CQDM, HEMARINA Canada and Mitacs fund oncology research evaluating the therapeutic potential of a marine oxygen carrier
Montreal, April 18, 2024 – CQDM is proud to announce the funding of a collaborative research project aimed at evaluating the therapeutic potential of a universal oxygen carrier from a marine organism in various oncology applications. This project, led by CRCHUM researchers Francis Rodier and François Yu, in partnership with the company HEMARINA Canada, is worth a total of $874,478, and is made possible thanks to a grant from the Government of Quebec (MEIE) of $311,994 awarded by CQDM, and financial support from HEMARINA Canada, Mitacs and the Dr Azar/Angélil Chair in Head and Neck Oncology of Université de Montréal at the CHUM.
Hypoxia is a major issue in tissue preservation in biobanks, as well as in new anti-cancer therapies. The company HEMARINA has developed an additive, HEMO2life®, which effectively oxygenates tissues thanks to hemoglobin isolated from marine worms (M101), which can carry 40 times more oxygen than human hemoglobin. This graft-preserving additive has proved its worth in kidney and composite tissue transplants (arms, faces). The research team is therefore looking to take advantage of the unique characteristics of this oxygen carrier to optimize the preservation of tumor tissue used in Quebec research projects, and to reduce the resistance of hypoxic tumors to radiotherapy in preclinical models.
This project has the potential to create a major new oncology market in Quebec for HEMARINA Canada, as well as bringing a new therapeutic approach to cancer patients. The knowledge gained from this project will guide potential clinical translation, including the possibility of combining the use of the marine-derived oxygen carrier with other anti-cancer treatments, and thus have a beneficial impact on patients’ lives.
“Our government is continuing to build a strong and innovative Québec life sciences industry by supporting partnerships like this one. Collaboration between research organizations and companies is the key to successful healthcare projects”, said Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal Region.
“This is a bold research project involving a company focused on bio-inspired innovation and researchers from the academic world. This collaboration, aimed at making advances in oncology, could inspire others in the future with players from a variety of industries in Quebec. CQDM is proud to be able to facilitate this type of collaboration and wishes this innovative project great success in the future.“, underlines Diane Gosselin, President, and CEO of CQDM.
‘’We are very pleased to establish this collaboration with one of the best research teams working in oncology at the CRCHUM along with renowned clinicians Jean-Paul Bahary and Houda Bahig. This work should quickly open new therapeutic avenues in oncology to reach hypoxic tumors, but also in biobank protocols, which are today very important for the conservation of cancerous tissues and the development of new therapies” declares Franck ZAL, founder and director of Groupe HEMARINA.
‘’This collaborative research project could have significant impacts across various levels in the fight against cancer. The ability of HEMO2life® to carry oxygen to tumor tissue and to target tumor hypoxia could lead to several benefits in cancer treatment by offering a more precise understanding of the disease, enhancing treatment responses, and reducing the risk of therapeutic resistance.’’, explain the CRCHUM researchers, Francis Rodier and François Yu.
About HEMARINA Canada Inc.
HEMARINA is a biotechnology laboratory specializing in the development of healthcare products based on a technological platform derived from a marine oxygen carrier (M101). This molecule is unique in that it is extracellular, non-immunogenic, non-allergenic and capable of transporting 40 times more oxygen than human hemoglobin while being 250 times smaller than a red blood cell. HEMARINA is developing several innovations: an additive to organ transplant graft preservation solutions (HEMO2life®), an oxygenating dressing (HEMHealing®), a treatment for periodontal diseases and peri-implantitis (HEMDental-Care®), a universal therapeutic oxygen carrier that would enable patients to be transfused regardless of their blood type, to treat conditions such as stroke, myocardial infarction and occlusive crises linked to sickle cell disease (HEMOXYCarrier®), and a cell growth activator (HEMOXCell®). For futher information, please visit our website: https://www.hemarina.com/?lang=en
About the CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM)
The Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) is one of the main hospital research centres in North America. Its mission is to improve adult health through a continuum of research covering disciplines such as basic sciences, clinical research, and public health. About 2120 people work at the CRCHUM, including more than 550 researchers and more than 500 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. For more information, visit: chumontreal.qc.ca/en/crchum
About CQDM
Facilitator of biopharma innovation
CQDM is a not-for-profit biopharmaceutical research consortium whose mission is to support and facilitate multi-stakeholder collaborative R&D aimed at accelerating the translation of innovative technologies by the biopharma industry into solutions that address unmet medical needs, while generating significant benefits for the Quebec and Canadian economy. For more information, please visit the website: www.cqdm.org
Media Contact:
Carl Baillargeon
Senior Director – communications and marketing
CQDM
514 926-9196
