Aug 30, 2017 | Chelation Partners, News
Link to original story here
A Halifax company is testing a new chemical compound that acts like a magnet to break down the defences of antibiotic-resistant superbugs by depriving them of the one thing they all need — iron.
Chelation Partners Inc. has been working for years on an iron-binding polymer it calls Dibi, and with the help of researchers at Dalhousie and Cape Breton universities, the compound is now in clinical trials using dogs with ear infections, said Bill Cheliak, one of the company’s founders.
Increasing numbers of antibiotic-resistant microbes are threatening human and animal health, and research into new drugs that treat infections is expensive and time consuming, he said.
“In the times before antibiotics, people played their chances and hoped their immune system was able to overcome (infection),” Cheliak said. “If it didn’t, they died.
“We’ve invested 75 years and countless hundreds of billions of dollars to develop antibiotics, and we have this big portfolio and we just can’t walk away from it. That’s just not a reasonable or rational thing to consider or contemplate, so how do you make it better?
“Because iron is needed regardless of what kind of pathogen you are — we call it an Achilles heel — so it’s common to all the different pathogens.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a bacteria or a fungus; it doesn’t discriminate. All those guys need the iron and the only place they get it is from you, and if we’re successful in restricting it then we make these antibiotics work much better.”
Adding value to existing drugs provides a quicker and less expensive regulatory route to marketing pharmaceuticals, said Cheliak, and it results in a widely available medicine at a lower cost to consumers compared to brand-new drugs.
The company’s compound has been shown to bind with iron and weaken bacteria, suggesting it could be added to antibiotics to boost their effectiveness in the fight against infection, said Matthias Bierenstiel, an associate professor of inorganic chemistry at Cape Breton University.
“It’s amazing, the results there,” he said.
The polymer is a relatively large molecule that attracts and holds onto iron, Bierenstiel said. For comparison purposes, an Aspirin molecule might have a weight of 200 to 300 atomic units. Dibi weighs about 10,000 atomic units.
“Because it’s a large polymer and the iron is kind of hidden inside, we believe that it’s invisible to the bacteria because of the nature of this big, bulky polymer protecting it,” he said.
Without iron, infectious pathogens simply can’t grow or reproduce.
“This is a very simplified hypothesis, but it’s basically the basis of this,” said Bierenstiel.
The work at CBU has provided hands-on experience for undergraduate and honours students in Bierenstiel’s laboratory, helping develop manufacturing methods and studying how the polymer works at the molecular level.
“We developed the chemical pathway, so basically the recipe, in order to get there,” he said.
Now, Bierenstiel and his students are working on methods that would allow the manufacturing to scale up from lab conditions to a commercial environment.
Meanwhile, one of his postdoctoral students presented some research findings from the project at a national chemistry conference in Toronto earlier this summer, and another is scheduled to present at the American Society for Microbiology conference on antimicrobial resistance drugs in Boston next month.
And it has spurred a related project on microbial biofilms at the Verschuren Centre, CBU’s research institute.
Researchers in Dalhousie University’s faculty of medicine have also been involved with Chelation Partners and CBU, testing how the polymer works at the microbiological level in blood.
If animal tests are successful, human trials could be underway by the end of next year, Cheliak said.
“We’re thinking that we’ll be into human trials in 18 months,” he said. “That requires a couple of things to come together.
“There’s a full range of safety studies that the regulatory agencies will institute. The manufacturing part has to be made to certain standards that are applicable to the regulatory agencies. All that takes time.”]]>
Aug 28, 2017 | BIOPORT ATLANTIC, Neck Tronics Inc., News, THE BIOINNOVATION CHALLENGE
Semi-Finalists Chosen for BioInnovation Challenge
Halifax, NS – August 28, 2017 The semi-finalists have been chosen for the 2017 edition of The BioInnovation Challenge (BIC).
Scott Moffitt, Managing Director of BioNova, the host of BIC, announced today that the semi-finalists who will take part in the program have been selected. The semi-finalists will receive professional pitch training between now and the semi-final run off, which will be held in Halifax on October 17.
