miRNA Targets
miRNA regulate networks of related transcripts making them innately combinational therapeutic targets. Many miRNA-acting biologics have been brought to clinical trial. Compared to these, the non-competitive small molecules we develop offer superior safety, specificity, bioavailability and efficacy.
Our pilot studies are targeting miRNA indicated for neurodegenerative and pulmonary diseases with unmet treatment needs.
Live zebrafish screens
Compounds are screened in zebrafish before rodent disease models. Live screening selects for therapeutics with high bioavailability while providing approximations of the effective dose, toxicity and off-target effects.
Individual neurons (dopaminergic depicted) can be visualized in vivo, allowing for absolute quantification of neurodegeneration.
Fish are not an ideal model organism for modeling lung pathology, however, the ability to visualize the cardiovascular system in vivo makes them well suited to evaluate anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic properties.
Pilot Projects
Our targeted Parkinson's disease miR in turn modify all but one therapeutic target in current clinical trials along with many other less established potential therapeutic targets.
Our targeted pulmonary disease miRNA is well-tolerated as a drug target clinically. miR-29 is indicated for many clinical features of both lung cancer and physical trauma as a potent regulator of extracellular matrix deposition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and fibrosis — a well-documented tumor suppressor with demonstrated anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic properties.
Funding
Funding for our pilot project has been provided in part by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program
Recognitions
2022 Invited Speaker — RNA Targeted Drug Discovery
2022 CEO Award Nomination — Business Worldwide
2022 Invited guest — Worldwide Business with Kathy Ireland
2022 Top 100 Lifescience Innovators — YoungStartup Ventures
2021 Sweet 16 Most Promising Canadian Biotech — GIIANT PHARMA
