Technology Transfer/Industry Partnerships

Diagnostics for Intellectual Disability
Brief Description: Our scientists have discovered a nonsense mutation in the TRAPPC9 gene and a missense mutation in the NSUN2 gene that allows for the direct diagnosis of intellectual disability with a predictive value of nearly 100%. These markers would strengthen the genetic testing menu of a diagnostic company, and may support therapeutic interventions for intellectual disability.

Genetic Test for Predicting Risk of Suicide
Brief description: Suicide claims over a million lives each year with 20 suicide attempts for each attributable death. Suicide has a prominent genetic component, and attempts tend to occur more often within families. Our test is based on obtaining a genetic sample from a subject and identifying whether they are at risk for suicide by identifying one or more genetic markers associated with it. Two complementary sets of genetic markers are included, which may be used separately, or combined into a broader panel. We enable the a priori detection of the risk of suicidal tendencies and the determination of the increased risk of suicide in otherwise healthy subjects. Increased suicide risk in conjunction with co-morbidities of suicide attempts can also be quantified.

Novel Assay for Assessing Anticholinergic Toxicity in Cognitive Impairment
Brief description: Drugs that block cholinergic receptor function in the brain are known to be associated with cognitive impairment, including confusion, decreased attention and memory deficits. The effect of these medications on cholinergic receptors in the brain makes it difficult to differentiate cognitive deficits induced by aggregate anticholinergic burden from similar deficits resulting from pathological conditions, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia-type conditions. Due to the prevalence of various degrees of cognitive decline in the elderly, some 35.6 million people worldwide, at present and projected to be in excess of 115 million in 2050, CAMH scientists have devised a test which accurately and objectively differentiates cognitive impairment due to anticholinergic loading and would permit rapid clinical intervention.

Pharmacogenetic Panel and Algorithm for Predicting Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain
Brief description: Weight gain is a serious, and often life-threatening complication of antipsychotic treatment. The present technology is a pharmacogenetic panel which makes use of polymorphisms in the genes modulating the appetite and satiety pathways coupled with an algorithm to predict the likelihood of weight gain following treatment with antipsychotic drugs such as clozapine and olanzapine. The test provides for the a priori detection and quantification of the risk of antipsychotic - induced weight gain (AIWG) before antipsychotic treatment, facilitates the correct selection of medication and/or dosage regimes not likely to cause AIWG and will save healthcare payer funds by de-escalating co-morbidities of antipsychotic-treated illnesses.

PTSD therapeutic and biomarker
Brief description: Our scientists have identified a protein complex that is significantly elevated in peripheral blood from PTSD patients. Disruption of this complex with a novel peptide, results in a significant reduction in PTSD-like symptoms in a mouse model of PTSD. This protein complex can also be used as a true diagnostic marker given that a dramatic increase in protein complex formation was detected in peripheral blood of subjects exposed to a traumatic event that developed PTSD, but not in those that did not develop PTSD. Therefore, high levels of this protein complex are strongly indicative of PTSD, particularly in its sub-clinical, incipient stage.

Developing novel rapid-acting antidepressants
Brief description: Drs. Nobrega and Bambico have identified a novel mechanism for rapid-acting antidepressant (RAAD) activity involving voltage-independent, calcium-activated channels (SKCs). These channels are key determinants of synaptic plasticity in limbic circuits mediating emotional and stress responses. In concert with Evotec and TIAP, we have developed specialized screening assays for identifying novel compounds with inhibitory activity towards SKCs. HTS activities followed by hit profiling and hit expansion have now yielded multiple chemical series with suitable properties for further development, including: desirable potency, selectivity, early DMPK and predictive CNS scores. This program has the potential to yield novel RAADs that are safer and more effective than those currently available.

Neuroprotective small molecule therapeutic – MS & Optic Neuritis

Brief Description: Our scientists have developed a novel series of peptide and small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). This development program targets neuroprotective mechanisms through a highly specific interaction in GluA2/GAPDH signalling. It has been demonstrated that both these peptide and lead small molecules are highly effective in animal models of MS. In addition, these therapeutics promote neuronal and oligodendrocyte survival. Agents that selectively inhibit highly specific protein interactions are likely to be safer than traditional receptor antagonists.

Novel Therapeutics for the Treatment of Schizophrenia
Brief Description: Our researchers have discovered that two key proteins, the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) and the protein “disrupted in schizophrenia 1” (DISC1), form a protein‐protein interaction complex which has been shown to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Through the characterization of the protein‐protein interaction, we have developed a peptide that specifically interferes with this coupling; leading to the development of a breakthrough therapy capable of delivering enhanced affinity, efficacy, and a superior side effect profile.

Novel Therapeutics for the Treatment of Stroke
Brief Description: Our scientists have identified a previously unrecognized molecular pathway involving a series of protein‐protein interactions that underlies glutamate (GluR2) containing - α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionic acid (AMPA) receptor mediated excitotoxicity as a novel target for treatment of stroke induced neuronal death and brain damage. Using this knowledge, CAMH scientists have discovered an interfering peptide which protects cells against ischemic- induced stroke, increasing neuronal survival and total infarct volume for up to 6 hours post administration.

Novel Therapeutics for Depression
Brief description: Our scientists identified a coupling between two functionally distinct neurotransmitter receptors, D1 & D2, as a novel target for treatment of major depressive disorder. Investigators developed a short length peptide that interferes with the receptor coupling thereby leading to the development of a breakthrough therapy capable of delivering enhanced affinity, efficacy, and a superior side effect profile. The peptide does not block ligand binding, thus it does not interfere with normal physiological functions associated with the receptors.  The antidepressant effect of the novel peptide was confirmed in animal models of depression.

