VM:CC - Voyageur Advances MRI Drug Development Using Next Generation Endohedral Fullerenes

(TheNewswire)

Calgary, Alberta, Canada – February 18, 2025 – TheNewswire - VoyageurPharmaceuticals Ltd. ( TSX.V:VM ) (OTC Pink:VYYRF)("Voyageur" or the "Company") is pleased toannounce the launch of its next generation MRI contrast agentdevelopment program in collaboration with Applied PharmaceuticalInnovations ( API ) and Rain Cage Carbon Inc ( RC ). This programaims to create novel, high performance MRI contrast drug formulationsutilizing advanced nanotechnology.

Under this collaboration, API will leverage the uniquevanadium endohedral fullerene molecule developed by RC and announcedby Voyageur on June 11, 2024 ( V@C60 ). The goal is toformulate multiple innovative MRI contrast agents, which will undergorigorous testing for relaxivity, sensitivity and imaging performance.Pending positive results, the project will advance to the pre-clinicaldevelopment phase.

Leading this ambitious program is Dr. Iryna Saranchova, M.D., Ph.D. , Chief ScienceOfficer at Voyageur, who will oversee drug discovery, pre-clinicalstudies and phased clinical trials. API will conduct development workat its Edmonton, Alberta facilities and manage each stage of theprogram. Dr. Daniel Trepanier, Executive Scientist, Discovery &Early Development at API, and Dr. Daren Ure, Executive Scientist,Preclinical Development at API, bring extensive experience inadvancing novel medicines toward clinical trials and market launch.Their leadership will be pivotal in developing Voyageur’snext-generation MRI contrast agents with the goal of achievingclinical readiness.

Voyageur remains committed to bringing its bariumcontrast products to market and leveraging partnerships withthird-party GMP manufacturers to ensure regulatory validation andmarket entry. The ongoing drug development initiatives, including thenext-generation MRI contrast agents, are strategically aligned tocomplement and enhance Voyageur's core focus on barium contrast,without diverting attention from its primary objectives.

Potential Breakthrough in MRIContrast Agent Technology

Voyageur’s research aims to demonstrate that V@C60based contrast agents may provide key advantages over traditionalgadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), including:

Click Image To View Full Size

Brent Willis, President, CEO, and Director of Voyageur,commented, "We are thrilled to embark on this transformativephase of MRI drug development. Our goal is to pioneer the use ofendohedral fullerenes to create next-generation contrast agents thatoffer superior imaging quality, enhanced safety and broader medicalapplications. Successfully demonstrating the potential of theseadvanced molecules will position Voyageur as a significant player inthe nano-biotechnology and radiology markets. Looking ahead, oursecond phase of development will focus on creating new enhanced bariumcontrast formulas, new CT contrast agents and Theranostics fortargeted drug delivery for enhanced treatment outcomes”.

“This collaboration among three Alberta-basedinnovators underscores the strength of our life sciences sector andits capacity to deliver impactful healthcare solutions on a globalscale,” said Andrew MacIsaac, CEO of API. “By harnessingcutting-edge nanotechnology, Voyageur is poised to transformdiagnostics and treatments—ultimately offering safer and moreeffective patient care. Together, we’re accelerating the journeyfrom discovery to real-world impact.”

The Power of Endohedral Fullerenes inMedical Imaging

Endohedral fullerenes are believed by management ofVoyageur to be a breakthrough in nanomedicine due to their exceptionalstability, bioavailability and enhanced imaging properties. Thesestructures have the potential to revolutionize MRI contrast agents byenhancing image clarity, reducing toxicity and enabling precisiontargeted diagnostics and treatments. RC's ability to produceendohedral fullerenes at scale marks a significant technologicalmilestone, unlocking new possibilities for advance medical imaging anddrug delivery solutions. Mark Blake, CEO of RC commented, “Webelieve the endohedral fullerenes we create have the capacity torevolutionize the diagnostic imaging industry and Voyageur is theideal partner to work with to bring these advances to themarket.”

