PK MED Secures €1.5M Bpifrance Funding for Bone Marrow Transplant Implant Development

PK MED, a biotechnology company based in Lyon, France and established in 2019 by Truffle Capital, has announced a significant financial boost. The company has secured a €1.5 million non-dilutive DeepTech financing from Bpifrance. This funding is set to accelerate the development of PKM-02, an innovative cell-homing technology designed to improve bone marrow transplantation outcomes in diseases like leukemias and hemoglobinopathies, which present high unmet medical needs.

Allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT), commonly referred to as bone marrow transplantation, is a procedure where hematopoietic stem cells from a healthy donor are transferred to a patient suffering from depleted or dysfunctional bone marrow. This therapeutic approach can be life-saving or life-prolonging for patients with various hematologic disorders. Annually, over 25,000 allogenic HSCTs are conducted in the US and EU. The success of this treatment hinges on the effective seeding, engraftment, and expansion of hematopoietic stem cells within the patient's bone marrow. However, the efficiency of homing, or the ability of transplanted cells to reach and integrate into the bone marrow, is typically low, estimated between 1-10%.

Furthermore, many patients are ineligible for this procedure due to challenges in donor matching and the rigorous conditioning regimen required to ensure successful engraftment of donor cells. These limitations underscore the urgent need for advancements that enhance the homing and engraftment processes of transplanted cells.

PK MED's PKM-02 project introduces a novel approach to this issue through the development of a therapeutic implant that is locally injected into the patient’s bone marrow before allogeneic HSCT. This innovative technology combines a drug-based mechanism with a biodegradable scaffold aimed at boosting the homing and engraftment of transplanted cells. The initial in vitro results of PKM-02 have been promising, and PK MED is preparing to conduct preclinical studies. Additionally, the company is exploring the potential application of this technology in other areas of tissue regeneration.

Gauthier Pouliquen, Ph.D., CEO of PK MED, underscored the significance of this development, stating that the local cell-homing implant and support from Bpifrance validate the company's technological prowess and dedication to advancing medical treatments. Pouliquen emphasized that PK MED's goal is to make substantial progress in bone marrow transplantation and cell regeneration techniques, ultimately benefiting patients with hematologic disorders.

PK MED is a French biotechnology firm focusing on the development of injectable smart implants for drug release in rheumatology and cell homing in bone marrow transplantation. Founded by Truffle Capital in 2019, the company leverages its unique expertise and technological capabilities to transform existing systemic treatments into new, safer, and more effective patented local therapies.

The company's project portfolio addresses high medical needs, starting with PKM-01 for gout and PKM-02 for Hematopoietic Stem Cell transplants. PK MED continues to innovate in the field of biotechnology, aiming to provide advanced medical solutions to patients with critical health conditions.