In Vitro Study of the Biological and Immunological Activity of Imotopes® Candidates on Blood Cells of Patients With Stabilized NMO

This is a fundamental, prospective, multi-centres, interventional non-comparative study without the administration of a study product to patients.

A phase 0 study is particularly well adapted to early exploration of potential targeted treatments - i.e. treatments whose efficacy can only be hoped for in patients presenting specific biological characteristics in addition to being diagnosed with the targeted disease, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) in this study. The main goal of the study will be to support the selection of Imotopes® (i.e. synthetic peptides encompassing HLA Class II T epitopes flanked by a thioreductase motif), and (i) capable of binding with class II HLA antigens of each patient and (ii) causing ex vivo the appearance of epitope -specific cytolytic CD4+ T cells.

This is a fundamental, prospective, multi-centres, interventional non-comparative study without the administration of a study product to patients.

The objective is to test in vitro the binding of different Imotopes® to class II HLA antigens on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) isolated from patients presenting a diagnosed and stabilized neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, as well as their ability to generate a cytolytic response directed against the immune cells involved in the maintenance and triggering of the disease (i.e. non-cytolytic T cells recognising the same epitopes and antigen presenting cells (APC) presenting the same epitopes).

The patients will be asked to provide at least 2 peripheral blood samples of approximately 100 milliliters each time, with a minimum of 14 days interval between these 2 samples. These blood samples will be taken by a member of the healthcare staff qualified to perform this type of procedure. If the results obtained with the 2 initial samples would be of interest to the Sponsor, the patient will be asked to come back for additional samplings with a maximum of 6 additional blood draws. The total volume of blood that will be taken over a 6 months period cannot exceed 500 milliliters with a maximum of 200 milliliters over a 30-day period for patients with a weight of min 50kg. The study has no other constraint.

The list of analysis planned to be performed on blood samples are presented below:

* Identification of the class II HLA antigens of each patient
* Study of the binding to HLA antigens of synthetic peptides
* Identification of peptides which, after binding to the HLA antigens, might induce a cytolytic response directed against the immune cells involved in the maintenance and triggering of the disease (i.e. non-cytolytic T cells recognising the same epitopes and APC presenting the same epitopes)
* Non selective genomic analysis (SNPs) in the scope of the single cell transcriptomic analysis technics

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Men or women, 18 to 65 years of age
* Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorders according to IPND criteria (2015) and presenting a stabilized disease (no relapse) for at least 6 months.
* Patient positive for antibodies to human aquaporin 4
* Patients having granted their written informed consent to take part in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Ongoing pregnancy
* Ongoing treatment with immunosuppressive agents other than those listed below under section "authorized background therapy"
* Any investigational product in the last 3 months or less than 5 times the estimated half-life of the investigational product whichever is the longer