CQDM is pleased to launch a call for ideas for our upcoming CQDM Connect-Pharma: Pitch Day.
We are searching for world-class research on targeting moieties that can revolutionize precision medicine to present to domain experts from leading global pharmaceutical organizations on November 20th, 2025.
Our objective is to bring ground-breaking, innovative Canadian research to CQDM’s pharmaceutical members and facilitate interactions between our pharma members and the Canadian ecosystem. There is the potential for collaborative projects developed with a CQDM pharmaceutical member to obtain funding via CQDM’s Quantum Leap program.
We are seeking innovative concepts and emerging technologies that enable or enhance the development of targeted therapeutic modalities. While antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) remain a key area of interest, we welcome ideas across a broad spectrum of molecular conjugates that link a targeting moiety (e.g., antibodies, peptides, aptamers, small molecules) with a functional payload (e.g., cytotoxins, immune modulators, nucleic acids, radioligands).
Areas of Interest Include (but are not limited to):
- Novel linker technologies: Cleavable, stimuli-responsive, or tunable linkers that improve stability, release kinetics, or site-specific activation.
- Alternative targeting moieties: Beyond monoclonal antibodies—such as bispecifics, nanobodies, peptides, or engineered scaffolds.
- Payload innovation: New classes of cytotoxic agents, higher drug loading, dual payloads, immune modulators, gene-editing tools, degrader-antibody conjugates (DACs), radioactive isotopes, antibody–siRNA conjugates (ARC) or other bioactive molecules.
- Conjugation strategies: Site-specific, orthogonal, or modular conjugation chemistries that enhance manufacturability and therapeutic index.
- Platform technologies: Scalable systems for discovery, screening, or manufacturing of targeted conjugates. Technologies to enhance target internalization.
- Improvements in antibodies: Innovations in antibody engineering such as improved specificity, stability, or half-life.
Therapeutic Applications
- Oncology: Targeting tumor-specific antigens or the tumor microenvironment.
- Rare Diseases: Precision delivery to affected tissues or cell types.
- Neurodegenerative Disorders: Crossing the blood-brain barrier with targeted delivery systems.
- Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases: Targeting immune cell subsets or inflammatory mediators.
- Infectious Diseases: Targeting infected cells or pathogen-specific markers.
Process
All submitted projects will be shared with CQDM’s pharmaceutical members for review and ranking. Top ranked projects will be selected to present to CQDM’s global pharmaceutical members at a CQDM Connect-Pharma: Pitch Day on November 20th, 2025.
Who can apply
Canadian academic institutions, biotech companies, and research organizations are eligible to apply. Collaborative projects that involve partnerships between academia and industry are also encouraged. We welcome multidisciplinary teams that can bring diverse expertise to the table.
Deadline and Submission
Submission deadline is October 9th 2025
Please submit to [email protected] through the application form
For more information, contact Simon Fournier ([email protected]).
About CQDM
CQDM is a non-profit biopharmaceutical research consortium whose mission is to support and facilitate multi-stakeholder collaborative R&D that accelerates translation of leading-edge discoveries into vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics addressing unmet medical needs while generating significant benefits for the Canadian economy.
Would you like more informations? Contact :
Simon Fournier, CQDM : [email protected]
