UBC partners with Boston-based Alloy Therapeutics to strengthen pandemic resilience and advance global drug discovery
In a new cross-border collaboration, science and innovation are coming together to take on one of humanity’s most urgent challenges; preparing for the next pandemic.
UBC has partnered with Alloy Therapeutics, a biotechnology ecosystem company based in Boston to accelerate the discovery of novel antibody therapeutics. Together, they aim to strengthen Canada’s pandemic preparedness.
UBC as a launchpad for scientific breakthrough
In a post-COVID-19 landscape, there is a pressing need to support rapid advancements in drug discovery and the acceleration of antibody therapeutics. We have seen the critical importance of fostering collaboration to support this call, benefiting from the research outcomes of scientific breakthroughs across Canada and around the world. One such example is the work of UBC’s Dr. Peter Cullis, who was pivotal in paving the way for mRNA vaccines and other life-saving treatments through his groundbreaking research on lipid nanoparticles (LNP).
Advancing Canada’s drug development and manufacturing goals
Through this new collaboration, Alloy will share its expertise and drug discovery technologies to support UBC’s efforts to develop antibody therapies for infectious disease targets. Working directly with UBC’s Pathogen Response Optimization by GENeratIng ThErapeutics Rationally (PROGENITER) program led by Dr. Sriram Subramaniam, Professor and Gobind Khorana Canada Excellence Research Chair, the partnership will combine UBC’s cryo-EM capabilities with Alloy’s antibody discovery platforms to accelerate the development of new therapeutics for pandemic preparedness.
As part of the government of Canada’s commitment to accelerating the development and manufacturing of lifesaving medicines for B.C. and Canada, PROGENITER is part of Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH), one of five national research hubs ensuring Canada is better prepared for present and potential future pandemic threats.
UBC researchers are directly advancing Canada’s mission through their work with PROGENITER and CIEBH, helping to establish the country as a global epicenter for developing novel immune-based therapeutics.
UBC research partnerships powering global impact
UBC has a strong track record of partnering with leading pharmaceutical companies to create meaningful outcomes and global impact. On this partnership, Innovation UBC Managing Director, John Paul Heale, M.B.A, Ph.D shares:
“This collaboration exemplifies UBC’s commitment to working in an open, collaborative manner with industry leaders to drive scientific innovation and deliver societal impact.”
The partnership between UBC and Alloy demonstrates the significant impact of collaborations made possible through Innovation UBC’s Sponsored Research arm, which supports thousands of partnerships each year between faculty, industry, non-profits, government, and affiliated hospitals. UBC receives $190 million in sponsored research funding annually, representing over 80% of all sponsored research funding in the province, demonstrating the scale, reach, and importance of these collaborations.
Through shared expertise, discovery, and purpose, this collaboration between UBC and Alloy will advance the development of novel antibody therapies, strengthening global pandemic preparedness and advancing solutions to emerging health challenges.
