On April 10, 2023 Aviceda Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing next-generation immuno-modulators to treat diseases such as cancer, reported a strategic partnership with the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research at Queen’s University Belfast (Queen’s) (Press release, Aviceda Therapeutics, APR 10, 2023, View Source [SID1234629929]). Aviceda’s HALOS (High-Affinity Ligands of Sigelcs) nanotechnology platform, based on an invention from the research team led by Professor Chris Scott, Scientific Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Aviceda & Interim Dean of Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Life Sciences, at Queen’s, harnesses the power of glycobiology to modulate the innate immune system to develop next-generation breakthrough therapeutics, with a focus on immuno-oncology.
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This revolutionary technology was made possible only through collaborative research on the island of Ireland. The founding of Aviceda Glycotech Ltd, an oncology-focused spin-off company from Aviceda Therapeutics and Queen’s, based in Northern Ireland, highlights US-Ireland translational research collaborations which are a direct legacy of the Good Friday Agreement. This historic agreement brought an end to 30 years of conflict and allowed Belfast to develop the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research as an international powerhouse in precision oncology. Aviceda Glycotech looks forward to this collaboration aimed at developing the next generation of cancer checkpoint immune therapeutics in Belfast.
"It is critical that the biotechnology industry and academic institutions work together to foster innovation and accelerate drug development for diseases with significant unmet medical needs, and Queen’s is an ideal partner with a substantial track record in innovation to support us in this effort," said Doctor Mohamed Genead, M.D., Co-Founder & President, and Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited to work with the Queen’s team in realizing our vision of developing next generation glyco-therapeutics together."
As part of the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement (Agreement 25), Dr. Genead, will participate on an expert panel and Professor Scott will chair a session during the Cancer Knows No Borders Agreement 25 Showcase Event at Queen’s to recognize the impact of the Good Friday Agreement on cancer research and cancer care. Professor Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health, Chair in Translational Cancer Genomics at Queen’s, Co-Lead of the All Island Cancer Research Institute and organizer of the Cancer Showcase event said, "This Showcase Event during the Agreement 25 Conference will reflect on the legacy and impact of the Good Friday Agreement on cancer research at Queen’s and how it is driving the development of an innovation cluster in Northern Ireland that can attract biotech companies like Aviceda Glycotech to benefit from the talent, infrastructure and precision medicine focus that Northern Ireland has to offer."
"We are excited and honored to be in Belfast on this historic occasion and look forward to our collaboration with Queen’s as we aim to develop new approaches that will hopefully lead one day to the conquering of hard-to-treat cancers, building on a technology that was originally pioneered in Northern Ireland," said Michael Tolentino MD, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer of Aviceda.
"This commercial investment is testament to collaboration across the island of Ireland and the US. It shows the potential of Northern Ireland to become an internationally renowned life and health science hub, aligning with Belfast Region City Deal investments in data science and clinical trial provision and the All-Island Cancer Research Institute. These developments are essential cogs in an ecosystem that will drive the discoveries we make in our laboratories into treatments that can alleviate suffering of patients worldwide," said Professor Scott.