Announcement
MONTREAL, May 7, 2025 – CQDM and the Brain Canada Foundation are proud to announce the funding of a research project to identify new chemical compounds with the potential to treat mental health disorders. This project, worth over $1.1 million, is made possible by a $200,820 grant from the Government of Quebec, awarded by CQDM, and a $250,000 grant from the Brain Canada Foundation. Brain Canada grant from the Canadian Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative agreement between the Government of Canada and the Brain Canada Foundation (through Health Canada).
Each year in Canada, one in five people faces a mental health disorder, directly or indirectly affecting millions of Canadians.(1) Pharmacological treatments currently available are often ineffective and associated with major drawbacks such as significant side effects, a therapeutic latency of several months, and a high risk of dependence. Compounds from the psychedelic family have shown promising results in treating these illnesses. But since high doses are associated with side effects such as hallucinations, non-hallucinogenic compounds would offer a better alternative. In the funded project, Diamond Therapeutics, a company focused on developing safe, novel therapeutics for mental health, will join forces with complementary multidisciplinary teams to find a solution to this challenge. Terence Hébert and Paul Clarke of McGill University, and Peter Chidiac of Western University, will bring crucial expertise in signaling pathways, while Graciela Pineyro Centre de recherche Azrieli of CHU Sainte-Justine will contribute advanced analytical strategies. Together, they will develop and select new chemical compounds capable of targeting the signaling pathways stimulated by psychedelic molecules, while eliminating the associated hallucinations. This functional selectivity approach, combined with screening approached will enable faster selection of molecules of interest and accelerate their development for the benefit of patients.
The most promising new chemical compounds will continue their development towards clinical studies, with the aim of offering a breath of hope to patients suffering from mental disorders. The global incidence of mental health problems has risen sharply in recent years, it is therefore essential that more effective treatments be developed rapidly.
“This project clearly shows the expertise of our Québec researchers in the healthcare field. By developing this new approach, we’re making a real difference to the quality of life for people with mental health problems and helping to address a social issue,” – Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism, and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region
“ This project demonstrates the importance of collaborative innovation essential to advancing mental health research, while stimulating the knowledge-based economy. By supporting the development of local expertise in medicinal chemistry and neuropharmacology, we are not only fostering promising scientific advances for people with mental illness, but also the growth of a strategic sector for our economy. The most promising compounds resulting from this work will be brought to clinical trials, generating tangible benefits for all “, affirms Véronique Dugas, President and CEO of CQDM.
Dr. Hébert, the lead investigator and Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University, remarked that “what is powerful, in our approach, is the scaling from chemistry to biosensor-based drug discovery in generic cell models, primary cells and in vivo- combined with simultaneous behavioural readouts and deep analysis and integration of these data sets. We aim to develop an optimized set of therapeutic compounds to treat critical unmet clinical needs in mental health”.
Judith Blumstock, CEO of Diamond Therapeutics added, “this project allows us to accelerate our drug development efforts, selecting better drug candidates earlier, with a more thorough understanding of underlying mechanisms. We are thrilled to be afforded the opportunity to work with such an outstanding team”.
Reference
1. Mental Health Commission of Canada (2013) THE CASE FOR INVESTING IN MENTAL HEALTH IN CANADA. Click here to access the document.
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About Brain Canada
Brain Canada plays a unique and invaluable role as a national convenor of those who support and advance brain research. A greater understanding of how the brain works contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of disorders of the brain, ultimately improving the health outcomes of people in Canada and around the world. To learn more, visit Braincanada.ca @BrainCanada
About CQDM
Biopharma Innovation Facilitator
CQDM is a not-for-profit biopharmaceutical research consortium whose mission is to support and facilitate collaborative multi-stakeholder research and development aimed at accelerating the translation or transformation of innovative technologies into solutions to unmet medical needs, while generating significant benefits for the Quebec and Canadian economy. For more information, consult our website https://cqdm.org/en/ and join us on Twitter/X @CQDM_Canada and LinkedIn.
About Diamond Therapeutics
Diamond Therapeutics is a clinical stage drug development company based in Toronto. Our mission is to develop new and better therapies for mental health conditions by unlocking the fundamental mechanisms underlying these disorders. Diamond’s focus is developing and commercializing safe, effective treatments that hold potential for use across a broad patient cohort — maximizing the positive impact better drugs can have on the global mental health crisis. To learn more about Diamond, visit us at www.diamondthera.com.
Media Contacts:
Julia Serafino
Marketing and Communications Manager
CQDM
438-543-9498
[email protected]
Kate Shingler
Senior Director, Strategic Communications>
Brain Canada
514-550-8308
[email protected]