The program is part of a regional collaboration between BioNova, BioNB and PEI BioAlliance, its sister organizations in NB and PEI. The program allows up and coming life sciences companies to compete in the challenge and kick start their success.
“We’re very excited about this year’s BioInnovation Challenge,” said Moffitt. “We have a number of brand new semi-finalists which shows that, year over year, this region is producing great life science ideas and great innovators.”
Moffitt also notes that, “we are continuing to see exciting, new innovations as the BioInnovation Challenge evolves to offer more and more support for early stage companies.”
The semi-finalists are:
• Tieös Pharmaceuticals Inc. from New Brunswick
• Neck Tronics Inc. from Nova Scotia
• iPSNP Computing Inc. from New Brunswick
• Heterogeneous Nanosystems Ltd. from Nova Scotia
• Zecken Laboratories from New Brunswick
• ADDtext Inc. from Nova Scotia
• Pfera Inc. from New Brunswick
• Canuevo Biotech Inc. from New Brunswick
The winner of the BioInnovation Challenge will receive a $15,000 seed investment and a package of support services and mentoring valued at more than $30,000.
The 2017 BIC is presented by BioNova in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, BioNB, Emergence, Dalhousie University Industry Liaison and Innovation, Springboard Atlantic, Jennifer Cameron PR, JLT, Sandler Training and Grant Thornton.
BIC will take place over two days in October. The 8 semi-finalists will present to a panel of judges on October 17 at the Life Sciences Research Institute. The top three presenters will then pitch to the judges and the conference audience at BioPort Atlantic, BioNova’s annual conference, the following morning. The winner will be announced at the close of BioPort Atlantic on the afternoon of October 18.
BioPort Atlantic will take place at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel on October 17 and 18. BioPort provides a forum to educate, inform and inspire the life sciences community to develop their ideas, commercialize their technologies and build links within the region and with guests brought in from the US and from around the world.
About BioNova:
BioNova is the industry association leading the advancement of the life sciences sector in Nova Scotia. BioNova leads and supports its members as we build a successful, self-sustaining life sciences industry in Nova Scotia. By promoting the industry and its successes, building relationships both inside and outside the province and creating networking and educational opportunities. BioNova aims to accelerate the commercialization success of Nova Scotia’s life sciences businesses and organizations.
-30-
For further information, media may contact:
Kerri Mannette
Program Manager, BioNova
902-421-5705 ext. 4
[email protected]]]>
Aug 10, 2017 | News, Tranquility Online
www.tranquilityonline.co/bloghttps://youtu.be/yZcfsFSTG0w]]>
Aug 9, 2017 | Members, News
See original story here
As it continues to fund young companies, the First Angel Network has developed an investment niche for the biomedical space and is showing an eagerness for repeat investments.
FAN, as it is known, has been investing in Atlantic Canadian startups for 12 years, making it the dean of active investment groups. Its portfolio has included a couple of exits and a few failures. The group has sometimes been controversial, and a group of FAN investors is now suing the developer of King’s Wharf in Dartmouth.
Through it all, the co-founding team of Ross Finlay and Brian Lowe has been arranging quarterly investments for their network of angels, as they have been for the past 48 quarters. The landscape has changed since FAN started, and the group concentrates more these days on life sciences companies or IT companies that have medical applications. Recent investments like Chinova Bioworks, Covina Biomedical and Spring Loaded bear this out.
“It seems like our members gravitate toward those types of deals,” said Lowe in an interview last week.
“Our members like to invest in biotechnology and medical devices. They seem to understand the sector well.”
A look at the companies FAN has invested in shows the concentration in life sciences:
Spring Loaded Technology, Dartmouth — Spring Loaded has recently launched the Levitation knee brace, which not only stabilizes the joint but also adds power to it.
Chinova Bioworks, Fredericton — Chinova is using the multi-purpose compound chitosan in an anti-microbial agent, which it uses in a natural preservative in such foods as juices.
