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Development of a novel macrocycle compound library (2011)

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Overview

A University of Toronto-based research effort is developing innovative methods around an emerging class of therapeutics called macrocycles. The team has developed a novel and effective process for making linear peptides circular. The PBDF funding, as well as support from MaRS Innovation, will allow the team to further their efforts, including building a compound library and testing for important properties such as cell permeability and stability.

The development and commercialization of the mammalian membrane two-hybrid (MaMTH) technology (2012)

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Overview

A research team at the University of Toronto is validating a novel protein interaction technology. Utilizing the PBDF funding, the team will conduct the development and validation necessary to make this assay commercially viable. Once on the market, this tool will expand the resources available to researchers and companies developing new therapeutics.

TXP: Cells for inflamed joints (2012)

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Overview

Tissue Regeneration Therapeutics (TRT) is a start-up company that is developing umbilical stem cell-based treatments.  TRT will use the PBDF investment to conduct proteomic and transcriptomic analyses to further understand their mesenchymal stem cells. These studies will provide valuable information needed for regulatory approval to conduct human clinical trials and further differentiate their product from those of competitors.

Engineering better specimen quality for RNA disruption assay and other RNA genomic diagnostic applications (2012)

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Overview

Rna Diagnostics Inc, an early stage molecular diagnostics company, is developing assays aimed at assisting in the management of cancer chemotherapy.  The company will use the PBDF investment to further develop and validate their lead product, the RNA Disruption Assay™ (RDA™). This assay is designed to monitor a patient’s response to chemotherapy earlier in treatment than current methods, and has the potential to be a valuable tool in terms of helping provide a personalized approach to chemotherapy management.

New acquired immunity chemicals for soybean crops (2015)

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Overview

Global soybean production is threatened by an aggressive fungus responsible for Asian Soybean Rust (ASR), which can cause yield losses of up to 80 percent. Fungicides currently control ASR, however resistance to these chemicals has been observed. Dr. Charles Després (Brock University) is developing an alternative mode of action to protect the crop by identifying activators designed to stimulate soybean plant immunity. These chemicals can be used alongside traditional fungicides to ensure long-term global food security. With the help of the PBDF and support from Syngenta, Dr. Després will validate his product. This technology platform holds the potential to enable the agriculture industry to identify new chemicals that will optimize production and protection from ASR, thus facilitating better decision making and higher yields through precision agriculture.

In vivo proof of principle study for a novel anticancer therapeutic (2015)

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Overview

Formation Biologics Inc. (formerly AvidBiologics) is an oncology drug development company dedicated to anti-cancer biologics. Through PBDF funding, the company aims to develop AVID200, a novel anticancer agent targeting a protein expressed by a variety of solid tumours including lung, breast, and head and neck. Specifically, Formation Biologics is developing antibodies that are linked to highly toxic chemotherapeutic drugs, and these antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) target a specific cell surface receptor known to contribute to the etiology of various cancers. ADCs can selectively recognize specific proteins in cancer cells without damaging most normal tissues. This type of cancer therapeutic has the potential for superior safety and efficacy compared to older generation treatments. The company will perform a pilot safety study of this ADC to accelerate their drug development process for AVID200. “We are very grateful to have received an investment from the Ontario Genomics Institute to further development of this important anti-cancer therapeutic,” said Ilia Tikhomirov, President and CEO of Formation Biologics. “Programs like OGI’s Pre-commercialization Business Development Fund are crucial to the success of early stage biotechnology companies in Ontario.”

Pathogen detection tool for beach water monitoring (2015)

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Overview

Tecta-PDS (Pathogen Detection Systems), collaborated with Drs. Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz (University of Toronto) and R. Stephen Brown (Queen’s University) to develop a DNA biosensor for simple, low-cost, fast, on-site detection of bacteria in water samples. Culture-based techniques for water monitoring are time-consuming and expensive, which can lead to delayed results and decision making for users that manage water resources. The PBDF funding supported proof-of-concept experiments to assess the performance of the DNA biosensors with environmental samples.

Innovative precision high-throughput phenotyping of functional traits in trees for QTL studies (2016)

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Overview

PrecisionHawk is an unmanned aerial systems company that provides a complete solution for aerial data gathering, processing and analysis in a number of markets, including agriculture and forestry. Drs. Ingo Ensminger (University of Toronto) and Nathalie Isabel (Forest and Environmental Genomics at Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service (CFS) – Quebec region) are partnering with PrecisionHawk to develop a suite of next generation genomic resources for improved tree breeding and selection. The funded project will help PrecisionHawk develop and deploy a software application that will enable breeders and forest managers to aerially assess tree phenology and performance during both the growing season and in response to pressures such as water deficits.

Development of LSPR Sensor Technology for Next Generation Biosensors (2017)

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Overview

Nicoya Lifesciences, a nanotechnology sensor company that builds novel products for the life sciences industry, has created OpenSPR, a label-free, real time molecule sensor, and the world’s only benchtop SPR instrument. This flagship product, which can be used to monitor and analyze proteins, antibodies, nucleic acids, and small molecules, has broad-ranging applications from basic research and medical diagnostics to industrial sensing.
To expand its market reach into medical diagnostics and enter new markets such as food quality monitoring, Nicoya is developing a new LSPR sensor chip technology that enables the accurate measurements of samples from crude or complex media such as water, food matrices, human saliva and more. With a granted patent on this technology, and demonstrated experimental proof of concept, Nicoya will utilise Ontario Genomics’ PBDF investment to begin to commercialize this novel sensor technology for the proteomics and genomics industry.

Antibody Protein Sequencing (2017)

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Overview

Rapid Novor, is a Kitchener-Waterloo based biotech company that provides rapid, accurate, de novo protein sequencing services across Canada and internationally. Rapid Novor currently offers monoclonal antibody protein sequencing to biopharmaceutical companies and academic labs where antibody development is key to their research, e.g. immunotherapy development. Rapid Novor will utilize the investment from Ontario Genomics to support expansion of this proteomic and bioinformatics-based technology to enable sequencing of polyclonal antibody proteins. Development of this novel antibody sequencing platform will address an unmet need for many R&D groups, allowing the company to increase its competitiveness and grow its revenue.