Active Pass Pharmaceuticals

Active Pass Pharmaceuticals was a Vancouver-based biotechnology company specializing in the discovery of small molecule drugs targeting the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of transporters. The company's primary focus was on ABCA1, a protein involved in cholesterol efflux and the clearance of amyloid-beta, making it a significant target for Alzheimer's disease and metabolic conditions. Founded by renowned geneticist Dr. Michael Hayden, the company utilized a proprietary screening platform to identify modulators of lipid transport. In 2005, Active Pass was acquired by QLT Inc. for approximately $8.5 million to expand QLT's portfolio into neurodegenerative research.