About Rain Cage Carbon Inc

RC is a pioneering private Canadian company dedicatedto decarbonizing industries by capturing CO 2 and other emissions and transformingthem into advanced carbon. Through its proprietary technology, theEDEN™ Carbon Capture and Reuse System, it offers companies a newmethod to combat carbon pollution. RC's unique approach not only helpsmitigate emissions but also harnesses contaminating energy andconverts it into a recyclable technology with countlessapplications.

https://raincagecarbon.com

About Applied PharmaceuticalInnovations

API stands as one of Canada's largest life sciencescommercialization organizations, dedicated to enhancing thequality-of-life sciences. As an industry-funded not-for-profit, APIprovides end-to-end support to life sciences researchers, businessesand innovators on their journey from idea to commercialization. Withscientific leadership from Nobel Laureate Sir Michael Houghton, APIprovides access to facilities and experts that help pharmaceuticalprojects reach the market. With a commitment to sharing expertise,resources and infrastructure, API aims to build an unparalleled lifesciences sector driving prosperity for all. https://appliedpharma.ca/

About Voyageur PharmaceuticalsLtd.

Voyageur, a Canadian public company trading under thesymbol VM on the TSXV, is in development of barium and iodine ActivePharmaceutical Ingredients and intends to offer high-performance,cost-effective imaging contrast agents. With a strategic focus onvertically integrating the barium and iodine contrast markets,Voyageur aims to become a key player by producing its own barium,iodine and new endohedral fullerene drugs (C60). Voyageur hasdeveloped five barium contrast products that have Health Canadalicenses.

Voyageur's business plan is set to generate cash flowby partnering with established third-party GMP pharmaceuticalmanufacturers in Canada thereby ensuring the validation of itsproducts by regulatory agencies worldwide. As Voyageur solidifies itspresence in the market, it plans to transition into a high-margindomestic manufacturer of radiology drugs, complementing the planned revenue streams .

At the core of its operations, Voyageur owns 100%interest in the Frances Creek barium sulphate (barite) project.Currently, the world’s pharmaceutical barium sulphate is almostentirely synthetically produced which management believes results in aless effective imaging quality product. Voyageur’s Frances Creekresource boasts a rare and exceptional grade mineral suitable for thepharmaceutical marketplace that Voyageur believes will replace thecurrent synthetic products with higher quality lower cost imagingproducts.

Voyageur's ambitious vision is to become the firstvertically integrated company in the radiology contrast media drugmarket. By controlling all primary input costs, from the sourcing ofraw materials to final production, Voyageur intends to ensure quality and cost efficiency. With its approach,it embodies the motto of " From the Earth to the Bottle ,"highlighting Voyageur's commitment to responsible sourcing andsustainable manufacturing practices.

For Further Information:

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation ServicesProvider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX VentureExchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of thisnews release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding “Forward-Looking”Information

Thisnews release may contain certain forward-looking statements andforward-looking information (collectively, "forward-lookingstatements"), including without limitation, the Company’sbusiness plan and the success of the Corporation's next generation MRIcontrast agents development program. Forward-looking statementsnormally contain words like "will", "intend","anticipate", "could", "should","may", "might", "expect","estimate", "forecast", "plan","potential", "project", "assume","contemplate", "believe", "shall","scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statementsare not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments andare based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors thatmanagement currently believes are relevant, reasonable, andappropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes thatthe forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual resultscould be substantially different due to the risks and uncertaintiesassociated with and inherent to Voyageur's business. Additionalmaterial risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-lookingstatements herein include, without limitation, the impact of generaleconomic conditions, and unforeseen events and developments. This listis not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company'sforward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond thecontrol of Voyageur. All forward-looking statements included in thisnews release are expressly qualified in their entirety by thesecautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained inthis news release are made as at the date hereof, and Voyageurundertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of theincluded forward-looking statements, whether as a result of newinformation, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required byapplicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about theCompany's business are more fully discussed under the heading"Risk Factors" in its most recent filings. They areotherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatoryauthorities available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.