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By Jennifer Saltman
Networks of Centres of Excellence
Thanks to improved technology, people living with retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the retina that occurs in infants, can now have genetic mutations traced faster and more effectively, leading to earlier detection and treatment.
Retinoblastoma is caused by mutations in the RB gene, and is heritable in 40 percent of families, but inherited in only 10 percent. Molecular testing of blood relatives can determine which family members are at risk for retinoblastoma, which is a significant advantage since early detection and treatment of the cancer can save the vision and the life of the patient. Children who do not carry the RB mutation found in one member of the family are not at risk. Children who do carry the RB gene mutation are watched for tumours and treated early.
In 1999, Dr. Brenda Gallie and Kirk Vandezande formed a company in Toronto called Solutions by Sequence that tests for the RB mutations. Dr. Gallie does much of the research, while Vandezande’s mission is to reduce the time and cost required for molecular tests. The University Health Network of Toronto is an equity partner.
The company is a spin-off of research supported by The Canadian Genetic Diseases Network’s (CGDN) ‘strategic fund,’ which is designed to provide early-stage funding to projects with commercial potential. As part of their mandate to catalyze commercial competitiveness in genetic diseases research, CGDN assists in developing spin-off companies such as Solutions by Sequence.
“We know the gene very well, we know the disease very well. We understand how the protein works and therefore have found types of mutations that routine genetic labs can not look for,” says Dr. Gallie.
Dr. Gallie says that she always wanted the opportunity to take molecular genetic information and apply it to patients, and retinoblastoma is the pilot case that demonstrates how valuable and efficient this can be. As of right now, they are only testing retinoblastoma, which is the pilot “proof of principle” through which Solutions by Sequence has been able to develop the technology to test for other difficult gene mutations.
Difficult genes are big genes where mutations are found all over the place and every different kind of mutation disrupts the gene, as is the case with retinoblastoma. Dr. Gallie says that the scientific challenge lies in finding all of the different mutations, unlike in diseases such as cystic fibrosis, where there is predominantly one common mutation.
The goal of Solutions by Sequence is to optimize its test sensitivity so that it can more reliably detect a mutation in diseases where detection would have a benefit to the health of the family. Another of the company’s goals is to reduce the turnaround time between testing and the issuing of a report. Solutions by Sequence is now able to identify 90 percent of mutations, and the entire test procedure takes only an average of 3.7 weeks.
“The focus on optimizing for retinoblastoma has let Solutions leap ahead in efficiency and sensitivity,” says Dr. Gallie.
In the next year or two, Dr. Gallie says that Solutions will start testing two or three new genes in addition to retinoblastoma. Possible new genes are hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and the often overlooked multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) genes. She says they will also be looking at breast cancer genes. Much of the company’s work will likely end up being focused on cancer genes.
In the lab, Dr. Gallie says they are using human genome data to study the non-coding regions around the gene to find the 10 percent of mutations that people aren’t finding in the coding regions. This bio-informatics project may find how genes are regulated and find the mutations that cause disease. Solutions’ technology has also been used in research on tumours, leading to the discovery of a new oncogene and a new tumour suppresser gene, which may have importance in the progression of retinoblastoma, bladder cancer and other cancers.
In support of its business interests, Solutions by Sequence is about to file several patent applications and is also applying to license other genes. Dr. Gallie says that although they have already begun to generate revenue from the retinoblastoma testing, they have not yet made a profit. However, they are optimistic and are now looking for early investors, which would allow them to hire more people and build the business side so that she and Vandezande can continue doing science.
“If we identify the mutation in a baby, we can make a lifetime of vision and save them from a lethal cancer, so it’s really, really valuable to do that,” Gallie says.
The Canadian Genetic Diseases Network (CGDN) has been a member of the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence program since 1989. This program is a federal initiative administered jointly through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) in partnership with Industry Canada.
