Triera Biosciences is Zentek’s wholly owned biotech brand focused on a multivalent aptamer platform designed to rapidly discover and develop novel therapeutics. The platform aims to offer an alternative or complement to antibody‑based approaches, with the potential for faster development and scalable manufacturing.
Triera works at the intersection of nucleic‑acid chemistry and advanced analytics to design short DNA or RNA sequences that bind tightly and selectively to disease targets.
Who Triera Is
Triera Biosciences was created to build a focused vehicle for Zentek’s aptamer‑based therapeutics and diagnostics programs. The company is built around a global exclusive licence of the aptamer and DNAzyme platform technology developed in collaboration with McMaster University.
As a dedicated brand within Zentek, Triera is focused on de‑risking its aptamer platform through focused infectious‑disease programs, government contracts and collaborations that can lead to co‑development, milestones and royalties.
Platform Technology
Aptamers are short strands of nucleic acid that fold into three‑dimensional shapes capable of binding to specific proteins or other targets with high affinity and selectivity. Triera’s multivalent platform is designed to:
- Combine multiple binding domains into a single construct to improve potency and breadth.
- Tune binding strength and specificity by adjusting sequence and structure.
- Enable purely synthetic manufacturing, offering consistency and potentially lower production complexity versus biologics.
This approach is intended to allow Triera to design candidates quickly against existing and emerging variants of viruses and other disease targets.
Current Programs
Triera is focusing its early work where speed and adaptability matter most.
- Respiratory viruses - Triera has generated promising preclinical data with a lead multivalent aptamer candidate targeting SARS‑CoV‑2, showing strong therapeutic potential in early studies.
- Avian influenza H5N1 - Under a Government of Canada contract, Triera is working on multivalent aptamer candidates designed to counter current and emerging avian influenza strains, aiming to demonstrate rapid response capability.
As the platform is validated, Triera plans to expand into additional infectious‑disease, oncology and immunology targets with partners.
Development and Partnering Model
Triera’s goal is not to build a fully integrated pharmaceutical company, but to prove the platform and then collaborate.
- Focus on generating strong preclinical data for priority programs.
- Seek co‑development partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies at an early stage.
- Structure deals that can include upfront payments, R&D funding, milestones and royalties while retaining platform value at Zentek.
This model is intended to keep internal overhead light while allowing the platform to scale through partnerships.
Triera Within Zentek
Triera Biosciences is 100% owned by Zentek. Zentek provides capital, governance and shared services, while Triera focuses on scientific development and strategic collaborations.
Within Zentek’s portfolio, Triera offers exposure to the upside of biotech innovation, complementing the near‑term commercialization of ZenGUARD™ filtration and the long‑duration optionality of the Albany Graphite Project.