Launched in June 2023, the Bio’Occ project aims to better train young people in the production of biomedicines, medicines made “from living things” that could revolutionize the treatment of certain diseases. Valérie Planat, teacher-researcher specializing in cell therapies at the University of Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier, is responsible for the project.
What is the Bio’Occ project?
We will train students from Occitanie in the professions needed to create biomedicine. The project is led by the University of Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier, in collaboration with the University of Montpellier, Insa Toulouse and the school factory of the IMT group and National Education. We also collaborate with the Occitan pharmaceutical industry, Inserm (National Institute of Health and Medical Research) and the region.
What are biomedicines?
They are medicines made from living organisms. They can be animal cells, yeast or bacteria. For example, we can make a bacterium produce proteins that we can then use as a drug, or directly give a cell or gene to a patient. These innovative techniques can be very effective and could help treat new diseases.
What diseases do we hope to treat with biomedicine?
Research focuses on the treatment of cancer, chronic diseases and several pathologies that have no solution today. We also need to succeed in better treatment of age-related diseases such as neurodegenerative or cardiovascular diseases as we live longer and older.
How are these new drugs tested?
In Occitania, there are already hospitals conducting biotherapy clinical trials. Human testing is the final step after laboratory and animal testing. Advances in research will hopefully make it possible to replace animal tests with tests performed on human tissue reconstitution and computer modeling.
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What exactly will you be doing in Occitania?
We have four areas of activity: adapt existing scientific training to the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry; create new specialized training in biotherapies; improve dialogue with producers; communicate these new professions to younger people. We also want to raise awareness among the population about these new health technologies, because they can be scary because they are unknown.
How is the project financed?
We responded to the call to submit projects from the France 2030 Plan, one of whose priorities is the development of biotherapy. The project was launched in June 2023 and will last five years with a budget of almost 9 million euros, including 4.3 million public subsidies.