Claude Noguès, Co-founder of Kimialys

Claude Noguès conducted her research activities at the Laboratory of Applied Biology and Pharmacology (LBPA – ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS) and is the co-founder of the start-up Kimialys, in which she is fully involved today. She develops cutting-edge biocensors for healthcare. By designing a new surface chemistry, her goal is to make diagnostic tests more accessible and reliable. 

She has worked for more than 10 years on the development of advanced biocensors for healthcare, leveraging her expertise in physical chemistry, biophysics, surface, and colloidal chemistry. Her objective is to make early disease diagnostic tests safer.

HER JOURNEY

Coming from a background in physical chemistry, Claude Noguès specialized in surface and interface chemistry during her master's at the University of Paris-Est Créteil. 

In 2001, she defended a thesis on the deposition of organic thin layers applied to photovoltaic and electroluminescent cells. 

Between 2001 and 2007, she completed her post-doctoral studies at the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. 

Since 2008, she has been working at the Laboratory of Applied Biology and Pharmacology (LBPA, ENS Paris-Saclay, University Paris-Saclay, CNRS). 

In 2010, she was recruited by CNRS as a research associate.

HER RESEARCH FOCUS

Study of the dynamics of molecular interactions

Upon her arrival at LBPA, Claude Noguès focused her research on studying the dynamics of macromolecular interactions and analyzing gene regulation. "I immobilized small DNA at different densities on a surface to study its reading by enzymes responsible for transcription into RNA and translation into proteins," reports the researcher. 

She uses a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biocensor to understand the interactions between DNA and these enzymes. "This instrument has a flat gold surface on which one of the molecules to be studied (DNA) is immobilized, and the other molecule of interest (enzyme) is introduced into the biocensor in solution through a microfluidic circuit. The formation of the complex is then followed, and its dissociation during rinsing," explains Claude Noguès. Using this technique, the researcher measures the interaction kinetics between the two molecules as well as their affinity.

A new surface chemistry for efficient biocensors

Although SPR biocensors have proven themselves in very pure solutions, signal detection becomes obscured by the introduction of a more complex liquid. The thousands of different proteins present in cellular extracts or body fluids are the cause of non-specific interactions with the biocensor surface. The sought-after DNA-enzyme signal is drowned in background noise that prevents realistic studies. "To reduce this background noise, I focused on the surface chemistry of biocensors. My goal was to protect the surface against non-specific interactions and optimize the availability of immobilized molecules," recalls the researcher. She spent eleven years developing a new surface chemistry applied to biocensors. "I tested its relevance and robustness on different biological systems such as DNA, proteins, antibodies, peptides, and cells."

THE CREATION OF THE START-UP KIMIALYS 

"It is very gratifying for me to know that a product resulting from our research will have practical applications in everyday life. The work I am doing now is more research and development than fundamental research. I am developing biocensors in the form of diagnostic tests that will be industrializable," says Claude Noguès. 

In October 2020, she founded Kimialys with engineer Cyril Gilbert.

• Claude Noguès, scientific director, manages R&D innovation projects, both internally and in collaboration with public and private partners ;
• Cyril Gilbert, CEO, is responsible for operational strategy, marketing, and fundraising.

In March 2021, they signed a technology transfer contract allowing the commercialization of innovative surface chemistries applied to biocensors, expected to revolutionize early disease diagnosis in the medium term to avoid many complications. 

Since then, the researcher-entrepreneur has been dedicating herself full-time to Kimialys, with the ambition to hire about ten collaborators by the end of 2021.

TOWARDS A MORE RELIABLE DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

Biocensors are real assets for medical diagnosis. By developing sensitive and reliable strip tests, the researcher contributes to ending the era of somewhat unpleasant nasopharyngeal samples. 

"Like pregnancy tests, strip tests have surfaces where biomolecules are immobilized, which will specifically detect a target molecule in samples of saliva, urine, blood, or serum," explains Claude Noguès. 

Once this target is detected, the strip changes color and informs the patient about their health status.

Similar to the COVID-19 saliva test, which turns from blue to red, the demand for reliable tests suitable for field deployment is exploding. "We are developing sensitive biocensors that guarantee safe and effective diagnostics to avoid the intervention of specialists or hospitalization of patients for the test," concludes the researcher.

Tests for the therapeutic monitoring of each disease

Claude Noguès designs strip tests for the diagnosis of infections (SARS-CoV-2) but also for the therapeutic monitoring of diseases. 

"For example, immunotherapy cancer treatment can trigger a strong immune response in the patient and compromise its effectiveness or even be fatal. To prevent this immune reaction, patients are monitored for three to six months. This represents a heavy procedure for them because they have to travel regularly to the hospital... Eventually, the patient will be able to perform the tests simply from home," explains the researcher.