PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
ADRIQ 2023 PRIX INNOVATION AWARD – The CQDM congratulates Theratechnologies and professor Borhane Annabi from UQAM on receiving the 2023 ADRIQ Industrial Research Sectoral Group (RSRI) Innovation Award
Montreal, November 24, 2023 – The CQDM is proud to announce that Theratechnologies and professor Borhane Annabi from UQAM, via the preclinical research project of a new targeted therapy against triple negative breast cancer, won the RSRI Innovation award at the 2023 ADRIQ Innovation Awards Gala held last night, November 23, 2023, at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
This collaborative research project led by Theratechnologies Inc., a Quebec biopharmaceutical company, in partnership with Professor Borhane Annabi from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), a world-renowned cancer expert, and made possible through the financial contribution of the Canadian Cancer Society and the CQDM, demonstrated the effectiveness of a new experimental therapy which targets triple negative breast cancer, a very aggressive cancer with a high risk of recurrence.
This experimental therapy is based on the properties of a peptide-drug conjugate, TH1902 or sudocetaxel zendusortide, to recognize and exploit the functions of sortilin, a receptor expressed on the surface of several types of cancer cells, to rapidly internalize the drug and to circumvent chemoresistance mechanisms. This gateway has enabled the development of a more specific cancer targeting strategy, thus making it possible to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. Theratechnologies and Professor Borhane Annabi combined their expertise and accelerated the development of their innovation from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside, thanks to this project and the phase 1 clinical trial that followed. The project also allowed Theratechnologies to diversify its research and development portfolio and has served as a foundation for its research in oncology.
The success of this collaborative research allowed the initiation of spin-off projects aimed at exploring the potential of this new therapy to inhibit the metastasis process and to create a new conjugate intended for the treatment of colorectal cancer. With its drug currently in clinical trials, Theratechnologies is now well-positioned to make a difference for people with advanced cancer.
“We are truly honoured to be awarded this prestigious prize which not only recognizes our scientific accomplishments, but even more so celebrates the vital spirit of collaboration that has enabled important developments in the field of advanced cancer,’’ said Christian Marsolais, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Theratechnologies.
“We must underline the audacity and ambition of this collaborative project which contributes to the promotion of cutting-edge research carried out in cancerology within the Chair in cancer prevention and treatment at the sciences faculty of UQAM. This project has a structuring effect, both through the rigorous process of discovery and in the training and job creation for highly qualified personnel in biomedical research in Quebec,” rejoices Borhane Annabi, professor of biochemistry at the chemistry department at UQAM.
“The Canadian Cancer Society is proud to fund world leading research projects that have the potential to improve cancer outcomes and ultimately improve and save more lives. Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive cancer with an often-poor prognosis. There is therefore an urgent need to innovate and find new treatments like the one currently in clinical trial by Theratechnologies and Professor Borhane Annabi,” says Romain Rigal, Director, Partner Engagement at the Canadian Cancer Society.
‘’CQDM congratulates Theratechnologies and Professor Annabi for this recognition. I would like to highlight the collaborative work undertaken by the project partners which helps propel the development of a very promising therapy against cancer,” underlines Diane Gosselin, President and CEO of CQDM.
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About the ADRIQ RSRI Award
Created in 2019, this prize presented by the nine (9) RSRIs (CQDM, CQRDA, CRIAQ, CRIBIQ, CRITM, InnovÉÉ, MEDTEQ, Prima and Prompt) highlights the strength of the links between the research community and the industry and highlights the significant impact of a collaborative research project on the Quebec economy.
About Theratechnologies
Theratechnologies (TSX: TH) (NASDAQ: THTX) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies addressing unmet medical needs. Further information about Theratechnologies is available on the Company’s website at www.theratech.com, on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Follow Theratechnologies on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We fund the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, across Canada and for all types of cancer. As the voice for people who care about cancer, we work with governments to shape a healthier society. No other organization does all that we do to make lives better today and transform the future of cancer forever. Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.
About UQAM
Open and audacious, UQAM is a French-language public university with an international reputation. It welcomes more than 35,000 students and has more than 300,000 graduates. It offers 350 programs, almost half of which are at the graduate level. Its Faculty of Sciences trains a high-level young generation committed to finding answers to the concerns of populations thanks to the impact of its research activities and the partnerships that result from them, particularly in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry. For more information, please visit the website: https://uqam.ca/en/information/about/
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 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
cbaillargeon@cqdm.org
