CQDM FUNDS TWO COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF ARN THERAPIES
BOSTON, June 18, 2025 - CQDM is proud to announce the funding of two collaborative research projects related to the development of RNA therapies. Unveiled at the BIO conference in Boston, in the presence of Mr. Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister responsible for the Fight against Racism and Minister responsible for the Laval region, this announcement marks the awarding of financial support totalling $700,844, granted by the Quebec government via CQDM's SynergiQc program. Both projects are examples of the exceptional vitality of Quebec's biotechnology ecosystem and the inventiveness of its researchers. They both exploit innovative delivery methods to get next-generation therapies safely and efficiently to where they need to act, opening up the possibility of treating diseases with unmet medical needs. Find out more about these two projects, which have a total investment value of over $2.5 million:
New hope for the treatment of central nervous system diseases thanks to RNA therapeutics
RNA Technologies & Therapeutics (RNA T&T) and CereCura Nanotherapeutics, in collaboration with Professor Sébastien Tremblay of Université Laval, who is also a CERVO affiliated researcher, and Professor Brian MacVicar of the University of British Columbia, are teaming up to test a promising new therapeutic approach for the treatment of numerous brain diseases. Their technology consists of RNA sequences produced by RNA Technologies & Therapeutics and encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNP-RNA), which have the potential to migrate to the brain to direct the secretion of a desired therapeutic protein by specialized cells of the central nervous system, which will then diffuse widely into the brain. This $1.46 million project, also funded by a $538,037 grant from the Brain Canada Foundation, will enable participating companies to advance the necessary proof-of-concept technology and lead drug development. The success of this project will attract new investors and clinical partners, and ensure the continued commercial development of a transformative solution co-developed in Quebec and British Columbia for neurological disorders.
A leading-edge technology for the safe and effective delivery of RNA therapy for the treatment of lungdiseases
Feldan Thérapeutiques (Feldan), in collaboration with Professor Frédéric Couture, and Carole-Ann Huppé, PhD of TransBIOTech, will advance the development of the Feldan Shuttle, a proprietary intracellular delivery platform, to efficiently deliver antisense oligonucleotide-based RNA therapy into the pathological lung environment of diseases such as non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This project, with a total value of $1.09 million, will support the expansion of Feldan's pipeline by leveraging its delivery technology, already being studied in a clinical trial for the treatment of skin cancer. It also opens up prospects for diversification, broadening access to new, high-potential markets that meet pressing medical needs of patients.
" By connecting the players in the life sciences innovation cycle, CQDM is making an important contribution to Quebec's economic growth. The research and development stage is often very costly to carry out, and our government is proud to participate in the funding of promising collaborative research projects for the development of new therapies ", mentions Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister responsible for the Fight against Racism and Minister responsible for the Laval region.
" By supporting innovative projects in the promising field of RNA therapies from the earliest stages, we are actively helping to create value for Quebec, both scientifically and economically, while strengthening our position in a strategic sector for the future of healthcare, " says Véronique Dugas, President and CEO of CQDM.
" This project allows us to further demonstrate the potential of Feldan Shuttle beyond the field of dermatology, by applying it to a patient population with limited therapeutic options, facing severe lung disease and significant clinical challenges," said François-Thomas Michaud, CEO of Feldan Therapeutics. " We are proud to contribute to Quebec's leadership in RNA innovation and to collaborate with renowned academic partners to bring cutting-edge science closer to patients. "
" By investing in this project, Brain Canada is supporting the development of innovative technologies that will pave the way for new advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders ," says Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada.
" As an anchor company in the RNA field in Quebec, we are extremely proud to contribute to the growth of Quebec's bio-innovation and manufacturing ecosystem. By providing cutting-edge RNA solutions, our active participation in this initiative demonstrates our unwavering support for the province's ambition to increase its autonomy and strengthen its leadership in strategic biotechnologies, thereby consolidating Quebec's position as a world leader in biosciences ," explains Pierrino Torbey, Interim CEO of RNA Technologies & Therapeutics.
About the Brain Canada Foundation
The Brain Canada Foundation plays a unique and invaluable role in bringing together those who support and advance brain research nationwide. A better understanding of brain mechanisms contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of brain disorders, thereby improving the health of Canadians and people around the world. For more information, visit Braincanada.ca @BrainCanada
About CereCura Nanotherapeutics
CereCura Nanotherapeutics is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the development of a new class of genetic drugs to treat currently incurable brain diseases.The company uses messenger RNA-associated lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-lipid nanoparticle) technology to ensure brain-wide delivery of therapeutic proteins. By delivering a genetic charge to host brain cells and inducing them to produce and secrete therapeutic proteins, CereCura's approach transforms the central nervous system into a veritable "brain bioreactor", enabling the production of bioactive proteins at therapeutically relevant concentrations.
About CERVO
The CERVO Research Centre, one of Canada's leading neuroscience and mental health centers, focuses on the root causes of brain disorders. It brings together 90 researchers leading research teams totalling over 600 people, offering multidisciplinary expertise ranging from membrane biophysics to social intervention and the psychology of cognition.
About CQDM
Biopharmaceutical innovation facilitator
CQDM is a not-for-profit biopharmaceutical research consortium whose mission is to support and facilitate multi-stakeholder collaborative research and development aimed at accelerating the translation or transformation of innovative technologies into solutions to unmet medical needs, while generating significant spin-offs for the Quebec and Canadian economies. For more information, visit www.cqdm.org and join us on LinkedIn.
About Feldan Therapeutics
Feldan is a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of drugs based on intracellular delivery. Feldan has developed the Feldan Shuttle, a proprietary peptide-based technology that enables safe, rapid and efficient local delivery of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to cells. This technology paves the way for a new generation of treatments by reaching intracellular targets previously out of reach of existing drugs. Feldan's pipeline is focused on skin and lung diseases. The company is currently conducting a Phase 1/2a clinical trial of FLD-103, a non-surgical treatment for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). To bring other transformative treatments to patients, Feldan is also advancing its lung program into preclinical development. For more information, visit www.feldan.com and join us on LinkedIn.
About RNA Technologies & Therapeutics
Founded in 2022, RNA Technologies and Therapeutics specializes in the design, optimization and manufacture of small and medium-sized batches of high-quality RNA and targeted lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The company also offers formulation and process development services, including the manufacture of GMP-compliant small-scale batches for clinical trials. Through advanced scientific innovation, we play a key role in the development of innovative RNA-based therapies and targeted treatments, supporting personalized medicine and the therapies of tomorrow that are shaping the future of medicine. For more information about the company, please visit our website: www.rnatechnologies.com, contact us at info@rnatechnologies.com, or join us on LinkedIn.
About TransBIOTech
TransBIOTech is a Centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) affiliated with Cégep de Lévis (Quebec, Canada), specializing in applied biotechnology research. Since 1999, it has acted as a catalyst for innovation, supporting SMEs with customized expertise in preclinical pharmacology, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacokinetics and toxicology. TransBIOTech researchers draw on their experience and advanced methodologies to assess the mechanism of action, efficacy and safety of therapeutic candidates at different stages of preclinical development. For more information, visit our website www.transbio.tech and follow us on LinkedIn.
About Université Laval
Université Laval was the very first French-language university in North America. It strives for excellence in teaching and research. Research into RNA therapies is a cutting-edge area of Université Laval's Faculty of Medicine. The Faculty of Medicine enables optimal integration of care, research and teaching in psychiatry and neuroscience, in direct relation with its network of affiliated institutions and centers.
