Press release : New biomarker for diagnosing triple negative breast cancer

Joint efforts between Quimigen, Erganeo and the academic lab headed by Véronique Baud, in the field of research to facilitate the diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer have yielded new findings that make it easier to classify and predict degree of aggressiveness.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for approximately 15% of breast cancer cases and primarily affects women under the age of 40. This type of breast cancer is considered highly aggressive with a five-year survival rate of 11.3%. Furthermore, because of its diversity, its degree of aggressiveness is difficult to classify and predict.

To tackle these challenges in classifying degree of aggressiveness in TNBC, INSERM Research Director Véronique Baud, heading up a laboratory at the Université de Paris Faculty of Pharmacy, developed an antibody that specifically targets RelB phosphorylation in the NF-κB signaling pathway. This antibody stands out in how it may be used as a research tool for classifying breast cancers, and aggressive breast cancers in particular. It therefore serves as a deciding factor in determining degree of aggressiveness for this type of cancer, and improves prognosis for breast cancer patients as a result.

Erganeo backed this project through an incubator support scheme and a first patent application in 2013. An industrial collaboration then paved the way for development of this new monitoring method for cancer and/or inflammatory reaction on the basis of RelB phosphorylation. In December 2014, an exclusive licensing agreement to use the patent was signed with Quimigen, a company specialising in reagents and instruments in immumonology and cellular and molecular biology. This collaboration yielded fresh findings in late 2021, which were used to file a new patent to protect an in vitro method based on RelB phosphorylation that aims to classify breast cancer patients based on prognosis.

Erganeo is a French investment fund that specialises in breakthrough innovations (deep tech) with a major societal impact. We invest early in the game to secure researchers' newest inventions before they are transferred to companies or before start-ups are founded, across a wide range of scientific fields: Biotech, Infotech (Telecom, connected objects, big data, AI) and Enertech (new energy, chemistry, materials), among others. Erganeo aims to accelerate and simplify links between research and industry for the benefit of society. To do so, we finance and accompany the new generation of French researchers and entrepreneurs on the road to international recognition and success.

As a member of the SATT Network, Erganeo draws on the Ile-de-France network in building the foundations of a better tomorrow, tapping into a talent pool of over 20,000 researchers across 350 cutting-edge, leading laboratories. Since it was founded, Erganeo has invested over €41m, thus contributing to the signing of 88 licensing agreements with companies of all sizes and setting up 31 start-ups.