L2M – Chase Biotherapeutics: Breaking barriers towards clinical translation of ChASE37-AR for stroke recovery

Stroke is a leading cause of disability, affecting 880,000 Canadians, with 109,000 new cases annually and no approved therapies for neuroregeneration. Current standard of care for ischemic stroke includes acute thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy to restore blood flow to the injured tissue, yet these treatments are time sensitive and only apply to specific stroke etiology, leaving over 85% of stroke survivors solely with rehabilitation, which is time and labour consuming and often plateaus within the first year. This leaves many individuals with lifelong disabilities and a reduced quality of life. Beyond the financial costs, stroke imposes devastating emotional, physical, and social burdens on both patients and caregivers. Despite decades of research, no approved therapies exist to regenerate lost brain tissue or restore lost function. The economic burden of stroke is $3.6 billion CAD annually in Canada alone, and is rising due to the aging population. The global stroke treatment market, valued at $36.1 billion CAD in 2022, is projected to double by 2032, reflecting a growing demand for innovative recovery therapies.
Chase Biotherapeutics is developing ChASE37-AR, a unique and disruptive regenerative therapy that combines a re-engineered enzyme (ChASE37) with a biodegradable hydrogel for sustained, localized delivery, comprised of 3 patents. Unlike existing treatments that focus solely on symptom management or rehabilitation, our approach is disease-modifying — actively promoting tissue regeneration and functional recovery by breaking down inhibitory barriers in and around the injured site. Our preclinical studies demonstrate that ChASE37-AR effectively enhances brain plasticity and improves functional outcomes in stroke-injured rats.
In this project, we aim to move closer to clinical translation, by initiating regulatory frameworks, developing a business plan, and further validating our technology in animal models. By achieving our goals, we will be well-positioned to advance ChASE37-AR into clinical trials and towards commercialization, ultimately transforming the treatment landscape for stroke.

Faculty Supervisor:

Molly Shoichet

Student:

Partner:

DMZ Ventures Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Biomanufacturing; Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Toronto

Program: