20 projects selected to accelerate the fight against cancer and bring life-saving treatments to Canadians
April 7, 2025, Toronto, Canada – BioCanRx, Canada’s Immunotherapy Network, is proud to announce $12.5 million in new funding for 20 research projects and four core facilities. Among the funded projects are seven that will build on previously funded work and 13 new projects selected through an open call for proposals held in late 2024. These groundbreaking Canadian projects will support innovation and advancement in immunotherapy for cancer treatments and expand on Canadian capacity to deliver cutting edge biotherapeutic solutions. As part of this investment, BioCanRx has also committed to supporting four core facilities at Canadian research institutes that will enable the advancement of its research program.
“Canadian innovation in immunotherapy for cancer is world-class and we are excited to expand our support for projects that will contribute to the advancement of immunotherapy and biotherapeutic solutions for cancer patients in Canada,” said Stéphanie Michaud, President and CEO of BioCanRx. “By investing in homegrown research and supporting the translation of scientific discovery into real-world treatments, we are strengthening Canada’s position as a global leader in delivering novel immunotherapies to cancer patients.”
The funded projects focus on promising avenues of cancer immunotherapy, including CAR T-cell therapies, RNA-based vaccines, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, radiolabeled antibody therapies, and post-surgical immune system reprogramming. BioCanRx’s research portfolio aims to bring more effective treatments to patients and support the rapid translation of cutting-edge science into clinical applications. Of note, the vast majority of these projects have included patient partners and patient organizations in their work, ensuring that voices and experiences are considered through the research process.
Some of this year’s funding recipients and funded projects include:
- Dr. Claude Perreault, Université de Montréal: A first-of-its-kind RNA vaccine for ovarian cancer (Catalyst Study): Optimizing antigen presentation to enhance the immune response of an RNA vaccine for ovarian cancer.
- Dr. Brad Nelson, BC Cancer: A novel mesothelin-specific CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors (Enabling Study): Enabling manufacturing and regulatory preparation activities for an eventual first-in-human clinical trial targeting ovarian and pancreatic cancers.
- Dr. Humphrey Fonge, Université Laval: A radiolabeled antibody therapy targeting Nectin-4 (Enabling Study): Advancing a potential new treatment for triple-negative breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.
- Dr. Marcus Butler, University Health Network: A Canadian-developed CAR T-cell therapy (TBI-2001) (Clinical Trial): Expanding an ongoing Phase I trial to refine dosing and improve patient outcomes for relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma and leukemia.
- Dr. Kednapa Thavorn, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute: An economic evaluation on decentralized CAR T-cell manufacturing (Clinical, Social, Economic Impact Study): Evaluating the feasibility of local production to improve patient access and reduce costs.
“This funding allows us to study how CAR-T therapy can be delivered more affordably and closer to home for patients with hard-to-treat blood cancers,” said funding recipient Dr. Kednapa Thavorn, Senior Scientist, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. “With input from patients, we’re identifying the most cost-effective approach to make this life-saving treatment more accessible across Canada.”
“Our research focuses on the use of radiolabeled immunoconjugate targeting of an antigen that is present in 60-70% of triple negative breast cancer and 60% of non-small cell lung cancer cases,” said funding recipient Dr. Humphrey Fonge, Canada Research Chair – Tier-1 in Radiopharmacy and Translational Cancer Theranostics at the Université Laval. “Our exciting preclinical data shows that this radioimmunoconjugate also synergizes with immune checkpoint blockade therapy and has set the stage for this BioCanRx-funded enabling study and eventual clinical trial, which will have significant potential to improve the care of these patients.”
“The efficacy of an anti-cancer vaccine depends on the immune system’s recognition of cancer-specific molecules,” said funding recipient Dr. Claude Perreault, Principal Investigator, Immunobiology Research Unit, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the Université de Montréal. “We have identified numerous cancer-specific molecules. This BioCanRx funding will enable us to maximize their recognition by the immune system.”
In addition, BioCanRx has built on its commitment to creating a comprehensive network of support for translational research in Canada by ensuring researchers have access to academic core facilities focused on translational research activities, as well as to manufacturing facilities, and the technical expertise required to move their projects towards the clinic. Through its funding for four core facilities, BioCanRx projects will have timely and cost-effective access to the IMAP (Immunotherapy Monoclonal Antibody Platform) at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (ICRM), the Molecular and Cellular Immunology Core (MCIC) in British Columbia, and The Ottawa Hospital’s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre (BMC). Moreover, through an agreement between BioCanRx and IRICoR at the Université de Montréal’s Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), projects will have access to the resources and support needed to help them establish strategic partnerships with the biopharmaceutical industry and move towards commercialization.
This funding announcement was made this morning at BioCanRx’s 2025 Summit for Cancer Immunotherapy, which brings together academic researchers, clinicians, and trainees, industry, government, patient advocates and more to further this cancer treatment. Funding was made possible through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Science Fund.
Click here to view a full list of funded projects. A list of previously announced BioCanRx Momentum projects is available here.
For more information, or to request a media interview, please contact:
Jess Harris
Senior Consultant, Temple Scott Associates
jharris@tsa.ca
437-227-6123
About BioCanRx
BioCanRx is Canada’s Immunotherapy Network, dedicated to transforming cancer into a curable disease. Through strategic funding and collaboration with researchers, clinicians, industry partners, and patient advocates, BioCanRx accelerates the development and adoption of cutting-edge cancer immunotherapies. Hosted by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, BioCanRx receives funding from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Science Fund. For more information on BioCanRx and its work, visit biocanrx.com.
