UK–Canada Collaboration Advances New Anti-Biofilm Therapies

United Kingdom - 25 Nov 2025: University of Cambridge spin-out BioTryp Therapeutics has joined forces with Montreal-based preclinical drug discovery research company, Intellisyn Pharma, to accelerate the development of next-generation treatments for recurrent bacterial infections.

The two organisations have secured major bi-national support, including advisory services and funding of up to CA$200,000 from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) and an additional £300,000 from Innovate UK. This combined investment will drive a landmark joint R&D initiative.

The collaboration brings together Intellisyn’s deep expertise in preclinical drug discovery with BioTryp’s pioneering research on small-molecule anti-biofilm therapies. Building on several years of work at the University of Cambridge, BioTryp is developing innovative treatments aimed at preventing the recurrence of difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. Its lead focus is on urinary tract infections, an issue affecting more than 400 million people globally each year, where persistent infection is often caused by the formation of bacterial biofilms that shield pathogens from antibiotics and immune responses.

BioTryp’s approach centres on blocking biofilm formation, helping eradicate infections more effectively and reducing recurrence, with the potential to redefine therapeutic strategies in this space.

The company has already been collaborating with Intellisyn to identify a promising chemical series based on previously discovered hit compounds. The newly secured funding will support a one-year programme to advance these compounds into the lead optimisation phase. Intellisyn will design and synthesise new molecules using its scientific expertise, intellectual property, and machine-learning platforms, while BioTryp will conduct iterative testing through its specialised assays.

This UK–Canada partnership strengthens both nations’ biotech ecosystems, supporting the development of novel anti-infective therapies and advancing cutting-edge drug discovery methodologies. In the long term, such anti-biofilm innovations will play a crucial role in combating antibiotic-resistant infections and promoting better antibiotic stewardship, offering significant benefits for patients and healthcare systems worldwide.