NEWS
October 14, 2009
IRIC awarded $8.72 million from the Canadian and Québec governments for the construction and the development of a medicinal chemistry facility
The Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal is pleased to announce that it has received $8.72 million for the construction and the development of a medicinal chemistry core facility. The grant falls within the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, an initiative of the Ministère du Développement Économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation and Industry Canada to renew Canada's college and university infrastructure.
A crucial stage of drug discovery, medicinal chemistry enables the design of new biologically active molecules and the optimization of their therapeutic properties. These new molecules can then serve as pharmacological tools to dissect the biological processes at the origin of diseases such as cancer, and thereby offer candidate molecules for the development of new drugs in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry.
In February 2008, IRIC, the University Research Group on Drug Discovery (GRUM) of the Université de Montréal and the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre combined their expertise to create the first university-based drug discovery unit in North America. Bringing together 75 teams and over 800 researchers, the goal of this chain is to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative drugs.
"The medicinal chemistry core facility completes this group of active forces in drug discovery research at the Université de Montréal. The investment by the Ministère du Développement Économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation and Industry Canada plays a determining role in the integration of highly qualified scientists therefore allowing us to convert our discoveries more efficiently into clinical applications for the benefit of all cancer patients,” explains Dr. Guy Sauvageau, Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director of IRIC.
The medicinal chemistry core facility, which will occupy a large part of the fourth floor of the Marcelle-Coutu Pavillion where IRIC is located, will bring together 30 scientists in biology and chemistry. The funding received will finance the development of an effective research environment with cutting-edge laboratories and equipment, including high performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chromatographic purification systems.
About the Knowledge Infrastructure Program
The agreement signed by the Canadian and Québec governments is part of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a $2 billion dollar, two-year initiative that aims to enhance infrastructure in colleges and universities and stimulate the economy. The projects include new buildings and active maintenance, renovation, repairs, and maintenance.
For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure.
To follow the progress of the Québec Infrastructure Program, visit www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.
Information
Carolyne Lord
Media Relations Officer
IRIC | Université de Montréal
514.343.7282
carolyne.lord@umontreal.ca
<< Back to News
