Vancouver, July 8, 2021– Andira Pharmaceuticals (“Andira”) has been awarded two consecutive Mitacs Accelerate Internship grants to advance anti-infective R&D within the Prof. Charles Thompson Laboratory at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Both Mitacs grants directly support Dr. Claudia Dietrich, a UBC research scientist, who will play an instrumental role in Andira’s plan to optimize topically applied anti-infective agents for the prevention and treatment of skin infection, including those caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
“Andira’s research program was peer reviewed by leading scientists in the field across Canada and awarded two Accelerate grants by Mitacs. We are grateful for the financial support and the opportunity to advance urgently-needed anti-infectives into our healthcare system” states Dr. Dana Lambert, Andira President & CEO.
Conventional anti-infective wound care products have historically failed to reliably prevent & treat wound infections within healthcare settings. The growing problem of drug resistance further compromises infection control measures. Based on a patent-pending synergistic formula, Andira’s cannabinoid-based wound care agent rapidly eradicates methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as well as a broad spectrum of other disease-causing bacteria commonly involved in skin & soft tissue infection.
“There remains a clearly stated need among healthcare providers for stronger, rapid-acting agents to ensure efficacy and curb drug resistance,” states Dr. Lambert. “Andira’s wound care agent not only addresses these needs, the product is a patient-friendly extended-release hydrogel designed for ease of use within hospitals and home care settings. These factors — along with low cost of goods — makes this an attractive opportunity for the company. We look forward to providing updates as they become available.”
About Andira Pharmaceuticals
Andira Pharmaceuticals is a science-driven company focused on translating in-depth research into effective healthcare solutions for patients. Andira has significantly advanced the frontiers of knowledge on the pharmacotherapeutic properties of cannabinoids and built an extensive intellectual property portfolio to support its pharmaceutical development programs.
About Mitacs
Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit organization that has designed and delivered research and training programs in Canada for 20 years. Working with 70 universities, 6,000 companies, and both federal and provincial governments, it builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada.
Mitacs was founded in 1999 as a Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence, dedicated to supporting applied and industrial research in mathematical sciences and associated disciplines. Mitacs is committed to its core vision of supporting research-based innovation and continues to work closely with its partners in industry, academia, and government.
For further information, please visit our website: www.andira.ca or contact info@andira.ca.
Media Relations:
Nishi Whiteley
Director of Communications
Andira Pharmaceuticals
+1-512-658-3836
nwhiteley@andira.ca
