UBC researchers awarded more than $6.5 million from Brain Canada to advance neuroscience research Français
VANCOUVER, BC, June 13, 2025 /CNW/ - UBC Faculty of Medicine researchers have been awarded more than $6.5 million from Brain Canada's Platform Support Grants program to support two pioneering neuroscience research platforms. The funding will help accelerate discovery and foster open science, positioning Canada at the forefront of global brain and spine health innovation.
The two newly funded platforms are:
International Spinal Cord Injury Biobank (ISCIB): Promoting Global Spinal Cord Injury Research Through Human Biobanking, led by Dr. Brian Kwon, which will expand access to vital human biological samples for spinal cord injury research, enabling researchers worldwide to advance treatments and improve outcomes for patients.
Total Grant Awarded: $1,866,750
The University of British Columbia Genes, Cells and Circuits (UBC-GC2) Platform for Next-Generation Multiscale Brain Research, led by Dr. Mark Cembrowski, which will integrate state-of-the-art technologies to map brain function and connectivity from molecules to entire circuits, unlocking insights into complex brain disorders.
Total Grant Awarded: $4,845,000
"This platform represents a critical step toward advancing spinal cord injury research globally," said Dr. Brian Kwon, a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and the Director of ICORD. "By providing access to high-quality human biosamples, we're enabling researchers worldwide to develop and test new treatments that could dramatically improve quality of life for patients."
"With the UBC-GC2 platform, we're bridging the gap between molecular biology and systems neuroscience," said Dr. Mark Cembrowski, an Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences. "By integrating cutting-edge technologies, we'll be able to study brain function at an unprecedented scale and resolution. This will not only advance our understanding of brain disorders but also open new avenues for treatments."
These platforms exemplify UBC's commitment to advancing neuroscience and fostering collaboration within and beyond Canada's borders.
"The UBC neuroscience community is grateful for Brain Canada's continued support," said Dr. Lynn Raymond, Co-Director of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at UBC. "These investments will strengthen our capacity to deliver world-class research and transform brain health for people across the lifespan."
Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada, emphasized the importance of these initiatives: "By supporting these cutting-edge platforms, Brain Canada is building the infrastructure that will accelerate brain and spinal cord research and foster open science collaboration. We're proud to partner with UBC to drive innovations that will impact millions of lives."
These two platforms are part of Brain Canada's broader Platform Support Grants (PSG) initiative, which has already invested in numerous projects across Canada to empower researchers with shared tools, data resources, and collaborative opportunities. The full list of funded platforms will be unveiled later this month.
Brain Canada is contributing over $18 million in this year's PSG program through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), funded by Health Canada, as well as matching donations from sponsors for a total investment of $36.8 million. By enabling access to cutting-edge tools and specialized skills beyond the reach of individual researchers, the PSG program plays a vital role in strengthening the research landscape.
"Research and innovation are essential to unlocking new treatments, improving recovery, and enhancing quality of life for people affected by brain health issues and injuries," said the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health. "Through the Canada Brain Research Fund, the Government of Canada is very pleased to support these new neuroscience research platforms, which bring together experts from different fields, integrate cutting-edge technologies and focus on improving patient outcomes."
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BEIJING and BRIDGEWATER, N.J., June 21, 2025 /CNW/ -- Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals (Gan & Lee, stock code: announced that the company presented multiple Phase 2 clinical study results of ultra-long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) bofanglutide (research code: GZR18) injection and once-weekly basal insulin analog GZR4 injection during a poster presentation at the American Diabetes Association (ADA)'s 85th Scientific Sessions. Bofanglutide injection and GZR4 injection are investigational drugs that have not yet been launched in any country. Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals does not recommend the use of any unapproved drugs/indications. 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After 24 weeks of treatment, the mean reductions in HbA1c from baseline were 1.87%, 2.28%, and 1.94% in the bofanglutide groups at 12 mg, 18 mg, and 24 mg Q2W, respectively, and -2.32% in the 24 mg QW group. All these treatment regimens showed greater HbA1c reductions compared to the semaglutide group (-1.60%), with the 18 mg Q2W and 24 mg QW bofanglutide groups demonstrating statistically significant superiority (p<0.001) *. Among drug-naïve patients with inadequate glycemic control despite lifestyle interventions, the 18 mg Q2W bofanglutide group achieved a mean HbA1c reduction of 2.98%, which was significantly greater than that observed with semaglutide (-2.04%; p<0.001)*. The proportions of patients achieving HbA1c target of <7.0% were 63.0% to 73.6% in the Q2W bofanglutide group, 75.0% in the QW bofanglutide group, and 70.0% in the semaglutide group. For the HbA1c ≤6.5% target, the corresponding proportions were 58.2% to 67.9%, 69.2%, and 62.0%, respectively. 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No severe hypoglycemic events or investigational product-related serious adverse events were reported during the study. * The clinical data were presented as mean (SE) value. The detailed results of the above Phase 2 clinical study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusion and Future Direction The latest clinical results presented at this year's ADA conference highlight Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals' leading position in the development of long-acting antidiabetic therapies. Building on these positive outcomes, the company will continue to advance the research and development of innovative treatments for diabetes. Currently, Gan & Lee has initiated and is accelerating large-scale Phase 3 clinical programs in China for bofanglutide injection and GZR4 injections for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, aiming to provide more effective treatment options for patients with diabetes. Forward-looking statements Forward-looking statements are based on our expectations and assumptions as of the date of the statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, and we can give no assurance that such results will be achieved in the future. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. About Gan & Lee Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals developed the first Chinese domestic insulin analog. Currently, Gan & Lee has six core insulin products, including five insulin analog varieties: long-acting glargine injection (Basalin ®), fast-acting lispro injection (Prandilin™), fast-acting aspart injection (Rapilin ®), mixed protamine zinc lispro injection (25R) (Prandilin™25), aspart 30 injection (Rapilin ® 30), and one human insulin injection - mixed protamine human insulin injection (30R) (Similin ® 30). The company has two approved medical devices in China, namely reusable insulin injection pen (GanleePen), and disposable pen needle (GanleeFine ®). In China's 2024 National Insulin-Specific Centralized Procurement, Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals ranked first among all selected companies in terms of procurement demand for insulin analogs. The company is also making strides in international markets, with the disposable pen needle (GanleeFine ®) approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 and received GMP inspection approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2024. These achievements significantly boost Gan & Lee's competitiveness in both international and domestic markets. In the future, Gan & Lee will strive for comprehensive coverage in diabetes treatment. Moving forward with its mission to become a world-class pharmaceutical company, Gan & Lee will also actively develop new chemical entities and biological drugs, focusing on treatments for metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and other therapeutic areas.
