Groundbreaking Support from Brain Canada Opens a World of Possibilities
Left to right: Dr. Martin Sauvageau, Researcher at the IRCM; Dr. Frederic Charron, Researcher at the IRCM; Dr. Jean-François Côté, President and Scientific Director and Researcher at the IRCM; Dr. Nadia Dubé, Vice-President, Development and Administration at the IRCM; Dr. Vivianne Poupon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brain Canada; Dr. Jean-François Trempe, Researcher at the Neuro, McGill; Dr Reza Sharif, Researcher at the Neuro, McGill.
The Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) is proud to announce major support from the Brain Canada Foundation 2025 Platform Support Grants program to establish PRIME-RNA, an innovative platform dedicated to advancing RNA-based therapies for brain diseases. This constitutes an important step toward the creation of tomorrow life-saving therapies based on cutting-edge groundbreaking science.
Led by Dr. Frédéric Charron, in close collaboration with Dr. Martin Sauvageau and a multidisciplinary team of leading scientists, PRIME-RNA represents a significant step forward in Canada’s capacity to translate cutting-edge discoveries into meaningful health solutions.
This initiative is supported by a total investment of $1,325,000, including $662,500 from Brain Canada, with additional funding from the IRCM and its Foundation.
“We are so grateful to see the tireless work of our IRCM RNA scientists be thus recognized and given new wings to produce precious therapies which will later cure diseases that are currently still deadly or gravely incapacitating,” rejoiced Dr. Jean-François Côté, President and Scientific Director of the IRCM.
A First-of-Its-Kind Platform to Accelerate RNA therapeutics
PRIME-RNA (Preclinical Research for In Vivo Modeling and Evaluation of RNA Therapeutics) is a unique, integrated preclinical platform that enables researchers to rigorously test RNA-based medicines in living systems before they reach clinical trials.
The IRCM RNA Therapeutics biomanufacturing core facility, which is part of Quebec’s Network of RNA Therapeutics (DePTAQ), already offers RNA therapeutics design and synthesis for ASO, siRNA, and mRNA-LNPs. The newly funded PRIME-RNA platform will now bring in vivo validation of these therapeutics, including biodistribution as well as pharmacodynamic and kinetic studies, all within a single infrastructure, creating a complete discovery-to-therapy pipeline—a capability that is currently rare in Canada and internationally.
The platform will allow researchers to:
- Evaluate how RNA therapies are delivered
- Confirm whether they effectively target disease mechanisms
- Assess their safety and efficacy in robust preclinical models
This approach significantly reduces barriers, timelines, and costs associated with developing novel therapies, while increasing the likelihood of clinical success.
Transforming Possibilities for Population Health
While still relatively unknown to the public, RNA-based therapies are already reshaping the treatment landscape for serious neurological conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy and ALS. Yet, major unmet needs remain, particularly in brain cancers and complex neurological disorders.
PRIME-RNA is designed to directly address these challenges by accelerating the development of new therapeutic options for patients who currently have limited or no effective treatments.
By enabling faster and more reliable translation of discoveries into therapies, the platform has the potential to:
- Improve outcomes for patients living with brain diseases
- Expand access to innovative treatments
- Strengthen prevention and intervention strategies over time
Beyond individual breakthroughs, PRIME-RNA contributes to a broader vision of population health impact, where innovation leads to better care, earlier intervention, and more efficient healthcare systems.
A Catalyst for Collaboration and Innovation in Canada
Built on the expertise of the IRCM’s RNA Therapeutics biomanufacturing core facility and integrated within the Sidney-Altman RNA Therapeutics Hub, PRIME-RNA will serve as a shared resource open to academic, clinical, and industry partners across Quebec and Canada.
This accessibility is key to fostering collaboration and ensuring that innovation remains within Canada, strengthening national leadership in a rapidly evolving field.
The platform will also play a critical role in training the next generation of scientists, contributing to the growth of highly specialized expertise in RNA therapeutics.
Acknowledgments
IRCM warmly thanks the Brain Canada Foundation for its leadership and vision in supporting ambitious, collaborative research infrastructure that brings science closer to patients.
The Institute also wishes to recognize the essential contribution of the IRCM Foundation, whose philanthropic support makes it possible to accelerate innovation and bring transformative initiatives like PRIME-RNA to life.
The team thanks everyone who contributed to this initiative, directly or indirectly, and congratulates the other recipients of Brain Canada grants.