Mobile App for Schizophrenia
Brief Description: CAMH researchers have developed a mobile app to objectively assess and encourage motivated behaviour, specifically goal-directed activity, which involves setting and completing plans and goals. The app allows for geo-location sensing that captures real-world behaviour and is connected to a reminder system that prompts the individual to pursue their goals. The mobile app offers a solution to the problem of motivation deficits in schizophrenia and would be a highly valuable tool for physicians and patients for improving motivation and promoting recovery, and for pharma who would benefit from the use of the app to assess patient response to medication.

SUSPINE
Brief Description: Our scientists have developed SUSPINE, a mobile application that integrates mathematical models with behavioural assessments of the active escape bias to classify causes of emerging suicide risk in real time. SUSPINE can provide a more objective and accurate way to assess suicide risk and can offer important insights into the associated brain mechanisms, paving the way for more individualized clinical interventions. SUSPINE combines computerized cognitive tasks with state-of-the-art computational models to probe specific stress- and control-related mechanisms that are implicated in suicidality.

eGuru
Brief Description: Our researchers have developed a digital health intervention to administer CBT though a mobile app. eGuru includes a suite of tools that can address a variety of problems ranging from anger to psychotic symptoms and is based on an existing CBT self-help intervention that has been field-tested in randomized clinical trials. The app will provide help for a variety of problems such as; anger, stress, depression, anxiety, fears and phobias, psychosis etc.

To license any of the scales below please visit the McMaster Industry Liaison Office site and use their request form.

Blood Pressure Awareness Scale and Insight Scale (BASIS)
Brief Description: Our researchers have developed a novel and easy-to-administer self-report measure of illness awareness in hypertension, a condition attributed to individuals with metabolic syndrome. The measure assesses the core domains of illness awareness, including awareness of need for treatment. With 10-point Likert scales for each item, this scale has the capacity to detect small changes in illness awareness and need for treatment scores. The tool provides a set of questions specific to blood pressure that are within the niche of understanding patient awareness of their illness, as well as a screening mechanism to determine which patients are most suitable for medication adherence programs or intervention.

Diabetes Awareness Scale and Insight Scale (DAS)
Brief Description: Our researchers have developed a novel and easy-to-administer self-report measure of illness awareness in diabetes, a condition attributed to individuals with metabolic syndrome. The measure assesses the core domains of illness awareness, including awareness of need for treatment. With 10-point Likert scales for each item, this scale has the capacity to detect small changes in illness awareness and need for treatment scores. The tool provides a set of questions specific to diabetes that are within the niche of understanding patient awareness of their illness, as well as a screening mechanism to determine which patients are most suitable for medication adherence programs or intervention.

Obesity Awareness Scale and Insight Scale (OASIS)
Brief Description: Our researchers have developed a novel and easy-to-administer self-report measure of illness awareness in obesity, a condition attributed to individuals with metabolic syndrome. The measure assesses the core domains of illness awareness, including awareness of need for treatment. With 10-point Likert scales for each item, this scale has the capacity to detect small changes in illness awareness and need for treatment scores. The tool provides a set of questions specific to overweight or obesity that are within the niche of understanding patient awareness of their illness, as well as a screening mechanism to determine which patients are most suitable for medication adherence programs or intervention.

Psychosis Insight Assessment Scale
Brief Description: Our researchers have developed an easy to administer schizophrenia insight scale. The scale features both self-reported and clinician-rated versions that would be sensitive to small changes in insight over brief periods of time. Additionally, the scale would be able to assess the multidimensionality of insight. A 10 item self-report (VAGUS-SR) and a 5 item clinician-rated version (VAGUS-CR) of the scale were designed, based on previously validated scales, to measure the dimensions of insight into psychosis. Both scales are efficient, each taking approximately 5 minutes to administer/complete. Click here to visit the VAGUS scale website.

Problem Gambling Awareness Scale
Brief Description: Our scientists have developed a novel and easy to administer self-report measure of illness awareness in problem and pathological gambling. The measure assesses the core domains of illness awareness, including general illness awareness, accurate attribution of symptoms, awareness of the need for treatment, and awareness of negative consequences. With 10-point Likert scales for each item, this scale has the capacity to detect small changes in illness awareness.

Alcohol Misuse Awareness Scale
Brief Description: Our scientists have developed a novel and easy to administer self-report measure of illness awareness in alcohol misuse. The measure assesses the core domains of illness awareness, including general illness awareness, accurate attribution of symptoms, awareness of the need for treatment, and awareness of negative consequences. With 10-point Likert scales for each item, this scale has the capacity to detect small changes in illness awareness.

Substance Misuse Awareness Scale
Brief Description: Our scientists have developed a novel and easy to administer self-report measure of illness awareness in substance misuse that can be easily tailored to any substance. The measure assesses the core domains of illness awareness, including general illness awareness, accurate attribution of symptoms, awareness of the need for treatment, and awareness of negative consequences. With 10-point Likert scales for each item, this scale has the capacity to detect small changes in illness awareness.

Nicotine Addiction Awareness Scale
Brief Description: Our scientists have developed a novel and easy to administer self-report measure of illness awareness in substance misuse that can be easily tailored to any substance. The measure assesses the core domains of illness awareness, including general illness awareness, accurate attribution of symptoms, awareness of the need for treatment, and awareness of negative consequences. With 10-point Likert scales for each item, this scale has the capacity to detect small changes in illness awareness.

Research Institutes & Centres at CAMH
Brief Description: IPTTO can also facilitate partnership between industry and CAMH researchers and research infrastructure. Please see link to learn about the various research centres in CAMH’s research program.