API partners with GlycoNet to build innovation and commercialization opportunities across Canada

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GlycoNet’s 150 researchers in 34 institutions across Canada will benefit from enhanced commercialization capacity through API; and in turn, the partnership will significantly enrich API’s ability to support companies with innovations in glycomics.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EDMONTON, AB, February 4, 2020 – Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API) and the Canadian Glycomics Network (GlycoNet) have established a Memorandum of Understanding to combine strengths at the intersection of drug development and glycomics while sharing expertise, partner networks, sector knowledge, access to facilities and infrastructure, as well as the power of students and trainees to build capacity, and facilitate commercialization of research.

Both institutions have spun out of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta as not-for-profit entities contributing to the burgeoning life sciences sector in Alberta. With complementary mandates to contribute scientifically in their respective areas of expertise, train the next generation of researchers and innovators, encourage innovation and bring life-saving health solutions to the Canadian public, the API/GlycoNet partnership is both a logical and exciting endeavor.

“API brings a much needed mechanism for academia in developing translational research, allowing innovators at universities to bring their research to the market in a cost-effective manner”, says GlycoNet’s Executive Director, Dr. Elizabeth Nanak. “Our trainees will also see the benefit of being able to work in an industrial lab setting, unlocking completely new career paths for them in the commercial life sciences sector.”

“These sorts of partnerships are at the core of what API does,” says API CEO, Andrew MacIsaac, “we’re working to provide GlycoNet with expertise and capacity to develop the potential of their research beyond the early proof-of-concept stage, past the complex regulatory and development hurdles, all the way to the patients who need them.”

The agreement also expands the capacity of API. “GlycoNet brings world leading expertise that we can provide to innovators, spinoffs, and industry through API”, says MacIsaac, “When attracting commercial research projects and investment to Alberta, and Canada, having a partner like GlycoNet in our corner is a huge added value.”

In the coming months and years API and GlycoNet will work together to empower innovators and industries in Alberta, Canada, and around the world.

About the Canadian Glycomics Network

In 2015, the Canadian glycomics research community mobilized to form the Canadian Glycomics Network (GlycoNet), funded by the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program and a range of partners. The network now comprises more than 150 researchers at 34 institutions across Canada, with support from more than 140 partners. Since its inception, GlycoNet has made great strides in understanding the roles that carbohydrates play in serious diseases and advancing new therapies to treat them. Learn more about GlycoNet at glyconet.ca.