Artenga

Artenga Inc. is a Canadian life sciences company that specializes in developing innovative drug delivery technologies. The company focuses on utilizing microbubble-drug conjugates in combination with focused ultrasound to enhance therapeutic delivery, particularly for neurological conditions and cancer treatments. Artenga's technology aims to overcome the blood-brain barrier, a significant challenge in drug delivery to the brain. In June 2017, Artenga's CEO, James Keenan, partnered with Sunnybrook Research Institute and the University of Helsinki to investigate the use of MRI-guided focused ultrasound for blood-brain barrier drug delivery using AAV2 gene therapy microbubble drug conjugates. This research specifically targeted regions of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease. The company's approach involves developing novel microbubble-drug conjugates that can be used in conjunction with focused ultrasound to improve the delivery of therapeutics to targeted areas.

Key customers and partnerships

Artenga has established several key partnerships to advance its technology. In 2017, the company collaborated with Sunnybrook Research Institute and the University of Helsinki on a project funded by the Focused Ultrasound Foundation to develop non-invasive, targeted blood-brain barrier gene therapy delivery. This project involved the use of CDNF gene therapy, which has shown neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties in brain cells damaged by Parkinson's Disease. Artenga also partnered with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to co-develop a novel method for combining microbubbles and biologic drugs, supported by the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). Additionally, the company served as an industry partner in a Sunnybrook Research Institute Ontario Research Fund (ORF) project led by Dr. Kullervo Hynynen, focusing on devices and methods for focused ultrasound interventions.