COVID-19 related vaccines, therapies and bio‑manufacturing projects
Background
In March 2020, the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) was identified to deliver the Medical Countermeasures (MCM) initiative.
SIF was granted authority to invest $792M under the MCM stream to fund clinical trials and manufacturing capacity at scale to increase the chances of timely vaccines, treatments and improve Canada's long-term pandemic preparedness. The first project, Abcellera Biologics, was announced within 19 days of the start of project negotiations.
Overview
The MCM stream is divided in three types of projects: vaccines, therapies and bio-manufacturing projects. Under the MCM, to date SIF has:
- 7 announced projects (see table)
| Project name | Province | SIF Contribution | Total Project Cost | Announcement Date | Project Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abcellera Biologics Inc. | BC | $175,631,000 | $287,353,000 | 2020-05-03 | Therapeutics and bio-manufacturing |
| Variation Biotechnologies Inc. (VBI) | ON | $55,976,000 | $74,636,000 | 2020-08-05 | Vaccines |
| Precision NanoSystems Inc. | BC | $18,203,000 | $24,271,000 | 2020-10-23 | Vaccines |
| Medicago Inc. | QC | $173,000,000 | $428,002,000 | 2020-10-23 | Vaccines and Bio-manufacturing |
| Arch BioPartners | ON | $6,715,000 | $8,953,000 | 2020-12-15 | Therapeutics |
| Edesa Biotech Research, Inc. | ON | $14,053,000 | $18,738,000 | 2021-02-02 | Therapeutics |
| Precision NanoSystems Inc. | BC | $25,112,000 | $50,224,000 | 2021-02-02 | Bio-manufacturing |
| Total | - | $468,690,000 | $892,177,000 | - | - |
Process for project selection
In April, an open call for proposals was issued. Due to the complex scientific and technical nature of the proposals, after initial SIF assessment, the COVID-19 Vaccine Task force or the COVID-19 Therapeutics Task Force composed of leading scientific and industry experts provided advice on proposals.
Announced projects descriptions
- Abcellera Biologics Inc. is in direct response to Canada's fight against COVID-19 and Canada's ability to respond to future pandemics. It will enable the rapid discovery of antibody therapies to treat and prevent COVID-19 and establish a Good Manufacturing Practice antibody production facility for Canada's long-term emergency preparedness.
- Variation Biotechnologies Inc.'s project to support the development of Canada's MCMs in immediate response to COVID-19. Variation Biotechnologies Inc. (VBI) will advance the development of an enveloped Virus-Like-Particle (eVLP) vaccine candidate for COVID-19 through pre-clinical studies and clinical trials.
- Precision NanoSystems Inc. will help advance the development of a ribonucleic acid (RNA) vaccine against COVID-19 through pre-clinical studies and clinical trials.
- Medicago's project advances a virus-like particle vaccine, developed on the company's unique plant-based production platform, through clinical trials. It will also establish a large-scale vaccine and antibody production facility to increase Canada's domestic bio-manufacturing capacity.
- Arch Biopartners' project advances Metablock, a treatment to help block inflammation in the lungs, liver and kidneys, through clinical trials II.
- Edesa Biotech Research, Inc. is developing a monoclonal antibody therapy (EB05) as a treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, the leading cause of death among COVID-19 patients.
- Precision NanoSystems Inc.'s project seeks to expand Canada's capabilities in the production of ribonucleic acid (RNA) vaccines and future genetic medicines, while enhancing Canada's biomanufacturing capacity.
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