To learn more about Solutions by Sequence, visit http://www.solutionsbysequence.com
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CGDN SCIENTISTS AND TWO SPIN-OFF COMPANIES JOIN FORCES TO CREATE WORLD LEADING CLINICAL GENOMICS COMPANY
Vancouver - November 15, 2000: The Canadian Genetic Diseases Network (CGDN) is pleased to announce that Xenon Genetics Inc. of Vancouver and RGS Genome Inc. of Montreal, both Network spin-off companies, have merged to form a world-class clinical genomics company targeted to genetic disease. Xenon’s acquisition of RGS combines the strengths of each company’s research platform and builds on research initiatives and inter-Network collaborations supported by CGDN since 1990.
The respective company founders, Drs. Guy Rouleau, Philip Gros, and Emil Skamene of RGS and Drs. Michael Hayden and Simon Pimstone of Xenon, are members of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network. CGDN has provided over $2 million to fund their core research programs over the past ten years. Dr. Emil Skamene at Montreal General Hospital, in collaboration with Drs. Rouleau and Gros, has led RGS’ ground-breaking work with recombinant congenic mice strains which are important animal models of disease for neurological and other diseases. In 1999 Dr. Michael Hayden and his team at the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics discovered the ABC1 gene which is responsible for low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL or "good cholesterol") and is linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.
In addition to core funding for basic research, the ABC1 project also received grants under CGDN’s highly successful ‘strategic funding’ program. This initiative provides funds to complete proof-of-principle work which is required to patent discoveries. Said Dr. Ron Woznow, CEO of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network, "We are extremely proud of the role of CGDN and the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence Program (NCE) in supporting basic research which has given rise to medical breakthroughs and commercial benefit for Canada. In addition to their contributions to improved health care, successful spin-off companies such as Xenon and RGS also provide a unique career opportunity for Canadian scientist entrepreneurs.
The Canadian Genetic Diseases Network is a not-for-profit nation-wide center of research excellence under the NCE program. Our fifty scientists and their teams, based in 18 universities, hospitals, and research centers across Canada, focus on the molecular and cellular causes of inherited disease.
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AFFYMETRIX INC.
AFFYMETRIX ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW ACADEMICACCESS(TM) CUSTOMERS
Santa Clara, CA - November 4, 1999: Affymetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFX) announced today that four new academic centers of excellence have joined Affymetrix' growing list of AcademicAccess(TM) customers to gain broad access to GeneChip(R) technology. New customers include the University of Wisconsin, the University of Colorado, the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. These AcademicAccess agreements include standard terms and conditions and volume discount pricing provisions that allow academic researchers at these facilities broad access to GeneChip technology.
Affymetrix' AcademicAccess program is a discount pricing arrangement designed to meet the needs of academic organizations that want preferential and broad access to Affymetrix' GeneChip technology. Terms and conditions have been specially designed not to interfere with academic researchers freedom to publish scientific results broadly and collaborate with their academic, governmental, and commercial scientific colleagues. Under the AcademicAccess package, academic centers have the right to purchase standard Affymetrix expression GeneChip probe arrays (derived from the public databases) as well as custom GeneChip products based on any gene sequence available to the institution.
"We are delighted that these academic centers have joined our growing list of AcademicAccess customers to select Affymetrix' GeneChip technology as an integral tool for their genomics research effort," said Thane Kreiner, Ph.D., Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Affymetrix. "In addition, we believe our proposed merger with Genetic MicroSystems, Inc., will allow academic researchers to choose from a wide range of DNA array products commensurate with their functional genomics needs."
Additional AcademicAccess customers include Case Western Reserve University, the National Institutes of Health, Stanford University, the University of California system and Washington University in St. Louis.
Affymetrix has developed and intends to establish its GeneChip system as the platform of choice for acquiring, analyzing and managing complex genetic information in order to improve the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. The Company's GeneChip system consists of disposable DNA probe arrays containing gene sequences on a chip, reagents for use with the probe arrays, a scanner and other instruments to process the probe arrays and software to analyze and manage genetic information.
Additional information on Affymetrix and GeneChip technology can be found at http://www.affymetrix.com.
