Minister Fontana Announces Support for Development of Anti-inflammatory therapies

LONDON, Ontario | October 12, 2005

The Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today announced a $4.9-million investment in the development of novel drug platforms to treat serious inflammatory-based diseases.

Viron Therapeutics Inc., based in London , Ontario , is the recipient of this Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) investment. The investment is part of a broader $16.5-million program being undertaken by Viron to develop novel anti-inflammatory drugs and will enable the company to develop two key compounds to treat acute coronary syndromes, rheumatoid arthritis, and organ failure in transplant patients.

“The Government of Canada understands the need to support researchers as they forge ahead toward ground-breaking discoveries,” said Minister Emerson. “This project promises a range of benefits — the most poignant of which is the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life and health of so many Canadians.”

“This project is a perfect example of the benefits of innovation for Canadians,” added Minister Fontana. “From improving the health of Canadians and our health care system, to creating high quality jobs and boosting our economy, innovative R&D is vital to our way of life.”

Viron is a leader in the development of viral proteins to treat inflammation and has developed a group of compounds that have shown remarkable progress in being able to inhibit or interfere with abnormal inflammatory responses that cause disease. Viron's lead compound has just entered Phase 2 clinical trials to treat patients suffering from heart disease.

“We value this investment as it brings us much closer to being able to more effectively treat such debilitating diseases as heart attack and arthritis,” said Neil K. Warma, President and CEO of Viron Therapeutics Inc. “By treating the underlying inflammation that is the cause of many of these conditions, these potent anti-inflammatories could change how we treat many diseases.”

Advancement of Viron's viral protein technology could have a major positive impact on the Canadian health care system by reducing both the direct and indirect costs associated with hospitalization, rehabilitation, short- and long-term disability, and death. More importantly, it could dramatically improve the lives of patients with diseases that are currently inadequately treated by existing medications.

Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) is a key instrument for advancing research and development toward commercialization. Working in partnership with innovative companies across Canada , TPC shares in the cost of private sector technology projects in aerospace and defence, in environmental technologies, and in enabling technologies such as information and communications technologies, and biotechnology.

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