Expertise and current research performed: OZ Biosciences is a product development company that creates and develops new research tools for the scientific community with a particular focus on drug and nucleic acid delivery. OZB is focused on delivery technologies of bioactive materials into living organisms intended for the life sciences research world. A large number of methods used by scientists require the delivery of bioactive molecules in living cells in order to study their subsequent biological effect (basic research and therapeutic applications). OZB is developing continuous generations of nucleic acid, protein, peptide and other molecule delivery systems which will give researchers the ability to study more efficiently the functions of such molecules and downstream cellular processes. OZB major focus is nucleic acid delivery systems (transfection reagents). The current research activities of OZB R&D department are:

-          Development of new siRNA delivery systems for in vitro and therapeutic applications (cystic fibrosis)

-          Development of new gene delivery technology for suspension cells and ex-vivo gene therapy applications

-          Development of protein intracellular delivery systems

-          Design of new lipids and polymers for cell specific molecular delivery systems

Expansion of OZB Magnetofection technology (cationic magnetic nanoparticles designed for nucleic acid delivery and virus) to specific cells, tissues or other molecules.

Facilities/Equipment: OZB has around 250 m² of laboratory and offices that are situated in the new Mediterranean Neurobiology Institute Building. OZB is equipped with modern facilities for cell biology, molecular biology and biochemistry. OZB has access to many technological platform located in the scientific park such as P2-P3 laboratory, FACS, imaging (confocal, electron) and animal facilities.

Personnel involved in the project

Principal investigator: Olivier Zelphati (M). CEO of OZB, specialist of molecular delivery systems (>15 years). He has a PhD degree in Immunology and carried out his post-doctorate at the UCSF. He worked at Vical Inc, company leader in DNA-based vaccines and was a founder of Gene Therapy Systems (USA). He received several scientific awards and European & NIH funded grants. Research interests are gene therapy, gene, nucleic acids and drug delivery systems such as cationic lipids, liposomes, nanoparticles and polymers. He successfully developed many reagents including transfection and molecular delivery reagents.

Laurent Meunier (M). Laurent Meunier holds a PhD in Molecular-Cellular Biophysics & Biology. He is currently scientific researcher of OZB cell biology department. He was 3 years post-doctorate in Memphis and 2 years scientist at the CNRS (Montpellier) before joining OZB. He has 12 years experiences in sciences and 7 years in the field of delivery systems. Research interests are: delivery systems, virology & biochemistry. Stephane Moutard (M). Stéphane Moutard has a PhD in chemistry. He is currently Chemist at OZB. He worked 3 years at the CEA (Saclay France) and 1 year at the CERMAV-CNRS (Grenoble, France). He is working in the field of chemistry since 5 years. Research interests are: organic & analytical chemistry, lipids synthesis, polymers, cyclodextrines and physical chemistry of natural compounds. Research Engineer to be engaged. This research engineer, who has to be engaged, holds an Engineer diploma in Biochemistry or Biology. He or She will have 2 to 3 years experiences in research laboratory. Research interests: cell biology & neurosciences. Sophie Jacquard (F). Sophie Jacquard, is a laboratory technician at OZB since 1 year. She hold a BTS degree in Biotechnology and she is working in the field of cellular biology since 2004. Research interests: cell biology, transfection, siRNA & biochemistry. Elodie Vachez (F) is a laboratory technician at OZB since November 14^th, 2005. She holds a BTS degree in Biochemistry and she is working in the field of cellular biology and immunology since 2002. Research interests: cell biology, transfection, siRNA & biochemistry. Research Scientist to be engaged. This research scientist, who has to be engaged, holds a PhD diploma in Biochemistry or Biology. He or She will have 2 to 3 years experiences in research laboratory. Research interests: cell biology & neurosciences. Technician to be engaged. She or He will hold BTS degree or equivalent (IUT, License Pro) in Biochemistry or Cell Biology or Biotechnology. She or He will have at least one year experience in research laboratory. Research interests: cell biology, biochemistry, neurosciences.

Recent relevant publications/patents

1.        Bergemann C. & Plank C. (2001). “Method for transfecting cells using a magnetic field”; European Patent N°2001/0949436; US Patent N°2002/0086842; International application (PCT) WO02/00870.

2.        Jean Haensler “Use of a cationic amphipathic compound as a transfection agent, vaccine additive or drug”, French Patent # FR 9504615, US # 6,124,270, EP # 9504615 and worldwide WO96/32102.

3.        Philip L. Felgner and Olivier Zelphati (2000) “Chemical Modification of DNA Using Peptide Nucleic Acid Conjugates”. US Patent # 6,165,720and International Patent # WO 99/13719.

4.        Philip L. Felgner and Olivier Zelphati Patent Filed on December 17, 1999 “Intracellular Protein Delivery Compositions and Methods of Use”. US and International Patent Application, Serial#: 60/172,441.

5.        Byk G., Scherman D., et al. (1997) New chemical vectors for increased in vitro and in vivo intracellular delivery of DNA. FR95/13490, le 14-11-1995. ST 95058. Extension WO 97/18185.