Affymetrix, Santa Clara... CGDN has an academic access agreement with Affymetrix Inc. of California which provides researchers with preferential and broad access to GeneChip technology and volume discount pricing (see �News on Commercial Activities� for more details).

Alzheimer's Canada, Toronto... the CGDN management team was instrumental in arranging the largest university intellectual property agreement in Canadian history, involving the 1995 discoveries of two genes for early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The agreement between Schering Canada Inc. and the University of Toronto covers a research collaboration for the development of drugs and technologies to treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease.� Network research teams at University of Toronto and the Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, led by Dr. Peter St George-Hyslop, in collaboration with Dr. Johanna Rommens at Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, are concentrating on ways to develop new approaches to Alzheimer's therapy. As a partner in the project the CGDN receives a share of revenues from the agreement. (see �News on Commercial Activities� for more details).

Apoptogen Inc., Ottawa... is a CGDN spin-off company launched in December 1995 based on research on a novel family of genes which regulate "apoptosis", or cell death. This biological process is implicated in a variety of disorders including cancer, AIDS, and brain diseases. The founding partners in this $1.7 million venture were the Canadian Medical Discoveries Fund (financial partner), the University of Ottawa/Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (institutional partners), the Medical Research Council and the Network (research partners). In addition, the Network furnished key management and intellectual property support and is an equity partner (see www.apoptogen.com for more details).

Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver... a major new research centre established in 1998 at the campus of British Columbia Women�s & Children's Hospital. Network partner, Merck Frosst Canada Inc. provided $15 million for a five-year discovery research program, the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine committed four continuing faculty positions, the province of British Columbia provided $9 million for a new building and the B.C. Children's Hospital Research Foundation provided additional funding for an expansion of the building in order to house additional researchers and educational facilities. The Network played a key role in the planning and proposals, and in managing the initial efforts to obtain the funding commitments required for this keystone research project (see www.cmmt.ubc.ca for more details).

Neurovir, Vancouver... was established as a B.C. company in 1996 dedicated to the field of gene therapy for the nervous system based on herpes vector technology, and new brain tumor treatments. In July, 1999 the company released preliminary results of a Phase I clinical study of G207, a new anti-cancer product based on a tumor-killing herpes simplex virus (HSV). In June, 1999 the company filed an application with the Food and Drug Administration to begin a Phase I/II clinical study to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of the Company's tumor-killing engineered herpes simplex virus product, NV1020, as a treatment for colorectal cancer, which has metastasized to the liver.� Founding scientists are Dr. Frank Tufaro, Dr. Max Cynader and Dr. Michael Hayden at UBC. CGDN played a major leadership role in the planning and launching of this venture and holds an equity stake in the company� (see www.neurovir.com for more details). 

SCIEX, Concord... Collaborative partner and licencee of rapid/automated DNA sequencing technology. Dr. Norm Dovichi, Network Investigator at University of Alberta, is a world leader in DNA sequencing technology development. With support from Network partner, SCIEX, a Toronto company devoted to development and marketing of sophisticated analytical instrumentation, the Canadian Bacterial Diseases Network - a sister NCE, and the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network, Dr. Dovichi has received four patents on multiple-capillary sequences. This new technology provides economical and rapid sequencing of genetic material in quantity.

SignalGene... a new company created in 1999 from Algene Biotechnologies Corporation of Montreal. CGDN is a stakeholder in SignalGene, a position negotiated in exchange for an interest in osteoporosis and breast cancer patents held by CGDN member, Dr. Fran�ois Rousseau at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Qu�bec at Laval University. Dr Rousseau serves as a Scientific Director of SignalGene. 

XENON... a leading Canadian genomics company, based in Vancouver.� The company focuses on the discovery and validation of new drug targets using human genetics and functional genomics.� XENON�s lead drug discovery program targets low HDL, the most common lipid abnormality in cardiovascular disease.� The company also has drug discovery programs in diabetes and osteoporosis.� Founding scientists are Dr. Michael Hayden (Chief Scientific Officer), Dr. John Kastelein (Medical Director, Europe), and Dr. Simon Pimstone (VP Clinical and Medical Affairs).� (See www.xenonbioresearch.com for more details).