How much funding can be received?

Fee-for-service facility that enables clients to validate their biologics and vaccine design approaches and obtain a clear picture of the preclinical safety and efficacy of their products.

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- Validation of therapeutic targets and biomarkers for cancer, infectious, inflammatory, and central nervous system (CNS) diseases - Evaluation of biomarker/target expression, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and brain penetration of biologics in cell, tissue, and animal models - Vaccine uptake and distribution studies; evaluation of formulations for induction of immune response; response validation (antibody, cell-mediated, immune memory, functional assays) - Efficacy studies in challenge models for both infectious disease and cancer vaccines - Animal model development - Development of novel molecular imaging tools including nanocarriers and contrast agents; design of multi-modal targeting moieties on antibodies, peptides, and other proteins - Development of methodologies for cell, tissue, and whole-body imaging in small animals; guidance in the choice of imaging modality and combination of imaging modalities to provide enriched datasets

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$150,000

Evaluation of the efficacy of a new malaria vaccine using animal models

$100,000

Developing animal models to test the efficacy of a new brain cancer vaccine

$200,000

Developing novel molecular imaging tools for better visualization of brain tumors

$180,000

Development of novel imaging tools for tracking nanocarrier drug delivery

$120,000

Evaluating the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a new arthritis biologic

$200,000

Validation of new biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease

grant_single_labels|admissibility

I apologize, but it seems that the actual question is missing. Could you please provide the specific question regarding the eligibility criteria for the grant?

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This grant is open to biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies seeking to validate their biologics and vaccines through preclinical studies, leveraging NRC's specialized expertise and advanced facilities. Eligible applicants include organizations involved in therapeutic targets and biomarker validation for various diseases, biologics evaluation, and vaccine development.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The NRC's grant supports projects aimed at advancing the evaluation and development of biologics and vaccines, leveraging extensive expertise and state-of-the-art facilities. Eligible projects span various activities crucial for the preclinical safety and efficacy assessment of therapeutic interventions.

Validation of therapeutic targets and biomarkers for various diseases including cancer, infectious, inflammatory, and CNS diseases.
Evaluation of biomarker/target expression, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.
Studies on vaccine uptake, distribution, and immune response validation.
Efficacy studies in challenge models for both infectious disease and cancer vaccines.
Development of animal models for preclinical studies.
Creation of novel molecular imaging tools and methodologies for small animal imaging.
Comprehensive imaging support using advanced optical and hyperspectral systems.

grant_single_labels|criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria include:

Validation of therapeutic targets and biomarkers for specific diseases
Evaluation of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and brain penetration of biologics
Assessment of vaccine uptake, distribution, and immune response induction
Efficacy studies in challenge models for infectious disease and cancer vaccines
Development of novel molecular imaging tools and methodologies

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Contact Shawn Makinen or Maria Moreno to express interest and discuss project details
Step 2: Provide necessary documentation and project information for review
Step 3: Work with NRC's preclinical in vivo specialists to finalize project scope and objectives
Step 4: Review and agree on project timelines, deliverables, and budget
Step 5: Collaborate with the NRC's team throughout the project duration

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

- The NRC's preclinical in vivo facility provides expertise in cancer, infectious, inflammatory, and CNS diseases. - Evaluation includes biomarker/target expression, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and brain penetration of biologics in various models. - Vaccine studies cover uptake, distribution, immune response induction, and efficacy in challenge models. - Animal model development and customization are available. - The facility offers state-of-the-art imaging tools, from optical to microCT and mass spectrometry. - Experienced in working with various animal species and specialized surgical procedures. - Behavioral testing capabilities include maze tests. - Access to a range of imaging systems and microscopy platforms for detailed analysis. - The team at the facility has over 25 years of experience and can help with IND applications. - Good Animal Practice certification and ethical review processes are in place. - The location of the facility is in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

grant_single_labels|documents

NRC — Preclinical in vivo facility

Apply to this program

Unlocking Biologics and Vaccine Innovation with NRC's Preclinical Facility

The National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) preclinical in vivo facility offers a robust platform for biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies to advance the development and validation of biologics and vaccines. Through state-of-the-art equipment and decades of expertise, the facility aids in evaluating therapeutic targets, biomarkers, and overall vaccine efficacy, ensuring products meet the necessary preclinical safety and efficacy milestones.

Comprehensive Overview of NRC’s Preclinical In Vivo Facilities

The NRC's preclinical in vivo facility stands as a pillar of innovation and support for biotechnological advancements in the fields of vaccine and biologic development. Nestled at the Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, this facility derives its strength from a multidisciplinary approach, integrating cutting-edge expertise in cell and molecular biology, chemistry, nanotechnology, computer sciences, and imaging technologies. This comprehensive amalgamation of competencies positions the NRC as a leader in the preclinical evaluation sector, enhancing research and development processes for its clients.

Among its pivotal functions, the facility excels in the validation of therapeutic targets and biomarkers across a spectrum of diseases—ranging from cancer to infectious, inflammatory, and central nervous system afflictions. These evaluations extend into cellular, tissue, and animal models, capturing essential data on biomarker expression, as well as the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of biologics. Such thorough investigations enable biotechnology companies to precisely tailor their therapeutic strategies, leading to more innovative and effective treatment options.

Equipped with world-class imaging systems, the NRC facility facilitates thorough vaccine uptake and distribution studies. This precision is mirrored in its studies on immune response induction, validating both antibody and cell-mediated responses to vaccine candidates. Efficacy studies are conducted in various challenge models that mimic infectious diseases and cancers, allowing for rigorous testing of candidate vaccines' protective capabilities before they transition into human trials. The robust methodologies developed for cell, tissue, and whole-body imaging further broaden the scope of data acquisition. This includes the use of novel molecular imaging techniques and the design of multi-modal targeting agents, which enhance antibody, peptide, and protein-based interventions.

The facility's animal resource capabilities are bolstered by its Good Animal Practice® (GAP) Certification from the Canadian Council on Animal Care, supported by an on-site Animal Care Committee. This ensures adherence to the highest ethical standards in animal research, with a full-time veterinarian and a team of certified veterinary technologists providing comprehensive surgical, clinical, and postmortem services. Notably, the facility is adept at handling rodents, with specific expertise in managing immunocompromised mice, and offers sophisticated surgical procedures including minipump implants, catheterizations, and intracerebral injections.

A diverse range of sophisticated imaging systems powers the facility’s research prowess. These include advanced optical imaging systems like the eXplore Optix MX3 and the IVIS Lumina III, both of which deliver high-resolution fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging. The inclusion of the IR VIVO™ system extends these capabilities into the short-wave infrared range, while the eXplore Locus microCT offers micro computed tomography for detailed structural analysis. Cutting-edge microscopy, like the Olympus BX50 stereology microscope and the FV1000 confocal laser scanning microscope, aids in producing high-quality 3D imaging, which is essential for unraveling complex biological interactions.

The NRC facility's role extends beyond technological support, fostering strategic partnerships that empower biotechnology enterprises to refine their medical products and navigate the intricacies of the Investigational New Drug (IND) application process. As evidenced by testimonials like those from VBI Vaccines, the NRC’s contribution significantly escalates the pace and precision of vaccine development processes, driving forward innovations that have tangible real-world impacts. These collaborative efforts are instrumental in bridging the gap between laboratory research and clinical success, proving critical to addressing global health challenges and advancing public health safety.