The Alberta-based Réseau Canadien de la Glycomique (GlycoNet), which develops new carbohydrate-based drugs, vaccines and diagnostics, joined forces with Quebec-based IRICoR, a group that specializes in drug discovery and commercialization. Both are part of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence program, which fosters academic, government and industry partnerships in various areas of research.

GlycoNet and IRICoR are currently working together to tackle immune thrombocytopenia, formerly known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a rare blood disorder that causes the immune system to attack – and destroy – otherwise normal platelets.

Read the full story on The Globe and Mail: Scientific collaboration yields new hope for children affected by rare blood disorder