CEO Message: New Funding, Industry Recognition, Research Breakthroughs & October Milestones
- Canurta
- Oct 31, 2024
- 3 min read
Message to Our Community – October 2024
To Our Canurta Community,
As we enter the final stretch of 2024, I want to pause and share not only where we stand but where we’re headed. The momentum behind Canurta is undeniable, and every one of you plays a vital role in this journey. Together, we’re not just growing a company; we’re building the future of biotechnology.
We’ve secured term sheet commitments totaling $2.25 million towards our $5 million goal. This isn’t just a number—it’s a milestone that underscores the confidence others have in our groundbreaking work. But there’s more to be done. I’m asking you to share our vision, introduce us to those who believe in reshaping healthcare, and stand beside us as we move forward.
Our vision is gaining traction at the perfect time. The recent moves by banks to lower interest rates are creating a ripe environment for innovation and investment. Furthermore, the upcoming U.S. election has the potential to reshape our sector, and Canurta is strategically positioned to leverage any favorable shifts in biotech and cannabis policy. This isn’t just a moment in time; it’s a window of opportunity that we intend to seize fully.
We’re also pursuing non-dilutive government funding to fuel our progress without compromise. This is more than financial support—it’s validation from industry and government leaders who recognize the transformative power of our research. Each grant application represents another step toward redefining health outcomes and fulfilling our mission.
Through every challenge, our guiding principle remains clear: “Fortune favors the resilient.” Biotech is not for the faint-hearted, and Canurta is a testament to resilience and purpose-driven innovation. As I look at the chart below, which has long inspired me, I see a reminder of how close many great biotech companies once were to failure before achieving billion-dollar successes. Canurta is on that same path, and with your unwavering support, we will make that vision a reality.
This journey is bigger than any one of us. Thank you for being part of it. Together, we’re turning resilience into results, challenges into catalysts, and vision into victory.
Onward,
Akeem Gardner
CEO & Founder, Canurta Therapeutics
Pitching at the Accelerating Clinical Trials Canada Consortium
On October 9-10, Canurta Therapeutics' CEO, Akeem Gardner, presented at the Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) Canada Consortium, an event bringing together leaders in biotechnology, research, and key stakeholders to accelerate high-impact clinical trials.
Akeem’s presentation focused on our lead botanical therapeutic, CNR-401, developed to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He detailed the anti-inflammatory potential of cannflavins, the active compounds in CNR-401, and their unique properties in addressing neuroinflammation.
University of Alberta Collaboration Leads to New Study on Cannabistilbene I
We are pleased to announce that our recent collaboration with the University of Alberta has resulted in a published study on the potential of Cannabistilbene I in addressing Angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy. The research highlights how Cannabistilbene I modulates key enzymes and arachidonic acid metabolites, presenting a promising approach to managing cardiac hypertrophy.
Innovator Selection for the Creative Destruction Lab Program
Canurta has been chosen as one of four arthritis-focused companies to participate in the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) program, in partnership with Arthritis Society Canada. This collaboration marks a key opportunity for collaborative development and research in arthritis and inflammatory disease areas.
Stay tuned for updates on our progress and key milestones.
Recognized as a 2024 NPC Game Changer
We are honored to be named one of Natural Products Canada’s (NPC) Game Changers for 2024. This recognition celebrates Canadian companies at the forefront of innovation in natural products, driving meaningful impacts on the health of people, animals, and the planet.
Canurta's October Milestones
Research and Development
Canurta’s research and development team is concluding its experimental project focused on optimizing the extraction of cannflavins from industrial hemp. This aimed to improve purity and yield using a membrane filtration process.
Bioinformatics
Canurta's bioinformatics team has made significant progress in developing a robust chromatographic fingerprinting process that enhances its quality control measures, ensuring consistent quality across all product batches. This method sets a higher standard for batch-to-batch consistency, essential for maintaining product quality.
Additionally, the team is advancing in identifying potential ALS biomarkers by analyzing RNASeq data from the TargetALS Postmortem Tissue Core, focusing on critical biological signatures. Upcoming phases will refine and validate these findings across multiple datasets, enhancing accuracy and facilitating clinical application.
