Montreal (Quebec), June 16th, 2022 – CQDM is proud to announce the funding of a project in collaboration with the centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval, SPM Therapeutics, and the Fondation du CHU de Québec. The funding, totalling $103,158, was made possible by a grant of $51,847 from the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation (MEI) for this
project.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects approximately one in a thousand people, mainly women. Currently, there are anti-inflammatory treatments to treat SLE, but these do not eliminate pain and have harmful side effects.
The team of Professor Éric Boilard, a researcher in the Department of Microbiology-Infectiology and Immunology at the CHU Québec-Université de Laval Research Center, will study the benefits of certain molecules identified by SPM Therapeutics on SLE symptoms using a new mouse model that mimics human SLE. This study will allow SPM Therapeutics to generate multiple data regarding the efficacy of a molecule for resolving systemic inflammation and reducing or eliminating the symptoms associated with SLE. The in-vivo proof of concept of the molecule’s
efficacy will pave the way for largerstudies and may lead to the development of a new treatment for this disease.
“To improve the quality of healthcare in Quebec, we must focus on innovation in the life sciences sector. Dr. Boilard’s collaborative research aimed at identifying new therapeutic options once
again demonstrates Quebec’s leadership in this sector, in addition to contributing to the wellbeing of the Quebec population,” said Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy and Innovation and Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development.
“CQDM is very pleased to support this project. This funding will give SPM Therapeutics and Professor Boilard the opportunity to explore new therapeutic avenues for systemic lupus erythematosus. We are proud to make this collaborative research possible, which might improve the quality of life of a large number of patients,” said Véronique Dugas, CQDM’s vice-president of scientific affairs.
“Our team aims to understand how the immune system is dysregulated in lupus. Over the past few years, we have developed an animal model to examine new molecules and evaluate their therapeutic potential. This opportunity to develop a new treatment for this autoimmune disease with our partners is extremely motivating,” said Professor Boilard, researcher in the Department of Microbiology-Infectious Diseases and Immunology at the CHU Québec-Université de Laval Research Center.
For Johane Guay, Director of Operations of SPM Therapeutics, “We are pleased to collaborate with the CHU and Dr. Boilard’s team who has developed a unique expertise in the field of preclinical research on lupus. This collaboration represents a first step in demonstrating the potential of our proprietary molecules, involved in resolving inflammation and removing cellular
debris, as future therapies for lupus.”
“Supporting research is an important part of the mission of Fondation du CHU de Québec and the support offered to Dr. Boilard’s team is in line with this. We are pleased to join forces and contribute together to improving the quality of life of people living with this disease,” said MarieClaude Paré, President and CEO of the Fondation du CHU de Québec.
About CQDM
CQDM is a biopharmaceutical research consortium whose mission is to fund the development of innovative technologies and tools to accelerate the discovery and development of safer and more
effective drugs. It provides a hub where major global pharmaceutical companies, several Canadian biotechnology companies, the best researchers from the public and private sectors, as
well as the governments of Quebec and Canada converge. CQDM’s collaborative approach allows it to meet the needs for innovation funding in the academic and private sectors, particularly in the early stages of research. Information—Website: cqdm.org, LinkedIn and Twitter
About SPM Therapeutics
SPM Therapeutics Inc. is a Quebec City-based start-up company involved in the discovery and development of innovative drugs for inflammation and pain. The company specifically targets
diseases that exclusively or predominantly affect women, such as vulvodynia and lupus, and for which there is no effective treatment.
About the Fondation du CHU de Québec
The mission of the Fondation du CHU de Québec is to make a difference in people’s health, from birth to the end of life, by financially supporting the humanization of healthcare at the largest specialized care complex in Quebec, so that it can offer better quality medical services, contribute to research and teaching, and remain on the cutting edge of technological innovation. The Fondation is an effective, influential and innovative philanthropic leader in the service of people. Its team carries out essential work for more than 2 million people in the greater Quebec City area, Eastern Quebec and Northern Quebec.
fondationduchudequec.org
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For more information
CQDM
Ranya Yasri, Project Manager
ryasri@cqdm.org
