Portfolio Overview

IL-7 -- The lead compound, a recombinant Interleukin-7 (rIL-7) -- the EPO of the immune system -- is a pivotal growth factor with unique features to rebuild the immune system and enhance global and specific immune response. Acquired in 1999 under a worldwide exclusive license from sanofi-aventis, IL-7 is a non-redundant and pleiotropic growth factor for T-cell homeostasis and plays an important role at various stages of T cell development, from T cell precursors in the bone marrow to mature T cells in the periphery. The homeostatic effect of IL-7 is characterized by the expansion of T cells (CD4 and CD8) through thymopoiesis stimulation and peripheral T cell expansion.

IL-7 is also known to enhance antigen specific T cell responses and is key to the activation and proliferation of effector T cells. Recent publications show that this antigen-specific effect is favored by the generation and maintenance of memory T cells which are critical to triggering an efficient and sustained immune response.

IL-7 is now entering a second round of more extensive Phase I/II clinical studies in the US and Europe. Further therapeutic indications will include immuno-deficit settings (such as HIV infection and post bond marrow transplant) as well as situations where specific immune response with existing therapies needs to be enhanced (hepatitis C, cancer, and HIV).