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Ontario Tumour Bank collaborating to improve biobanking globally

Monique Albert

Biorepositories (or biobanks) play an important role in many types of research. But biobanking is a complex process requiring careful management of a whole range of scientific, legal, technical and ethical issues. We spoke to Monique Albert, Director of the Ontario Tumour Bank, about the importance of good biobanks, how the Ontario Tumour Bank is working with international partners to improve biobanking globally and why this type of international collaboration is benefitting researchers in Ontario.

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Large-scale genomic study helps set new course for paediatric brain cancer research

Dr. Michael Taylor

Today’s therapies for medulloblastoma, a highly aggressive form of childhood brain cancer, bring benefits to young patients but also come with serious side effects. Dr. Michael Taylor and a team of international collaborators recently published results in Nature of an ambitious project that analyzed the genomes of around 500 cases of medulloblastoma. Their goal was to identify gene mutations that are commonly mutated in the cancer, but not in the normal cells of patients.

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Innovative study brings next-generation genomic sequencing to more Ontario cancer patients

Toronto (September 6, 2017) – Understanding a cancer’s genetics is key to selecting targeted therapies that are likely to be of the most benefit to a patient. The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) today announced a new study, called Ontario-wide Cancer TArgeted Nucleic Acid Evaluation (OCTANE). OCTANE will use next-generation genome sequencing technology to bring a unified molecular profiling approach to five Ontario cancer centres.

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New genes discovered regulating brain metastases in lung cancer

Mohini SinghResearch from McMaster University has identified new regulators of brain metastases in patients with lung cancer.

These regulators are the genes called SPOCK1 and TWIST2.

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New data resource centre will help better understand links between birth defects and childhood cancer

Researchers from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research playing major role in the design and development of the new initiative.

Toronto (August 15, 2017) – Children with structural birth defects are at a much higher risk of developing certain types of childhood cancers but scientists currently lack vital information about why this occurs.

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Mutation in prostate tumours shown to change epigenetic identity, the make-up of DNA

Prostate cancer researchers have mapped the impact of an acquired mutation that alters epigenetic identity, the make-up of DNA, in about 50 per cent of patient tumour samples. The discovery also identifies a new opportunity for targeted therapy.

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CIMTEC appoints Justin Leushner as new CEO

The Centre for Imaging Technology Commercialization (CIMTEC) has appointed Mr. Justin Leushner as Chief Executive Officer. CIMTEC was established to accelerate the development of medical imaging technology and commercialize new technologies. Leushner brings extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. Most recently he was the Vice President at the TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, where he and his team worked with more that 300 companies in the region.

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Importance of large database of genetic variants reinforced in a new study

A newly published paper in Genetics in Medicine has reinforced the fundamental importance of collecting information about genetic variances in a single large database.  With so much important genetic information being used globally to understand the underlying genetic influences of diseases, researchers and clinicians need an accessible repository to share this information.

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FACIT launches cross-border campaign to recruit clinical scientists and biotechnology industry executives

FACIT Logo

Initiative targets expats for growing oncology company portfolio in Ontario

TORONTO, ON (July 18, 2017) — FACIT, which commercializes innovative cancer treatments, has launched a recruitment campaign targeting individuals who possess strong clinical development, commercial and fundraising experience in the technology and life sciences sectors.  FACIT is expanding and updating its database of US-based industry advisors for roles ranging from investment diligence to full time management roles in Ontario-based biotech start-ups.  While Canadian biotechnology expatriates are the focus of this initiative, FACIT continues to attract worldwide leaders in oncology research to the province, a shared mandate well established by its strategic partner, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR).

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FACIT announces investment in three Ontario start-ups under Prospects Fund

The logos of Radialis Medical, DNA Stack and KA Imaging

FACIT invests first round of Prospects Fund in Radialis Medical, KA Imaging, and DNAstack.

TORONTO, ON (July 10, 2017) – FACIT has announced the first three investments under its new Prospects Oncology Fund for proof-of-concept development of breakthrough cancer technologies. Ontario start-ups Radialis Medical of Thunder Bay, KA Imaging of Kitchener, and DNAstack of Toronto are the first to receive capital from this new fund, illustrating the strength and breadth of the cancer research network in the province. FACIT’s strategy is to bridge the gap in capital and expertise often experienced by early stage companies, and better position innovations to reach patients.

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