Feb 17, 2015 – Alectos today announced its support as an industry partner in the new Canadian Glycomics Network (GlycoNet), unveiled this month by Minister of Health Rona Ambrose with a commitment of $27.3 million in federal funding over five years.

GlycoNet’s vision is to link academic, government and industry partners to deliver solutions to important health issues and improve quality of life of Canadians through glycomics. Glycomics, the study of the structure and function of carbohydrates (sugars) in biological systems, promises to deliver far-reaching solutions to human health problems such as influenza, genetic diseases and diabetes.

GlycoNet is one of five new health-related research networks to receive funding under the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program.

“The central involvement of SFU in this important initiative signals the great strength of glycomics research at the university,” says Ernest McEachern, CEO of Alectos Therapeutics, an SFU spin-out company and GlycoNet industrial partner.

“We are looking forward to actively participating in this network. We have been impressed by the progressive culture of engagement among SFU researchers and the forward looking stance of the university with regard to knowledge translation.”

Alectos is developing novel therapeutics for cancer and neurological disease and has partnered with leading pharmaceutical company Merck to advance its Alzheimer’s disease program.

For more information, see: here.