Ottawa, Ontario - Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Clinical trials are essential scientific studies that evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and outcomes of health interventions such as vaccines and treatments used across Canada to protect Canadians from diseases. The Government of Canada is working to reinforce the clinical trials environment so that we can improve health outcomes for Canadians while ensuring Canada is well-positioned to respond to future pandemics and other health priorities.
Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, officially launched the Clinical Trials Fund (CTF), supported by a Budget 2021 investment of $250 million over three years for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). As an integral component of Canada's Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy, the CTF will strengthen the clinical trials infrastructure in Canada and support the training of new clinical researchers.
Through the CTF, CIHR will reinforce the clinical trials ecosystem by investing in three funding streams:
- The Pan-Canadian Clinical Trials Consortium will create a new platform to strengthen coordination between domestic and international clinical trial networks. This will serve to advance equitable access to clinical trials, build capacity, and improve their impact.
- The Clinical Trials Training Platforms will improve recruitment, training, and mentoring strategies to better position the next generation of clinical trial researchers within the biomanufacturing sector.
- Clinical Trials Projects will support the clinical trials pipeline, from discovery to implementation, through operating grants targeting priority research areas.
By investing in these streams, researchers across the country will conduct all stages of clinical trials to develop new vaccines, therapeutics, and other interventions, addressing a broad range of health conditions. This will ensure that Canada can solve current and future health challenges as well as remain globally recognized for the quality and expertise of its research clinicians.
