Marvel Biosciences has secured funding from Alberta Innovates, the organizations revealed this week.
Calgary-based Marvel is receiving non-dilutive funding through Alberta Innovates’ CarE market access program to support Phase I testing of its lead compound, MB-204.
Trading publicly as MRVL on the TSXV, Marvel is a drug discovery company developing novel therapeutics for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
The $600,000 AICE-funded project represents a contribution toward the overall cost of the Phase I clinical trial of MB-204, according to Marvel Biosciences chief executive officer Rod Matheson.
“On behalf of Marvel Biosciences, we are very grateful to Alberta Innovates for recognizing the importance and potential of MB-204 as a novel approach to treating autism spectrum disorders and related conditions,” stated Matheson. “This competitive, peer-reviewed funding reinforces growing confidence around MB-204, and its potential to address socio-behavioural symptoms through a differentiated mechanism.”
Marvel also recently received a grant from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program for the development of a novel, small volume, liquid-based formulation of MB-204.
The project will focus on creating a small-volume oral liquid formulation designed for children and adolescents with neuro-developmental disorders, as many patients in these populations experience challenges swallowing pills or rely on feeding tubes, making standard solid oral dosage forms difficult or impractical to administer.
“Developing medicines that children can actually take is a very important, yet many times an overlooked part of drug development,” commented Matheson in February. “This support will allow us to directly address a clinical barrier faced by patients and caregivers and prepare MB-204 dosing to be aligned with future pediatric clinical development.”
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