Accelerated development of next generation modified mRNA cancer therapeutics

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Project of $780,577 over 18 months

• Supported by CQDM through:
  Ministère du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MDEIE)
• And by co-funding partner:
  – Darbix BioTech Inc.

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The project in detail:

Challenge:

The development of messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics continues to face several significant challenges, including achieving efficient delivery to extrahepatic tissues, improving long-term mRNA stability, and ensuring high product purity. In addition, the industry has not yet established an effective solution for the simultaneous delivery of multiple mRNA constructs encoding complementary protein products, such as antibodies, or distinct therapeutic targets, while maintaining balanced expression levels and preserving functional activity. Overcoming these limitations is essential to fully realize the therapeutic potential of mRNA-based medicines across a broad range of diseases.

Solution:

Quebec-based startup Darbix Biotech Inc. is leveraging advanced chemistry and machine learning to develop next-generation therapeutic mRNAs. Its proprietary platform is designed to improve mRNA expression and stability while creating opportunities for enhanced delivery capabilities. The technology also enables multidomain and multimodal therapeutic strategies, opening new possibilities for treating complex diseases. In collaboration with Professors Marc Fabian and Stéphane Richard from the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research of the Jewish General Hospital University Health Centre, and with support from the service platforms of the AReNA Québec node of the DePTAQ Network, this project aims to accelerate the development of Darbix’s modified mRNA platform and advance the identification of high-priority therapeutic candidates. The work will focus on optimizing mRNA sequences, investigating the mechanistic and biochemical regulation of mRNA modifications, and evaluating therapeutic efficacy in vivo using mouse models of non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma.

Expected Achievements /Impacts:

Led by Darbix in partnership with leading Quebec researchers in the RNA field, this project is expected to accelerate the development of first-in-class mRNA therapeutics for human use. The resulting innovations have the potential to enable second-generation therapeutic modalities and expand the range of diseases that can be addressed through mRNA technologies. Beyond its scientific and clinical impact, the project will strengthen Quebec’s biotechnology ecosystem by fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and specialized research platforms, while showcasing local expertise and innovation. Ultimately, the initiative will help position Quebec as a globally recognized leader in the development and commercialization of advanced mRNA therapeutics.