Iron Apple International, Halifax — Iron Apple International provides food safety solutions to transportation companies throughout North America.
Covina Biomedical, Halifax — Covina is commercializing a non-toxic bone cement that can be injected into the vertebrae of osteoporosis patients who have suffered a fracture. The company has said it raised $350,000 from FAN as part of a round with a target of $1 million.
WellTrack, Fredericton — WellTrack is a product that helps organizations — especially universities — improve the mental health of their members, especially those suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.
NB Biomatrix, Saint John — NB Biomatrix has developed Naqua-Pure, a liquid that uses nanotechnology to remove heavy metals and other pollutants from waste water.
What’s interesting about the Spring Loaded funding is that it is the second time the knee-brace-maker has tapped FAN for funding. The company received funding from FAN and Innovacorp two years ago, then from Build Ventures last year and returned to FAN earlier this year.
“FAN has been a long-term supporter of Spring Loaded,” said CEO Chris Cowper Smith in an email. “They are well organized and offer an efficient process for raising capital through their network. We had excellent uptake from FAN on our current offering and we look forward to working with them going forward.”
Lowe and Finlay said the organization is interested in providing follow-on funding from its more successful portfolio companies. It has done return investment for Spring Loaded and Halifax-based Metamaterial Technologies Inc., which recently announced an $8.3-million funding round that included contributions from FAN. Some of these companies are also raising money through the Wilmington Investor Network, a North Carolina group with whom FAN sometimes co-invests.
Finlay noted that research by the Angel Research Institute of the United States shows that follow-on funding accounts for more than half the angel investment in the U.S.
“We’ve been wondering if we should try to focus more on not chasing the shiny new object but on supporting the companies that are already in our portfolio,” he said. “We think that’s a good use of our capital.”
Aug 9, 2017 | Spring Loaded Technology
See original story here
As it continues to fund young companies, the First Angel Network has developed an investment niche for the biomedical space and is showing an eagerness for repeat investments.
FAN, as it is known, has been investing in Atlantic Canadian startups for 12 years, making it the dean of active investment groups. Its portfolio has included a couple of exits and a few failures. The group has sometimes been controversial, and a group of FAN investors is now suing the developer of King’s Wharf in Dartmouth.
Through it all, the co-founding team of Ross Finlay and Brian Lowe has been arranging quarterly investments for their network of angels, as they have been for the past 48 quarters. The landscape has changed since FAN started, and the group concentrates more these days on life sciences companies or IT companies that have medical applications. Recent investments like Chinova Bioworks, Covina Biomedical and Spring Loaded bear this out.
“It seems like our members gravitate toward those types of deals,” said Lowe in an interview last week.
“Our members like to invest in biotechnology and medical devices. They seem to understand the sector well.”
A look at the companies FAN has invested in shows the concentration in life sciences:
Spring Loaded Technology, Dartmouth — Spring Loaded has recently launched the Levitation knee brace, which not only stabilizes the joint but also adds power to it.
Chinova Bioworks, Fredericton — Chinova is using the multi-purpose compound chitosan in an anti-microbial agent, which it uses in a natural preservative in such foods as juices.
Iron Apple International, Halifax — Iron Apple International provides food safety solutions to transportation companies throughout North America.
Covina Biomedical, Halifax — Covina is commercializing a non-toxic bone cement that can be injected into the vertebrae of osteoporosis patients who have suffered a fracture. The company has said it raised $350,000 from FAN as part of a round with a target of $1 million.
WellTrack, Fredericton — WellTrack is a product that helps organizations — especially universities — improve the mental health of their members, especially those suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.
NB Biomatrix, Saint John — NB Biomatrix has developed Naqua-Pure, a liquid that uses nanotechnology to remove heavy metals and other pollutants from waste water.
What’s interesting about the Spring Loaded funding is that it is the second time the knee-brace-maker has tapped FAN for funding. The company received funding from FAN and Innovacorp two years ago, then from Build Ventures last year and returned to FAN earlier this year.
