IRICoR receives 25 million dollars to support its research commercialization activities as part of the 2018 CECR competition

MONTREAL, July 30, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - IRICoR (Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer – Commercialization of Research), a drug discovery and commercialization cluster, is proud to announce that it has received substantial support from the federal government in the amount of 25 million dollars, as part of the 2018 edition of the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research program (CECR).

The federal government support is a major step in IRICoR's journey, which this year celebrates 10 years of existence. This funding will enable IRICoR to pursue and extend its maturation and commercialization of research activities, while also continuing to build bridges between the academic, pharmaceutical and business communities across the country.

A unique business model

Its unique business model is based on the work of a team of professionals that sets itself apart through its ability to identify the most promising projects, its expertise in assisting research teams towards the maturation of their projects and its skill in developing and implementing commercialization strategies, particularly by establishing agreements between the academic and private sectors.

"We are delighted about this tangible show of confidence in our winning model from the federal government. The CECR program was responsible for our creation in 2008 and is now returning in full force to provide backing for our drug discovery project support initiatives all across Canada. I'm proud to pursue the vision shown by our founding and host institutions, the Université de Montréal and the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), to lead the way in the translation of research projects into innovative therapeutic solutions that benefit patients." said Nadine Beauger, President and Chief Executive Officer of IRICoR.

Major support that will benefit Canadians

This significant funding from the CECR Program will enable IRICoR to expand its network of partners in both the private and public sectors, which will result in them having a real impact on the health and life of Canadians. The expertise and results shown by IRICoR since 2008 are identified and shared with national and international research collaborators, in order to increase the value of their work and sign commercialization agreements with various development partners, leading to the commercialization of innovative therapies.  As a result of the revenues generated, IRICoR can reinvest the fruit of those agreements into the advancement of research.

Proven results that ensure the future

So far, IRICoR has managed to create 3 companies, generate 60 patent families and 24 strategic partnerships with industry, carry out more than 80 project financings and currently supports 7 clinical trials that are underway. Since it was created in 2008, IRICoR has developed advanced expertise recognized in its sector, particularly by working to bridge the gap between academic discoveries and drug development and by expanding its network of collaborators.

"I'm proud to support the efforts of IRICoR, a key player in drug discovery. Like Sherpa guides who lead mountain climbers to the peak, its team provides a guidance plan that turns research into therapeutic solutions. Support from the CECR strengthens IRICoR's efforts and marks a turning point for its 10^th anniversary" said Mr. Martin Godbout, IRICoR's Board Chair.

About IRICoR

As a project maturation cluster in the field of drug discovery, IRICoR is a not-for-profit organization based at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal. IRICoR's mandate is to accelerate the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies in cancer, immunotherapy, and related fields. Since 2008, IRICoR has been successfully investing in and supporting selected cutting-edge projects in order to rapidly translate early-stage innovation into potential new therapies, through either co-development partnerships with the biopharmaceutical industry or the creation of spin-off companies. IRICoR seamlessly integrates its business-related expertise with access to industry-level drug discovery capabilities, providing selected academic and industry projects with access to its network of experts and cutting-edge infrastructure, including one of the largest academia-based medicinal chemistry groups in Canada. IRICoR's major funding sources include the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program of the Canadian government, the Ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation du Québec (MESI), and collaborative partnerships with the biopharmaceutical industry.

For more information about IRICoR: iricor.ca

SOURCE Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer – Commercialization of Research (IRICoR)

Alix Molinier, Project Manager, IRICoR, 514-343-6111 ext. 0324, [email protected]; Catherine Cardinal, Director, Communication and Media Relations, IRICoR, 514-343-6111, ext. 41299, [email protected]