Saskatoon-based Phenomenome Discoveries Inc. is a human-health research company whose first commercial product focuses on metabolic screening for colorectal cancer. Phenomenome has recently extended their research to include drug discovery, and is working on identifying metabolic markers for Alzheimer’s disease. The company has grown from five people in 2000 to about 50 as of writing.
Phenomenome uses metabolomics, or the search in the body for chemicals as indicators of cellular process, to identify markers in the blood whose presence or absence indicates disease. The project evolved from Dr. Dayan Goodenowe’s work with mass spectrometry, says Dr. Shawn Ritchie, head of the Discovery Research division.
The company recently began a clinical trial of their colorectal cancer screening test in June 2008, with the cooperation of the province’s Health Ministry and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. The trial consists of analyzing blood samples from 5,000 subjects and comparing the results to those obtained through traditional colorectal screening.
The test screens for levels of a metabolite called gTA. Low levels of gTA indicate higher risk for developing colorectal cancer, since about 90% of those with the disease show depleted levels of the metabolite. Results of the trial are expected in late 2009.
Conceptually, this method of finding disease is not new. Predicting disease by identifying genomic biomarkers has been around for decades. Simply by sending a DNA sample to websites like http://www.decodeme.com/ and https://www.23andme.com/, people can now predict their odds of having, developing, or being a carrier for a host of conditions with a heritable component, such as breast cancer, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes. Metabolomics, however, allows one to avoid disease by elevating levels of missing biomarkers. This is theoretically a simpler, safer, and less-expensive proposition than gene therapy.
Metabolomics offers an additional advantage over traditional diagnostic means: with Alzheimer’s and colon cancer, the body’s biochemistry changes measurably before the disease presents itself clinically. This offers hope for preventing diseases before they occur by adjusting chemical levels either through lifestyle changes or therapeutic treatment. The screening is also less invasive, and less objectionable to the public, than many current diagnostic techniques such as colonoscopies.
Phenomenome’s technology could also save health authorities money and headaches. In July 2008, an article in The Globe and Mail revealed that because the Ontario government does not have adequate colorectal cancer screening, it is spending millions of dollars on cancer medication for people who may or may not have the disease.
As to the company’s location in Saskatoon, a complex rationale was at work for headquartering in the Bridge City. True, the key players were all from Saskatchewan—indeed, you might be forgiven for thinking you’d seen them all play for the Moose Jaw Warriors—but why not Toronto or Vancouver?
Since metabolomics is a relatively small and obscure field, Ritchie explains, with some of the most exciting research done in Western Canada, there was good reason to set up shop close to home. And since very few people are familiar with high-resolution mass spectrometers, there would be a steep learning curve for new employees, no matter where the company established. The biochemistry program at the University of Saskatchewan—from which Ritchie graduated with his Ph.D. before starting with the company in 2000—has also supplied skilled workers for the company.
Another reason for locating in Saskatoon was that Canada offered a more favourable regulatory climate than the U.S., for example, and better potential early-stage support. In its first years, Phenomenome benefited from funding through a business plan competition sponsored by Ag-West Biotech, as well as borrowing money from the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture, and a Technology Application and Demonstration (TAD) grant.
According to John Hyshka, Phenomenome’s co-founder and chief operating/chief financial officer, the company’s business model allowed for cash flow from Day 1, thanks to contract spectrometry work for other companies in the ag-biotech, plant-science, and life-science sectors. The company has gradually reduced its contract work, now focusing almost exclusively on human and animal health.
Thanks to Hyshka’s time working at the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA), the company already had connections to investors in Saskatoon, and investors at the time were looking to expand beyond agricultural technology: negative public reaction to genetically modified food was driving investors away from agriculture companies. Public research funding, angel capital, some of the principals’ own financing, and later venture capital, supplemented the company’s income from contract research.
Further Reading:
For more information on Phenomenome, contact:
Alix Hayden
Director of Marketing and Communications
Phenomenome Discoveries Inc.
Telephone: (306) 244-8233, extension 210
a.hayden@phenomenome.com
http://www.phenomenome.com/
The Human Metabolome Project, based in Edmonton, has useful information on metabolomics on their website:
http://www.metabolomics.ca/
You can stay up to date with what SREDA is doing here:
http://www.sreda.com/
