In the search for anticancer compounds that could improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutic medications such as Paclitaxel, our research team made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of neuroprotective compounds.
This discovery will make it possible to improve chemotherapy treatments by reducing the effective doses required and minimizing side effects, thereby improving patient compliance.
Our specialist research team at the IAB has identified, in collaboration with medicinal chemists, a series of new compounds with promising neuroprotective properties.
This is how Saxol deeptech began to safeguard the future of patients.
With the important support of Linksium SATT, our innovative program was further developed. Subsequently, we sought out and recruited skilled entrepreneurs in the pharmaceutical field, paving the way for the creation of SAXOL, a deeptech startup dedicated to neuroprotecting patients’ future.
Peripheral neuropathies (PN) are disorders that impact the peripheral nerves,
which are responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and spinal cord
and the rest of the body.
PN can be caused by various factors, including aging, neurodegenerative diseases,
trauma, metabolic disorders, and certain therapeutic treatments.
Globally, hundreds of millions of individuals are affected by PN and there is no treatment preventing nor curing PN available. Pain killers products used doesn’t address PN root cause, not treat/cure PN and doesn’t prevent Peripheral Neuropathies.
1. Reduced Quality of Life : Peripheral neuropathies can significantly diminish the quality of life of affected individuals, impacting their ability to perform daily activities and engage in social interactions.
2. Loss of Balance and Increased Risk of Falls : PN can lead to sensory disturbances and muscle weakness, increasing the risk of falls and related injuries.
3. Hearing loss
4. Motor Impairment: The effects of PN on motor function can result in difficulties with coordination, dexterity, and muscle strength.
5. Absence from Work (Absenteeism): Individuals with PN may experience challenges in attending work regularly, leading to absenteeism and potential implications on professional responsibilities.
6. High Risk of Mental Health Issues: PN is associated with a heightened risk of
developing conditions such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia, impacting the
mental well-being of affected individuals.
For over fifty years, the carbazole has been a fundamental structural component of numerous biologically active compounds, encompassing both natural and synthetic.
Discovered in a wide array of organisms including bacteria, fungi, plants and animals, carbazoles have proved important in the field of anti-cancer drugs.
The first natural carbazole identified, the alkaloid murrayanine was extracted from Murraya koenigii Spreng (curry tree) in 1962. Numerous carbazole derivatives were subsequently synthesized and are known for their wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, and antidiabetic properties.
Notably, three of these derivatives have received marketing authorization as anti-cancer drugs in various countries.
Thus, the carbazole structure is a prominent feature in many biologically active molecules of natural and synthetic origin. Typically, the carbazole core is characterized by its rigidity and lipophilic nature, providing multiple points of attachment for functional groups, which can modulate diverse pharmacological activities.
Carba 1, Lead product coming out pipeline
Cytoskeleton Dynamics and Nuclear Functions
Team, Lafanechère
Dual Mode of Action:
• NAD+
• Microtubule-
Issued from a Carbazole scaffold
Other derivatives available
One skeleton, different molecules, different activities
Patented
Discover the video summary of the scientific arguments
• In preparation: neuroprotective activity of Carba1
• Lafanechère L. The microtubule cytoskeleton: An old validated target for novel therapeutic drugs. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Sep 15;13:969183. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.96918.
• Hoke A, Cerri F, Fisgin A, Riva N, Quattrini A. Normal structure and pathological features in peripheral neuropathies. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2021 Nov;26 Suppl 2:S11-S20. doi: 10.1111/jns.12462.
• Laisne MC, Michallet S, Lafanechère L. Characterization of Microtubule Destabilizing Drugs: A Quantitative Cell-Based Assay That Bridges the Gap between Tubulin Based- and Cytotoxicity Assays. Cancers (Basel). 2021 Oct 18;13(20):5226. doi: 10.3390/cancers13205226.
• Peronne L, Denarier E, Rai A, Prudent R, Vernet A, Suzanne P, Ramirez-Rios S, Michallet S, Guidetti M, Vollaire J, Lucena-Agell D, Ribba AS, Josserand V, Coll JL, Dallemagne P, Díaz JF, Oliva MÁ, Sadoul K, Akhmanova A, Andrieux A, Lafanechère L. Two Antagonistic Microtubule Targeting Drugs Act Synergistically to Kill Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Aug 6;12(8):2196. doi: 10.3390/cancers12082196.
• Peronne L. Caractérisation d’un nouveau compose pharmacologique qui potentialise la réponse des cellules au paclitaxel (Taxol®), PhD thesis, Biologie du développement – Oncogenèse, Université Grenoble-Alpes, Defense 2019 Jan 31.
• Issa S, Prandina A, Bedel N, Rongved P, Yous S, Le Borgne M, Bouaziz Z. Carbazole scaffolds in cancer therapy: a review from 2012 to 2018. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2019 Dec;34(1):1321-1346. doi: 10.1080/14756366.2019.1640692.
• Wilson BE, Jacob S, Yap ML, Ferlay J, Bray F, Barton MB. Estimates of global chemotherapy demands and corresponding physician workforce requirem
Saxol CEO
Founder of several Biotechs
Strategy, IP, Collaborations,
Financing skills including non
dilutive multiple financing
20 M€ on 40 M€ for Alaxia
Saxol COO
Team Leader of several pharma complex programs (ALX-009, STR-324…).
Scientific and regulatory
strategy, interactions with FDA/EMA.
+20 articles in peer-review
journals
Saxol scientific adviser
CNRS research director
IAB deputy director
Carba1 inventor
Member of Ruban rose
Scientific Committee
Saxol Preclinical Manager
Study engineer on several
FUI projects
3y working on Saxol project
Skills : clinical drug development & regulatory compliance, pharmacovigilance.
My educational background and 30+ years of professional experience are fully oriented on the assessment of risks and benefits of therapies, and particularly of innovative therapies.
My medical education together with my knowledge on methodology of clinical trials and ICH regulations for drugs are the essence of an efficient integration of clinical and regulatory requirements for building and managing a clinical development program, and interfacing with key investigators/clinicians and agencies (FDA, EMA, national agencies).
I had the opportunity of managing various projects from early to late development phases, in different medical fields (vascular diseases, diabetes and metabolism, urology, endocrinology, onco-hematology, pain, cystic fibrosis…), and with different regulatory requirements (orphan and non-orphan drugs, medical devices).
Dr Benichou is author of several publications on clinical trials of new products.
Jesus Garcia-Foncillas is the Director of the University Cancer Institute and the Department of Oncology at the Fundacion Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Professor of Oncology at the Autonomous University of Madrid, and director of the Professorship on Molecular Individualized Medicine Autonomous University-Merck. He combines this with the roles of Director of the Translational Oncology Division at the Health Research Institute FJD-UAM and Chairman of the Comprehensive Cancer Program of four University Hospitals at Madrid.
Prof Garcia-Foncillas is also currently the President of ECO Foundation and since June 2023 member of ASCO Care and Quality Improvement Committee (CQIC). He is conducting many clinical trials from phase1 to phase3.
He has directed his scientific endeavors towards applying basic research to cancer diagnosis and treatment. He has also been distinguished as the best researcher in Oncology 2020 (“La Razón” Award).
Pr Garcia Foncillas is author of more than 320 articles and several books on Cancer.
