Preclinical validation of an extended portfolio of prophylactic and therapeutic options against SARS-CoV-2-induced pathologies remains a major challenge for the scientific and medical community. In this context, the high value of several animal models of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been demonstrated to screen a variety of products, such as vaccines, biologics or small molecules (repurposed drugs and new chemical entities). Still, choosing the right animal model might be challenging, based on various modes of action and/or timing of action of the tested molecules.

In this webinar, our guest presenters will discuss several case studies to illustrate the features of rodent (golden Syrian hamster, human AC2-expressing mice) and nonhuman primate (NHP) models, which provide different pathology settings (moderate vs. severe COVID-19). These examples will help the attendees in their decision process regarding valid COVID-19 model selection.

There are two main rodent models available to study the effects of potential COVID-19 treatments. SARS-CoV-2 infection of hamsters results in a moderate COVID-19 pathology (transient body weight loss, moderate lung inflammation) with rapid development of a protective immune response (cytokine release, neutralizing antibody response). Lethal models of SARS-CoV-2 infection, linked to severe cytokine-release syndrome, can be obtained using human ACE2-transgenic mouse models.

In the NHP SARS-CoV-2 infection, a large number of clinical, biological, virological and immunological parameters can be monitored in a close-to-human setting. In all of these experimental models, prophylactic and therapeutic strategies can be evaluated, depending on each product-specific mode of action.

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Speakers

Nicolas Legrand, Ph.D., In Vivo Lab & Study Unit Director, Oncodesign

Dr. Nicolas Legrand holds an MSc (1998) and a Ph.D. (2002) in immunology from Pierre and Marie Curie University & Institut Pasteur in Paris. He worked at the Academisch Medisch Centrum in Amsterdam from 2003 until 2010 as research scientist, scientific advisor and, finally, co-investigator on the Human Vaccine Consortium project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2010, he joined AIMM Therapeutics in Amsterdam as scientific manager. He spent 7 years at Axenis as CSO, then as Director of Immunology after the acquisition by GenOway, before joining Oncodesign in March 2020.

Message Presenter

Roger Le Grand, Ph.D., Director, CEA IDMIT

Dr. Roger Le Grand is veterinarian (MDV in 1988) and holds an MSc (1989) in cell biology and a Ph.D. (1994) in immuno-virology from the University Paris V. In 1996, he joined The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) as permanent senior scientist, through to his current position as the head of the Infectious Diseases Models for Innovative Therapies department (IDMIT). His work is mainly based on the use of preclinical models, including non-human primate models, of human diseases, and the development of advanced technologies — in vivo imaging in particular — with a continuing effort to translate findings in experimental models to the clinical practice.

Message Presenter

Who Should Attend?

This webinar will benefit those involved in COVID-19 therapeutic and prophylactic development, with relevant job titles including:

Project Managers
Study Directors
Chief Scientific Officers

What You Will Learn

SARS-CoV-2 infection of hamsters results in a moderate COVID-19 pathology
Lethal models of SARS-CoV-2 infection can be obtained using human ACE2-transgenic mouse models
In the nonhuman primate (NHP) SARS-CoV-2 infection, a large number of clinical, biological, virological and immunological parameters can be monitored
Prophylactic and therapeutic strategies can be evaluated, depending on each product-specific mode of action

Xtalks Partners

Oncodesign

Oncodesign is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to precision medicine, founded in 1995 by its current CEO and majority shareholder, and has been listed on Euronext Growth Market since April 2014. Its mission is the discovery of effective therapies to fight cancer and other diseases without therapeutic solutions. With its unique experience acquired by working with more than 1000 clients, including the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, along with its unique technological platform combining Artificial Intelligence, state-of-the-art medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, regulated bioanalysis and medical imaging, Oncodesign is able to select new therapeutic targets, and design and develop potential preclinical candidates through to clinical phases.

Oncodesign has configured its organization to offer innovative services to its customers and to license its proprietary molecules. Applied to kinase inhibitors, which represent a market estimated at over $65 billion by 2027 and accounting for almost 25% of the pharmaceutical industry’s R&D expenditure, Oncodesign’s technology has already enabled the targeting of several promising molecules with substantial therapeutic potential, in oncology and elsewhere, along with partnerships with global pharmaceutical groups. Oncodesign is based in Dijon, France, in the heart of the town’s university and hospital hub, and within the Paris-Saclay cluster. Oncodesign has 230 employees within 3 Business Units (BU): Service, Biotech, Artificial Intelligence and subsidiaries in Canada and the USA.

IDMIT

IDMIT stands for “Infectious Disease Models and Innovative Therapies” and is a national research and technology infrastructure for biology and health dedicated to preclinical research on infectious diseases. IDMIT is a unique center in Europe dedicated to infectious disease modelling and preclinical development. Specializing in non-human primates, IDMIT develops research programs on human vaccines and antimicrobial treatments and provides academic and industrial partners with access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for research and development projects.