Anti-scarring research at British Columbia leads to the launch of BirchBioMed.
British Columbia University (BCU) has launched BirchBioMed, a life sciences spinout commercialising anti-scarring research.
The drug, Fibrostop, will soon complete its clinical trial to examine the safety of the drug in humans. Once it passes, Fibrostop will be a milestone for BCU, marking the first time the institution has conducting clinical testing of a drug developed there without industry sponsorship.
Originally developed to treat scarring in burns victims, Fibrostop has the potential to become the first drug approved by Health Canada or the Food and Drug Administration to target the molecular aspects of scarring. In addition, pre-clinical trials found the drug could also target autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis.
Brad Wheeler, UBC’s technology transfer manager for Vancouver General Hospital, said: “With Fibrostop nearing completion of Phase I human clinical trials as a topical therapeutic, Fibrostop is the most clinically advanced UBC therapeutic to be transferred to industry to date. We are very much looking forward to seeing BirchBioMed advance this new drug to the next set of clinical trials and through to market.”
