Today, we are pleased to announce the launch of TCRyption Inc., a new UHN spin-off biotechnology company aiming to significantly advance cell-based cancer therapy to create more options for patients.
Founded based on the groundbreaking T-cell immunotherapy technologies created by Dr. Naoto Hirano, Senior Scientist and Associate Director of Research for the Tumor Immunotherapy Program at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, TCRyption’s T-cell receptor identification platforms and the resulting T-cell therapy clinical candidates are poised to expand treatment options for patients with varied types of cancers that have historically been difficult to treat.
“We are very pleased to announce the launch of TCRyption today; such innovative biotech partners embrace the power of immunity to fight cancer but also recognize that many current TCR-based applications will benefit only some patients. Our methodology at TCRyption allows us to bolster precision medicine for all patients and is an important part of helping us move forward together in our common goal to conquer cancer,” says Dr. Naoto Hirano.
With early support from Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation's Innovation Acceleration Fund for developing the technology, company creation activities were led by UHN’s Technology Development and Commercialization team (TDC) and TIO Bioventures with an initial US$10M first financing to move the innovations to true patient impact.
“We are thrilled to have TCRyption launched with the core facilities located right here in Toronto with some of the biggest names and pioneers in cancer immunology as part of the team” says Mark Taylor, Director of UHN’s TDC. “Adding another name to the growing list of substantially-launched biotech companies from Toronto’s ecosystem makes me proud to see we are making a difference to patient’s lives with both world-class science and commercialization.”
This story first appeared on UHN News.