Site-specific Immunomodulators for COPD

Qu Biologics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and evaluating an innovative immunotherapeutic approach to treating disease rooted in immune pathology/dysfunction. Qu’s proprietary technology platform, site-specific immunomodulators (SSI), act to stimulate the body’s own immune system to reverse the chronic inflammation underlying many conditions including cancer and immune-mediated diseases. For lung diseases, Qu’s platform SSI, QBKPN, is derived from Klebsiella pneumonia. Given the unmet need for COPD and related inflammatory lung diseases, Qu’s aim is to investigate the use of QBKPN for these indications. We hypothesize that QBKPN will provide efficacy in controlling lung inflammation. Towards this end, Dr. Jeremy Hirota will be providing expertise in addressing this question using two different inflammatory lung disease models: smoke exposure (for COPD) and allergen-induced inflammation (asthma). In each model we will monitor lung inflammation and pathology to determine the impact QBKPN in chronic respiratory diseases. The proposed Mitacs intern, will obtain career opportunities with the sponsor company, grow connections with the local Life Sciences BC community, obtain training in a unique setting distinct from traditional academia, participate in a career transition stage, and broaden her knowledge base of pre-clinical models.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jeremy Hirota

Student:

Partner:

Qu Biologics

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Biotechnology; Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: