TIMC (an UJF laboratory) and more precisely the TheReX (Experimental recombinental therapeutics) group was a key starting point for the Synthelis project. The group initially focused on the design of protein based drugs and vectors capable of transferring biological treatments directly into cells.
The subsequent development of such technological approaches has enabled the development of innovative biotherapies including the vectorisation of therapeutic membrane proteins as part of anti-infectious or anti-tumoral vaccine programmes. This work has led the group to develop an innovative membrane protein production process associated with delivery systems to cells.
As part of its research programmes (in particular, the European Marie Curie Excellence Grant - Humprother project) Professor Lenormand's team then developed an accellular (or in vitro) expression system using lysat bacteria (d'Escherichia coli) which has been modified, optimized and adapted to the production of membrane proteins. This system, patented in 2007, has already enabled the successful expression of more than 40 membrane proteins (MPs) originating from plant porins, bacteria, mammals and other viral membrane proteins containing one or more trans-membrane domains, whilst preserving their structure and natural functionality.
Membrane proteins can be produced in two forms, either in soluble forms using a detergent based process, or in proteoliposome form where the structures mimic their natural context.
Synthelis is currently being groomed towards company creation as part of the Floralis business unit programme. Floralis, the technology transfer subsidiary of the University Joseph Fourier, uses its business unit model to create "virtual start-ups", paving the way for company creation. In the case of Synthelis, commercial, marketing and technical teams have been put in place to promote Synthelis's product offerings. A commercial strategy has been put in place to market the business unit's offerings, and financial data is being collated and analysed prior to the creation of the start-up in mid 2010 (for more information on business units visit http://www.floralis.fr/us/prestations_floralis_innovation/business_units.php).
As a result of both this fully integrated approach to technology transfer and the originality and high quality of its offering, Synthelis has already started to establish itself as a leading provider of membrane proteins to Industry, with deals being struck with a number of leading biotech organizations.
Similarly, the combination of a robust, dynamic commercialization strategy and a highly innovative product, has helped Synthelis secure the much sought after OSEO award for innovation in the "emergence" category. This much respected award, put in place by the French ministry of research and the ANR, the national French research agency, is awarded annually to the most promising commercial ventures in each French region.