On May 25, 2023, an international cooperation agreement was signed between SomesTech, a company incubated by the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and ConvEyXO, Belgium, marking a significant milestone in the development and commercialization of novel exosome-based nanocarriers. The agreement focuses on the breakthrough platform built on SomesTech‘s nanoengineering technology, which integrates advanced biotechnology to enable precise drug targeting capabilities. 

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prof. YANG Hui, founder of SomesTech and Executive Director of the Research Center for Bionic and Intelligent Sensing of SIAT, Dr. Jean Paul H. PRIEELS, founder and CEO of ConvEyXO. Vice President of SIAT, Prof. ZHENG Hairong, and Mr. Didier Denayer, Economic and Commercial Attaché for the Walloon Region (AWEX), were also present. 

This strategic collaboration represents SIAT's first project to venture abroad, showcasing their proprietary intellectual property as the core technology. SomesTech's nanoengineering platform is a groundbreaking advancement that utilizes exosomes as nanocarriers for precise drug delivery, revolutionizing the development of chemical, nucleic acid, and protein drugs. 

Jean-Paul PRIEELS, CEO of ConvEyXo Belgium (second from the right) and YANG Hui, founder of SomesTech (second from the left) sign the official cooperation agreement. (Image by SIAT)

The partnership encompasses the development, commercialization, and supply of the platform, combining SomesTech's nanoengineering technology with ConvEyXO's expertise in the pharmaceutical field as well as in the technological and biological activity validation of loaded exosomes for therapeutic purposes. The agreement not only marks SIAT's establishment of business cooperation in Europe but also signifies joint efforts to advance novel exosome-based therapeutics. 

In addition to the collaboration, the two parties establish a joint venture named "XomeXBio." This venture aims to drive the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of engineered exosomes as natural drug delivery system for precision medicine, through breakthrough nanoengineering technologies, opening new avenues to address unmet medical needs and overcome healthcare challenges. 

Initially, the partnership will focus on aligning efforts to advance SomesTech's technology. Key areas of development include large-scale loading of exosomes with drugs and validation of instrumentation according to pharmaceutical standards. ConvEyXO's expertise in the pharmaceutical field and validation of loaded exosomes' technological and biological activity for therapeutic purposes will greatly contribute to these developments. The initial therapeutic applications will target musculoskeletal diseases and oncology. 

Prof. YANG expressed her enthusiasm for the joint venture and partnership, highlighting the international market potential it brings to SomesTech's technology. He emphasized the leveraging of ConvEyXO's pharmaceutical expertise and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) knowledge to enhance their technology and accelerate the international development of loaded exosome-based therapies. SIAT, as a world-class industrial research institute, will continue to provide scientific support throughout the development process. 

Frédéric Michel M. Tonglet, Deputy CEO of ConvEyXO, shared his perspective on selecting SomesTech as a partner, emphasizing their unique expertise in microfluidics translated into nanoengineering technology for exosome loading. The robust and scalable method developed by SomesTech to enrich exosomes with molecules of interest, without compromising their inherent properties, holds immense promise for the future of therapeutic exosomes.  

The attendees included senior management representatives from both sides, this partnership sets the stage for transformative advancements in exosome-based therapies, paving the way for addressing unmet medical needs and improving patient outcomes. 

Group photo of witnessing parties. (Image by SIAT) 

Media Contact:
ZHANG Xiaomin
Email:xm.zhang@siat.ac.cn