Vect-Horus has set up a unique VECTrans® technology platform for screening and identification of vectors of different nature from large libraries of molecules to identify efficient vector/receptor systems:
- Peptide vectors: because all-natural and linear peptides display very poor proteolytic resistance, Vect-Horus has developed a deep expertise in medicinal chemistry-based peptide optimization using different techniques including Ala-scan or D-scan, truncations and, most importantly, cyclization and introduction of non-natural amino acids to yield peptide variants with a broad range of biological properties: affinities from the micromolar up to the low nanomolar range and in vitro blood stability up to 10 hours for a 1kDa peptides.
- sdAbs: small antibodies are the smallest (MW < 15 kDa) functional antigen-binding fragments that are derived from heavy chain-only (VHH) camelid antibodies. Different families of sdAbs are currently developed that target different receptors. Using state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques, these VHH vectors are also optimized and diversified to generate variants with distinct and unique features that can be tailored for specific applications.
All Vect-Horus’ vectors bind both non-human and human forms of their target receptor, to ensure efficient translation into the clinics. Furthermore, they are selected for their absence of competition with the main endogenous ligands of the targeted receptors.
Moreover, as opposed to targeting agents such as antibodies, smaller peptide- and small antibody-based vectors are endowed with unique advantages, including high coupling versatility, easy manufacturing, low cost, high tissue penetration potential and low immunogenicity, promoting their use in a wide range of platforms that can be leveraged in specific medical applications.
These peptide- and small antibody-based vectors are protected by several patent families.