Government of Canada invests $2.8 Million to Further Develop and Commercialize Novel Antibiotics
News Release
Funding will assist Appili Therapeutics Inc. to bring medicine to market
February 17, 2016 – Halifax, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Further development of an optimized oral antibiotic solution that treats serious infections, including Clostridium difficile, is expected to have broad applications when it is introduced to the marketplace. Appili Therapeutics Inc. of Halifax has created 11 highly-skilled positions over the last year to lead this and other biotechnology research.
Appili is employing novel techniques to develop antibiotic and anti-infective therapies to improve treatment and health outcomes for those suffering from serious bacterial infections. Pediatric and geriatric patients are frequently more susceptible to these infections. The new antibiotic masks the bitter taste of the drug Metronidazole, thereby addressing an issue of patient non-compliance.
The Government of Canada is investing $2.8 million in Appili Therapeutics Inc. to assist with the reformulation of the taste-masking liquid, as well as with commercialization activities to take the antibiotic through clinical trials.
The federal funding was announced today by Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
This project will also help with costs associated with the regulatory process for this newly developed product through the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada approvals. Appili has already received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA, providing significant competitive advantage to the company.
Canada’s Innovation Agenda aims to make this country a global centre for innovation—one that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. This investment exemplifies that vision in action.
This investment is made under ACOA’s Atlantic Innovation Fund, which encourages partnerships among private sector firms, universities, colleges and other research institutions to develop and commercialize new or improved products and services.
Quotes
“Our government is proud to support the important work of talented researchers and innovative businesses who are working to create solutions for critical issues facing Canada and other nations. Today’s investment in life sciences shows our government’s commitment to improving the life of Canadians, creating well-paying jobs, while supporting a sustainable economy and a strong middle class.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Appili Therapeutics is retaining highly-skilled researchers as well as attracting them from other jurisdictions. Appili’s focus on developing marketable solutions for significant health challenges is contributing to the overall growth of the life sciences and strengthening the culture of innovation in Atlantic Canada.”
- Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour
“Millions of Canadians and people around the world are treated with medicine for C. difficile and anaerobic bacterial infections. It becomes dangerous when people don’t finish their antibiotics for these diseases because it contributes to the rise of superbugs and puts patients, particularly children and the elderly, at risk. Our formulation scientists have developed a taste-masked liquid suspension that is easy to swallow and better tasting. This will help patients complete their full course of antibiotics.”
- Kevin Sullivan, CEO, Appili Therapeutics Inc.
Quick Facts
- ACOA’s innovation programming, which includes the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) and the Business Development Program (BDP), is designed to help bring to market new products, technologies and services that will improve the competitiveness and productivity of the Atlantic economy.
- In 2016, the Government of Canada, through ACOA’s AIF, invested more than $35 million in 16 innovation and R&D projects in the Atlantic region.
- More than 10 million prescriptions a year are written across North America for Metronidazole, the antibiotic currently used to treat serious infections, including C. difficile.
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Contacts
Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Phone: 902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: alex.smith@canada.ca
Jennifer Cameron
Communications
Appili Therapeutics Inc.
Phone: 902-209-4704 (cell)
E-mail: media@appilitherapeutics.com
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