Patrick Person (Exeliom Biosciences): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Patrick Gervais is a prominent figure in the biotechnology and academic fields specializing in process engineering with a focus on microbiology applied to human health. He is a co-founder of Exeliom Biosciences, a cutting-edge biotechnology company developing innovative microbiome-based immunotherapies. Known for his expert contributions to fermentation and probiotics preservation, Gervais has played a critical role in transforming scientific discoveries in microbiome research into potential therapeutic applications. This article explores his career, contributions to microbiology and biotech, and his involvement in advancing treatments for immune-mediated diseases.

1. Academic and Professional Background

Patrick Gervais is an Emeritus Professor of Process Engineering at AgroSup Dijon, France. He founded and led the Microbial and Food Process Engineering laboratory at the University of Burgundy. With an extensive background in microbiology, his research has been pivotal in industrial fermentation and probiotic preservation processes. His academic work includes over 170 scientific publications, reflecting decades of expertise in microbial technology and process engineering, which laid the groundwork for converting research discoveries into scalable industrial applications.

2. Role in Founding Exeliom Biosciences

In 2016, Patrick Gervais co-founded Exeliom Biosciences along with Professor Harry Sokol and Dr. Philippe Langella, among others. Exeliom Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in microbiome-based immunotherapies targeting immune-mediated diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and infections. Gervais’ expertise in process engineering was critical in overcoming technical challenges related to cultivating oxygen-sensitive bacteria, crucial for developing the company's lead candidate drug.

3. Contribution to Development of EXL01

Gervais contributed to the creation and scale-up manufacturing of EXL01, the company’s first-in-class immunomodulator derived from the gut commensal bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. This drug candidate uniquely activates NOD2 receptors in macrophages to modulate immune responses. The ability to produce and preserve this strictly anaerobic bacterium at an industrial scale was a major challenge that Gervais helped address, enabling EXL01 to advance through clinical trials.

4. Research on Faecalibacterium prausnitzii

Patrick Gervais’ research focus on Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a beneficial gut microbe with anti-inflammatory properties, forms the scientific foundation of Exeliom Biosciences’ therapeutic approach. This strain's role in promoting gut health and immune homeostasis inspired the development of microbiome-based therapeutics. Gervais’ work specifically dealt with fermentation technology and preservation methods necessary to harness this bacterium's therapeutic potential.

5. Industrial and Bioprocess Engineering Innovation

Gervais has been credited with innovations in microbial fermentation processes that have industrial applications beyond pharmaceuticals, including food technology and probiotics production. His leadership in creating the Welience 2ABI research center specializing in industrial technology transfer and scale-up processes highlights his commitment to bridging basic scientific research and industrial application.

6. Partnership with Research Institutions

Throughout his career, Patrick Gervais has maintained strong ties with leading French research institutions such as AgroSup Dijon, University of Burgundy, and INRAE (French National Institute of Agricultural Research). These partnerships facilitated interdisciplinary research combining microbiology, immunology, and process engineering, essential for microbiome-based therapeutic development.

7. Impact on Microbiome-Based Therapeutics

Gervais’ process engineering expertise has been instrumental in enabling microbiome-based treatments to transition from laboratory to clinical application. By solving manufacturing challenges, his work has helped advance a promising class of live biotherapeutics targeting chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer, positioning Exeliom Biosciences at the forefront of microbiome innovation globally.

8. Collaborations within Exeliom Biosciences

At Exeliom Biosciences, Gervais works alongside leading scientists such as Professor Harry Sokol, an expert in gastroenterology and the gut microbiome, and Dr. Philippe Langella, a microbiologist from INRAE. Their combined expertise spans immune modulation, microbiology, and engineering, allowing for a translational approach to tackling immune system diseases using microbiome science.

9. Awards and Recognition

While specific awards for Patrick Gervais individually are less documented, Exeliom Biosciences has received several prestigious recognitions such as the ‘Deeptech’ and ‘I-Lab’ awards by Bpifrance and the ‘EIC Accelerator’ from the European Innovation Council. These awards acknowledge the scientific and technological excellence of the company’s innovations, closely linked to Gervais' foundational work.

10. Future Directions and Legacy

Looking forward, Gervais’ contributions continue to underpin Exeliom Biosciences' clinical developments, including ongoing Phase 2 trials evaluating its immunomodulator EXL01 for diseases like Crohn’s disease, cancers, and infectious diseases. His legacy lies in pioneering process solutions that transform microbiome research into viable, scalable medical therapies, potentially revolutionizing treatment paradigms for immune-mediated conditions.

Conclusion

Patrick Gervais embodies the critical role of process engineering at the intersection of microbiology and medical innovation. As a co-founder of Exeliom Biosciences, his work has facilitated breakthroughs in the cultivation and application of beneficial gut bacteria for therapeutic use. His dedication to industrial-scale fermentation and probiotic preservation enabled the translation of microbiome science into pioneering treatments for some of the most challenging immune disorders. The impact of his contributions continues to grow as microbiome-based therapies gain traction in clinical medicine. What new frontiers might his ongoing work unlock in microbiome and immune science?