Your Trusted Partner in Discovery & Development
At API, discovery is never isolated from development. We combine advanced target biology, medicinal chemistry, early CMC, and translational know‑how under one Canadian roof—supported by federal investment and a culture of quality that meets global regulatory expectations. Our multidisciplinary scientists collaborate as an extension of your team, custom‑tailoring strategies that de‑risk decision points, conserve capital, and accelerate timelines.
Whether you need rapid hit‑to‑lead cycles, integrated in vivo efficacy, or AI‑powered data insights, API delivers a seamless, end‑to‑end pathway to IND‑enabling studies—so you can focus on scientific innovation while we handle the operational complexity.
Discovery & Development Services
Development Pathway Architecture
Build a frictionless roadmap before a single experiment begins.
- Translational program design that aligns science, regulatory, and commercial end‑points.
- Comprehensive gap analysis pinpointing data, resource, and expertise shortfalls.
- Smart in‑/out‑sourcing orchestration—leveraging API’s in‑house depth plus a vetted global partner network.
- Early IP strategy to ring‑fence freedom‑to‑operate and maximize downstream valuation.
Hit‑to‑Lead Chemistry & Biology
Transform targets into actionable chemical or biologic starting points.
- High‑throughput library screening.
- Custom chemistry and synthesis from in silico design to gram-scale
- Parallel analogue synthesis with real‑time SAR analytics.
- Potency, selectivity, and ADME triage in a single automated workflow.
- IP landscaping to ensure every new hit is commercially defensible.
Lead Optimization & Developability
Engineer candidates for potency, safety, and manufacturability—simultaneously.
- Physicochemical tuning (logP, solubility, permeability).
- Structure‑guided design with in‑silico liability prediction.
- Broad in‑house off‑target & safety pharmacology panels.
- Formulation‑ready salt/polymorph selection to eliminate late‑stage CMC surprises.
Bioanalytical & Biomarker Sciences
Quantify exposure, efficacy, and mechanism with confidence.
- Assay development and validation
- LC‑MS/MS, ligand‑binding, and hybrid assays built to FDA/EMA validation guidelines.
- Exploratory-to‑qualified biomarker panels for MOA confirmation and patient stratification.
- Micro‑sampling platforms to reduce animal use and clinical sample volumes.
Seamless Integration with Clinical & Quantitative Solutions and Regulatory & Quality
Our Discovery & Development team works hand-in-hand with our Clinical & Quantitative Solutions and Regulatory & Quality team to provide comprehensive, data-driven strategies. Together, we ensure your journey from concept to market entry is seamless, whether you’re working on pharmaceuticals, natural health products, medical devices, or diagnostics.
Clinical & Quantitative Solutions
We specialize in guiding companies through preclinical, clinical, and market safety phases, providing expert support at every stage of development.
Regulatory & Quality
We bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing the full expertise, services, and infrastructure of a life sciences company.
CDMO Services
We deliver flexible solutions for clinical and commercial manufacturing.
Meet Our Senior Leaders & Contacts
Launa Aspeslet
Chief Translational Officer
Read bioabout Launa Aspeslet Launa Aspeslet
Chief Translational Officer
Launa Aspeslet is an accomplished life science executive and board member with over 20 years of leadership experience in scaling early-stage organizations to sustainable growth and maturity. She excels in multi-stakeholder environments, new product development, and guiding entrepreneurs through organizational transformation.
Currently, Launa also serves as Senior Clinical & Regulatory Advisor to Model Medicines and a Board member of Edmonton Unlimited. She recently acted as interim CEO at Edmonton Unlimited and has held roles as COO at Hepion Pharmaceuticals, CEO of TRIO, and COO at Isotechnika Pharma. She has also provided strategic consulting for various early-stage drug and medical device companies. During this time, Launa has led teams to conduct over 50 clinical trials, enrolling more than 10,000 patients across 20 countries.
She holds a BSc in chemistry from the University of Lethbridge and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Alberta, along with a Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC).
Corinne Campanella
VP, Quantitative Solutions
Read bioabout Corinne Campanella Corinne Campanella
VP, Quantitative Solutions
Corinne is a seasoned Clinical Pharmacologist with over 25 years of diverse experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She has held key roles in early-phase clinical development and medical safety across North America and Europe, working with leading companies like Sanofi, GSK, UCB, Biovail, Apopharma.
Corinne brings a deep expertise in early-phase clinical development and a strategic perspective that spans from lead selection to late-stage development and a keen ability to build and lead high-performing cross-functional teams. In her most recent role as Director of Clinical Pharmacology at Certara, she partnered with clients to develop and optimize clinical pharmacology strategies essential for successful drug development. Corinne holds a PharmD from the University of Paris-Cité in France and a Master of Science in Pharmacokinetics from the University of Alberta in Canada.
Daniel Trepanier
Executive Scientist, Preclinical Development
Read bioabout Daniel Trepanier Daniel Trepanier
Executive Scientist, Preclinical Development
Over 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry. Experienced in pharmaceutical development including drug discovery, analytical and bioanalytical method development and analysis, preclinical pharmacokinetic, toxicological and toxicokinetic studies, formulation development, drug manufacturing and preclinical/clinical supply, preparation of preclinical regulatory submissions, interfacing with contract research organizations and patent attorneys. Real world experience in all aspects of drug development required to successfully move a drug from discovery, through myriad regulatory agency required studies, to Clinical Phase I/II status.
Daren Ure
Executive Scientist, Discovery & Early Development
Read bioabout Daren Ure Daren Ure
Executive Scientist, Discovery & Early Development
Dr. Ure earned a B.Sc. in Zoology at Brandon University in 1989 and a Ph.D. in Cellular Neurobiology at the University of Alberta in 1997. These were followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, studying mouse models of multiple sclerosis and gaining expertise in virology, neurology, and immunology.
Dr. Ure brings more than 20 years in small biotech industry and over 35 years of research across many scientific and health disciplines have fostered a broad understanding of bench-to-bedside drug development – drug discovery, intellectual property, CMC, regulatory, clinical, and business development – and provided valuable experience in advancing new medicines to market.
Located in one of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Life Sciences Hubs
Located in Edmonton, Alberta, API sits at the heart of one of Canada’s fastest-growing life sciences ecosystems. Our region is experiencing a surge in investment, with new infrastructure, expanded research capacity, and a strong pipeline of talent. Anchored by globally recognized institutions like the University of Alberta, Life Sciences Campus at the Edmonton Research Park and surrounded by a growing community of startups and a tightknit entrepreneur community, Edmonton offers a uniquely collaborative environment for innovation.
Edmonton is also a key part of the Canadian Critical Drug Initiative (CCDI), a nearly $200 million project led by our team at API in partnership with the University of Alberta. Through the CCDI, we’re developing an integrated research, commercialization and manufacturing cluster within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.
As a Canadian-based CRO and CDMO, we also offer cost advantages and access to international markets—making us an ideal partner for both domestic and global companies looking to scale their therapeutic innovations.
The Canadian Critical Drug Initiative
Learn more about our services for different therapeutic areas
Pharmaceuticals & biologics
Discover how we can help you accelerate the drug development process.
Medical devices & diagnostics
Learn how we can help you navigate the intricacies of advanced medical technology.
Natural health products
Find out how we can empower your consistent NHP development.
Health technologies
See how we support the evolving landscape of health technologies.
Ready to take your life sciences innovation to the next level?
Contact us today for a free discovery consultation to determine how we can bring your idea to market together.