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NETWORK ACQUIRES EQUITY STAKE IN ALGENE
Montreal - March 3, 1999: The Canadian Genetic Diseases Network (CGDN) has signed an agreement with Algene Biotechnologies Corporation of Montreal to receive an equity position in the company which is listed on the Toronto and Montreal stock exchanges. CGDNâs stake was negotiated in exchange for its interest in osteoporosis and breast cancer patents held by CGDN member, Dr. François Rousseau at the Centre Hospitalier du Québec (CHUQ) at the University of Laval.
In a public statement February 26, Algene announced that the company has obtained exclusive rights to three pending patents filed by Dr. Rousseau which cover diagnostic and therapeutic applications to the genes for osteoporosis and breast cancer. Dr Rousseau will serve as a Scientific Director of Algene to pursue commercialization of his work, and will continue to maintain his academic position with CHUQ.
Dr. Rousseauâs research, together with a technology acquired from McGill University, are part of Algeneâs new intellectual property platform. The company made the announcements in tandem with a private financing of $2.75 million by a group of investors led by T2C2/BIO, and a management restructuring.
Said Dr. Michael Hayden, Scientific Director of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network from CGDN headquarters in Vancouver, "Dr. Rousseauâs work is a major breakthrough in the research of osteoporosis and breast cancer." Commenting on the CGDN strategy of investing incremental funds in specific research projects which show exceptional early-stage commercial potential, he added " I am extremely pleased that CGDNâs strategic funding initiatives have been successful in accelerating the development of this research towards patent application and significant commercial milestones."
Dr. Ron Woznow, CEO of CGDN, noted that the agreement with Algene adds to the Networkâs list of successes in creating economic benefit from CGDN- funded research. CGDN provided core funding and strategic grants to Dr. Rousseauâs research.
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SCHERING CANADA, U OF T ANNOUNCE RESEARCH COLLABORATION TO DEVELOP TREATMENTS FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
January 27, 1997: Schering Canada Inc. and the University of Toronto today announced a research collaboration for the development of drugs and technologies to treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease.
The collaboration calls for Schering Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Schering-Plough Corporation, to fund a $9 million (Cdn.) research program over three years. Over the long-term, the agreement has a potential value of $34.5 million (Cdn.) plus royalties, making it the largest university intellectual property agreement in Canadian history.
"Schering Canada is committed to Canadian research," said Dr. Claude PetitClerc, medical director, Schering Canada. "This partnership will stimulate research opportunities in Canada. We anticipate that other research centres in Canada will ultimately become involved in this critical research program," PetitClerc said.
The collaboration builds on the pioneering work in Alzheimer's disease by a group of researchers at U of T's Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. In 1995 the scientific team discovered that two mutated genes known as presenilins account for the majority of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The collaboration will seek to discover the function of the presenilin genes and use the genes as tools for drug development.
"Alzheimer's disease is a world-wide health care issue," said Heather Munroe-Blum, vice president for research and international relations at U of T. "This collaboration brings a substantial research investment into Canada. It moves Canadian research and development in Alzheimer's disease into an international arena with the real potential to contribute to tangible medical discoveries for treatment and prevention," she added.
"We are pleased to join the University of Toronto in this agreement, which will expand and complement Schering-Plough's ongoing efforts in central nervous system drug research," said Jonathan R. Spicehandler, president of Schering-Plough Research Institute. "We look forward to working with the research team and hope that these efforts will lead to important new therapies," Spicehandler added.
Under terms of the agreement with affiliated companies of Schering-Plough, the company will pay U of T and the Hospital for Sick Children an undisclosed up-front license fee, fund a $9 million (Cdn.) research program over three years, make milestone payments, and pay royalties based on net sales of therapeutic products developed as a result of this collaboration. Over the long-term, if all milestones are met, total payments to U of T will approximate $34.5 million (Cdn.), excluding royalties.
Schering-Plough receives an exclusive worldwide license to make, use and sell all therapeutic products and technology resulting from the agreement. The deal was facilitated by the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network (CGDN), which has supported the Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases' research in Alzheimer's disease. As a partner in the project the CGDN will receive a share of revenues from the agreement.
