Canadian biotech Ceapro announced the expansion of an existing collaboration with McMaster University for development of inhaled yeast beta glucans for the prevention and treatment of lung fibrosis caused by COVID-19. According to Ceapro, the team has already successfully created inhalable yeast beta glucan particles via PGX and now plans to optimize delivery and evaluate the efficacy of various formulations for the treatment of lung fibrosis.
McMaster researchers Kietjl Ask and Todd Hoare who have already been working with Ceapro will be joined by Martin Kolb, Research Director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hospital. As part of the deal, the company will contribute funding for three post-graduate researchers working on the project.
Ceapro is developing the inhaled formulation using pressurized gas expanded liquid (PGX) particle engineering technology, which it says is “a unique and disruptive technology with several key advantages over conventional drying and purification technologies that can be used to process biopolymers into high-value, fine-structured, open porous polymer structures and novel biocomposites.” Ceapro acquired a license for use of the PGX technology for use in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics from the University of Alberta in 2014 and expanded the license to include all industries in 2015.
Ceapro President and CEO Gilles Gagnon commented, “Conducting research during a pandemic has been a major challenge, but the McMaster and Ceapro research teams have been relentless despite all the challenges and I would like to thank them and applaud the innovative work that they have accomplished so far. Under the leadership of Drs. Kolb, Ask and Hoare, I feel confident that this project will bring benefits to patients while creating value for shareholders.”
Read the Ceapro press release.
