VM:CC - Voyageur Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Signs an MOU for the Development of Carbon Fullerene Contrast Agents for Medical Imaging Applications and Related Carbon Capture Technology
(TheNewswire)
Calgary, Alberta – TheNewswire - October 24, 2022 - Voyageur Pharmaceuticals Ltd. ( TSXV:VM )( OTC :VYYRF) (the"Company" or "Voyageur") has signed a memorandumof understanding (MOU) with Rain Cage Carbon Inc. (RCC), toen ter into a developmentagreement for fullerene-based contrast agents. RCC, a carbon capturecompany located in Calgary, Alberta, has proven technology thatremoves CO 2 and otherpollutants from hydrocarbon exhaust streams. The CO 2 is converted into oxygen and carbonand creates fullerene allotropes and nanotubes that can be applied toa wide variety of products to enhance strength, durability and, in thecase of contrast materials, ease of delivery. A fullerene is anallotrope of carbon with atoms connected by single and double bonds toform a closed (or partly closed) mesh that can potentially act as aversatile delivery system for a wide range of biomedical applications.According to the NIH National Library of Medicine ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2676811/ ) carbon allotropes have multiple applications in thepharmaceutical industry for radiology contrast media, drug and genedelivery systems, anti-viral and anti-bacterial medications,photosensitizers, and can also be used as antioxidants. The majorhindrances to advancing new fullerene-based drugs are cost, quality,and quantities of supply.
Brent Willis, CEO, states “ Voyageur has been on a multi-year quest tofind a high quality, dependable supply of fullerenes for its radiologycontrast media drug pipeline. We have reviewed several products andcompanies in that effort. Rain Cage Carbon is by far, the mostadvanced we have found. RCC has revolutionised the carbon capturemarket by creating high-volume low-cost fullerene allotropes, as abiproduct of their carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture process. We now have another potential mineral-basedcontrast, that we can develop to become fully integrated, from theexhaust stream of hydrocarbon engines, into the vial of an injectabledrug. With the current shortages of radiology drugs, Voyageurs fullintegration strategy is poised to ensure supply chain security for theNorth American health care market” .
Fullerenes are carbon nanotubes, single moleculeC 20 -C 120 with the most common moleculesbeing C 60 andC 70 . Endohedralmetallofullerenes are unique molecular carriers whereby a single atomor ions are inserted inside a C 60 molecule trapping and creating a protective impenetrablecage around the medical cargo. Fullerenes are biocompatible and thenanostructures are capable of being loaded with materials of medicalinterest for diagnostic and therapeutic medicine.
The new innovative mineral based radiographic drugsthat Voyageur & RCC will be focused on patenting include iodine,gadolinium, and iron oxide-based fullerene contrast agents. TheI 2 molecules for X-raycomputed tomography (CT) imaging and the Fe 2 O 3 and Gd ions can be used for magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). Nuclear imaging will be explored as Voyageur and RCC createthe research and development pathway for these new and noveldrugs.
The following is an example of a fullerene-based MRI contrast agent that delivered a gain of500-fold sensitivity versus conventional contrast agents. (1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12213469/ 2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20567614/ 3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33428854/ 4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35665690/ )
Voyageur and RCC will work jointly to develop newcommercial fullerene molecules for contrast media applications inmedical imaging. Fullerene based contrast media drugs will potentiallyallow for much earlier detection of disease and potentially provide asafer mechanism of transport, for toxic metals to be deployed in thebody, compared to current drugs that are in the market.
Net Zero Pharmaceutical Plant
Voyageur will deploy a RCC carbon capture unit at itsnew pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, scheduled for constructionin 2023, to help enable Voyageur to achieve its goal to become a lowcarbon emitter and align with the 2030 U.N. Sustainable DevelopmentGoals and Canadian investor Environmental, Social & Governancegoals (ESG). The unit will produce carbon for Voyageurs R & Dprogram and potential new drug production. Voyageur has a vision tobecome 100% carbon neutral and utilising RCC carbon capturetechnologies will play a significant role in achieving the milestoneof creating contrast materials that deliver a positive benefit for theenvironment and contribute to the fight against climate change.
About Voyageur
Voyageur is a Canadian public company listed on theTSXV under the trading symbol VM. Voyageur is focused on thedevelopment of barium, iodine, and carbon Active PharmaceuticalIngredients (“API”) and high-performance cost-effective imagingcontrast agents for the medical radiology marketplace. Voyageur’sgoal is to initially generate positive cash flow from operations usingthird party GMP pharmaceutical manufacturers in Canada. Ultimately,Voyageur has plans to build all the required infrastructure to become100% self-sufficient with all manufacturing. Voyageur owns a 100%interest in three barium sulphate (barite) projects including theFrances Creek property, suitable in grade for the pharmaceuticalbarite marketplace, with additional interest in a high-grade iodine,lithium & bromine brine project located in Utah, USA. Voyageur is moving forward with its business plan of becomingthe only fully integrated company in the radiology contrast mediafield, by controlling all primary input costs under the motto of: "From the Earth to theBottle".
About Rain Cage
Rain Cage is a private Canadian company that hasdeveloped a unique carbon capture process. It is focused on energytransformation allowing people, governments, financial institutions,and corporations to see and profitably surpass their environmental andsocial goals.
www.voyageurpharmaceuticals.ca
For Further MediaInformation or to set up an interview, please contact:
BrentWillis
President &CEO
AlDeslauriers
CFO
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange norits Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in thepolicies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for theadequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding“Forward-Looking” Information
This news releasemay contain certain forward-looking information and statements,including without limitation: statements pertaining to thedevelopment, research and efficacy of fullerene-based contrast mediadrugs, carbon neutrality the effectiveness and economics of the RCCcarbon capture unit, entering into the development agreement, and thetiming for the construction of Voyageur's new pharmaceuticalmanufacturing plant. All statements included herein, other thanstatements of historical fact, are forward-looking information andsuch information involves various risks and uncertainties. There canbe no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, andactual results and future events could differ materially from thoseanticipated in such information. A description of assumptions used todevelop such forward-looking information and a description of riskfactors that may cause actual results to differ materially fromforward-looking information can be found in the Company's disclosuredocuments on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Voyageur does notundertake to update any forward-looking information except inaccordance with applicable securities laws.
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