Partners congratulate researchers on forming new biotechnology company

The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) and McMaster University congratulate its researchers on forming Turnstone Biologics Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing new treatments for cancer that harness the patient's own immune system. The company's creation was announced earlier today by the Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust (FACIT), an independent business trust established by the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR).

Turnstone combines breakthrough discoveries on cancer-fighting (oncolytic) viruses and vaccines from three Ontario researchers who have worked together more than 15 years: Dr. John Bell (from The Ottawa Hospital and uOttawa), Dr. David Stojdl (from CHEO and uOttawa) and Dr. Brian Lichty (from McMaster University).

"By combining oncolytic viruses and vaccines together, we hope to be able to generate powerful direct tumour destruction, as well as a long-lasting immune response to keep the tumour from coming back," said Dr. Stojdl.

"This is a great example of basic laboratory research leading to a potential new therapy that could have a huge impact on health and generate substantial economic activity," said Dr. Lichty. "I'm honoured to be part of this exciting collaboration."

"Community support has been and will continue to be crucial for our research," said Dr. Bell, who also leads OICR's Ontario Regional BioTherapeutics Program (ORBiT) and Canada's BioCanRx network. "However developing new therapies is extremely costly, so we also need to engage the private sector to take our research to the next level. I want to express my deep gratitude to all the people who have helped get us to this exciting place."