Thanks to its concerted approach and its expertise in intellectual property (IP), IRICoR plays a leading role in the marketing of therapeutic solutions resulting from cutting-edge research. For the greatest benefit of patients, here and abroad.
Based at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the University of Montreal, IRICoR is a center of excellence in commercialization and research specializing in drug discovery. This non-profit organization, which acts as a bridge between scientific research units and the pharmaceutical sector to accelerate the commercialization of their discoveries, acts as a real catalyst for innovation. Since its creation in 2008, its advances in the fields of oncology and rare diseases, where the time factor is crucial, have been crowned with success.
Typically, about 15 years can elapse between laboratory research and delivery of therapy to patients. Overall, IRICoR’s objective is to accelerate this process while ensuring that research programs are conducted rigorously, while minimizing risks. From selecting the most innovative university projects to making them available to patients, via public and private funding, the organization has set up a modus operandi that intervenes at all stages of the maturation process.
This success is due not only to the caliber of pan-Canadian research supported by IRICoR, but also to an ecosystem of varied expertise that approaches each project in a concerted manner. It is this rapprochement between, on the one hand, high-level scientists specializing in cutting-edge research, the development of therapies and drug discovery and, on the other hand, experts in project management, financing, venture capital, business development and IP – a sector of prime importance – which propels Canadian innovations to the local and international market.
The many facets of intellectual property
The creation and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, which took place at breakneck speed, demonstrated the importance of supporting and propelling scientific innovation with a foolproof business model. A key factor, which too often goes unmentioned in the successful valorization of a new therapeutic approach, is the management of IP. Indeed, this highly complex field, with legal, commercial and scientific ramifications, has a direct effect on the deployment of therapies. Not only at the end of the process, as one might think, but from the selection and throughout the development of the most promising projects.
This is where the intellectual property team at IRICoR comes in, headed by Jean-Louis Brochu, M. Sc. The expert in international panoramic research and strategies relating to pharmaceutical patents has acquired over the years a extensive experience in this highly specialized field, in particular by spending ten years with generic pharmaceutical companies.
“An international patent which is settled all of a sudden does not exist. If you really want to protect a pharmaceutical product, you have to establish a patent strategy and file an application in each of the targeted territories, which all have their own regulations. It doesn’t stop with a single patent family either, because IP generation is perpetual. explains Jean-Louis Brochu, whose job is to protect scientific innovations to optimize their performance and deployment. The chemist by training also considers that his time in the generic drug sector is useful for him to navigate in this complex universe and thwart certain pitfalls. “Having worked on the opposite side of innovation and negotiating with dozens of countries has given me an understanding of how a patent can be circumvented or invalidated, and also allowed me to grasp the issue of regulatory exclusivity, a protection system parallel to that of patents. »
A development and financing tool
Jean-Louis Brochu affirms that a good preliminary analysis in IP is essential to be able to justify expenses in drug development, and this, well before embarking on the path of financing. “When scientists benefit from certain research funds, IP expenses are unfortunately not always eligible, even though it is essential – and IRICoR precisely fills this gap. We must be able to demonstrate to biopharmaceutical companies and venture capitalists that a product has strong development potential. Several billion dollars are needed to develop a drug that will end up behind pharmacy counters all over the world. You have to be able to offer optimal exclusivity potential for funded projects so that they become both therapeutic and commercial successes. »
The key word: exclusivity. This is why IRICoR constantly monitors the international market by evaluating portfolios, country by country. “A Canadian patent is not enough, because the market is unfortunately too small to justify the costs of clinical studies for a therapy,” emphasizes Jean-Louis Brochu. Hence the importance of implementing a patent strategy to obtain extended coverage in several territories. »
He adds that IRICoR can also direct the chemistry of a molecule known in the public domain – which is therefore not patentable – towards the creation of new patentable chemical entities.
Increasingly complex challenges
Originally, the IRICoR team exclusively supported research projects at IRIC and the University of Montreal. But because of the cumulative successes and its agile work structure, IRICoR benefits from government grants and public and private funds that allow it to expand its reach across Canada. In addition, the organization has established some thirty strategic partnerships with major international pharmaceutical companies.
This expansion is beneficial, because the use of a vast pool of highly specialized expertise has become essential in medical research. “Science has become considerably more complex over the past ten years, and we are no longer talking only about molecules, but also about biological products, gene therapies, cell therapies, which we are also developing with the support of intelligence artificial, explains Jean-Louis Brochu. IRICoR can count on the vast network of scientists at the Université de Montréal specializing in chemistry and biology, and also benefits from the expertise of consultants in various disciplines. We are joining forces to enable a Canadian product to be widely distributed to patients. In addition, we ensure that patents remain linked to their research institutions when we establish partnerships with international pharmaceutical companies. This is what guarantees a fair return to the institutions of origin and their researchers.
For information: iricor.ca
Two promising projects led by IRICoR
Presentation of IRICoR in video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e2x9hmNGpI
IRICoR’s mission is to facilitate and accelerate the transformation of research results into innovation for the benefit of patients. The organization stands out for its strategic support at all stages of drug development towards the commercialization of innovative therapeutic solutions.
This content was produced by Le Devoir’s special publications team in collaboration with the advertiser. Le Devoir’s editorial team had no role in the production of this content.
To find out more about IRICoR