Dr. Peter Zandstra one of seven UBC researchers receiving federal funding to accelerate genomic solutions through industry collaborations

Seven teams led by UBC Faculty of Medicine researchers have been awarded new federal funding to accelerate genomics-based health innovations in collaboration with industry partners.

The funded projects bring together UBC scientists and Canadian biotechnology companies to develop genomic solutions that are implementation and market ready, accelerating the translation of research into real-world health and economic benefits.

The collaborations tackle some of the most pressing health challenges facing Canadians, including enhanced pathogen detection and disease diagnosis, and improved treatments and care for people with cancer, Type 1 diabetes, endometriosis and more.

The funding is part of a $20 million federal investment announced today by the Government of Canada. The funds are distributed through the Genomics Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) from Genome Canada and regional genome centres, including Genome BC.

Four out of the 13 national GAPP projects were awarded to teams led by researchers affiliated with the UBC Faculty of Medicine, highlighting UBC and B.C.’s national leadership in genomics research and innovation. Another three UBC-led projects were awarded funding through the award’s regional stream, the BC-GAPP. This includes a project led by Dr. Peter Zandstra (Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering) focused on the advancement of cell-based therapies.

GAPP is a core delivery instrument of the Canadian Genomics Strategy. It supports collaborations between academic researchers and industry, emphasizing partnerships, co-investments and knowledge transfer to support Canadian research, innovation and commercialization.

Optimized Production of Immune Cells as Advanced Delivery Vehicles for Protein Therapeutics

• UBC Investigator: Dr. Peter Zandstra, Michael Smith Laboratories and School of Biomedical Engineering
• Industry Partner: Dr. Glenn MacLean, Apiary Therapeutics
• Funded through BC-GAPP

Cell based therapies that act as living medicine, capable of producing therapeutic proteins directly within a patient, offer significant advantages for individuals with chronic diseases who require frequent drug dosing. This project uses advanced single‑cell analysis and machine learning to create a foundation for large scale production of such engineered cells, moving the technology closer to clinical use.

This article was adapted from an original story published by the UBC Faculty of Medicine

Quick links

• Learn more about the seven projects led by UBC researchers
• Learn more about all the newly funded projects in BC
• Learn more about all the newly funded projects across Canada