Biotech: Xenothera signs a contract for a pre-order of 30,000 doses of a Covid-19 treatment with the French government

The Nantes-based biotech Xenothera has developed the XAV-19. This polyclonal antibody is effective against SARS-CoV-2, preventing the disease from worsening and reducing the number of Covid patients being transferred to intensive care units. 30,000 doses have been pre-ordered by the French Ministry of Health and Solidarity from the company in Atlantic France. 

Xenothera is presented on its website as “a clinical stage biotech built on a double expertise of immunology and genetic engineering”. Based in Nantes, Atlantic France, which was one of the first regions in Europe for kidney transplants, the startup initiated its expertise in transplantation. 

In 2015, one year after its establishment, Xenothera decided to expand its activities to virus and bacteria studies due to the fact that antibodies have many other useful properties. The company implemented a scientific partnership with the Hong Kong Pasteur Institute who discovered the SARS virus. 

The most promising Covid treatment in France

The XAV-19 is an antibody against SARS-CoV-2 based on a unique, patented and time-tested technology. The antiviral antibody takes over the virus while preventing it from entering the cells before the organism starts its immune response. The polyclonal gives the XAV-19 a uniqueness which makes it a truly efficient drug because of its ability to fight against variants.

Today, XAV-19 is one the most promising treatments being developed. The objective of the preorder is to make the treatment available for the French patients at the end of 2021. 

Supporting French biotech for independence in the health crisis

The development of XAV-19 has been supported by public authorities since May 2020. The clinical trial Polycor was promoted by the university hospital of Nantes and was labelled “National Priority of Research” in December 2020. 

Xenothera is also a member of the competitiveness cluster Atlanpole Biotherapies and is enrolled in the scientific and medical environment of Atlantic France. Since its beginning, the company has also received financial support from the Atlantic France regional council and the French investment bank BPI. It has raised more than €23 million to develop innovative healthcare products.