Qu Biologics Awarded Genome BC Funding to Study QBECO Site Specific Immunomodulator (SSI) for Ulcerative Colitis

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 6, 2016) - Qu Biologics Inc., a biotechnology company developing Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSIs) that aim to restore the body's normal immune response, announced it has been awarded funding of $240,000 from Genome British Columbia (Genome BC) to support a Phase 2a clinical trial of Qu Biologics' QBECO SSI for the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC).

In this study, Qu Biologics will investigate the safety, efficacy and immunologic mechanism of action of QBECO SSI in patients with moderate-to-severe UC, including assessment of the correlation between genetic polymorphisms associated with UC, the microbiome, and QBECO SSI efficacy. Genome BC is supporting this research through its Strategic Opportunities Fund for Industry (SOFi) program. The SOFi program seeks to accelerate commercial potential with local companies and facilitate collaboration with industry.

Dr. Hal Gunn, CEO of Qu Biologics commented, "We thank Genome BC for supporting this important research that not only helps to advance a potential new treatment approach for inflammatory bowel disease but also investigates the therapeutic effect on the microbiome and the relationship between genetic factors and immunological dysfunction underlying a patient's IBD that may help us understand who might most benefit from QBECO SSI treatment."

"A well-tolerated therapy for moderate-to-severe UC is urgently needed," says Dr. Alan Winter, President and CEO of Genome BC. "This project will move prospective therapies through the pipeline and into commercialization".

The ulcerative colitis clinical trial, which is underway, evaluates the safety, tolerability, clinical response and remission in patients treated with QBECO SSI. The study will also investigate the effect of QBECO SSI treatment on the composition of the fecal microbiome, whether the microbiome impacts the immunologic and therapeutic response, and if genetic factors affect the immunologic and therapeutic response to QBECO SSI treatment.

The ulcerative colitis study has completed enrollment of the first group of participants. Enrollment of a second group of participants into the clinical trial is expected to begin in late 2016. Anyone interested in participating in the second enrollment group can email ulcerativecolitis@quibd.com to request to be added to the waitlist.

About Genome British Columbia

Genome British Columbia leads genomics innovation on Canada's West Coast and facilitates the integration of genomics into society. A recognized catalyst for government and industry, Genome BC invests in research, entrepreneurship and commercialization in life sciences to address challenges in key sectors such as health, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, agri-food, energy, mining and environment. Genome BC partners with many national and international public and private funding organizations to drive BC's bioeconomy. In addition to research, entrepreneurship and commercialization programs, Genome BC is committed to fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among teachers, students and the general public. www.genomebc.ca

About Qu Biologics

Qu Biologics develops Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSIs), a novel class of immunotherapies that aim to restore the body's normal immune response. SSIs are designed to stimulate an innate immune response in targeted organs or tissues to potentially reverse the chronic inflammation underlying many conditions including cancer and immune-related disease. The company has initiated clinical trials in Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and recurrent lung cancer.

Backed by a prestigious group of scientific advisors and board members, Qu Biologics is led by a management team that includes co-founder and CEO Dr. Hal Gunn, a physician and expert on the body's immune response to chronic disease, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, former CEO of the BC Cancer Agency and a distinguished clinician, scientist and leader in cancer control internationally, and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. David Mullins, Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology in the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and recognized expert in immune cell trafficking to tumours. For more information, visit www.qubiologics.com and www.quibd.com.