Engineering of Stable Cell Lines Expressing TRPV Cation Channel Proteins

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Soricimed Biopharma, Inc. is a Sackville/Moncton, New Brunswick based company developingbiopharmaceutical compounds based on soricidin, a paralytic protein found in the saliva of the NorthernShort-tailed Shrew. SOR-C13, the company's lead compound, is a synthetic, 13-mer peptide whose therapeuticactivity is based on its interaction with a calcium channel, TRPV6, whose expression is elevated in certain celltypes (e.g. cancer cells). Also, derivatives of SOR-C13 (C-peptides) can be used as vehicles to deliver otherdrugs directly into TRPV6-bearing cells. Optimization of this drug delivery platform is hampered by thecurrent lack of a significant in-house tool; a stable cell line overexpressing the TRPV6 channel. Under thisEngage Grant, Dr. Weaver's lab will develop this cell line, allowing Soricimed to determine what properties ofthe C-peptide derivatives improve their interaction with TRPV channels and hence their ability to target andenter cells bearing these channels. This gained knowledge would in turn lead to expansion of the company'sproduct line with new and improved therapeutic C-peptides, and novel C-peptide/drug conjugates targetingspecific cell types. Broadening and solidifying the company's pipeline with such products will lead topartnerships with larger biopharma companies and expand Soricimed's drug marketability.