Entos Pharmaceuticals Secures $77.5 Million Investment to Establish Advanced Biomanufacturing Facility in Edmonton

Entos Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage genetic medicines company, has announced a significant investment totaling $77.5 million from the Canadian and Alberta governments to support the construction of a state-of-the-art biomanufacturing and research facility in Edmonton.

The Government of Canada is contributing $62 million through the Strategic Innovation Fund, while the Government of Alberta is providing an additional $15.5 million. This combined investment will fund a $198.5 million project to build a 103,000-square-foot facility dedicated to the development and production of genetic medicines.

Entos Pharmaceuticals specializes in the Fusogenix PLV drug delivery platform, which utilizes proprietary fusogenic FAST proteins to enable the delivery of nucleic acids directly into target cells. This technology holds promise for treating a range of conditions, including infections, cancer, rare diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

John Lewis, CEO of Entos Pharmaceuticals, expressed enthusiasm about the investment, stating, "We are thrilled to receive this investment, which will enable us to build a cutting-edge GMP biomanufacturing facility and innovative R&D centre in Edmonton, Alberta. It will help us develop, scale up, produce, and commercialize Fusogenix PLV therapeutics to address critical health needs and fill gaps in Canada’s domestic manufacturing capacity."

The new facility is expected to create 90 new high-paying jobs and offer 69 co-op positions for students, contributing to the growth of Canada's life sciences sector. Additionally, it aims to strengthen the country's position in the global biopharmaceutical market by fostering collaborations between Entos, Canadian academic institutions, and industry partners.

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, "By supporting the construction of this state-of-the-art facility in Edmonton, we are strengthening our capacity to produce cutting-edge therapeutics and vaccines, which will better equip Canada in responding to future health emergencies."

Entos Pharmaceuticals, a spin-off from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, has existing partnerships with global healthcare leader Eli Lilly & Company, as well as collaborations with companies such as Oisin Biotechnologies, OncoSenX, and Aegis Life. These partnerships focus on researching, developing, and commercializing nucleic acid products targeting the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as advancing therapeutic pipelines for cancer and rare genetic diseases.

The establishment of this facility aligns with Canada's Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy, which aims to protect Canadians against future pandemics and other health emergencies while fostering a competitive domestic life sciences sector. The project is expected to enhance Canada's biomanufacturing capacity, attract international investments, and contribute to the development of innovative genetic medicines.

Construction of the facility is anticipated to begin by the end of 2025, with full commissioning expected by 2029. The Edmonton Research Park has been identified as the likely location for the new hub, further solidifying Edmonton's position as a leader in biotechnology and advanced therapeutics.

In summary, the substantial investment in Entos Pharmaceuticals' new facility represents a significant step forward in Canada's efforts to bolster its biomanufacturing capabilities and develop next-generation genetic medicines to address critical health needs.