Triera Biosciences completed a Government of Canada contract through the Innovative Solutions Canada program, achieving aptamer selection for the H5N1 avian influenza strain in approximately seven weeks. The contract focused on developing an aptamer‑based asset capable of binding and deactivating the H5N1 virus, demonstrating the platform’s rapid discovery capability.
Following the ISC contract, Triera secured a $300,000 Ontario Centres of Innovation Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C) agreement. The OCI deal, which includes matched cash contributions from OCI and Zentek, will advance the platform toward proprietary seasonal influenza treatment candidates targeting H1N1, H3N2, and H7N9 subtypes. The collaboration will be conducted in partnership with the Li and Miller laboratories at McMaster University.
The new agreements validate and de‑risk Triera’s multivalent aptamer technology, moving it from proof‑of‑concept to a commercialization‑ready stage. The speed of aptamer selection—achieved in just seven weeks—highlights a key competitive advantage over conventional antibody approaches, enabling faster candidate iteration for seasonal influenza targets. The OCI funding also provides financial support and institutional endorsement, positioning Triera to pursue further development and potential regulatory approval for seasonal influenza therapeutics.
Dr. Adam MacIntosh, Vice President of Scientific Affairs, noted that the platform’s evolution from SARS‑CoV‑2 to H5N1 and now to seasonal influenza demonstrates its flexibility and suitability for addressing ongoing infectious disease challenges. He added that the partnership with McMaster University’s research teams and the new OCI funding will accelerate the development of next‑generation influenza therapeutics.
These developments align with Zentek’s strategic reset, which prioritizes its core platforms—Albany Graphite, ZenGUARD™, and Triera—while focusing on capital discipline and growth opportunities. The government contracts and OCI funding reinforce Triera’s trajectory toward commercial viability and underscore the broader market opportunity for effective seasonal influenza treatments.
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