Leading Health and Life Sciences in Nova Scotia

Health Canada Clears Appili Therapeutics’ Phase 2 Clinical Trial Evaluating Favipiravir as a Prophylactic Agent Against COVID-19 Outbreaks

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Appili Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on anti-infective drug development, today announced that Health Canada provided regulatory clearance for Appili’s Phase 2 study evaluating FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical’s (FFTC) favipiravir as a preventative measure against COVID-19 outbreaks. Dr. Allison McGeer, senior clinician scientist at Sinai Health’s Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute in Toronto, Ontario is the study’s primary investigator. Appili expects trial recruitment to begin imminently. Researchers will enroll approximately 760 subjects, both residents and staff, at 16 long-term care homes (LTCHs) in Ontario. The National Institute on Ageing has estimated that as of May 6, 2020, 82 percent of deaths related to COVID-19 in Canada were associated with long-term care facilities.[i]

“Given the severity of COVID-19 amongst the elderly, and the evidence of ongoing transmission with severe outcomes in LTCHs, it is critical to develop interventions that minimize the spread of disease in this setting. As vaccines and treatment for COVID-19 remain unavailable, we must explore all possible solutions,” said Dr. McGeer. “We look forward to working with Appili on this study, as the pandemic continues to present devastating consequences for LTCH residents and their families.”

IMV Inc. Announces Closing of $25.1 Million Private Placement

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IMV Inc. a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a novel class of cancer immunotherapies and vaccines to fight against infectious diseases including COVID-19, today announced that it has completed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the “Private Placement”) of 8,770,005 units of the Company (each, a “Unit”) at Cdn$2.86 per Unit for gross proceeds of approximately Cdn$25.1 million. The size of the Private Placement has increased by approximately Cdn$2.8 million following our earlier announcement on April 30, 2020.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement for the clinical development of its lead candidate, DPX-Survivac, currently being assessed in advanced ovarian cancer, as well as in multiple clinical studies in combination with Merck’s Keytruda®. The balance of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including funding research and development, preclinical and clinical expenses, and corporate costs.

NSBI : A spotlight on how some Nova Scotian companies are pivoting operations to help the fight against COVID-19

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From producing protective equipment and hand sanitizer, to innovating medical technology, here’s how some Nova Scotia companies are changing the way they do business.

In response to COVID-19, IMV initiated the development of a vaccine. The company is currently in the preclinical development stage.

As innovation companies and health partners step up to collaborate on new products with Spring Loaded, current projects include the development of a face shield and transport hood.

 

 

 

Global Halifax: Maritime businesses get help to meet Health Canada’s rules on COVID-19 medical gear

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Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Canadian companies have answered the federal government’s call to abandon business as usual and start making face masks, ventilators and gloves.

A handful of those companies are in the Maritimes, but according to Nova Scotia’s life and health sciences industry group, BioNova, some of them were not prepared for the strict federal guidelines that come into play when making medical gear.

Anyone who wants to sell or provide PPE to a medical facility must be authorized by Health Canada, which also lays out the materials, testing, and production requirements for each item.

“It’s great that these companies are stepping forward, but there are a lot of regulatory hurdles that need to be overcome,” explained BioNova CEO executive director Scott Moffitt.