Northern labs patent, expand.

Northern research centres are beginning to show the fruits of their labour through patents and medical breakthroughs.

In a short time, Sudbury-based Northern Centre for Biotechnology and Clinical Research (Neureka!) has made connections with over 80 pharmaceutical companies and research institutes throughout the world. Projects like the New Cholesterol Maker Kit, in its clinical trial phase, are fast approaching approval and commercialization. The centre hopes to file for regulatory approval with the United States Food and Drug Administration by year's end. A prototype kit has also been established for the BovineTorovirus, with the help of The Hospital for Sick Children and Bio-X in Belgium. Neureka is seeking organizations interested in using the kit for animal or human applications. West Nile virus is another key project at Neureka! as experts are conducting studies in Sudbury, and with colleagues from Auburn University and the University of Alabama, to determine which host the mosquitoes prefer biting. The conclusions will contribute to development and control strategies.

The Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre (NORCC) has been granted two patents, with room for more as future projects hold significant promise.

Like many drug discoveries, calphostinC was found by accident as the northeastern cancer research team searched for clues into treating breast cancer, NORCC chair Dr. Amadeo Parissenti says. The drug has been proven to kill drug-resistant breast tumour cells, and is in the laboratory testing stage.

"There is significant promise here."

But there is a catch. The patent was given for the application of the agent only. CalphostinC is past patent protected. Users have been able to purchase it from chemical companies for years. Pharmaceutical companies do not like to market agents already accessible to the public. The only way for pharmaceutical companies to profit from the agent is to develop an application for it. But that doesn't always mean a solid revenue source, Parissenti says. Patenting a formula for calphostinC or making a derivative of the agent would be more effective.

Another patent was granted to the centre for a method that helps guide health experts in administering drugs in the chemotherapy protocol.

The cancer centre was recently granted about $5 million from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. (NOJHFC) and another $3 million from private organizations. The facility plays a key role in retaining and training youth in Northern Ontario, Parissenti says.

The centre is also securing contracts with pharmaceutical companies.

Parissenti wouldn't name names, but he says having them on board "is an indication that the private sector is seeing ... some commercialization potential from our research programs."

The funds are enough to double the research program, double research space and equip the facility with instruments. In turn, the expansion will allow the facility to move forward toward some other projects, studying how environmental factors influence health conditions.

The study involves everything from lifestyle factors such as smoking to occupational factors. Inco Ltd., the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Northern Cancer Research Foundation are currently funding this project.

With the interest they have received from Laurentian University's PhD in biomolecular science program, Parissenti can see more projects taking root in the North as students begin working at the centre.

Two students began in the fall, with five new students expected to come on board this month.

www.neureka.com

www.laurentian.ca

By KELLY LOUISEIZE

Northern Ontario Business