It is a world first. French start-up Diaccurate reveals the mechanism that paralyzes the immune system in AIDS.
A major breakthrough in the fight against HIV
To successfully neutralize a virus, you have to understand how it attacks our immune system. However, since the discovery of HIV almost 40 years ago, and despite decades of research, no scientist has succeeded in solving this enigma. But the French biotechnology start-up Diaccurate, hosted by the Institut Pasteur, has just taken up the challenge by identifying the enzyme that attacks the immune system of people infected with HIV. The researchers say it is a digestive enzyme (PLA2G1B, produced by the pancreas) that works with the virus to attack white blood cells. This phenomenon would also be involved in other pathologies including certain infectious diseases and cancers.
An antibody developed to neutralize the infected enzyme
“We are excited by the discovery of this new ‘decoy’ mechanism exerted on the immune system which is undoubtedly involved in several other infectious diseases and cancers. The anti-PLA2G1B monoclonal antibody, PLAZUMAB by Diaccurate may help restore a functioning immune system in patients, allowing them to better fight against viruses or cancer cells. We are proud that Truffle Capital founded Diaccurate with Jacques Thèze. We are thus faithful to our model of early selection – as soon as the patent is filed – for radical innovations in biotechnologies and medical devices, potentially capable of revolutionizing patient health, ”declared Dr Philippe Pouletty, President of Diaccurate and CEO of Truffle Capital in a press release. To date, nearly 40 million people are living with HIV in the world and 170,000 in France. Concretely, HIV attacks lymphocytes and more particularly CD4 +, white blood cells which play a determining role in the immune system. No longer able to perform their defense role, the infection remains in the body, making it more vulnerable to infections and cancers.
