Vect-Horus is a privately held biotechnology company that designs and develops molecular vectors that facilitate targeting and delivery of therapeutic or imaging agents to organs, including the brain and tumors. Founded in 2005, Vect-Horus is a spin-off of the Institute for Neurophysiopathology (INP, UMR7051, CNRS and Aix Marseille University), formerly headed by Dr Michel Khrestchatisky, co-founder of the company. Vect-Horus has 40 employees (most in R&D).

By combining pharmaceutical agents to its vectors, VECT-HORUS enables their transport across the BBB, which significantly impedes brain delivery of most drugs. Proof of concept of the technology was demonstrated in animal models for different vectorized molecules (Oligonucleotides, Antibodies, NPs…).

Based on its potential to target specific receptors, notably those that are found at high levels in some pathological tissues, the Company is also targeting cancers (pancreatic, adrenal cancer, glioblastoma, etc.), where there is a high unmet medical need.

VECT-HORUS discovered, validated, and optimized different families of molecular vector that target the LDL Receptor, Transferrin Receptor and undisclosed ones that allow drug targeted delivery to different organs.

The vectors are protected by several families of patents and ongoing patent applications. They have different properties (structure, affinity, stability, organ specificity) allowing adaptation of the vectorization process on a case-to-case basis.

Vect-Horus seeks to develop the broad potential of its proprietary VECTrans® technology platform through partnerships and licensing agreements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in multiple therapeutic applications.

–  Therapeutic areas: Central Nervous System, Neuromuscular, Cardiovascular, Ophtalmological, Oncology, Pulmonary

–  Based in: Marseille (FRANCE)

–  Employees: 11 – 50

–  Created in: 2005