Principal Investigator
Frédéric Couture
TransBIOTech
Project of $1,092,705 over 2 years
- Supported by CQDM through:
Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec (MEIE) - And by co-funding partner:
– Feldan Therapeutics
Challenge
Respiratory diseases, particularly non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Current therapies for these conditions are ineffective for a large proportion of patients, highlighting the urgent need for new treatments. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are safe and effective molecules with the potential to offer new therapeutic options for NCFB, COPD, and IPF. However, the lack of a delivery system capable of efficiently introducing ASOs into lung cells remains a major obstacle to the development of these therapies.
Solution
Feldan Therapeutics has developed an intracellular delivery system, the Feldan Shuttle technology, which enables the efficient delivery of therapeutic molecules into cells. To fully harness the therapeutic potential of ASOs for respiratory diseases, Feldan Therapeutics has optimized the Feldan Shuttle to effectively deliver ASOs within the pathological lung environment. Building on this unique technological advancement, the project aims to 1) identify ASOs that target biological pathways involved in the progression of COPD and IPF, and 2) evaluate the therapeutic effects of delivering these ASOs in animal models of these diseases.
Expected Achievements/Impact:
The scientific team, led by Prof. Frédéric Couture from the TransBIOTech research centre in collaboration with Quebec-based company Feldan Therapeutics, aims to overcome the challenge of pulmonary delivery of ASOs using the Feldan Shuttle technology and to identify between 1 to 4 effective ASOs that inhibit key biological regulators involved in the progression of NCFB, COPD, and IPF. This project is focused on developing new ASO-based therapies for patients in Quebec, across Canada, and around the world. Positive results will enable the launch of preclinical studies, strengthening Feldan Therapeutics’ strategic positioning and establishing the company as a key player in the field. This approach could also be adapted to other respiratory diseases, ultimately contributing to a significant improvement in the quality of life for many patients.
