MONTREAL, June 17, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ -Gnome Qubec, in partnership withthe Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Universit de Montral, Universit de Montral, Mila Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute and McMaster University, is proud to announce funding for a new research project intended to accelerate the discovery of antiviral COVID-19 medications. Spearheaded by professors MichaelTyers (IRIC/Universit de Montral), YoshuaBengio (Mila/Universit de Montral) and AnneMarinier (IRIC/Universit de Montral), the $1million project was launched in fast-track mode on June 1, 2020.

The project combines genomics, artificial intelligence and medicinal chemistry to discover new inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The use of genomic screens will lead to a better understanding of the genetic interactions between the virus and human host cells and thereby the identification of new targets for drug discovery. Artificial intelligence will be used to design novel chemical inhibitors against viral proteins and human host proteins on which the virus depends. And finally, with advanced medicinal chemistry, the team will be able to synthesize and test these inhibitors.

"We are very enthusiastic about combining our expertise in the fields of genomics, artificial intelligence and medicinal chemistry to understand how the virus interacts with human cells and to design new inhibitors of viral replication," said Michael Tyers, Principal Investigator at IRIC's Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology Research Unit.

"Medicinal chemistry will play an important role in this research because it will enable us to validate and improve new genomics and AI-based approaches to drug discovery. We are delighted to contribute to research efforts aimed at defeating this global pandemic," added Anne Marinier, Principal Investigator, Director of Medicinal Chemistry and Director of IRIC's Drug Discovery Unit.

Over the long term, this combined genomics/artificial intelligence approach could help significantly accelerate when compared to traditional approaches the discovery of antiviral medications for future pandemics. The approach can also be applied to the development of new treatments for cancer and many other diseases.

"This is an exciting project, first because of its potential to discover medications that could have a significant impact on COVID-19, then because the methodology used could be generalized to research into new therapeutic molecules in other areas. And finally, because the project raises research questions that are way off the beaten path, which will contribute to advancements in science as a whole," explained Yoshua Bengio, Scientific Director of Mila.

By consolidating world-renowned expertise in genomics, artificial intelligence and medicinal chemistry, this project is placing Qubec and Canada at the cutting edge of research in precision medicine. "At Gnome Qubec, we are especially proud of being able to actively contribute to the fight against COVID-19 by supporting such a highly reputable team of researchers. The project clearly demonstrates the important global role Qubec plays in genomics, but also in artificial intelligence," said Daniel Coderre, President and CEO of Gnome Qubec.

Selected as part of a joint Genome Canada-Gnome Qubec program, the project will also receive funding from Mila, IRIC and McMaster University.

Learn more about the project

About Gnome QubecGnome Qubec's mission is to catalyze the development and excellence of genomics research and promote its integration and democratization. It is a pillar of the Qubec bioeconomy and contributes to Qubec's influence and its social and sustainable development. The funds invested by Gnome Qubec are provided by the ministre de l'conomie et de l'Innovation duQubec (MEI), the Government of Canada, through Genome Canada,and private partners. To learn more, visit http://www.genomequebec.com

About the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Universit de MontralAn ultra-modern research hub and training centre located in the heart of the Universit de Montral, the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the Universit de Montral was created in 2003 to shed light on the mechanisms of cancer and discover new, more effective therapies to counter this disease. The IRIC operates according to a model that is unique in Canada. Its innovative approach to research has already led to discoveries that will, over the coming years, have a significant impact on the fight against cancer.

About Universit de Montral Deeply rooted in Montreal and dedicated to its international mission, Universit de Montral is a leading research university. It ranks among the top100 universities worldwide and among the five best French language universities. With its affiliated schools, Polytechnique Montral and HEC Montral, UdeM attracts over $500million in research funding every year, making it one of the top three university research hubs in Canada. UdeM has more than67,000 students, 2,300 professors and researchers, and an active global network of 400,000 alumni.

About Mila Founded by Professor Yoshua Bengio of the Universit de Montral, Mila is a research institute in artificial intelligence which rallies over 500 researchers specializing in the field of deep learning. Based in Montreal, Mila is a non-profit organization recognized globally for its significant contributions to the field of deep learning, particularly in the areas of language modelling, machine translation, object recognition and generative models.

SOURCE Gnome Qubec

For further information: or interviews: Ccile Vignes, Acting Director, Communications, Gnome Qubec, 514 702-2077, [emailprotected]; Nomie Desbois Mackenzie, Communication Advisor, Public Relations, IRIC, 514 475-7682, [emailprotected]; Julie Gazaille, Press attach, Universit de Montral - Bureau des communications et des relations publiques, 514 343-6796, [emailprotected]; Vincent Martineau, Head, Communications and Media Relations, Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, [emailprotected]

http://www.genomequebec.com

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Race for the discovery of COVID-19 medications - Gnome Qubec, in partnership with IRIC, Universit de Montral and Mila announce funding of $1M in...