The Centre for Drug Research and Development’s venture arm, CDRD Ventures Inc., has spun out a new biotechnology firm that plans to begin clinical trials soon on a new nanoparticulate drug delivery method designed to improve drug absorption for treating bladder cancer.
The new technology was developed collaboratively by the CDRD and the University of British Columbia.
Sitka Biopharma Inc. has been set up to take the new approach through clinical trials and commercialize it.
In preclinical studies, the technology has been shown to significantly improve penetration and adherence of drugs into bladder tissue in the treatment of bladder cancer.
“Sitka Biopharma is a great example of the innovative technologies being developed in Canada that require development and specialized resources in terms of both infrastructure and expertise to bring about their full commercial potential and value,” said CDRD CEO Karimah Es Sabar.
“Without CDRD and CVI, this technology would have made very limited progress and would lack the necessary data needed for commercial success.”
