Peterborough, ON, Canada †Dean Del Mastro MP (Peterborough) announced today that the International Consortium on Antiâ€Virals/Consortium International sur les Thérapies Antivirales will receive $2 million over the next two years to continue their pioneering work on accelerating the discovery and development of novel antiâ€viral therapies. These funds are being provided from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Pandemic Preparedness and Response Fund.
Dr. Jeremy Carver, Coâ€Founder and CEO of ICAV/CITAV stated: “People who become seriously ill from H1N1 infection generally do so because they have failed to mount an adequate immune response. From the outset of this pandemic, ICAV has been working with its participating scientists to find a treatment for the seriously ill and save lives.”
Earlier this year ICAV announced an initiative to develop truly human monoclonal antibodies (tHuMAbs) directed against the pandemic H1N1. “These tHuMAbs promise an effective treatment for the seriously ill from H1N1 infection because they provide the patient with the antibodies that their body should have generated. The identification of the tHuMAbs approach to pandemic preparedness is an example of the contribution ICAV made with PHAC’s initial $2 million funding, granted in 2007,” added Dr. Carver.
“We look forward to being able to continue our work of identifying and advancing the most innovative antiâ€viral strategies, whereâ€ever in the world they may have been discovered with this new PHAC funding,” said Dr. Michel Chrétien, Coâ€Founder of ICAVâ€CITAV responsible for International Partnerships.
Trent's President, Steven Franklin said: "I am pleased that PHAC has extended ICAV's funding for another two years. With this funding Trent's global image will continue to be strengthened through ICAV's International Symposia and the engagement of Trent Faculty and students in its humanitarian mission."
ICAV/CITAV holds International Symposia around the world as a means of identifying promising new approaches to antiâ€viral therapy and communicating with its participants. ICAV/CITAV will be reporting on its progress with the tHuMAbs Program at its 8th International Symposium being held in Corsica October 2nd to the 6th, 2009.
Headquartered at Trent University in Peterborough, ICAV/CITAV is an institutional innovation †a notâ€forâ€profit drug development and discovery company †dedicated to the discovery and development of antiâ€viral therapies for neglected and emerging diseases. Through the international collaboration of scientists, government and industry, ICAV’s goal is to deliver at least one novel drug to market every five years that is affordable, effective, and globally accessible to all patients in need. Specifically, ICAV: fills the gap between academic research and clinical development; accelerates development of drugs for neglected and emerging viral diseases; and ensures global access to novel therapies at affordable prices.
About Trent University:
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University is renowned for striking a unique balance between outstanding teaching and leadingâ€edge research. The University is consistently recognized nationally for faculty who maintain a high level of innovative research activity and a deep commitment to the individual student. Distinguished by excellence in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences and increasingly popular professional and graduate programs, Trent is dedicated to providing its students with an exceptional world view, producing graduates who are ready to succeed and make a difference in the world.
About the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster:
The Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster is a notâ€forâ€profit corporation with a mission to facilitate and advance life sciences, environmental, DNA and other innovative research in the Peterborough region. Its goal is to help promote and sustain a strong local knowledgeâ€based economy.
For more information please contact
Christine Hodge.
christine.hodge@icavâ€citav.ca
(705) 748â€1011x7008
(416) 220â€8631 (cell)
Website: www.icavâ€citav.ca