Arthritis4Cure

A precision immunology company 
developing first-in-class targeted therapies 
with curative potential for B- and T- cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, 
initially focused on rheumatoid arthritis.

Vision
Building the Next Generation of Curative Immunotherapies
At Arthritis4Cure, our vision is to transform the treatment paradigm for autoimmune diseases by developing precision immunotherapies that target the root causes of chronic inflammation rather than simply managing symptoms. 

Our ambition is to deliver durable remission and potentially curative therapies for B- and T-cell-driven autoimmune diseases.

We believe patients deserve more than lifelong immunosuppression and incremental disease control.

Our approach is to selectively eliminate pathogenic B- and T- cell clones driving disease progression while preserving healthy immune function - without lifelong immunosuppression or conditioning regimens. 

By combining cutting-edge immunology, translational science, and clinical innovation, we aim to deliver durable remission and redefine what is possible for patients living with rheumatoid arthritis and other severe autoimmune diseases.
History
From Academic Breakthrough to Patient Cure
Arthritis4Cure was born from more than a decade of academic research that led to a breakthrough innovation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Originating from the Cure-RA Inserm consortium, the company is developing a precision immunology platform targeting the immune drivers of chronic autoimmune inflammation.

With more than €6 million secured through public and private financing, Arthritis4Cure is rapidly advancing toward clinical proof-of-concept in rheumatoid arthritis.

Team

Lionel COMOLE

.                  Founder

Lionel Comole is an experienced entrepreneur and executive with a strong track record in company creation, strategic development, and innovation financing in the life sciences sector. As CEO, he leads the company’s corporate strategy, financing activities, partnerships, and operational execution, driving the transition from academic discovery to clinical-stage development. Previously, Lionel held leadership positions across healthcare innovation ecosystems and contributed to the advancement of translational medicine initiatives.

Emmanuel VALENTIN, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Valentin is an immunologist and biotech leader with extensive expertise in autoimmune diseases, translational immunology, and therapeutic innovation. As CSO, he oversees the scientific strategy and development of the company’s proprietary platform targeting pathogenic B- and T-cell clones involved in autoimmune diseases. Emmanuel has a proven track record of translating preclinical research into clinical applications through innovative immunotherapy programs and translational research collaborations.

Alexandre FONTAYNE, PhD

Chief Technical Officer

Dr. Fontayne is a biotechnology and CMC expert specialized in bioprocess development, manufacturing scale-up, and pharmaceutical development for advanced therapies. As CTO, he leads technical operations, manufacturing strategy, CMC and industrialization activities supporting the company’s progression toward clinical development. Alexandre brings extensive expertise in process development, GMP manufacturing, and technology transfer across the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Join Us

Research Scientist

Montpellier, France - A4C-RS
Founded in 2023, Arthritis4Cure is a precision immunology company developing first-inclass targeted therapies with curative potential for B- and T- cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, initially focused on rheumatoid arthritis. Our approach is to selectively eliminate pathogenic B- and T- cell clones driving disease progression while preserving healthy immune function. By combining cutting-edge immunology, translational science, and clinical innovation, we aim to deliver durable remission and redefine what is possible for patients living with rheumatoid arthritis and other severe autoimmune diseases.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and motivated Research Scientist to join Arthritis4Cure Immunology Team. 
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and motivated Research Scientist to join Arthritis4Cure Immunology Team. This hands-on role focuses on executing pre-clinical pharmacological studies to evaluate therapeutic candidates for autoimmune diseases. Working under the supervision of the Immunology Department Head, the ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in designing, running, and analyzing in vitro and in vivo mouse models of autoimmunity. 

Main conditions
  • Location: Euromedecine incubator, Montpellier, France 
  • Contracttype: permanent, full time, on site.
 
