TORONTO: Two promising projects have been selected to undergo preclinical testing as part of the Cystic Fibrosis Technology Initiative (CFTI). The CFTI provides a bold step towards meeting the needs of the Canadian cystic fibrosis (CF) research community in the area of drug development through a unique collaboration between Cystic Fibrosis Canada, the University of British Columbia (UBC), and The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD).
"This initiative meets the needs of our research community and provides Cystic Fibrosis Canada the opportunity to partner with two leading Canadian institutions in the area of commercialization, UBC and CDRD," said Maureen Adamson, Chief Executive Officer of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. "We are optimistic that bringing great science and industry partners together will translate new knowledge into effective new treatments as we set our sights squarely on a cure."
One project uses a new combination of antibiotics and chemical elements to target bacteria, while the other focuses on the cycle of inflammation and infection that damages the lungs of CF patients. The projects were selected based on recommendations by a highly qualified and independent scientific advisory committee, made up of specialized CF researchers, clinicians, and drug development experts, following a nationwide call for proposals.
"In concert with the principal investigators, a rigorous development plan has been established featuring milestones with a "go" or "no-go" decision making process," said Dr. J.P. Heale, Director of the CFTI. "In this manner we hope to quickly establish whether or not the technologies can fulfill their promise to become effective medicines for people with CF."
The first project features a new formulation of an existing antibiotic, ciprofloxacin, combined with gallium to produce a potent therapeutic against infections. Dr. Chris Orvig and his colleagues noted that ciprofloxacin is able to bind and coordinate gallium atoms to provide a "one-two punch" against bacteria. Together the effect of the two compounds is several orders of magnitude greater than the effect of either one individually.
The second project focuses on a unique peptide from a family termed defensins. This short peptide was discovered by Dr. Robert Hancock and holds the promise of being both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. Chronic infection in CF lungs causes a prolonged and excessive immune response resulting in significant structural damage to delicate lung tissue. Dr. Hancock's discovery has the potential to positively impact the lives of people with CF by controlling the infection and also the exaggerated immune response.
"By providing our highly-specialized scientific and business expertise as well as our state-of-the-art drug development facilities, we aim to accelerate the development of these research projects into innovative therapies for children and adults with cystic fibrosis," said Natalie Dakers, President and Chief Executive Officer of CDRD.
After an 18-month development timeline, it is anticipated that at least one of the therapies will emerge as an attractive licensing opportunity for venture capitalists, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
About Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Cystic Fibrosis Canada is a national health charity committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis, and to helping people and families affected by cystic fibrosis cope with their daily fight. As a global leader in CF research, the organization invests more dollars in life-saving cystic fibrosis research and care than any other non-government agency in Canada. In 2011, Cystic Fibrosis Canada is investing nearly $6.5 million to fund 56 promising research projects, as well as more than 50 fellows and students, and is delivering more than $2 million to fund clinical care programs in Canada. For more information, visit: www.cysticfibrosis.ca.
About the University of British Columbia (UBC)
UBC is one of Canada's largest and most prestigious public research and teaching institutions, and one of only two Canadian institutions to be consistently ranked among the world's 40 best universities. Surrounded by the beauty of the Canadian West, it is a place that inspires bold, new ways of thinking that have helped make it a national leader in areas as diverse as community service learning, sustainability and research commercialization. UBC attracts $550 million per year in research funding from government, non-profit organizations and industry through 7,000 grants. For more information, visit: www.ubc.ca.
About The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD)
The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD), a not-for-profit public-private organization based in Vancouver, provides drug development expertise and infrastructure to enable researchers from leading academic and health research institutions to advance promising, early-stage drug candidates. The Government of Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence program has recognized CDRD as a Centre of Excellence in Commercialization in Research (CECR). CDRD currently has an existing portfolio of close to 80 supported projects generated from its network of 20+ affiliated research institutions. These institutions represent billions invested in health-related research every year, and CDRD plays a pivotal role in translating that research into commercial products and economic returns including new jobs for British Columbia and Canada. For more information, visit www.cdrd.ca.
For further information:
Christine Beyaert
Cystic Fibrosis Canada
cbeyaert@cysticfibrosis.ca
1-800-378-2233 ext. 291
J.P. Heale, PhD, MBA
Associate Director, UILO
The University of British Columbia
john-paul.heale@uilo.ubc.ca
604-822-2199
Barry Gee
Director, Communications
The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD)
bgee@cdrd.ca
604-221-7750 ext. 223
Distributed on: July 13, 2011