HOT BUTTON ISSUES
Canadian Life Science // by TONYA COSTOFF
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
Canadian Arthritis Network bringing the arthritis community together Canada’s arthritis community is hard at work all year long as it works towards a cure for the debilitating disease. Nearly 4.5 million Canadian suffer from arthritis and that number is expected to increase to six million by 2026. Each year the economic burder of musculoskeletal conditions (mostly arthritis) in Canada is about $16.4 billion. Many people believe arthritis is a disease of the elderly, which is a gross misconception. In reality, most arthritis sufferers are under 65 years of age. The Canadian Arthritis Network (CAN) has a mission to improve the quality of life of people with arthritis; decrease the personal, societal and economic burden of the disease; and promote the growth of the Canadian economy through research projects in osteoarthritis, inflammatory joint diseases and bioengineering to restore the mobility of joints. CAN’s resources support its mission in three key areas: the early development of potential treatments, sharing research results that may lead to new treatments and devices, and supporting the work of Canadian scientists. It acts as the single point of contact that links nearly 200 leading Canadian arthritis researchers and clinicians, 45 Canadian academic institutions, The Arthritis Society, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and government. CAN is also a member of the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence. With researchers and investors spread out across the county, it can make it hard to share information, create partnerships and ultimately, cure the disease. The Annual Scientific Conference acts as a forum to get people together and take things to that next level. The 2010 Annual Scientific Conference (ASC), taking place Oct. 28-30 in Gatineau, QC, will offer a fresh format and content to attendees. The ASC acts as an opportunity to understand how the arthritis community is moving towards a cure for the disease, with such critical topics as: pain in inflammatory diseases; patient-oriented outcomes; stem cell and regenerative medicine; and an intensive workshop session on osteoarthritis. Rounding out the conference is the ever-popular trainee day, networking events, scientific poster competitions and a gala dinner with a host of award presentations. With so many conferences held around the globe, sometimes it’s 20 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS SEPTEMBER 2010
SOME OF THE CURRENT CAN LICENSING/PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE: Biologic Inhibitor for Treating Inflammation and Leukemia Key Features • Validated novel target with preclinical proof-of-concept for inhibitor efficacy at least equivalent to gold-standard (anti-TNF). • Multiple therapeutic areas: Inflammation (Crohn’s and Rheumatoid Arthritis) and Oncology (leukemia). • Strong patent portfolio, dedicated scientific expertise and early phase not-for-profit financing. Market Opportunity • Anti-TNF therapeutics have been among the best selling classes of biologics, with sales of $16.4 billion in 2007, dominating the treatment of inflammatory disease. • Although anti-TNFs have widespread use, they have side effects and are ineffective in a large patient population; an antibody with more specific anti-inflammatory activity and a better safety profile is needed. Stage of Development • Validated target • Technology protected in the US and Europe • Monoclonal antibodies in late stage pre-clinical testing; ready for humanization in 2010 Ideal Partner Interested in licensing this technology as part of a development partnership? The ideal partner will have: • Expertise in antibody development. • An active inflammatory disease development program. • A track record of success and expertise in pre-clinical and toxicology studies for biologics. Contact Brian Bobechko Director of R&D, CAN
Tel: (416) 586-4800 ext. 4117 Email: bbobechko@mtsinai.on.ca
