Genoscience Pharma was founded in 2001 by Pr Philippe Halfon, a world renowned medical expert on viral diseases, especially on Human Immunodeficient Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). The company was initially focused on the development of anti-HCV agents. Two protease inhibitors were thus developed and out-licensed to BioLineRX.
A new scientific direction was taken in 2012 after the discovery of a new chemical family: autophagy inhibitors. Following promising preliminary in vitro and in vivo results from these small molecules, including against cancer stem cells, Genoscience Pharma has decided to take the opportunity to make the difference in Oncology, especially in cancers where medical needs are still unmet. Now, Genoscience Pharma is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on translating novel scientific insights into medicines for patients with cancer.
Virology and Oncology
“After the approval of treatments truly capable of curing patients with Hepatitis C, many patients still visited me at hospital. As a physician, I had to explain them that they may later suffer from liver cancer. I had to do my best to propose them some alternative : I then decided to use my previous experience and knowledge in viral liver diseases to make things better in Oncology.”
Philippe HalfonPhysician, CEO & Founder at Genoscience Pharma