SOPHIE Partners with Kapoose Creek Bio to Accelerate New Medicine Discoveries

Kapoose Creek Bio (KC Bio) is revolutionizing drug discovery, particularly for conditions like depression, anxiety, and neurodegeneration, by combining natural compounds with artificial intelligence (AI). The company benefits from collaborative research facilitated by Innovation Factory’s SOPHIE program, which receives funding from the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario to support advancements in life sciences technology.

KC Bio has transitioned from discovery-stage research to a development-ready product, focusing on its first therapeutic compound, KCB-100, which is poised for clinical trials in the near future. Geordie Stewart, KC Bio’s Chief Growth Officer, emphasizes the value of natural chemistry, noting that half of the most impactful drugs stem from nature. Yet, only about one percent of what nature offers has been explored, leaving a vast field for KC Bio to investigate, utilizing cutting-edge AI tools to expedite the process.

The company employs its proprietary unEarth Rx platform, a blend of phenotypic screening, functional OMICs, and AI, to reduce typical discovery timelines from years to just five to six months. This innovation has led to the identification of KCB-100 and KCB-200, with early research indicating that KCB-100 enhances brain function, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and interacts with pathways associated with depression.

Collaborations with McMaster University, supported by SOPHIE and Mitacs Accelerate, are examining KCB-100’s efficacy in animal models. The research also focuses on synthesizing KCB-100 in lab settings and uncovering new medicinal compounds from KC Bio's extensive specimen library. Initial studies suggest that KCB-100 may promote brain plasticity, which holds promise for treating disorders like depression and Alzheimer’s. With over 300 million people globally affected by depression, and many not responding to existing treatments, KCB-100 aims to fill a significant therapeutic gap.

The SOPHIE collaboration has also significantly enriched the preclinical data surrounding KCB-100, enhancing its commercial viability and aiding KC Bio in attracting investors and potential partners. The partnership has solidified KC Bio’s ties to the Hamilton life science ecosystem. The leadership team comprises Eric Brown, a professor at McMaster University, alongside an advisory board featuring prominent scientists and physicians from the area.

To address challenges in natural drug discovery, particularly in identifying and producing promising compounds, KC Bio is launching a $35 million investment round aimed at advancing its research initiatives in Hamilton. This funding will enable the company to hire approximately 15 new researchers, bolstering its R&D capabilities.

Stewart remarked on the importance of the SOPHIE project in accelerating KCB-100’s development, expressing anticipation for the journey toward human clinical trials. With strong strategic partnerships and a focused vision, KC Bio is set to redefine the landscape of AI-driven drug discovery, aiming to develop effective and non-psychoactive treatments that meet urgent healthcare needs.

For those interested in learning more about Innovation Factory’s SOPHIE program, there are opportunities to connect and explore further.