Molecular discovery meets market reality: How one Manitoba researcher’s mission led to his ALS breakthrough

The challenge: Finding better treatments for ALS patients 

An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Canadians live with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating disease identified 150 years ago that the scientific community still struggles to understand and treat effectively. Finding drugs that can delay disease onset, prevent weight loss, and extend life remains a critical need. Many researchers, like Mitacs Innovation Award winner Nitesh Sanghai, are committed to bringing meaningful change to ALS patients’ lives. 

The solution: Applying green chemistry principles to drug development 

Nitesh Sanghai exemplifies how Mitacs funding bridges academic expertise with industry to solve real-world challenges. His research, supported by Mitacs, connected him with the ALS community and provided resources to pursue breakthrough drug discovery at the University of Manitoba. 

Sanghai is redefining what it means to lead in medicinal chemistry. Leaving a lucrative position as a safety scientist for a global industry leader in India in 2019, he came to Manitoba to pursue his PhD with a higher calling – to honour his late father by “doing something new.” His determination to make a difference led him to develop Borsantrazole™, a patented and trademarked drug candidate that demonstrates the ability to delay disease onset, prevent ALS-induced weight loss, and most importantly, extend life in humanized preclinical ALS mouse models. Today, Sanghai stands out as a co-founder of Winnipeg-based start-up Borotherapeutics Ltd., opening doors to commercialization that could bring hope to thousands. 

“The support Mitacs provided to me as an intern was invaluable in helping to fuel my research and build resilience that empowered me to push through my innovation journey and forge deep connections and friendships within the community, both in Canada and globally,” said Nitesh Sanghai, PhD Candidate, College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba. By immersing himself in the province’s ALS community as a volunteer for the ALS Society – and now a devoted Canadian ALS Community ambassador and member of the Board of Directors of the ALS Society of Manitoba – Sanghai has ties with ALS community organizations worldwide. He has learned firsthand about their struggles and put a face to the disease. Surprised by the lack of drugs to treat ALS, he decided to dedicate his research to making a difference.   

The outcome: Bold innovation tackles ALS treatment 

Sanghai’s success demonstrates the ripple effects of strategic support for research innovation. Through Mitacs funding, he gained the resources to pursue groundbreaking discoveries, and the experience brought practical solutions closer to patients. 

The breakthrough came when his team applied sustainable green chemistry principles – using environmentally friendly Boron as the starting point for synthesis – to create an improved version of Edaravone, one of the treatments currently available to slow ALS progression. Approved by Health Canada in 2018, Edaravone has less than ideal drug properties and shows modest clinical benefit that comes with side effects. 

Successfully synthesizing the new molecule Borsantrazole, Sanghai demonstrated its excellent safety and efficacy through tests in humanized ALS animal models – lab mice engineered to mimic the same clinical course of the disease as humans. “It was simply amazing when we started to see the positive effect of our innovative small molecule in the lab,” said Sanghai. 

“My journey is really from grass to grace,” said Sanghai, who is the first member of his family to pursue higher education. Nitesh Sanghai’s groundbreaking work earned him a Mitacs Innovation Award in Outstanding Innovation. He is one of only 11 Mitacs award winners nationally, chosen from thousands of researchers who participate in Mitacs programs each year. The award was presented at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on November 17, 2025. 

His journey illustrates that by deploying skilled talent and building the capacity to innovate, Mitacs can impact the economy, workforce and society. 

Talent in action: Strengthening innovation capacity 

Mitacs continues to strengthen innovation capacity in Manitoba and across the country while driving global competitiveness. Mitacs supports researchers to deliver hands-on, industry-responsive solutions that strengthen local economies and accelerate innovation development. 

Nitesh Sanghai’s journey highlights the transformative impact of academic-industry collaboration. He holds a patent for Borsantrazole, with a strong report from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) confirming its novelty, inventive step, industrial utility, and applicability. Now, in partnership with his supervisor Professor Geoffrey K. Tranmer, he’s pursuing commercialization to take the drug from the lab to ALS patients. 

 “I truly believe that God chose me for this mission,” he continued, highlighting that ALS was identified 150 years ago, yet the scientific community still seeks to understand its causes and find a cure. 

For the thousands of Canadians living with ALS, Mitacs’ investment in ideas that address real-world challenges brings hope for a better quality and longer life. 

About Mitacs  

For over 25 years, Mitacs has helped grow the economy and develop the workforce of tomorrow, connecting industry with academia and global partners to solve real-world challenges. We support business-academic research collaboration through internships, co-funded with businesses, for undergraduate to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.   

As a national innovation connector, Mitacs takes a talent-first approach to strengthen innovation capacity and drive global competitiveness. We serve as an essential research-commercialization bridge, accelerating market entry and growth for new products and services.   

This is a critical time for Canada to think big and take bold action. Mitacs is ready to help build a strong and resilient Canadian economy, powered by ideas, talent and innovation.   

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon. 

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