St. John’s-based Sequence Bio, which uses genomic data to improve drug discovery, announced this week the approval of the NB Genome Project Pilot in partnership with three doctors in Moncton.

The main thrust of Sequence Bio’s mission so far has been to lead a large-scale genetic research project in Newfoundland and Labrador, to be called the NL Genome Project. This community-based initiative aims to create a powerful drug-discovery platform to help with the identification of diseases and the drugs that could treat them.

The New Brunswick pilot project will be the company’s first genomic research project. Meanwhile, Newfoundland and Labrador is proceeding with the formation of a board to review genetic and genomic research. Once that board is formed, Sequence plans to submit its proposed NL Genome Project Pilot and proceed with its research in its home province.

The company said the New Brunswick project was rigorously vetted and approved by Veritas, a nationally recognized ethics review board of Canadian genomics and ethics experts.

"As this approval confirms, Sequence Bio's research studies are backed by world-leading expertise and meet all ethical regulations,” said Sequence CEO Chris Gardner in a statement. “This project mirrors the one we submitted in Newfoundland and Labrador, and we are eagerly waiting for the province's new genomics review board to be formed so we can bring this important research to our home province."

The NB pilot program aims to gain a deeper understanding of New Brunswick's genetic makeup by studying the DNA of 2,500 volunteers, and to better understand, treat, and prevent the diseases that impact this region the most.

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Joining the study at a participating doctor's office, the volunteers will provide a saliva sample, fill out a questionnaire, and grant permission to access their medical records. The health and genetic information will be coded, combined, and analyzed by researchers with an aim to better understand this province's genetic makeup, and to look for patterns and genetic changes.

Gardner said the New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador projects are almost identical in makeup.

“Like in Newfoundland and Labrador, some diseases present at higher than normal rates in New Brunswick, and we hope to find out why,” he said in an email. “This research will put New Brunswick on the cutting edge of genomics care, and we’re very proud to be a part of that.”

Sequence Bio will invest “several million dollars” in New Brunswick to grow its team and provide participants access to a genetic counsellor. Participants can also choose whether they want to receive findings reports about their genetic makeup.

“These findings could be significant, and may potentially help Sequence Bio and approved partners identify opportunities for the development of better, safer treatments and help in the development of a larger-scale research project in New Brunswick,” said the statement.

The principal investigator of the New Brunswick project is Dr. Michael Phillips, who joined Sequence as Chief Scientific Officer in January.

Sequence last raised capital two years ago this month, when it closed a US$3 million (C$3.95 million) round led by Silicon Valley venture capital firm Data Collective.

“Our investors continue to believe in and support this important work,” said Gardner. “The company will be doing a Series A financing in the coming months.”