McMaster University

OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Esphera SynBio, a pre-clinical stage synthetic biology company, today announced a new project aimed at advancing next-generation mRNA vaccines. Using its proprietary technology, Esphera SynBio causes the production of modified nanomedicines within patients upon delivery of LNP/mRNA vaccines. These in situ produced nanomedicines can have precise targeting capabilities and tailored immunostimulatory payloads, unlocking new possibilities in vaccine innovation. This project is supported by the CQDM Quantum Leap program. "Esphera is very excited to launch this project exploring the potential enhancement of first generation LNP/mRNA vaccines by employing our transgene design to both amplify and enhance the effectiveness of these already impactful vaccines. CQDM has been instrumental in connecting Esphera with a global biopharmaceutical organization to enable this partnership." highlights Brian Lichty, co-founder and CEO of Esphera SynBio. This project leverages Esphera's innovative platform to study therapeutic nanomedicines that can act as powerful immunostimulants, delivering customized antigenic payloads to stimulate robust immune responses. "CQDM is proud to support this innovative project, led by an early-stage Canadian company, which holds the potential to develop novel therapies while fostering growth within the Canadian biopharmaceutical sector. We are also pleased to have facilitated this collaboration for Esphera by forging valuable connections with the global biopharmaceutical organization supporting this project", said Jesse Paterson, CQDM Senior Director, Business Development. About CQDM Facilitator of biopharma innovation CQDM is a not-for-profit biopharmaceutical research consortium whose mission is to support and facilitate multi-stakeholder collaborative R&D aimed at accelerating the translation of innovative technologies by the biopharma industry into solutions that address unmet medical needs, while generating significant benefits for the Quebec and Canadian economy. For more information, please visit the website: and join us on Twitter/X @CQDM_Canada and LinkedIn. About Esphera SynBio Inc. Esphera is a seed stage Canadian biotechnology combining innovative technologies developed at McMaster University and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. These technologies utilize synthetic biology approaches to modify cells through the expression of proprietary transgenes causing the production of engineered exosomes that serve as nanomedicines for the treatment and prevention of human disease. Esphera is developing cancer immunotherapies, vaccines and immunomodulatory therapies for a range of human diseases. To learn more please visit SOURCE Esphera SynBio Inc WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Breakthrough platform of proprietary transgenes generates therapeutic exosomes in vivo OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Esphera SynBio ("Esphera"), a synthetic biology company, today announced the closing of a $2M USD seed financing round. The financing builds on the Company's advanced R&D activities and proceeds are directed at the identification of an initial cancer vaccine clinical candidate and general corporate purposes. Seed investors GKCC and FACIT supported the financing. Using synthetic biology, Esphera produces engineered exosomes through the expression of proprietary transgenes that serve as nanomedicines. Unlocking new possibilities in vaccine innovation, the company applies the technology platform for the development of therapeutics for cancer and infectious disease. "This financing enables us to validate our vaccine platform and advance a potential best-in-class therapy for patients living with cancer," said Dr. Brian Lichty, co-founder and CEO of Esphera. "While our clear focus is on advancing toward future clinical trials, maximizing the broad potential of our technology will also necessitate the exploration of strategic partnerships." Esphera's innovative platform produces therapeutic nanomedicines that can act as powerful immunostimulants, delivering customized antigenic payloads to stimulate robust immune responses. These nanomedicines are designed to enhance the efficacy of vaccines, offering personalized solutions to combat infectious disease. "With the fields of engineered exosomes and therapeutic vaccines undergoing rapid evolution, Esphera's pioneering approach places the Company at the forefront of a transformative opportunity for patient care," said Dr. David O'Neill, Chair of the Board of Directors of Esphera and President of FACIT. "Esphera's team of entrepreneurial scientific leaders has the experience required to build a strong pipeline of innovative therapeutics." The Company is based on foundational intellectual property from the labs of Drs. Carolina Ilkow and John Bell at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Dr. Lichty at McMaster University, and operates research facilities in Hamilton, Ontario and Ottawa, Ontario. About Esphera SynBio Inc. Esphera is a seed stage Canadian biotechnology company combining innovative technologies developed at McMaster University and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. These technologies utilize synthetic biology approaches to modify cells through the expression of proprietary transgenes causing the production of engineered exosomes that serve as nanomedicines for the treatment and prevention of human disease. Esphera is developing cancer immunotherapies, vaccines and immunomodulatory therapies for a range of human diseases. To learn more please visit espherasynbio.ca. SOURCE Esphera SynBio WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A pain management clinical practice guideline developed by Penn Dental Medicine's Center for Integrative Global Oral Health (CIGOH) is among The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA)'s top five trending articles for 2024, according to JADA. Originally published in the September 2023 issue of JADA, the guideline for managing acute dental pain in children was developed by CIGOH, the American Dental Association Science and Research Institute (ADASRI), and the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Alonso Carrasco-Labra, Associate Professor and Director of the Cochrane Oral Health Collaborating Center at Penn Dental Medicine, and Olivia Urquhart, an epidemiologist and instructor within CIGOH, co-led its development. Endorsed by the ADA, the guideline notes that acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are recommended as first-line treatments for managing short-term dental pain in children under age 12. A guideline panel determined that, when used as directed, acetaminophen alone, NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) alone or acetaminophen in combination with NSAIDS can effectively manage a child's pain after a tooth extraction or during a toothache when dental care is not immediately available. According to the guideline, when acetaminophen or NSAIDs are administered as directed by a dentist or other health care provider, the risk of harm to children from either medication is low. These recommendations align with previous guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017, which contraindicated the use of codeine and tramadol in children under age 12. In 2020, the FDA awarded the University of Pittsburgh and ADASRI a $1.5 million grant to develop a clinical practice guideline for the management of acute pain in dentistry in children, adolescents and adults. A group of researchers and methodologists from ADASRI, the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, CIGOH, McMaster University and the Art of Democracy worked together to develop this pediatric patient guideline as well as one for adolescents, adults, and older adults, which published in February 2024. Both guidelines can be found at ada.org/painmanagement. Contact: Beth Adams, [email protected] SOURCE PENN DENTAL MEDICINE WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED