ArcticDx, Inc, a Toronto-based company, has developed a genetic test, Macula Risk®, to determine one’s inherited risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the most common form of acquired blindness in the developed world, affecting over 10 percent of individuals. ArcticDx will use an Ontario Genomics’ PBDF investment to undertake studies in support of a planned filing for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Macula Risk.
Awarded Projects
In vivo models for human disease & drug discovery
June 5, 2010Identification of the genes associated with human disease is essential to the development of new prognostic, diagnostic, and treatment options. This project, the recipient of a $10.9 million LSARP award, is made up of Canadian and UK scientists who aim to study the developmental problems and diseases that occur in mouse models. Their work will add to the global effort to understand the function of every gene. The knowledge generated and new discoveries made will enable the development of new drugs and new therapies by Canadian researchers in academia and the biopharmaceutical industry.
Targeting pediatric medulloblastoma
June 5, 2010Brain cancer is the leading cause of pediatric cancer deaths. With $4.8 Million from Genome Canada’s LSARP program, Michael Taylor, David Malkin, Marco Marra from the Hospital for Sick Children are studying medulloblastomas, the most common form of childhood brain cancer, to develop markers to more accurately classify tumors for treatment. As they unravel the genetic basis of brain cancer, the research team is also working with families to determine what additional risks they are willing to assume in reducing therapy to improve quality of life. It is anticipated that the results of this research will lead to new ways to treat childhood brain cancers more effectively and to enhance the quality of life of children struck by this devastating disease
Synthetic antibody program
June 5, 2010The Donnelly Centre at the University of Toronto has established the Toronto Recombinant Antibody Centre (TRAC), a state-of-the-art antibody platform that can be applied to the generation of therapeutic grade antibodies against hundreds of antigens in a high-throughput pipeline. In turn, the TRAC has partnered with the Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) to leverage additional expertise in therapeutic antibody development. They have compiled a panel of cancer related proteins that are high-value targets for next-generation cancer therapeutics. In a three-year framework, the team under Sachdev Sidhu and Charles Boone will generate and validate hundreds of antibodies against a host of cancer-associated targets. These antibodies will be powerful tools for discovery research and a significant subset will be candidates for new therapeutic entities.
DNA tests for diagnoses of genetic diseases and cancer
June 5, 2009Cytognomix, a start-up biotech company based in London, Ontario, is developing novel cytogenetic, single copy DNA probes that are smaller and more densely distributed across the genome than probes that are currently commercially available. The probes will be designed to specifically detect individual chromosomal abnormalities such as those that underlie many diseases.
Preventing complications in bone marrow transplants
June 5, 2009A joint effort by researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children and the University Health Network is developing a test to help predict the outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplants – commonly referred to as bone marrow transplants – based on the genetic make-up of the potential donor and recipient. This prognostic test would aim to predict (and therefore decrease) complications that can occur in transplant patients such as transplant failure and graft versus host disease.
Discovery of novel enzymes for industrial applications
June 1, 2009Today’s global economy is based upon the production of fossil fuels. But increasingly, as we grapple with the depth of the environmental footprint that the production and use of those fuels leaves, we are searching for sustainable alternatives. Drs. Elizabeth Edwards and David Major are applying basic research knowledge and skills to develop microbial-based processes to transform, reuse, recycle and remediate contaminants and byproducts from common industrial and agricultural processes. Their goal is to lower barriers to entry by generating a comprehensive plan for introducing new bioproducts, and to contribute to the sustainability of the biorefineries of the future.
Breeding pigs free of boar taint
June 1, 2009DNA Barcoding helping with food traceability BIO and University of Guelph that is developing a set of genetic markers that can be used to monitor a marker-assisted selection breeding program to produce pigs that are free of boar taint.
Barcode-based identification for animal feed
June 5, 2008University of Guelph researchers at the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario and Toronto-based industry partner Safeguard Biosystems are developing a point-of-contact, DNA barcode-based assay to create an identification test for animal feed material and pet food products. This work will further enable the Barcode of Life Project.
TOP
Developing Alzheimer’s disease diagnostic
June 5, 2006Ontario-based Amorfix Life Sciences Inc. is using molecular and proteomic techniques to develop a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease. The company has shown that its test can detect aggregated protein (amyloid) in femtogram quantities (ten parts per trillion) when it is spiked into plasma or cerebral spinal fluid. The diagnostic assay is currently being tested in patient samples.