CQDM, Brain Canada and industry partners join forces to address unmet medical needs in the treatment of brain disorders

CQDM and Brain Canada are proud to announce the funding of three collaborative research projects, for a total of $7.4 million which includes financial support from various industry partners, aimed at addressing unmet needs in the treatment of brain disorders.

These projects are made possible by a contribution of $1,796,387 in funding from the government of Quebec via CQDM and $2,271,500 from the Brain Canada Foundation via the Canadian Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada Foundation.

Functional brain deficits, resulting from traumatic brain injury or disease, affect a significant portion of Canada’s population. These deficits are not only associated with significant costs but also have a profound impact on the lives of those affected and their loved ones. For example, dementia alone accounted for $8.3 billion in healthcare costs in 2011, and these are expected to double by 2031¹.

Our government is particularly proud to contribute nearly $1.8 million to the realization of these three neuroscience projects. With partnerships like the one between CQDM and the Brain Canada Foundation, we are helping Quebec further distinguish itself as a global leader in research and innovation. But more importantly, the benefits of our investments will help patients with cognitive diseases by improving their quality of life.

Minister Christopher Skeete, Quebec Minister for the Economy,
Minister responsible for the Fight against Racism,
and Minister responsible for the Laval region.

“This funding is the latest effort in a long-standing partnership with Brain Canada, 10 years of co-funding to accelerate research and improve the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders. By joining forces, this collaborative initiative will accelerate the development of tools, therapies and treatments for common neurological disorders, bringing tangible benefits to Quebec and Canadian patients while generating economic spin-offs for the companies involved,” says Diane Gosselin, President and CEO of CQDM.

“We take pride in supporting high-risk high-reward projects. Our longstanding collaboration with CQDM reflects our joint commitment to drive tangible progress in understanding and addressing complex neurological challenges. Together, we strive to improve the quality of life for people living with brain conditions in Canada and around the world,” saysViviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada.

Projects benefiting from this funding

A revolutionary organoid platform to dissect the role of microglia in degenerative conditions and to enable the identification of new targets and therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s treatment

This project, led by Thomas Durcan, Director of EDDU (The Early Drug Discovery Unit) in collaboration with Merck scientists, was awarded a Quantum Leap grant of close to $2.6 million. It is made possible by $407,814 in funding from the government of Quebec via CQDM and $500,000 in funding from Brain Canada. Merck Canada is also contributing $1,576,702 to continue its existing collaboration with Prof. Durcan on microglia and 3D stem cell models towards identifying novel targets.

A novel immunotherapy based on genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells as a new hope for treating glioblastoma, an aggressive cancerous tumor of the brain.

Led by Dr. Elie Haddad from CHU Sainte-Justine in collaboration with Immugenia, this project includes an inter-provincial research collaboration with Prof. Scott McComb and Prof. Anna Jezierski of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the University of Ottawa who are advancing research innovations through the NRC’s Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell & Gene Therapy Challenge program. Awarded through the CQDM-Brain Canada Joint Call for Collaborative Research Projects on the Brain program, the total grant of close to $2.5 million, is notably made possible by $829,262 in funding from the government of Quebec via CQDM, in addition to $1 million in funding from Brain Canada and a commitment of $580,345 from Immugenia. The project will enable Immugenia to accelerate its R&D program and enhance its portfolio of drug candidates while investigating new immunotherapies to treat glioblastoma, a type of cancer that originates in the brain.

Cognitive training platform to revolutionize healthcare for people with concussions.

Led by Dr. Jocelyn Faubert from the Université de Montréal in collaboration with Neurotracker Athletics Inc., this project includes an inter-provincial research collaboration with Prof. Brian Christie and Prof. Jodie Gawryluk from the University of Victoria. Awarded through the CQDM-Brain Canada Joint Call for Collaborative Research Projects on the Brain program, the total grant of close to $2.1 million is made possible by $559,312 in funding from the government of Quebec via CQDM alongside $771,500 in funding from Brain Canada and a commitment of $860,816 from Neurotracker Athletics Inc. Dr. Faubert and team will explore the use of a cognitive training platform to significantly facilitate recovery in people with a history of concussion.

Reference:
1. Prevalence and Financial Costs of Cognitive Impairment in Canada, Alzheimer Society of Canada