"The Canadian Genetic Diseases Network has contributed ongoing scientific support to the project, in addition to the management and patenting of the Alzheimer's intellectual property," said Dr. Michael Hayden, scientific network director for the CGDN, which is one of Canada's 14 federal Networks of Centres of Excellence. "The agreement underlines the importance of collaboration in science and business to support world-class science."
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and personality changes, with symptoms progressing from mild memory impairment to severe cognitive deficits and death over a course of seven to 10 years. The disease typically strikes the elderly, with 90 per cent of patients reporting onset at more than 60 years of age. There are an estimated 17 million to 20 million cases of the disease worldwide, with the number of patients increasing rapidly as the population ages.
U of T is one of North America's leading research universities. Research in Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders is a priority of U of T's Faculty of Medicine.
Schering Canada Inc. is among the 15 largest pharmaceutical companies in Canada. Established in Montreal in 1926, it employs more than 400 Canadian and is engaged in the research, development, manufacturing, marketing and sales of human pharmaceutical and animal health products.
Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE:SGP) of Madison, N.J. is a research-based company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical and health care products worldwide.
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NETWORK SCIENTISTS LAUNCH 'NEUROVIR': A NEW INTERNATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANY
Vancouver, September 25, 1996: A group of leading scientists at the University of British Columbia have announced the launch of a new biotechnology company, NeuroVir. The company stems partly from research developed and supported by the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network and the Neuroscience Network, under the federal government's Networks of Centres of Excellence Program.
NeuroVir is focused on gene therapy for cancer and diseases of the nervous sytem and has secured exclusive world-wide rights for an important and unique vector technology using the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Gene therapy is a new medical technology which uses vectors (delivery mechanisms) to insert therapeutic genes into cells in a process which is designed to correct disease-causing defects.
The NeuroVir technology will be used to create novel therapeutic products for the treatment of brain tumours and other cancers, and diseases of the nervous sytem including Parkinson's disease. The company expects to begin conducting clinical studies with some of the products within the next 24 months.
NeuroVir founders are Dr. Frank Tufaro of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network and the Neuroscience Network, Dr. Michael Hayden of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network, and Dr. Max Cynader of the Neuroscience Network. NeuroVir's Chairman of the Board, Dr. Ronald Cape, who is Chairman of Darwin Molecular Corporation, commented "This Launch of NeuroVir company is one of the most exciting new biotechnology companies in North America today. I'm extremely pleased to help the NeuroVir team realize its ambitions to create a major medical and commercial success."
Private financing of CAN$4 million was completed in July 1996 in partnership with an eminent Canadian investor group. NeuroVir plans to raise approximately another CAN$10 million in the next 12 months. Further financial and technical partnerships are planned with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the field of cancer and neuroscience research.
Mr. Graham Strachan, Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network and President and CEO of Allelix Biopharmaceuticals Corp. of Toronto, said "NeuroVir is a success story for the Networks of Centres of Excellence Program. It illustrates the added value that can result from strategic seed funding and networking support for bold and imaginative research. This is a splendid demonstration of the Network's capability for facilitating the commercialization of Canadian scientific discoveries in a way that stimulates growth and creates high quality jobs in the Canadian economy."
The Canadian Genetic Diseases Network is a consortium of 38 of Canada's leading geneticists who are linked with 11 universities, 8 hospitals, and 9 core technology facilities across the country. The Network performs leading-edge research on common genetically transmitted diseases and works with industry partners on methods of detection and treatment of the diseases. Core funding for Network programs is provided by the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence Program through the Medical Research Council of Canada.
NEUROVIR BACKGROUNDER
NeuroVir's first product using the herpes simplex virus is a new treatment for glioblastoma - malignant brain tumours - which is expected to enter clinical trials in 24 months.
