Centre for Drug Research and Development

Advances in the high through-put genome sequencing, informatics and proteomics technologies have increased the speed with which researchers are identifying new proteins and compounds that hold promise for the development of new drugs for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases and other acute and chronic health problems. This drug development and commercialization platform provides a structure and process for moving these early stage discoveries out of the laboratory and into commercial development, contributing to economic development and helping to bring much needed pharmaceuticals products into use faster.

Co-Leaders:

  • Pieter Cullis
    University of British Columbia
  • Natalie Dakers
    University of British Columbia
  • Bob Hancock
    University of British Columbia

Funding completed December 31, 2012

Advances in the high through-put genome sequencing, informatics and proteomics technologies have increased the speed with which researchers are identifying new proteins and compounds that hold promise for the development of new drugs for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases and other acute and chronic health problems. This drug development and commercialization platform provides a structure and process for moving these early stage discoveries out of the laboratory and into commercial development, contributing to economic development and helping to bring much needed pharmaceuticals products into use faster.

The platform has two entities: an academic wing called the Drug Research Institute, where researchers will advance promising new discoveries; and Drug Development Inc., a corporate arm that will choose and market discoveries that are the most likely to interest early stage investors, such as biotechnology or pharmaceutical firms.