ABIVAX expands Scientific Advisory Board with appointment of renowned virologist and former President of the Pasteur Institute, Prof. Christian Bréchot
Paris, Oct. 5th, 2017 8:00 a.m. CEST – ABIVAX (Euronext Paris: FR0012333284 – ABVX), an innovative biotechnology company targeting the immune system to eliminate viral diseases using its unique technology platform, today announced the appointment to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of Prof. Christian Bréchot, one of the world’s most distinguished infectious diseases experts.
Prof. Bréchot, MD, PhD, recently stepped down as President of the Pasteur Institute in Paris. The Pasteur Institute is the leading French biomedical research organization with 133 research units in Paris, and 33 institutes abroad. To date, Pasteur researchers have been awarded ten Nobel Prizes. Prof. Bréchot held previous leadership positions with the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), the Institut Mérieux, and the BIOASTER Technology Research Institute. He is a university professor, hospital practitioner, and has previously been the head of a department of hepatology. Prof. Bréchot received a Doctor of Medicine from Paris Descartes University (Paris V) and a PhD in biochemistry from the Paris Diderot University (Paris VII). Throughout his career, Prof. Bréchot’s research has focused on viral hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV), particularly regarding their role in liver cancer and to the molecular mechanisms that drive liver regeneration and cancer.
“I am impressed with the research and development capabilities of ABIVAX, exemplified by their progress on the development of a lasting viral remission, or functional cure, for patients with HIV/AIDS” said Prof. Bréchot. “Beyond HIV, I believe that ABIVAX’s proprietary platform holds tremendous promise for the treatment of a number of deadly viral infections like Dengue, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza for which we lack effective therapeutic options today.”
Prof. Hartmut Ehrlich, MD, CEO of ABIVAX said: “We are very pleased that Prof. Bréchot joins our SAB, which is composed of world-class experts in immunology and infectious diseases. His vast experience and guidance will be of invaluable importance to help us shepherd our innovative product candidates to the finish line.”
About ABIVAX’s Scientific Advisory Board
The SAB typically meets twice a year and is composed of the following experts:
Prof. Luc Teyton, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA (SAB Chairman)
Prof. Christoph Huber, M.D., Former Chairman, Department of Hematology-Oncology, University of Mainz, and Co-Founder and Board Member of BioNtech, Mainz, Germany
Dr. Jean-Paul Prieels, Former Vice President R&D at GSK Biologics, Rixensart, Belgium,
Prof. Lawrence R. Stanberry, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA
Prof. Jamal Tazi, PhD, Department of Molecular Genetics, CNRS and University of Montpellier, France
Prof. Christian Trepo, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, University Hospital Center Lyon, and former Head of Hepatitis Research Unit at INSERM, Lyon, France
Prof. Christian Bréchot, M.D., Ph.D., Former Head of the Pasteur Institute, Paris, France
Prof. Ian McGowan, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA and former Chairman of the FDA Advisory Committee on Antiviral Drugs