Enterome makes French biocluster research move
According to the company, around 15 or its 40 staff will make the move to a new laboratory home in Genopole, where France's first biocluster is located.
The move will bring Enterome closer to existing and potential new partners and provides opportunities to extend its scientific expertise and network to develop its business further, it said.
"The strategic relocation of our laboratories is a key step for developing our technology platform,” said Enterome CEO Pierre Belichard. “Genopole is recognised internationally for the quality of its facilities and the professionalism of the technical team, which was a key factor in our decision to make our research headquarters at Genopole."
Formed in 2012 in Paris to develop the discoveries made by scientists involved in the INRA metageomics platform, Enterome is backed by several venture capital firms including Seventure Partners and Lundbeckfonden Ventures in addition to receiving backing from Nestlé Health Science, BMS and Shire.
The firm has also established partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies and academic research institutes, including Johnson & Johnson Innovation/Janssen Biotech, Takeda and Abbvie in inflammatory bowel and gastro-intestinal diseases; Bristol-Myers Squibb in immuno-oncology; and the Mayo Clinic and Geisinger hospitals in metabolic disorders.
By studying the key molecular mechanisms of the bacteria/host interaction, Enterome believes it can use this information to develop innovative drugs and diagnostics that will provide patients with better outcomes to their diseases.
Earlier this year it was announced that Enterome would partner with Nestlé Health Sciences in a 50/50 joint venture to be known as Microbiome Diagnostics Partners – which would initially focus on the development of novel microbiome-based diagnostics for IBD and liver diseases.
As part of the deal Enterome will contribute its current microbiome diagnostic programs, in addition to intellectual property (IP) derived from its microbiome-based platforms in all therapeutic areas except immuno-oncology.
Prometheus Laboratories, part of Nestlé Health Science, will contribute its diagnostics development and commercialisation expertise, while Nestlé Health Science itself will invest €20 million in return for its 50% stake and exclusive commercialisation options on the initial programs.
