Zentek has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Triera Biosciences has received a CAD$1.1 million (around USD$791,000) Government of Canada contract to test its multivalent aptamer technology for the rapid drug discovery of therapeutics or prophylactics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (“HPAI”) A(H5N1).
Triera was awarded a these funds through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's (“ISED”) Innovative Solutions Canada (“ISC”) program: Health Advanced And Emerging Medical Technologies. Triera’s multivalent aptamer technology was selected for its potential to be used as a rapid drug development platform.
Government of Canada testing partners include Health Emergency Readiness Canada (“HERC”) within ISED and Defense Research and Development Canada (“DRDC”), the science and technology organization of the Department of National Defense (“DND”).
The test will help develop a prophylactic and therapeutic for HPAI A(H5N1) following the multivalent aptamer strategy that successfully produced a SARS‑CoV-2 aptamer.
Triera has proven the capability of the multivalent aptamer platform by developing a universal therapeutic and prophylactic that is effective against all variants of SARS‑CoV‑2. The contract will allow Triera to prove the capability for developing a lead candidate for HPAI A(H5N1). The contract requires Triera to develop a lead candidate for HPAI A(H5N1) within six months of the project initiation. The lead candidate will be tested for its efficacy as a therapeutic and prophylactic along with its safety profile by the Miller Laboratory at McMaster University.
“We are very pleased that our multivalent aptamer platform has been recognized through this ISC Program Testing Stream. We are working with government organizations that understand the significance of our avian flu program and can promote and support further development of our technology. Upon successful completion, Triera will be eligible for further government investment and recognition from Canada and its key allies,” said Greg Fenton, CEO of the Company and Triera.
“The potential for an avian influenza pandemic continues to grow and the consequences of a new variant, which would allow human-to-human transmission, could lead to devastating results,” Triera’s advisor, Dr. Matthew Miller said, “As with national security, the need for an outbreak response must be regarded as a failure to prevent.”
