First Set of Funding from Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Research Fund Distributed
Three Alberta-based diabetes research projects received important financial support, after a successful first call for Letters of Intent from the recently announced Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Research Fund.
The Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Research Fund is a $600,000 partnership that is funded between Janssen Inc. in Canada (part of the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson), the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Diabetes Foundation. The three year competitive fund, administered by the University of Alberta's Alberta Diabetes Institute, supports research in either Type I or Type II diabetes with a focus on novel, discovery research with a high potential for commercialization.
"Alberta's long-term commitment to diabetes research has resulted in better quality of life for people living with the disease," said Don Scott, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education. "This collaboratively-supported research fund will help move promising, Alberta-made, discoveries into health care systems and the marketplace faster where they can help diabetes patients worldwide."
"The Alberta Diabetes Foundation is thrilled to be co-funding three very innovative and very different initiatives with Janssen and the Government of Alberta," said Brad Fournier, Executive Director, Alberta Diabetes Foundation. "This research could have measurable impact on how Albertans and patients beyond our province manage and treat their diabetes."
"We are delighted to announce the three successful projects that will be supported through this innovative research fund," said Dr. Peter Light, Director of the Alberta Diabetes Institute. "This fund represents a unique partnership between Janssen, the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Diabetes Foundation that is squarely aimed at transforming great ideas into real world solutions for people living with diabetes."
Through the collaboration, the Alberta Diabetes Institute and technical experts from Johnson & Johnson Innovation California, jointly identified several high-potential opportunities from medical researchers across Alberta. The selected finalists are:
- Cuff-Based Electronic Mosquito
Principal Investigator: Dr. Martin Mintchev; Co-Applicant: Dr. Orly Yadid-Pecht
The electronic mosquito is an innovative device that automatically extracts and analyzes glucose in whole blood samples in a painless and minimally-invasive way. Their project will advance this technology.
- Molecular mechanism of Type II diabetes
Principal Investigator: Dr. Patrick MacDonald
Dr. MacDonald and his collaborators Drs. Gloyn and McCarthy in Oxford, have identified a gene contributing to an increased risk of Type II diabetes (T2D). His project will determine if this mechanism may be exploited to find therapies to treat T2D.
- Novel Therapy for Diabetic Nephropathy
Principal Investigator: Dr. Gavin Oudit; Co- Applicant: Dr. Allan Murray
Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease but has limited therapy. Dr. Oudit has identified a novel pathway and will investigate how this target might be used to find therapies to treat diabetic nephropathy.
Second call for Letters of Intent
The second call for Letters of Intent is currently open - visit the Letter of Intent Guidelines for more information.
This call for Letters of Intent closes on April 2, 2015.
Over nine million Canadians currently live with either pre-diabetes or Type I or Type II diabetes. This private-public partnership fund will accelerate the development and validation of healthcare technologies within Alberta which is known for life-changing research in the causes, prevention, treatment and management of diabetes.