genOway obtains €2,3M from the European Union and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region to develop humanized immune checkpoint models

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Lyon, France, January 05, 2021 – genOway (EURONEXT GROWTHTM Paris; ISIN: FR0004053510), an innovative French company and leader in conceiving and developing genetically engineered preclinical research models, announces the obtention of €2,3M from the European Union and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region to develop humanized immune checkpoint (ICP) models.

“We are very proud to have been selected by the European Union and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region for the European Regional Development Fund,” said Alexandre Fraichard, founder and General Manager, genOway. “This grant will help us to serve our customers better by establishing new partnerships with the world’s leading scientists in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology companies and major contract research organizations, and reinforcing existing ones. These collaborations will undoubtedly accelerate the development of new models for immunotherapy studies.”

“Thanks to this funding, over the past two years we have already conceived and validated, in collaboration with our partners, more than 20 humanized ICP models,” said Kader Thiam, Vice President of Transgenic Technologies, genOway. “And by the end of 2021, we will be able to offer our customers more than 10 additional ones. Importantly, this new generation of preclinical models possesses a better translatability to humans: it is no coincidence that they have already helped scientists unveil how ICPs modulate immune cell response in vivo, and to develop novel tumor treatments that have successfully entered clinical trials.”

“Last, but not least, this grant has enabled us to recruit new talent to reinforce our growing teams of experts, and invests in new technologies,” said Benjamin Bruneau, Administrative and Financial Director at genOway. “Indeed, since 2018, thanks to the ERDF grant, we have recruited over 25 highly qualified employees dedicated to the design and development of humanized ICP models.”

About genOway

Founded in 1999, genOway is a global biotechnology company dedicated to the development and commercialization of innovative genetically modified mouse, rat and cell line models for fundamental, preclinical and clinical research. Based on its core business and leading expertise in custom-designed models, the company invests in cancer research, with a growing catalog of currently over 30 translational models for immuno-oncology and immunotherapy. genOway holds all relevant licenses on patented technologies used for its model creation, including the exclusive license under Merck’s foundational CRISPR/Cas9 patents portfolio, which enables the company to guarantee its clients FTO, freedom to operate. Headquartered in Lyon, France, genOway is an international team that employs passionate and dedicated people from 17 nationalities. Its clients include 380 academic institutions and 170 life sciences companies, with 17 of the top 20 pharma. genOway strives to become the preferred partner of all scientists seeking innovative and reliable research tools.

Contact

Benjamin Bruneau – genOway – finances@genoway.com