Generating solutions

Phase 1 Project

Genome sequencing has revolutionized our understanding of the genetic changes that lead to cancer. Unfortunately, treatment still remains in the relative Dark Ages, with decades-old generalized treatments that can be highly toxic and that don’t consider the subtle genetic differences among each patient’s disease. Dr. Charles Boone and his team at the University of Toronto want to change this, through the invention of AbSyn, a new technology that will combine advanced engineering of a class of proteins called antibodies and genetic screening to identify combination therapies tailored to individual cancers.

The promise of antibody therapy has been hugely under-realized due to deficiencies in our ability to develop new antibodies and the over-whelming complexity of cancer. AbSyn technology will address these issues by combining our unique expertise in the production of antibodies (Ab) and the deciphering of genetic networks to produce combination or synergistic (Syn) therapies for cancer. AbSyn will exploit the leads derived from a previous Genome Canada investment, many of which were expected to be triaged, and to turn them into useful drugs. AbSyn will change the way we prioritize and discover new cancer drugs, building a new bridge between the gap of biological understanding and the commercial drug discovery process.