The passing of Grammy-award-winning singer, Roberta Flack earlier this week, brings renewed attention to the devastating impact of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), highlighting the need for continued research to better understand and treat this disease.
Sometimes referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease or Motor Neuron Disease, ALS is the most common cause of neurological death in Canada. The condition disrupts communication between neurons in the brain and spinal cord, and muscles, causing progressive paralysis and eventual death. There is no cure and existing treatments are limited.
Marc Shenouda, an ALS researcher, postdoctoral fellow at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Tanz CRND), and CEO and co-founder of start-up company, Neuropeutics, is hopeful that he can commercialize his research to bring an effective treatment for ALS from the lab bench to patients’ bedsides.
Shenouda spoke with writer Sarah McMahon about what sparked his interest in neurodegenerative disease research, his quest to create an effective treatment for ALS and how he intertwines academics with commercialization to advance science.
How did you discover that you wanted to be a scientist and what led to your interest in neurodegenerative diseases specifically?
I have always been fascinated by the complexity of living organisms and I joined a research lab on my first day of undergraduate studies. Throughout my undergraduate years, I sought multiple research opportunities with direct links to human health. My fascination with research grew as I started to realize that many of the experiments I was performing were completely novel – no one had done them before.
One day while volunteering in a hospital, I learned that the field of neurology is sometimes referred to as the field of diagnose and adios, referring to the fact that many patients, especially those living with neurodegenerative diseases, receive their diagnosis and are bidden farewell; there is very little that can be done for them until they succumb to the disease.
Having known family members and friends who suffered from neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, the phrase diagnose and adios, has really pushed me to dedicate my career to enhancing the standard treatments for these diseases.
After receiving such a diagnosis, you see your loved ones experience confusion, frustration, and grief as they struggle with memory loss and declining independence, often leading to anxiety or depression. Activities of daily living become harder and harder, until they eventually need full-time care. Families also experience emotional turmoil and financial strain as they help their loved ones cope with the disease. In fact, many families experience anticipatory grief, mourning their loved ones even before they are gone.
Research often involves a lot of trial and error. How do you stay motivated when you encounter setbacks or when tasks become repetitive?
Interacting with patients who are living with ALS at charity and advocacy group events is one of the most powerful motivators for me. Hearing their stories, understanding their struggles, and witnessing their courage, reminds me why I started this journey in the first place.
It is incredibly humbling to see the strength and resilience of individuals living with ALS and it reinforces the importance of my work. These moments bring a personal connection to my research, turning the challenges and repetitive tasks into meaningful steps toward a goal that truly matters.
Knowing that my work has the potential to improve the lives of these patients and their families, keeps me grounded and determined, even on the toughest days.
What prompted you to start Neuropeutics and venture into the world of commercialization?
As I was finishing up my doctoral degree, I realized that Janice Robertson, Professor and Canada Research Chair, Tier 2, in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and I had discovered a potentially promising new therapy and I really wanted to ensure that our innovation would reach patients. To translate a scientific breakthrough into a real-world treatment, you need to venture into the world of commercialization. As the CEO of Neuropeutics, I can now secure the necessary funding, regulatory approvals and industry partnerships to bridge the gap between research and real patient impact.
How would you describe the relationship between academic research and commercialization?
The relationship between academic research and commercialization is complementary. Academic research is the foundation of innovation, driving new discoveries and deepening our understanding of diseases and treatments. However, for these breakthroughs to make a real-world impact, they must transition from the lab to the market.
Academia focuses on knowledge generation, while commercialization focuses on product development. It is extremely common for academic researchers to collaborate with industry partners to develop and advance life-changing innovations for patients.
How has your understanding of science and research evolved since you started your journey?
Since starting my PhD and launching Neuropeutics, my understanding of science and research has grown immensely. Initially, I viewed science primarily as a quest for answers to theoretical questions. Through my academic and entrepreneurial journey, I have come to appreciate that science is equally about asking the right questions, iterating on ideas and translating those discoveries to the broader community.
In academia, the focus was often on uncovering knowledge, while the start-up world has taught me to think about how that knowledge can be translated into tangible solutions for patients. The transition from bench research to commercialization showed me the importance of collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams, balancing innovation with practicality, and navigating regulatory pathways and the realm of funding.
What excites you the most when thinking about your future in science and research commercialization?
I am most excited about the potential to translate cutting-edge research into tangible therapies that can improve the lives of patients with neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. The idea that my PhD work could one day be the basis of ALS treatment, providing hope and relief to patients and their families, is what drives me every day.
