Arnaud Avril
Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), France
Biography
Dr. Arnaud AVRIL works for the French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute (IRBA), based in Paris area. He has a master degree in genetic and immunology from Lyon University (France) and a PhD in biotechnology applied to antibodies from the Grenoble-Alpes University (France). He is the head of a team specialized in the research, development and engineering of recombinant antibodies against rare diseases for biodefense. He developed germline-humanized recombinant antibodies starting from non-human primates immunized with non-toxic antigens. He contributed to the development of several antibodies neutralizing botulinum neurotoxins, anthrax, ricin and orthopoxviruses. He also contributed to the development immuno-diagnostic assays for the rapid, convenient and cheap detection of biological agents, for armed forces, medical staff and first responders. He is involved as an expert on the clinical development of a recombinant antibody for anthrax therapy.