MONTREAL, QC -
The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation (QBCF), two leading organizations in funding breast cancer research, together with the biopharmaceutical research consortium CQDM, are proud to support the research conducted by Professor Yves St-Pierre at INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier. Valued at $1.15M, the project will support the development of next-generation immunotherapies against triple-negative breast cancer.
The targeted approach used by Professor St-Pierre and his team will allow the specific inhibition of galectins, a class of proteins with immunosuppressive properties that are overexpressed in tumor cells associated with several cancers, including triple negative breast cancer. This particularly aggressive form of the disease is also associated with a high risk of recurrence, especially in the first five years post-diagnosis.
“The Canadian Cancer Society will invest a portion of the funds raised during the CIBC Run for the Cure in Professor Yves St-Pierre’s research,” said Denis Lalonde, Executive Vice-President, Quebec and French Canada. "Our actions today demonstrate how we can make it possible to advance the cause of cancer. The partnership between CCS, QBCF and CQDM allows us to support one of our leading researchers in immunotherapy. This project will also help many Quebec women dealing with hard-to-treat forms of breast cancer for which there are few effective treatments.”
“We are committed to supporting breast cancer patients across Quebec. We demonstrate this by collaborating with partners who make it possible to fund innovative research and make it accessible to improve patient survival. Professor St-Pierre's project will meet the needs of breast cancer patients who have fewer treatment options," said Karine Ippersiel, President and CEO of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.
"CQDM is pleased to collaborate with two leading figures in the fight against cancer to support the research led by Professor St-Pierre at INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier. We are also proud to direct our resources in support of a common cause: saving the lives of women dealing with breast cancer," said Diane Gosselin, President and CEO of CQDM. "This type of collaboration truly reflects CQDM's mission to accelerate the discovery of innovative drugs addressing unmet medical needs, such as triple negative breast cancer."
Professor St-Pierre's research project will also receive funding from the Fondation Armand-Frappier, GlycoNet, Zymeworks and Pfizer. (link to 1st press release)
About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer remains the most common type of cancer among women in Canada. Approximately 6,600 new cases are diagnosed each year in Quebec, 1,000 of which are fatal. In addition, triple-negative breast cancer accounts for 15% to 20% of diagnosed breast tumors, and often affects younger women. Investments in research have already produced a tremendous impact, as reflected in the 88% survival rate for women five years after their breast cancer diagnosis.
About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Helpline at 1 888 939-3333.
About the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation is the only charitable organization in Quebec dedicated entirely to fighting cancer by promoting the health and well-being of affected persons through research and innovation, community support, education and awareness, as well as advocacy. For more information, please visit rubanrose.org.
About CQDM
CQDM is a biopharma-based research consortium created in 2008 with the mission to fund the development of innovative technologies to accelerate the discovery and development of drugs and vaccines. Its business model is based on a collaborative approach bringing together world-leading pharmaceutical organizations, Canadian biotech companies as well as the Canadian and Quebec governments who share the costs of the research. CQDM uses this leverage to reduce the risks inherent to early-stage biopharmaceutical research. In doing so, CQDM bridges the funding gap needed to drive innovation across the academic and private sectors, especially where early-stage research is concerned. CQDM receives contributions from Quebec’s Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI), from large pharmaceutical companies, and from the Government of Canada under the Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence Program (BL-NCE). For more information: http://www.cqdm.org/en.
For information please contact:
Marine de Saint Lager
Canadian Cancer Society
514 238-4820
Marie-Pier Cornellier
Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
819 572-1254
Diane Gosselin Ph. D., MBA, ASC
CQDM
514 766-6661 (2191)