Genome Québec Supports a Research Team led by Dr. Éric Lécuyer to Develop a New Generation of Circular RNA–Based Therapies
The Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) is pleased to highlight the major financial support awarded by Genome Québec to a research team led by Dr. Éric Lécuyer, a principal investigator at the IRCM and expert in RNA biology. This initiative is conducted in collaboration with Dr. Sidong Huang and Dr. Mathieu Blanchette of McGill University, along with the industrial partner RNA Technologies & Therapeutics (RNA T&T).
The project, which is funded through a proof of concept program, aims to develop an innovative platform for the design of circular RNAs (circRNAs) capable of targeting RNA binding proteins involved in the progression of certain cancers, including breast cancer.
A Strategic and Highly Innovative Project
With a total of $400,000, the project will develop advanced technologies to identify and test circRNAs that can act as molecular “sponges”, neutralizing proteins essential to cancer cell survival.
“Such a grant reflects the community’s confidence in the strength of the innovative research conducted by the IRCM and its partners. It also underscores the power of multicentric collaborations between academic and industrial teams, capable of combining their expertise to bring forward promising therapies and carry them all the way to the patient’s bedside,” said Dr. Jean François Côté, President and Scientific Director of the IRCM.
Thanks to their closed loop structure, circular RNAs offer exceptional stability and significant therapeutic potential, representing a promising avenue for the next generation of anticancer treatments.
The program includes the creation of a circRNA library, a high throughput screening pipeline, functional validation of the most promising candidates, and the establishment of scientific and technological foundations for future patent applications. The partnership with RNA T&T, a Quebec based company specializing in the synthesis and formulation of therapeutic RNAs (and located within the IRCM), will accelerate the technological maturation and commercialization potential of this platform.
Strong Scientific Leadership
Dr. Éric Lécuyer, a molecular biologist and expert in RNA systems biology, has significantly advanced the understanding of RNA functions and RNA binding proteins in cellular regulation. His work is complemented by the expertise of Dr. Sidong Huang, a leading scientist in cancer functional genomics, and Dr. Mathieu Blanchette, a prominent researcher in bioinformatics and artificial intelligence applied to genomics. Together, their complementary strengths create an ideal environment for advancing a potentially transformative innovation in cancer therapeutics.
A Major Impact for Quebec
Beyond paving the way for new therapeutic strategies, this initiative will help strengthen Quebec’s ecosystem in emerging biotherapies, reinforce local industrial capacity in RNA technologies, and contribute to significant economic and societal benefits in the field of precision health.
The IRCM warmly congratulates Dr. Éric Lécuyer and his team for this achievement and thanks Genome Québec for its confidence in the excellence and innovation potential of research conducted at the IRCM and across Quebec.
