Toronto may be famous for landmarks like the CN Tower and the Raptors, but at Consensus 2025, Canurta Therapeutics’ CEO Akeem Gardner captured the spotlight—not only for representing his hometown but for seamlessly combining biotech, blockchain, and compelling storytelling. In an exclusive interview with Benzinga's Dan Leach, Gardner outlined Canurta's mission: extracting nature's rarest molecules to combat complex diseases, beginning with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Yet, his vision extends well beyond scientific labs. He is merging the power of Web3 with the high-risk arena of drug development—and adding a gamified element to the mix. Read Also: Rocket Pharma’s Gene Therapy Future Clouded By Regulatory Uncertainty The Healing Project – A Fusion of Marvel and Moderna Introducing The Healing Project, a decentralized NFT community where participants adopt digital personas and unite to fight villains inspired by illnesses like cancer, arthritis, and ALS. Gardner compares it to a superhero universe where “everyone gets their own superpowers. ” It’s a Marvel-meets-Moderna concept, enhanced by blockchain technology. Supporting this digital universe is a tangible strategy. Canurta is unveiling the Satoshi Trials, an innovative funding approach using Bitcoin (BTC/USD) as a treasury reserve asset to fuel clinical trials. Their initial focus: an ALS treatment, partially inspired by Bitcoin pioneer Hal Finney, who succumbed to the disease in 2014. “We’re extremely excited that we can use the Satoshi Trials first to get our clinical trial for ALS underway, ” Gardner stated. For Gardner, blockchain represents more than just technology—it’s a catalyst for engaging real people in genuine healing.

By connecting digital economies with actual medical outcomes, he aims to empower communities traditionally neglected by conventional healthcare. Coming next: adaptive medicines derived from plant compounds and powered by AI, tapping into nature’s own intelligence. As Gardner remarks, “Nature has the answers to everything. ” Biotech. Bitcoin. Battling bad guys. If Gardner’s world seems like science fiction, it’s simply because nobody else has written the story yet. Now, he’s bringing it to life—and he’s only just begun. Read Next: Tesla, Block Ride Bitcoin Boom As MicroStrategy Goes All In Photo: Shutterstock