  • In vivo pharmacology and model development: 
    • o Design, optimize, and execute in vivo efficacy and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies 
    • o Administrate experimental therapeutics via multiple routes (IV, SC, …)
    •  o Perform daily tracking, body weight measurements, and disease-specific clinical scoring (e.g., joint swelling)
    •  o Execute survival blood sampling and terminal tissue harvesting (spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, brain/spinal cord) 

  • Ex Vivo & Mechanistic Immunology:
    • o Tissue Processing: Harvest and process primary lymphoid tissues, blood, tissues samples, PBMCs 
    • o Flow Cytometry: Design multi-color (10+ colors) flow cytometry panels to immunophenotype B cells, T cells, myeloid cells, and dendritic cells 
    • o In Vitro Assays: Conduct cell purification, mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR), B and T cell activation, and suppression assays o Molecular Analytics: Quantify cytokines, chemokines, and autoantibodies via ELISA, ELISpot, MSD, Luminex, or Western Blotting

  • Laboratory, Compliance & Documentation:
    • o Actively participate in the management of the laboratory 
    • o Analyze complex biological data using Prism, FlowJo, or similar analytics software 
    • o Present study findings to cross-functional project teams o Write and maintain protocols, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare 
    • Maintain meticulous, real-time records in Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) to support patent filings 
  • Education: Ph.D. in Immunology, Pharmacology, or a related biological science (or Master's degree with 3+ years of industry experience) 

  • Experience: 0–3 years of postdoctoral or minimum 3+ years of post-Master biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry experience with a strong publication record in immunology 

  • Certifications: Active certification for animal handling is highly preferred 

  • Technical Mastery: Proven hands-on expertise with mouse models of autoimmunity and advanced multi-color flow cytometry 

  • Soft skills: 
    • o Proven experience in working in small team
    • o Scientifically rigourous, excellent project management, collaborative mindset, and experienced in Lab Management 
    • o Fluency in English both orally and in writing, native or able to understand French language, strong written and verbal communication skills 
    • o Autonomous and highly-organized with strong commitment, adaptability and ability to work under time pressure
Submit your application
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A Major Unmet Medical Need
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting more than 20 million people worldwide and remains associated with substantial morbidity, progressive disability, and reduced quality of life. 

Contrary to common misconceptions, RA does not only affect older individuals, with an average age of onset around 40 years. 

Despite major therapeutic advances over the past two decades, most patients fail to achieve sustained remission. Current treatments - including conventional DMARDs, biologics, and JAK inhibitors - primarily focus on controlling inflammation and symptoms rather than addressing the underlying drivers of the disease.

Many patients experience incomplete responses, loss of efficacy over time, treatment cycling, and long-term safety or tolerability challenges. 

As a result, RA continues to impose significant physical, emotional, and socioeconomic burdens on both patients and healthcare systems. There remains a critical need for innovative therapies capable of delivering durable and transformative outcomes.
Innovation
Breaking the Autoimmune Cycle at its Source
At Arthritis4Cure, we believe autoimmune diseases should be treated at their biological origin - not managed indefinitely through chronic immunosuppression. 

Our therapeutic approach targets the pathogenic B cell clones sustaining autoimmune inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. 

In ACPA-positive RA, autoreactive B cells fuel a vicious cycle of antibody production, inflammation, immune complex formation, and tissue destruction. 

Existing therapies may temporarily suppress inflammation but rarely interrupt the underlying disease-driving mechanisms. 

A4C-001 is a proprietary peptibody designed to disrupt this pathogenic loop selectively targeting disease-driving B cells while preserving broader immune function. 

Our goal is to refine treatment expectations for patients living with autoimmune diseases.
Pipeline
Building a Broad Pipeline of Precision Autoimmune Therapies
Arthritis4Cure is advancing a differentiated pipeline of precision immunotherapies targeting the drivers of autoimmune diseases.

Our platform combines disease-specific autoantigen targeting with immune effector mechanisms to address the drivers of chronic inflammation while preserving broader immune function. 

The company’s lead program, A4C-001, is focused on rheumatoid arthritis and is currently advancing through preclinical development toward first-in-human clinical studies.

Beyond rheumatoid arthritis, the platform has the potential to expand into multiple autoimmune indications characterized by pathogenic autoantibodies and autoreactive immune cells.

Contact us

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