.

Of results very promising, growing the startup Rouen hair to enlarge

At the end of March 2024, the Norman startup was the winner of the Techninov competition, a major convention dedicated to innovation in France.

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