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The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)
and Pierre Fabre Médicament (PFM) join forces to study the use of biosensor chips in the clinical
development of drugs
* The EPFL is at the forefront of the development of biosensor chips that can be implanted under the
skin and are capable of following biological indicators;
* By testing these innovative chips, PFM intends to boost its new molecule development process
Castres (France) November 10, 2015 – Pierre Fabre Médicament (PFM) and the Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) have agreed to a scientific collaboration on the use of biosensor chips
developed by the EPFL in clinical studies conducted by PFM.
The biosensor chips developed by the EFPL’s scientists are able to assess the homeostasis of individuals (pH,
temperature, blood glucose level, etc.) and measure more accurately than traditional methods the concentration
in the body of an active agent coming from an administered drug. Biosensors chips can therefore have many
applications over the development of a new molecule:
• In the early stage of a molecule’s development, biosensors chips will allow scientists to find out faster
whether or not it might be interesting to continue the study, which will increase the chances of success
of the project down the road.
• In the clinical development stage, the precise measurement of the concentration of active agents
administered will make it possible to analyze, almost in real time, the therapeutic effect and tolerability
of the drug.
• Once a drug is marketed, this new technology could also make it easier to monitor treatment progress
and adherence for specific diseases, expensive treatments or drugs with low therapeutic range.
The collaboration between the EPFL and Pierre Fabre Medicament’s R&D teams began with a feasibility study
on the use of biosensor chips in the development of a molecule, currently in proof-of-concept clinical trials
(Phase II) for the treatment of schizophrenia (F17464). The main results of the study are expected to be
published in the 2nd quarter of 2016.
"Through this original collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, our R&D takes
a resolute turn toward new information technologies applied to drug development. The use of biosensor chips in
clinical studies is an innovative project whose success would boost the development of effective and safe new
molecules for patients”, said Dr. Laurent Audoly, Head of Research & Development Pierre Fabre Médicament.
“Knowing precisely and in real time the effect of drugs on the body is critical to personalized medicine and the
accuracy expected in tomorrow’s world. Biosensor chips bring to the research teams of Pierre Fabre
Médicament a unique and reliable solution to measure with extreme accuracy data that are critical to our
understanding of the effects of a drug candidate”, said Dr. Sandro Carrara, Professor at the Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology in Lausanne.
About biosensor chips:
The technological innovation brought by biosensor chips could have many medical applications. These highly
innovative systems could be implanted under the skin of patients. Their energy supply is then provided by a
simple patch applied to the skin, which also enables to transfer the data to a mobile phone. Patients and their
doctors could then use this real-time data to customize the treatments.
About F17464:
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F17464 is a drug candidate developed by Pierre Fabre Médicament in the area of Central Nervous System, one
of the company’s four strategic development areas, along with Oncology, Dermatology and Consumer Health
Care. This compound with D3 antagonist, 5-HT1A partial agonist properties is currently under development in
the treatment of schizophrenia. The ongoing clinical trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of
F17464 compared to placebo in patients suffering from acute phase of schizophrenia. This multinational trial will
be conducted over a six-week period on 142 patients in several European countries.
About Pierre Fabre Médicament’s R&D
Pierre Fabre is the third largest French pharmaceutical group. In 2014, its sales reached €2.1 billion, with Pierre
Fabre Médicament accounting for 55% and international sales for 55% of the Group’s total revenue. Located
since its creation in the French region Midi-Pyrénées, Pierre Fabre has branches in 44 countries and
distribution agreements in over 130 countries. Covering all healthcare segments, from ethical drugs, to dermocosmetics and Over the Counter Medications (OTC), Pierre Fabre employs over 10,000 people worldwide. In
2014, Pierre Fabre allocated more than 17% of its drug revenues to R&D, including in three priority research
areas: oncology, dermatology and neuropsychiatry. About 50% of the company’s pharmaceutical R&D
investments are dedicated to oncology. Through the Pierre Fabre Participations holding company, the Pierre
Fabre Foundation, a government-recognized public-interest foundation since 1999, owns 86% of Pierre Fabre
Laboratories. Remaining shares are owned by company employees, amounting to 7,3 %, and through treasury
stock. Pierre Fabre Laboratories have reached the level "confirmed" evaluation AFAQ AFNOR 26000
certification on social responsibility (CSR).
For more information, please visit www.pierre-fabre.com
About the EPFL (L'Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne)
EPFL is Europe’s most cosmopolitan technical university with students, professors and staff from over 120
nations. A dynamic environment, open to Switzerland and the world, EPFL is centered on its three missions:
teaching, research and technology transfer. EPFL works together with an extensive network of partners
including other universities and institutes of technology, developing and emerging countries, secondary schools
and colleges, industry and economy, political circles and the general public, to bring about real impact for
society.
The Bio/interfaces Group at the Integrated Systems Laboratory (Laboratoire des Systèmes Intégrés - LSI)
studies design-technologies for Circuits and Systems in Biomedical Applications. The group focus is on
Bioelectronics and Biophysics of nano- and bio-structured thin molecular films integrated on micro and nano
fabricated silicon chips for applications in human diagnostics, translational medicine, and biotechnology. The
group is one of the worldwide leader groups in the field of design and fabrication of biosensors-on-chip and biointerfaces, with target on DNA and protein based arrays. The research is specially focused on the development
of new bio/CMOS interfaces by also integrating new and innovative nano- and bio- materials in the
electrochemical-sensing surface. Research involves both the design of novel biosensing devices, intimate
integration of highly heterogeneous systems, and development of electronics with the CMOS technology. The
novel approach proposed by this leading group corresponds to a co-design of the different layers (bio, nano,
and CMOS frontend) to improve the integration of these highly heterogeneous systems in order to overcome
the usual biosensors limits in terms of specificity and sensitivity.
Press contacts:
Valérie Roucoules
Pierre Fabre
Deputy Director Media Relations
Tel.: +33 1 49 10 83 84
Email: [email protected]
Sandro Carrara
EPFL
Professor
Tel.: +41 21 693 0915
Email: [email protected]
ALIZE RP
Caroline Carmagnol/Florence Portejoie
& Wendy Rigal
Tel.: + 33 1 44 54 36 66
Email: [email protected]
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