Immune4cure: a new reference for treating autoimmune diseases

[Article] - Published on October 2, 2024 in Major projects, Emblematic projects

Launched on September 17 by Inserm, the CHU and the University of Montpellier, Institut hospitalo-universitaire Immun4cure aims to become Europe's^leading center for research and development in immunotherapy applied to autoimmune diseases. Under the direction of Christian Jorgensen, it involves 15 research teams dedicated to scientific excellence, care and innovation.

5 million people live with an autoimmune disease in France, and around 5 to 8% of the world's population. Eight times as many women as men. Over 80 autoimmune diseases have been identified to date. Some, such as type 1 diabetes, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis, are well known to the general public. Others, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis or systemic lupus, are less well known. What they all have in common is that they are chronic conditions in which the immune system goes haywire and turns against the body's own healthy cells, causing tissue damage and persistent inflammation that leads to chronic pain.

A global health strategy

Christian Jorgensen is no stranger to these diseases and the pain associated with them, having headed the Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy(IRMB) and the Clinical Immunology and Osteoarticular Therapeutics Department at Montpellier University Hospital for ten years. Since its creation in 2014, the IRMB has been entirely dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of tissue and cell regeneration, as well as the inflammatory processes involved in autoimmune diseases, but the researcher and his colleagues wanted to go even further by creating an innovation hub bringing together fundamental research, clinical research and patient care.

The Immun4cure project was launched in 2024 as a university hospital institute (IHU), thanks to the collaboration of three founding partners: the CHU, Inserm and the University of Montpellier. " After the ExposUM project and, more recently, the success of the digital health school ESNbyUMdigital health school, the creation of this university hospital institute is part of a global strategy that positions the University as a key player in the health sector, at the forefront of research and innovation ", explains Philippe Augé, President of the UM.

New therapeutic tools

The ambition of this new structure is manifold: "First and foremost , we want to break with conventional therapeutic programs by proposing new cellular and biological therapeutic tools aimed at restoring immune balance in autoimmune diseases" continues Christian Jorgensen, who is logically in charge of the project. Immun4Cure aims to deepen our understanding of 3 key diseases in particular, all of which are caused by a runaway immune system: rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and lupus.

To achieve this, the Immun4cure IHU will be able to count on fifteen joint research teams, representing over 300 researchers working in 8,000 m2 of laboratory space on two sites: Saint Eloi and the Triolet campus. " The IHU's scientific program aims to explore new perspectives in the field of biotherapies. Recent advances in the use of T cells in oncology have highlighted the potential of cellular therapies and turned the drug market on its head. "

For Didier Samuel, Chairman and CEO of Inserm, " work on autoimmune diseases is an important area of research for Inserm, as are innovative immunotherapies. The Montpellier site offers significant advantages for conducting this work, advancing science and obtaining results in the service of everyone's health."

A personalized care pathway

The second ambition put forward by Christian Jorgensen is the development of a personalized care pathway for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. "This multidisciplinary pathway is based on a fine mapping of immune responses, enabling tailor-made follow-up." The idea here is to be able to move from the patient's room to the laboratory and vice versa, thanks to the clinical site adjoining the research center on the Saint Eloi campus.

Immun4cure will offer cutting-edge medical analyses for better diagnosis and treatment of diseases, accelerated development of targeted biomedicines and access to precision immunotherapies and biotherapies, specifically developed to offer innovative solutions tailored to each individual case. Patients who so wish will be able to be included in a cohort and take part in clinical trials as early as 2025," emphasizes Anne Ferrer, Director of Montpellier University Hospital. This ambitious project aims to completely transform the care of patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, by improving diagnosis, treatment and care pathways."

At the heart of the healthcare ecosystem

The IHU also aims to drive economic development by encouraging biotech companies specializing in biotherapies to set up in Montpellier, thereby contributing to the growth of cellular therapies. While the IRMB was already a driving force for innovation, hosting ten start-ups, Immun4Cure is building on this momentum by strengthening collaborations with start-ups as well as major national and international groups: Arthritis4Cure, Cantarelle, Flash Biosolutions, One Bioscience, Sanofi, ScientaLab, Servier, SuperBranche.

Emerging biotechs(Stem Genomics, Spima therapeutics, Inist, Cell easy flash) are also involved in cell therapy and innovative therapies. This approach makes perfect sense in the overall Montpellier environment created by Medvallée, a joint strategy aimed at decompartmentalizing higher education, research and the business world to make Montpellier an international center of excellence in global health.

Training tomorrow's professionals

Last but not least, the Immune4cure IHU places high-level training at the heart of its priorities, and aims to help build career paths adapted to professions related to autoimmune diseases and cellular therapies. A working group coordinated by Marie Morille, a teacher-researcher, is working to set up a number of initiatives, including the funding of Master 2 scholarships, the recruitment of two doctoral students per year for four years in this field, and the creation of the ImmunoCell university diploma run by Yves-Marie Pers (IRMB) and Jean-Marc Brondello (IRMB). To mark this momentum, the first Immun4cure international symposium, in collaboration with Journée Jacques Courtin, will be held on November 28 and 29, 2024 at Le Corum.

Key words : Innovation, Research, Health, Science, University