Le Lézard
Classified in: Health, Science and technology, Business
Subject: JVN

Fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy gets major funding boost


AbCellera is enabling the translation of laboratory research to clinical application for fibrosis associated with congenital degenerative diseases

VANCOUVER, Aug. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common congenital diseases in the world, affecting one in 3,500 Canadian males. DMD is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that results in progressive muscle degeneration and there are currently no effective treatments for DMD.

AbCellera CEO Dr. Carl Hansen (Rich Lam Photo) (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)

In an effort to fulfill this unmet medical need, AbCellera Biologics Inc. has entered into a three-year partnership with Drs. Fabio Rossi and Michael Underhill of the University of British Columbia (UBC) to discover, test, and develop therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy-associated fibrosis.

"It is immensely satisfying to see many years of investment in the basic science now being translated towards therapies for patients in need, and that this work will lead to economic benefits here in BC," commented Dr. Rossi, a professor in the Department of Medical Genetics and co-director of the Biomedical Research Centre.

Genome BC and Genome Canada are contributing $3 million of the $6.5 million project as part of the Genomics Application Partnership Program (GAPP), which supports university-industry collaborations to bridge the gap between basic research and commercialization. The project builds on more than a decade of genomics-based research, conducted by the Rossi and Underhill teams that will yield new insights on the interplay of stem cell biology and the process of healing and fibrosis.

Providing $3.5 million of in-kind funding, AbCellera will apply its microfluidic single-cell platform to the discovery and engineering of large panels of antibodies against three novel targets.  Lead candidates from the discovered antibodies will be selected by UBC and then functionally tested in genetically modified animal models. It is hoped that an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a first therapeutic will be made by the end of the project.

"As a spin-off built on research done at UBC's Michael Smith Laboratories, we are thrilled that AbCellera's success is propagating a virtuous circle of innovation," said Dr. Carl Hansen, CEO of AbCellera. "We are now positioned to engage with UBC's outstanding researchers and enable the translation of basic science into new therapies for patients."

A major contributor to DMD progression is fibrosis, the accumulation of scarring in muscle tissue, which contributes to progressive muscle stiffness and weakness. Beyond DMD, the same anti-fibrosis therapies discovered from this project have potential for uses in a variety of other high-burden indications, including fibrosis of the liver, lungs, and heart.

"Effective treatments that prevent fibrosis would be life-changing for people living with DMD by slowing disease progression and improving quality of life," says Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President, Sectors, at Genome BC. "We invest in projects that will make a difference in the lives of British Columbians and this type of therapy has the potential to make a significant impact."

About AbCellera Biologics Inc. 
AbCellera is a privately held company that engages in partnerships to discover and develop next-generation therapeutic antibodies. AbCellera's single-cell platform integrates end-to-end capabilities for therapeutic antibody discovery through a combination of technologies including proprietary immunizations, microfluidics, high-throughput imaging, genomics, computation, and laboratory automation. Ultra-deep screening of single B cells allows unprecedented access to natural immune responses, enabling rapid isolation of large and diverse panels of high-quality lead antibodies from any species, including humans. abcellera.com

Find a complete list of news announcements on AbCellera's online news feed, on LinkedIn and on Twitter @AbCelleraBio.

About Genome British Columbia
Genome BC invests in genomics innovation to address critical challenges in key economic sectors such as health, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, agrifood, energy, mining and environment. In addition to scientific programming, Genome BC works to integrate genomics in to society by supporting responsible research and innovation, and is committed to fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public. genomebc.ca

Young Scientist - Hood Pipetting (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)

SOURCE Genome British Columbia


These press releases may also interest you

at 09:00
Exterro, the leading provider of data risk management software solutions, today announced the appointment of Rick Valentine, an expert in delivering world-class customer experiences at global organizations, as its new chief customer officer. The...

at 09:00
CCC is pleased to announce that it was awarded a contract by the Perth Diocesan Trustees to provide a pipe organ made by Orgues Létourneau to St. George's Cathedral in Perth, Australia. Through CCC's government to government (G2G) contract, Orgues...

at 08:59
U.S. business executives worry about potential risks from the widening use of generative artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, but more than a quarter of them say that hasn't...

at 08:58
Avalara, Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based tax compliance automation for businesses of all sizes, has received the 2024 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA). This award recognizes the most engaged workplace cultures in the world....

at 08:57
IM Cannabis Corp. (the "Company" or "IMC") , an international medical cannabis company, announced its financial and operational results for the year ended December 31, 2023, the highlights of which are included in this news release. All figures are...

at 08:50
Abaxx Technologies Inc. (CBOE CA:ABXX) ("Abaxx" or the "Company"), a financial software and market infrastructure company, majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte Ltd., the owner of Abaxx Commodity Exchange and Clearinghouse (individually, "Abaxx...



News published on and distributed by: