March 18, 2026
VANCOUVER, BC – Eight research teams in British Columbia will receive a combined $8 million in federal funding towards academia-industry collaborations on research solutions that are implementation and market ready.
This will accelerate advancements that benefit the province and its workforce. The BC collaborations include projects in pathogen detection, disease diagnosis and improved care for populations with cancer, Type 1 diabetes and endometriosis.
This funding is part of $20 million in federal genomics investments announced by the Government of Canada today. These funds are distributed through the Genomics Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) from Genome Canada and the six regional Genome Centres, including Genome British Columbia (Genome BC).
Five out of the 13 national GAPP projects were awarded to teams in British Columbia, a significant result for Genome BC. Three projects were also awarded funding through the award’s regional stream, the BC-GAPP.
“This $8 million in British Columbia will go a long way in advancing the use of genomics to enhance the quality of care for our patients and to drive economic growth,” says Dr. Tony Brooks, Genome BC Interim President and CEO.
“The eight projects demonstrate how genomics allows us to optimize patient care, improve systems and detect pathogens in humans and agriculture. Our 25-year history of fostering industry-academic collaborations makes us uniquely positioned to deliver maximum impact for the province, Canada and beyond.”
The GAPP is a core delivery instrument of the Canadian Genomics Strategy. It is open to collaborations between academic researchers and industry, emphasizing partnerships, co-investments and knowledge transfer to support Canadian innovation and market-ready solutions.
These are the eight Genome BC projects.
National GAPP funded projects
High-Resolution Seed Diagnostics for Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) Resistance and Infection via Integrated Omics
Dr. Zamir K. Punja (Simon Fraser University) and Dr. Mallory Flynn (Insporos Technologies Inc.)
To help protect Canada’s $875 million greenhouse tomato sector, the team will expand and deploy the first-ever non-destructive metabolomics screening platform to detect Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus in seeds. The platform can also assess the likelihood of disease resistance, with data used to develop new tomato varieties.
Rapid Agnostic Pathogen Identification using Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (RAPID-mNGS)
Professor Amee R. Manges (University of British Columbia) and Dr. Sam Chorlton (BugSeq Bioinformatics)
This project aims to improve detection, surveillance and early identification of emerging respiratory pathogens across Canada. The team will validate their made-in-BC BugSeq platform to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs and strengthen Canadian biosecurity and pandemic preparedness.
Validation and Process Development Scale Up of a Tolerogenic mRNA/LNP Therapeutic
Professor Megan Levings (University of British Columbia) and Dr. Chris Tam (Integrated Nanotherapeutics Inc.)
Partnering with UBC’s new Advanced Therapeutics Manufacturing Facility (ATMF), the team will optimize and manufacture an mRNA based therapy for Type 1 diabetes in preparation for a future clinical trial. This project can transform care landscape for Type 1 diabetes, help build Canada’s ability to manufacture advanced mRNA medicines and open doors to new treatments for other autoimmune diseases.
GenTraceDx: Commercialization of a Turnkey Precision Oncology Platform Featuring Matched Tumor-Normal WES, Real-Time AI-Driven Interpretation, and Clinic-Ready Test Kits for Scalable Deployment
Dr. Steven Jones (Genome Sciences Centre) and Dr. June Wong (Genetrack Biolabs Inc.)
This team is developing a clinical platform containing tumour sequencing information enhanced by an AI engine that dynamically includes new treatments, biomarkers and clinical trials throughout the patient journey. This can decrease dependency on costly foreign diagnostics, enable personalized cancer care and ensure that patient data are protected through Canadian privacy standards and secure digital systems.
Identification and Validation of Antibody Therapeutic Targets for Development in Endometriosis
Dr. Paul Yong (University of British Columbia) and Dr. Laura Williamson (AbCellera Biologics Inc.)
A partnership with BC-based experts in endometriosis and genomics will identify novel ways to develop antibody-based therapeutics for endometriosis, a condition that costs Canada more than $1.8 billion annually. The initiative advances Canadian discoveries toward a first‑in‑class therapy and strengthens Canada’s leadership in women’s health innovation and biotech.
BC-GAPP projects
Targeted Metagenomics for Enhanced Infectious Disease Diagnosis
Dr. Patrick Tang (University of British Columbia) and Dr. Mohammed Qadir (Fusion Genomics)
This project aims to develop a clinically validated system to translate metagenomic sequencing data into clinically actionable results. This will enable healthcare providers to identify true infections and select appropriate treatments. Ultimately, this initiative supports faster diagnosis, strengthen antimicrobial stewardship and establish a model for advancing the clinical utility of genomics in Canada.
A First-in-Class Dual-Function SiRNA to Address Limitations of Anticoagulants in Thrombotic Disease
Professor Marcel Bally (BC Cancer) and Dr. Lih Jiin Juang (Seragene Therapeutics)
A novel RNA therapeutic to target clotting related conditions such as Thromboinflammation — a prevalent complication and cause of death among cancer patients — is a core focus of this project. The team will evaluate the product’s safety and efficacy to overcome a persistent issue of current treatments.
Optimized Production of Immune Cells as Advanced Delivery Vehicles for Protein Therapeutics
Professor Peter Zandstra (University of British Columbia) and Dr. Glenn MacLean (Apiary Therapeutics)
Cell based therapies that act as living medicine, capable of producing therapeutic proteins directly within a patient, offer significant advantages for individuals with chronic diseases who require frequent drug dosing. This project uses advanced single‑cell analysis and machine learning to create a foundation for large scale production of such engineered cells, moving the technology closer to clinical use.
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About Genome British Columbia
Genome BC is a not-for-profit organization that has advanced genomics research and innovation for 25 years, growing a world-class life sciences sector in BC and delivering sustainable benefits for British Columbia, Canada and beyond. Genome BC has attracted over $1.1 billion in direct co-investment to the province, which has contributed to funding more than 600 genomics research and innovation projects. These initiatives enhance healthcare and address environmental and natural resource challenges, improving the lives of British Columbians. Genome BC also integrates genomics into society by supporting responsible research and innovation and fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public.
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Contact: Genie Tay, Communications Specialist, Genome BC
