Joint Blood Research Project

Canadian bio-pharmaceutical company Hemosol Inc., of Etobicoke, Ontario, has Joined the Protein Engineering Network of Centres of Excellence (PENCE) in collaborative research aimed at modifying hemoglobin, a red blood cell protein, as a carrier for drugs, specifically targetting organs or tumors. According to Dr. Anthony Magnin, Hemosol's Vice-President, Scientific Operations, the partnership will play an important role in the company's move to expand beyond the area of blood substitutes. Hemosol's current technology is based on the purification and chemical manipulation of the blood related proteins involved in the field of oxygen transport. Founded in 1985, the company has made progress in the worldwide search for a commercially viable human blood substitute.

"PENCE's leading-edge research and expertise in protein structure, function and remodelling complements Hemosol's strong background in the pharmaceutical, chemical and medical areas," said Dr. Magnin. "We see a diverse range of products resulting from this collaboration, which is enabling us to find new applications for modified hemoglobin and new methods for accomplishing these modifications."

Hemosol is currently collaborating with PENCE scientist Dr. Ron Kluger, of the University of Toronto, and his team who have developed a novel approach to modifying hemoglobin as a potential carrier for drugs. Hemosol has also recruited Dr. Gordon Adamson, until recently a postdoctoral fellow carrying out investigative research for PENCE in Edmonton. "More and more people are alternating between working in academia and industry and the exchange benefits both sectors," noted Dr. Magnin.

PENCE links 200 outstanding scientists, research associates, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in a collaborative venture to study the structure and function of proteins and to design and produce novel proteins of potential economic benefit. Including its newest industrial partner, Hemosol, PENCE has established linkages with nine companies.

For more information please visit the PENCE Web site.