Cytophage Technologies Inc. Selected to Join the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator Program

Cytophage receives funding for collaborative research at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

 

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — June 30, 2022 – Canadian biotech company Cytophage Technologies Inc. has been awarded $250,000 USD in non-dilutive funding to develop biological solutions for plant bacterial challenges at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri, the world’s largest independent plant science research institute. 

The funding is provided by the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), a technology incubator and platform funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and co-administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Cytophage was selected to participate in the program with four other sustainable agriculture companies focused on using biological solutions to improve the resilience of global food systems. 

“Our challenge is to generate unique solutions for emerging plant pathogens and build resiliency in our global food production systems. We are driving innovation to enhance food security and contribute to a safe and accessible food supply for people around the world,” says Dr. Steven Theriault, the CEO of Cytophage. 

“With growing populations coupled with environmental shifts, farmers need technologies that will provide more yield using available resources ultra-efficiently and in the least harmful way,” said Trish Cozart, IN2 program manager at NREL. “Agriculture technologies that provide diversified supply, as well as resilience from disease, play a significant part in securing our future.” 

“This year’s IN² agtech companies are creating new technologies that can help control and mitigate a variety of emerging crop vulnerabilities,” said Elliott Kellner, Senior Program Manager at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. “We’re excited to support the development of such a broad range of strategies by a cohort that is so diverse, in terms of commercialization stage and technological approach. 

Cytophage is a leading-edge Canadian biotech company that uses advanced molecular genetic techniques and synthetic biology to create highly effective bacteriophages to address bacterial challenges affecting animal health, human health, and food security. “At Cytophage, with our unique bacteriophage technologies and experience, we are positioned to address emerging plant pathogens and vulnerabilities,” said Dr. Steven Theriault. “We are excited to work with the team at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to develop a bacteriophage for crop protection that will have the greatest impact on the global markets.”  

 

For further information:  

Heather Medwick, President
Phone:  431-388-8873
Email:  [email protected] 

 

ADDITIONAL FACTS ABOUT CYTOPHAGE 

  • 2017 – Cytophage Technologies Inc. is established in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada by Dr. Steven Theriault–the former chief of the Applied Biosafety Research Program at the Public Health Agency of Canada. 
  • 2018 – Cytophage wins the International Nutreco Feed Tech Challenge for its breakthrough innovation to help feed the world.  
  • 2018 – Cytophage files its first patent for its technology to create genetically engineered phages to address virtually any bacterial infection in humans or animals, including strains resistant to antibiotics.  
  • 2019 – Cytophage wins the TechConnect US Defense Innovation Award for its work on the use of bacteriophages against battlefield infections. 
  • 2020 – Dr. Theriault presents at the World Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) Congress – the world’s largest AMR gathering of stakeholders combating antimicrobial resistance.    
  • 2022 – Cytophage files for regulatory approval for its first Animal Health bacteriophage product Health Canada’s Veterinary Drug Directorate 
  • 2023 – Cytophage’s first commercial product will come to market — a phage cocktail that prevents and treats Salmonella infections in chickens.  

 


   Article provided by Cytophage