Driving health research to market for Alberta’s future

Researchers with GlycoNet conduct testing in their laboratory at the University of Alberta.
Photo courtesy of GlycoNet.

EDMONTON, ALBERTA (October 15, 2025) – New funding investment will support Alberta-led projects in researching new classes of vaccines, precision diagnostics and targeted therapies for Albertans.  

Alberta Innovates and GlycoNet will jointly invest $2 million in a new partnership to support applied research in Alberta with the intent to commercialize technologies that support patient care. GlycoNet is a national organization based at the University of Alberta that drives glycomics-based research – the study of complex sugars (glycans) that control many of the body’s most critical biological processes.  

The investment, $1 million from each organization, will accelerate the development of breakthrough therapeutics and diagnostics by advancing this field of study.  

Glycomics reveal vital information about how our bodies function. Glycans — sugar molecules coating every cell — regulate immune responses, infections, inflammation, and healing. In 2024, five of the world’s 10 top-selling drugs, including Humira for arthritis, and Keytruda for skin cancers, relied on glycans, generating more than CAD$ 100 billion in sales. Today, approximately 70 per cent of approved therapeutic proteins rely on glycan structures for their effectiveness. 

“This investment empowers glycomics researchers in Alberta to move discoveries into benefits such as more precise diagnostic tools and treatments for devastating diseases. We’re passionate about driving the next medical breakthroughs here in Alberta to benefit Albertans, Canadians and globally. GlycoNet is an important partner driving this innovation and showing leadership.  

• Mike Mahon, CEO Alberta Innovates  

Over the next three years, the funding will support approximately seven Alberta-led research projects that study glycomics to improve disease detection, treatment, and prevention. These discoveries could potentially enable entirely new classes of vaccines, precision diagnostics, and targeted therapies.  

 “What makes glycomics so exciting is its untapped potential. We’re opening new frontiers in medicine, enabling the development of innovative vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics to address unmet needs. With partners like Alberta Innovates, we are creating next-gen health solutions and building a more resilient, secure future for Albertans and Canadians.” 

• Dr. Elizabeth Nanak, CEO, GlycoNet. 

 Quick Facts 

• Investment Impact: $2 million over three years to fund approximately seven Alberta-led glycomics projects. 

• Why Glycomics Matters: Expands scientific insight beyond genomics and proteomics, enabling precision medicine and novel biotechnologies. 

• Economic Significance: Glycan-enabled therapies represent a multibillion-dollar global market, with rapidly increasing demand. Alberta’s life sciences sector overall supported 34,000 jobs with total economic output of $9.2 billion according to Bio Alberta.  

• Alberta’s Leadership: Alberta-led GlycoNet is Canada’s largest glycomics network and a recognized global leader. Since 2015, GlycoNet has invested $38.9M in federal funding, leveraged $54.4M in partner funding, trained 740+ scientists, and enabled the launch of seven companies. 

About GlycoNet 

Led out of the University of Alberta, GlycoNet is a pan-Canadian research network consisting of over 210 researchers in 36 institutions across the country and has funded over 180 projects. GlycoNet investigators use the study of carbohydrates (sugars) in living cells to find solutions to unmet health needs through the development of tools, drugs, vaccines and diagnostics. Taking a One-Health approach that considers the connections among human, animal and environmental health, GlycoNet is advancing research, innovation and training in glycomics to improve quality of life for Canadians. Under the network, GlycoNet Integrated Services (GIS) operates as a national platform of glycomics services. GlycoNet and GIS together provide one-stop access to glycomics tools, specialized expertise, consulting and collaborative opportunities to academia and industry, both nationally and internationally. GlycoNet is also a leader in training the next generation of glyco-scientists and promoting collaboration and advancement in glycomics research. GlycoNet is supported in part through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Science Fund, with GIS receiving further support through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Major Science Initiatives Fund and Genome Canada’s Technology Development Fund.  

 About Alberta Innovates 
Alberta Innovates is the province’s most comprehensive research and innovation agency. From funding to commercialization, it is Alberta’s innovation engine. Alberta Innovates fosters and accelerates research and innovation to benefit citizens and drive economic growth. 

Alberta Innovates works across sectors to fund, partner and enable entrepreneurship throughout the province. The corporation operates in numerous locations with more than one million square feet of industrial testing and lab facilities and 600 acres of farmland.