CuraVac was created to develop the medical and commercial potential of a newly discovered technique for the production of therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The company is registered in Belgium.

The company was founded by a Belgian medical doctor, Dr. Stéphane Huberty - who himself is a sufferer from myasthenia gravis. The original discoverer of the vaccine production technique, Professor J Edwin Blalock is a consultant to CuraVac.

The production technique for the vaccines is patented and the first vaccine is ready for preliminary, Phase 1, human trials. Currently CuraVac is raising funds to cover the costs of Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials.

This vaccine is the first in a series. It will be tested on humans suffering from myasthenia gravis (MG). While not widely known, MG affects more than one in seven thousand and its pathology is clearly understood, making it an excellent development model.

Further, CuraVac therapeutic vaccines will be developed for the treatment of other autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosis. In total, autoimmune diseases afflict around three percent of western population.

The Team

Professor J. Edwin Blalock

In 1987, Professor J. Edwin Blalock of the University of Alabama conceived the idea of a novel way of producing an anti-idiotypic vaccine to cure autoimmune diseases. The technique was patented on 18 May 1993, under US patent number 5,212,072.

To test this concept, Professor Blalock selected myasthenia gravis (MG) because it is well documented and understood, has an identifiable and measurable antibody level and testing could be carried out using appropriate animal models (rats) that closely simulate the human disease.

The vaccine was highly effective.

A study on natural occuring MG in dogs was carried between 1997 and 2003. The study began because of the persistence of one individual pet owner from Florida. Having been told that her dog was a victim of MG and that the outlook was bleak, she questioned and investigated vigorously until hearing of Professor Blalock's work with rats. At this point she persuaded Professor Blalock to try the vaccine on her dog that was subsequently cured. A trial on more dogs was then decided.  The results will soon be published in a peer reviewed scientific journal.
 
Dr. Stéphane Huberty

Dr Stéphane Huberty is Chief Executive Officer of CuraVac. He is a medical doctor who has studied the research of Professor Blalock for personal reasons, as a sufferer from myasthenia gravis - now held under control through medication. Dr. Huberty is also a proven and successful entrepreneur. He founded and is CEO of IDEAS in Belgium, a company specializing in CAD/CAM design of customized orthopedic and normal footwear. IDEAS is active in more than 20 countries worldwide. 

Visitez leur site web : www.curavac.com

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