Any major scientific discovery or medical advancement is the product of collaboration. From laboratory research teams to government bodies to clinical study participants, it takes all kinds of support to take an idea and make it a reality.
When precision healthcare company, Syantra Inc., set out to develop a new tool in the battle against breast cancer, they knew there was a long journey ahead. And that finding the right partners and funding was a critical step along the way.
Fortunately, Dr. Kristina Rinker and Bob Shepherd, Syantra co-founders, are experts in collaboration. They’d been working with Alberta Innovates, the largest provincial research and innovation agency, on some early lab work validating their concept for the early detection of breast cancer.
Alberta Innovates also facilitates the Alberta Small Business Innovation and Research Initiative (ASBIRI) program; providing small businesses with funding opportunities to solve major industry challenges. In spring 2017, ASBIRI announced its next project opportunity: the early detection of cancer. Alberta Innovates, the Alberta Cancer Foundation (ACF) and DynaLIFE Medical Laboratories teamed up to provide the funding. Dr. Rinker and Shepherd knew their innovative blood test for the early detection of breast cancer was the perfect fit.
“I can honestly say that without the ASBIRI program, Syantra would not be in the position they are today.”
“We were eager to apply for the program because it brought together the main entities in Alberta that could help us design and execute a successful clinical study program, with the endpoints to validate outcomes and translate our test into practice,” says Shepherd.
After navigating a robust two-stage application process, Syantra was awarded the ASBIRI grant in October 2017. But the resulting partnerships went far beyond funding alone. Alberta Innovates, ACF and DynaLIFE all brought important insights and perspectives to the project. For example, ACF helped to ensure that Syantra’s test fit well in the clinical environment and could provide a benefit to the overall healthcare system. And DynaLIFE provided a real-world check that the test’s protocols would be suitable for practice in their labs.
“The ASBIRI program, and the partnerships it established, really built the commercial path for our test. The clinical study support, technical advice and product fit that they helped create brought us to where we are with our testing service and our lab facility in Calgary,” says Shepherd. "I can honestly say that without the ASBIRI program, Syantra would not be in the position they are today.”