The HSV technology is considered by leading North American neurosurgeons and neuro-oncologists to be a most promising new approach to treating this devastating disease which affects 15,000 patients in North America and Europe and leads to death in 90% of cases within 24 months of diagnosis. Current treatments are based on chemotherapy and radiation therapy and, at best, delay mortality by up to six months. Test results in animal models show that HSV reduces tumour size and delays mortality without side effects.
The HSV vector has unique advantages over other vectors for the treatment of cancer and diseases of the brain and eye. In the case of cancer, NeuroVir has designed the HSV vector to directly kill cancer cells while not harming normal tissue. Further, HSV has the capacity to carry at least three times more anti-cancer genes than other viruses. In the case of diseases of the brain and eye, HSV is the vector naturally best-suited to enter and insert therapeutic genes into cells of the nervous system.
NeuroVir's Chief Scientific Officer is Dr. Frank Tufaro, an expert in HSV technology at the University of British Columbia. The company's scientific advisors include leading international scientists in the field of HSV: Dr. Bernard Roizman at the University of Chicago, Dr. Richard Whitley at the University of Alabama and Dr. Alfred Geller at Boston Children's Hospital.
The company has also formed a strategic corporate alliance with a shareholder company: Aviron in Mountain View, California.
NeuroVir has established research laboratories and offices in a new 5,000 sq.ft. facility in Vancouver and is building a team of 20 scientists
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CANADIAN GENETIC DISEASES NETWORK ENDORSES $US20 MILLION RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA ANDTHE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF JAPAN
December 18, 1995: The University of Ottawa and the Research Development Corporation of Japan (JRDC) have entered into a $20-million (US) research agreement to study neuromuscular diseases, in particular Muscular Dystrophy and Huntington Disease. The agreement has been endorsed by the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and the Medical Research Council, all of whom are partners in the research.
The five-year research venture, announced today in Ottawa, will be co-directed by Dr. Joh-E Ikeda of Tokhai University in Japan, and Dr. Robert Korneluk of the University of Ottawa. The project will be launched January 1 1996 and will focus on the study of dynamic mutation and apoptosis in neurodegeneration, which are two genetic mechanisms underlying several neuromuscular diseases.
Both Dr. Ikeda and Dr. Korneluk are members of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network. The current agreement was built in part on an earlier, successful two-year collaboration between the two scientists and their research teams on the GenoSphere Project, also funded by JRDC. That collaboration led to the identification of the gene for Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the University of Ottawa in January, 1995.
The JRDC will contribute $10 million (US) over five years, with an equivalent matching contribution to be provided from the Canadian partners. Funds from Japan will be provided from the JRDC International Joint Research Program which supports only two major international projects each year.
Commented Dr. Robert Korneluk, "This represents a major opportunity for Japanese and Canadian researchers to coordinate efforts and combine resources to aggressively pursue research into fundamental genetic mechanisms related to neuromuscular disease." Added Dr. Ikeda, "By coordinating Canadian and Japanese scientific programs, we hope to increase the pace of the research and to accomplish more together than apart."
This new phase in the cooperative venture between Canada and Japan means an exchange of scientists between the two countries, with researchers from Japan visiting the laboratories of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network, and Canadians working with Dr. Ikeda at Tokhai University. The Canadian partners will support the project through both direct and indirect contributions. Said Dr. Michael Hayden, Scientific Director of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network, "Japanese scientists working with the Network will have access to Network labs and core technology facilities, as well as the wealth of collaborations and scientific relationships available through our Network."
The Canadian Genetic Diseases Network is a consortium of 38 of Canada's leading geneticists who are linked with 12 universities, 9 hospitals, and 10 core technology facilities across the country. Under the federal government's Networks of Centres of Excellence Program, the CGDN performs leading-edge research on common genetically transmitted diseases and works with industry partners on methods of detection and treatment of the diseases.
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Monday, December 4, 1995: The Canadian Genetic Diseases Network is pleased to announce the formation of APOPTOGEN INC., a new commercial venture based on partnerships with the Canadian Medical Discoveries Fund (CMDF), the University of Ottawa, and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).
