CQDM
By Shawn Lawrence and Tonya Costoff
CQDM PUTS THE NEEDS of the pharmaceutical industry front and centre
The Québec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM) now has two years of experience under its belt. Established in 2008, it set out to put the needs of the pharmaceutical industry front and centre, while at the same time looking for ways to allow both the public sector and the pharmaceutical industry to invest more into R&D and increase the productivity of its investments in Canada.
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Here is a brief description of the projects that have been initated: Project: A new biosensor paradigm
for continuous detection of multiple analytes Principal Investigator: Emanuel Escher, Université de Sherbrooke
The capacity to monitor selected drugs, analytes or biomarkers in living organisms is crucial for drug discovery and
Montréal InVivo works as a dynamic and mobilizing lever for the creation of an ecosystem favourable to the creation of innovation and wealth in the life science and health technology (LSHT) sector in the greater Montreal.
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ACTOR OF INNOVATION ACTOR
In order to fulfill these needs the CQDM created a funding program that is designed to support the development of promising new generation technologies that have the potential to transform biopharmaceutical research. The competition invites researchers from industry and academia to put forth a unique project idea and create tools and technologies to accelerate the drug discovery process. So for the second year in a row, the CQDM has now initiated four outstanding research projects resulting from its annual competition. “What we’re hoping to do is keep our research agenda very broad and we want to make sure we have strong projects that will have an impact on biopharmaceutical research,” said Diane Gosselin, vice president, Research and Business Development, CQDM. “As long as the projects are addressing a crucial challenge that the industry is facing right now, and as long as the project will come up with clear applicable results right away, we are satisfied with that.”
Montréal InVivo has three priority thrusts: MOBILIZATION: Rally public and private players around co-projects or strategic action. HUMAN CAPITAL: Initiate and support the implementation of innovative action plans to attract, develop and keep high-calibre talent. AN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK: Establish extensive networks to stimulate strategic partnerships and pave the way to new markets for our partners.
Montréal InVivo, a key player in propelling the LSHT industry forward.
Biotechnology Focus / October 2010
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