In Vitro Screening and Validation of Phyto-Cannabinoids in Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, mainly induced by increased pressure in the eye. Marijuana has been shown to reduce such pressure, thus benefit glaucoma patients. In this project, we test several components from marijuana extracts that are unlikely to cause psychoactive symptoms, for their therapeutic effects on glaucoma. This project is likely to be the solid base of a future drug that could help lots of glaucoma patients and meet the need of the market.

Translation of a Personalized Genetic Medicine Vector Production System

Mediphage Bioceuticals aims to leverage its DNA ministring platform for personalized genetic medicine. Mediphage Bioceuticals Inc. greatly appreciate Mitacs Accelerate program in providing support to (1) validate msDNA for gene delivery by carrying out a two-phase study, (2) develop and validate phage display libraries for the specific targeting and delivery to target host cells, and (3) determine potential targets for gene therapy in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with examination of potential negative effects of bacteriophage vector platforms.

Sex: It’s a matter of the heart

Heart failure is a complex cardiovascular disease with increasing global burden while the prognosis for patients remains poor. Risk factors and the type of heart failure differ between men and women. These differences can be due to sex – referring to biological differences – or gender – referring to social differences. In our project we will study the role of genetics in the different types of heart failure in men and women, using models that distinguish the contribution of both sex and gender.

Improving Primary Care in Older Patients: a Focus on Safe and Appropriate Medications

Seniors take many medications during their lifetime. As seniors age, some of these medications may become unnecessary or even harmful. The process of stopping a medication that has the potential to cause more harm than benefit is called deprescribing. Physicians are more in the habit of prescribing than deprescribing, even though patients like the idea of getting off some of their pills if they can. The goal of this project is to use technology to support physicians in the deprescribing process.

Assessment of DNA Ministring technology in cell transfection and the treatment of Colorectal Cancer (CRC)

Despite the power of gene therapy, its successful application to medicine has been diminished due to: (i) high toxicities and potentially fatal adverse effects; (ii) poor transgene expression in target cells; and (iii) extensive vector degradation. While viral vectors greatly improve efficiency, they sometimes lead to cancers due to chromosomal integration and may suffer from a lack of desired tissue selectivity. In contrast, nonviral systems have proven safer, but less efficient.

Nanoparticle-encapsulated Cannabinoid and Temozolomide Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (the deadliest form of brain cancer) is associated with poor survival rates (approximately 12-15 months from the time of diagnosis). This is due to the fact that most cases of GBM are resistant to current standards of care. As a result, novel effective treatment options are highly desirable. It has recently been shown that the combination of cannabinoids (such as THC or CBD) with the standard of care chemotherapy agent, temozolomide, demonstrates promise in the treatment of animal models of GBM.

Novel formulation for the treatment of interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis is an inflammatory disease of the urinary bladder and is recognized as a serious medical condition associated with a profoundly negative impact on patients’ quality of life. Currently, there are no widely acknowledged causes of this disorder and no effective treatments available. Panag is a Halifax based drug company which focuses on development of novel therapeutic treatments which can be used to alleviate both pain and inflammation associated with IC. The goal of our research is to provide IC patients with symptom and pain relief, as well as to improve outcome.

Chitosan-derivatives as a platform for drug and protein delivery

Triozan™ is a safe, biodegradable and biocompatible hydrophilic and highly quaternized biopolymer with advantageous physicochemical properties that enables an efficient encapsulation and protection of drug molecules against degradation while simultaneously maintaining therapeutic integrity. We propose to encapsulate three drug candidates into nanogels formed from Triozan to enhance their therapeutic application and overcome multiple barriers such as multi-drug resistance phenomenon present in bacteria and in cancer cells as well as biological barriers such as the hematoencephalic barrier

Elaboration of a Phase II clinical study protocol for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using AB-16B5, an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) inhibitor, in combination with docetaxel

The molecular mechanisms responsible for the occurrence of metastatic cancer are beginning to be elucidated with the identification of key regulators. Increasing evidence points to tumor cell epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) as an important contributing process to metastatic evolution. The identification of factors that are stimulated during EMT might provide the means to develop new drugs required to increase the effectiveness of current regimens and improve patient outcome.

Development and validation of BRET-based biosensors for drug candidate profiling

G protein coupled receptors (GCPRs) are proteins found at the surface of cells are responsible for activating numerous intracellular signaling pathways and thus are involved in regulating about every physiological response. Activation of GPCRs occurs by compounds as varied as photons, lipids, ions, small hormonal or neurotransmitter compounds or larger peptidic and protein molecules. As such, GPCRs are currently the target of up to 34% of marketed drugs.

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