The vector core of the Gene Therapy Laboratory of Nantes was created in 1997. The funding is essentially provided by the University, the Hospital (CHU) of Nantes, the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and the Region Pays de la Loire. The vector core has developed processes for production and characterization of viral vectors derived from adenovirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV). These vectors are intended to use for in vitro and in vivo gene transfer applications, for basic research or for evaluation of therapeutic strategies for cancer or inherited diseases treatment.

Today, the vectors production center (CPV), within the INSERM UMR1089 research unit (translational gene therapy for retinal and neuromuscular diseases), is composed of two groups working together :

A Development group

focusing on the development of new production tools, production and purification processes for clinical grade viral vectors, as well as quality controls for clinical applications. These developments are intended to be transferred to Clinical Manufacturing Facilities as Atlantic Bio GMP (Saint-Herblain, France) or NOVASEP for production and characterization of clinical lots.

A vector core

for production of research/pre-clinical grade viral vectors dedicated to academic and private teams.







 
Our first achievement was the development of a production process for the AAV4-RPE65 vector for a phase 1/2 gene therapy clinical trial for Leber Congenital Amaurosis leaded by the Hospital of Nantes.

The CPV group and Atlantic Bio GMP are part, together with Genethon and GenoSafe, of the Preindustrial Gene Therapy consortium (PGT) funded since 2011 by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) investment program for the future.