Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Soricimed Biopharma, Inc. is a Sackville/Moncton, New Brunswick based company developingx000D
biopharmaceutical compounds based on soricidin, a paralytic protein found in the saliva of the Northernx000D
Short-tailed Shrew. SOR-C13, the company's lead compound, is a synthetic, 13-mer peptide whose therapeuticx000D
activity is based on its interaction with a calcium channel, TRPV6, whose expression is elevated in certain cellx000D
types (e.g. cancer cells). Also, derivatives of SOR-C13 (C-peptides) can be used as vehicles to deliver otherx000D
drugs directly into TRPV6-bearing cells. Optimization of this drug delivery platform is hampered by thex000D
current lack of a significant in-house tool; a stable cell line overexpressing the TRPV6 channel. Under thisx000D
Engage Grant, Dr. Weaver's lab will develop this cell line, allowing Soricimed to determine what properties ofx000D
the C-peptide derivatives improve their interaction with TRPV channels and hence their ability to target andx000D
enter cells bearing these channels. This gained knowledge would in turn lead to expansion of the company'sx000D
product line with new and improved therapeutic C-peptides, and novel C-peptide/drug conjugates targetingx000D
specific cell types. Broadening and solidifying the company's pipeline with such products will lead tox000D
partnerships with larger biopharma companies and expand Soricimed's drug marketability.