A Belgian biotechnology start-up has pioneered an innovative new treatment for certain types of cancers by using tobacco plants, La Libre Belgique reports. The plants help create antibodies and chemotherapeutic substances.
Since its creation, ATB Therapeutics (based in Marche-en-Famenne in the province of Luxembourg) has raised €2.6 million in investment to fund its innovative research. Employing 17 people, the cutting edge company, which is part of the brand-new Novalis Science Park biotech incubator, seeks to find new and experimental approaches to targeting and killing cancer cells.
Unlike other molecules currently used in the treatment of cancer, ATB Therapeutics produces something it calls 'atbodies' using plants as bioreactors, a type of vessel designed to provide the correct environment for the enzymes or cells to transform biochemicals into usable products.
The company's researchers use plant matter to create biochemicals, and in this case, tobacco plants. This is not the same as smoked tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), but a different variety: Nicotiana benthamiana.
"Our 'atbodies' are produced directly in the plant without any chemical coupling, so they are much more stable and less toxic. They also make it possible to overcome any resistance to chemotherapy developed by cancer cells," explained co-founder and CEO of the start-up, Bertrand Magy.
Harnessing nature
The researchers believe that their atbodies are more effective in treatment, while also causing fewer side effects. Their product is primarily aimed towards the treatment of blood cancers, but is also working on developing treatment for other forms of cancer. ATB Therapeutics may also branch out into applications outside of oncology.
To harness the plants for the creation of their atbodies, which are a type of novel antibody-toxin, researchers create a type of tobacco 'smoothie'. The plants grow for around four weeks and are then ready for use. The atbodies are created within the plant for a week, after which time the plants are harvested and blended. The atbodies are then extracted from the resultant juice.
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"The aim is to produce 150 kilograms of biomass per week to enable phase one and two clinical trials to be carried out. To finance all of this, we are preparing to raise several tens of millions of euros in Series A funding by 2024," Magy concluded.
ATB already counts on the backing of major investors such as Investsud Tech, Idelux Noshaq, the Fournier-Majoie Foundation, as well as several generous private investors from the pharmaceutical industry.