“FAN has been a long-term supporter of Spring Loaded,” said CEO Chris Cowper Smith in an email. “They are well organized and offer an efficient process for raising capital through their network. We had excellent uptake from FAN on our current offering and we look forward to working with them going forward.”
Lowe and Finlay said the organization is interested in providing follow-on funding from its more successful portfolio companies. It has done return investment for Spring Loaded and Halifax-based Metamaterial Technologies Inc., which recently announced an $8.3-million funding round that included contributions from FAN. Some of these companies are also raising money through the Wilmington Investor Network, a North Carolina group with whom FAN sometimes co-invests.
Fi
As it continues to fund young companies, the First Angel Network has developed an investment niche for the biomedical space and is showing an eagerness for repeat investments.
FAN, as it is known, has been investing in Atlantic Canadian startups for 12 years, making it the dean of active investment groups. Its portfolio has included a couple of exits and a few failures. The group has sometimes been controversial, and a group of FAN investors is now suing the developer of King’s Wharf in Dartmouth.
Through it all, the co-founding team of Ross Finlay and Brian Lowe has been arranging quarterly investments for their network of angels, as they have been for the past 48 quarters. The landscape has changed since FAN started, and the group concentrates more these days on life sciences companies or IT companies that have medical applications. Recent investments like Chinova Bioworks, Covina Biomedical and Spring Loaded bear this out.
“It seems like our members gravitate toward those types of deals,” said Lowe in an interview last week.
“Our members like to invest in biotechnology and medical devices. They seem to understand the sector well.”
A look at the companies FAN has invested in shows the concentration in life sciences:
Spring Loaded Technology, Dartmouth — Spring Loaded has recently launched the Levitation knee brace, which not only stabilizes the joint but also adds power to it.
Chinova Bioworks, Fredericton — Chinova is using the multi-purpose compound chitosan in an anti-microbial agent, which it uses in a natural preservative in such foods as juices.
Iron Apple International, Halifax — Iron Apple International provides food safety solutions to transportation companies throughout North America.
Covina Biomedical, Halifax — Covina is commercializing a non-toxic bone cement that can be injected into the vertebrae of osteoporosis patients who have suffered a fracture. The company has said it raised $350,000 from FAN as part of a round with a target of $1 million.
WellTrack, Fredericton — WellTrack is a product that helps organizations — especially universities — improve the mental health of their members, especially those suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.
NB Biomatrix, Saint John — NB Biomatrix has developed Naqua-Pure, a liquid that uses nanotechnology to remove heavy metals and other pollutants from waste water.
What’s interesting about the Spring Loaded funding is that it is the second time the knee-brace-maker has tapped FAN for funding. The company received funding from FAN and Innovacorp two years ago, then from Build Ventures last year and returned to FAN earlier this year.
“FAN has been a long-term supporter of Spring Loaded,” said CEO Chris Cowper Smith in an email. “They are well organized and offer an efficient process for raising capital through their network. We had excellent uptake from FAN on our current offering and we look forward to working with them going forward.”
Lowe and Finlay said the organization is interested in providing follow-on funding from its more successful portfolio companies. It has done return investment for Spring Loaded and Halifax-based Metamaterial Technologies Inc., which recently announced an $8.3-million funding round that included contributions from FAN. Some of these companies are also raising money through the Wilmington Investor Network, a North Carolina group with whom FAN sometimes co-invests.
Finlay noted that research by the Angel Research Institute of the United States shows that follow-on funding accounts for more than half the angel investment in the U.S.
“We’ve been wondering if we should try to focus more on not chasing the shiny new object but on supporting the companies that are already in our portfolio,” he said. “We think that’s a good use of our capital.”
nlay noted that research by the Angel Research Institute of the United States shows that follow-on funding accounts for more than half the angel investment in the U.S.
“We’ve been wondering if we should try to focus more on not chasing the shiny new object but on supporting the companies that are already in our portfolio,” he said. “We think that’s a good use of our capital.”]]>