In the press

Biomanufacturing optimization is often slow, complex, and resource-intensive. Virica is excited to introduce Viric.AI™, a proprietary active learning platform that expands Virica’s capabilities with a smarter, faster approach to biomanufacturing optimization. Developed in collaboration with Dr. Francesco Gentile’s lab at the University of Ottawa, Viric.AI™ combines machine learning with iterative experimental feedback to help guide [...]

AAV manufacturing remains a major bottleneck in gene therapy, limiting scalability, increasing production challenges, and slowing the path to broader patient access.  Virica is pleased to announce its selection under the NRC IRAP Canada–Japan Corporate Co-Innovation Program for a collaboration with FUJIFILM Biosciences. The project will focus on developing an off-the-shelf enhancer–media solution to improve AAV yield and process robustness in the FUJIFILM Biosciences BalanCD® HEK293 system.  The [...]

  Virica Biotech is excited to welcome Dr. James Taylor, co-founder and former CEO of Precision NanoSystems, to our Board of Directors! James transformed PNI into a global leader in lipid-nanoparticle and mRNA-based genetic-medicine platforms, guiding its acquisition by Danaher and integration into Cytiva’s Life Sciences portfolio. With deep expertise in microfluidics, nanotechnology, and scaling [...]

Virica Biotech and eXmoor Pharma have announce a new collaboration project funded by a joint UK-Canada government initiative.  This project aims to enhance the manufacturing of adeno-associated vectors (AAVs) crucial for gene therapies, ultimately reducing costs and improving the accessibility of life-saving therapies.  The collaborative project will utilize Virica’s VSEs™, small molecules that have been [...]

Wednesday November 20th,  08:00 PST / 11:00 EST / 16:00 GMT / 17:00 CET Virica Biotech and Culture Biosciences will present innovative solutions to address the high costs associated with gene therapy manufacturing. Real-world case studies will highlight improved productivity, shorter timelines, and more efficient scale-up. Attendees will gain insights into optimizing AAV production using [...]

Virica Biotech and Ginkgo Bioworks have announced a strategic partnership aimed at improving AAV gene therapy production. Virica will provide a panel of its Viral Sensitizer Enhancers (VSETM) to Ginkgo for high-throughput AAV production screening, while Ginkgo will utilize its advanced screening platform to test VSEs directly in clients' cell lines. This collaboration is expected [...]

Invest Ottawa announces Virica’s graduation from its flagship program following significant growth, increased revenue, team expansion, creating numerous jobs, and securing critical funding. As Virica transitions to the IO ScaleUp program, its aim is to expand services, enter new markets, and continue helping life-saving cell and gene therapies scale. Read Full Article: LINK HERE

  On June 24, 2024, Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a $1.5 million repayable investment to support the expansion of Virica's new facility [...]

Virica has been selected as a project lead for one of NIIMBL | The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals planned projects, which aim to address key opportunities for innovation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. NIIMBL is a public-private partnership whose mission is to accelerate biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Virica, with support from NIIMBL members AstraZeneca and Sartorius Stedim Biotech, aims to increase [...]

Our own Ella Korets-Smith, Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder of Virica Biotech, has been featured in the Ottawa Business Journal for her impactful role in advancing breakthrough biotechnology to “democratize gene therapy.” Virica’s vision is to make gene therapies accessible and affordable. Ella shares her entrepreneurial journey building Virica from an idea to a thriving [...]