Mymetics Corp (MYMX)

[Work Harder]

“We did Cytos in Switzerland and a few other companies, so reasonably early we had a good taste of how Europe developed over the years.” Aside from investing in the fast-growing US biotech market, the Lombard Odier Immunology Fund had another advantage. It recruited a scientific advisory committee that was not only composed of prominent experts in the field of immunology but one which would play a role in the selection of investments.

“I think that is one of the big strengths that we have, and one which is unusual for asset management, is that we gave the scientists some say on early investment decisions. The idea is to collaborate between the financiers and the scientists. The scientists provided the input on the science and my colleagues provided input on the financial side.”

“I think there are a very limited number of targets available for these antibodies. They have all been (patent) protected and they are just not available.”

As for the second generation, which is producing antibody fragments with greater penetration power than first generation antibodies, Mr Tripet says that relatively few companies are involved in this area, such as Ablynx NV in Belgium, ESBAtech AG and Molecular Partners AG in Switzerland, the Domantis Ltd subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline and a few companies in Germany and Denmark.

“I think that they (antibody fragment companies) are all being financed and we don’t see much new in that area. I think the issue is picking the right targets because it is much more difficult with antibodies than with small molecules to change your mind along the way. Once you have started antibody production, you are basically done. You’ve burned $10 million. It’s a very expensive proposition.”

He says the third generation antibody companies may provide the best investment opportunities. These will be vaccines where the body will make its own antibodies to whatever target is required.

In general, a lot of Mr Tripet’s investment strategy revolves around picking companies with the right target.

“Intellectually, it is not producing more targets. There are plenty. It is picking the right one which is difficult.”

http://www.aravis.ventures/news/2009/02/aravis-venture-looks-to-get-a-step-ahead-by-finding-the-right-targets

http://aravis.ventures/company/member/jean-philippe-tripet