APOPTOGEN INC. is based on research supported by the Network and the Medical Research Council of Canada in Apoptosis, a natural biological function which regulates cell death and is implicated in a wide range of disorders including cancer, AIDS, and brain disease. The research is being led by University of Ottawa scientists, Drs. Robert Korneluk and Alex MacKenzie at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
Dr. Michael Hayden, Scientific Director of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network commented from Network headquarters in Vancouver, "The formation of new companies is an important part of the Network's NCE mandate. The Network is delighted to collaborate with partners in both the private and public sector in launching Apoptogen Inc".
Margaret Moore, Network Commercial Director, added "The formation of this new company provides a mechanism for creating value from the strong science base of the Network's Ottawa team. The Network's contribution to management and intellectual property in the formative stage of this new venture was critical to the launch of Apoptogen Inc."
The partnership will provide APOPTOGEN INC. with support for research anddevelopment as well as investments valued at a total of $1.7 million.
The Canadian Genetic Diseases Network is a consortium of 38 of Canada's leading geneticists who are linked with twelve universities and hospitals across Canada, 13 core technology facilities, and 8 industrial partners to form an "institute without walls". The Network carries a mandate under the federal government's Networks of Centres of Excellence Program to perform leading-edge research and to create new commercial opportunities.
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PARTNERSHIP CREATES POTENTIAL FOR A WORLD CLASS DNA SEQUENCING VENTURE IN CANADA
Edmonton - September 6, 1995: The Canadian Bacterial Diseases Network (CBDN) and the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network (CGDN) are pleased to announce that a joint three year collaborative research agreement has been signed with SCIEX and the University of Alberta.
The leading investigator for this project is Dr. Norm Dovichi who is a member of both CBDN and CGDN and a professor of chemistry at the University of Alberta. This agreement will facilitate the development of technologies that permit the rapid characterization of the genes involved in bacterial and genetic diseases. This project resulted from basic research sponsored by NSERC and is expected to succeed in technology and development of a faster and a more efficient determination of DNA sequences.
The sequence of a gene provides a unique signature that can be used to assist characterization of the role of the gene and/or its product in disease, and is often useful in assisting diagnosis and development of novel therapeutic strategies for the disease. Dr. Dovichi stated that "this technology provides roughly a 50 fold increase in the amount of DNA that can be sequenced in comparison to state-of-the-art equipment. Given the 2 to 6 million nucleotide pairs (units) in the DNA of the average bacterial pathogen and the 4 billion units in the human chromosome, such an increase in speed is essential." Dr. Dovichi added, "In addition this technology, which is termed Arrayed Capillary Electrophoresis, is much more user friendly and is much easier to incorporate into a fully automated laboratory than current technology".
Dr. Dovichi has approached the problem by generating a 32 capillary DNA sequencer based on micromachined florescence thin glass tubes (capillaries) and detection of the nucleotide sequence using an advanced florescence detection technology. The results to date indicate that the technology is working very well and is meeting the milestones. Recently the United States Patent Office granted a patent for this technology.
SCIEX's Director of Research and Development, Bill Davidson said, "SCIEX is very pleased to be able to collaborate with CBDN and CGDN. Under this agreement these networks are providing us with a multidisciplinary, multi-sectorial approach to research and a very effective use of our research dollars."
The Canadian Bacterial Diseases Network and the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network are funded in part by the Federal Government's Networks of Centres of Excellence Program (NCE). Sometimes referred to as "institutes without walls" CBDN and CGDN link Canada's leading researchers in bacterial diseases and genetically transmitted diseases. CBDN performs basic research in all areas of bacterial diseases including humans, animals, plants and fish. CBDN is comprised of 55 researchers located at 12 universities and 2 government labs. CGDN consists of 37 principal investigators located at 14 universities and hospitals and performs leading-edge research in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of genetically transmitted diseases.
By facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology to Canadian industry, this agreement meets one of the major requirements of the NCE mandate and is of both social and economic benefit to Canada.
SCIEX, Canada's premiere instrumentation manufacturer, is a division of MDS Health Group Limited, Canada's largest technology-based health and life sciences company.