Clinical trials allow researchers to assess the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, treatments, and therapies for our population. It is through these studies and their collaborative networks, that medical innovation in Canada continues to evolve.
As part of Canada's Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy (BLSS), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Clinical Trials Fund (CTF) will be foundational in ensuring that Canadians are well served by a national clinical trials network that fosters all aspects of therapeutics development, from discovery through to delivery. It will be crucial to preparedness for future pandemics or other health emergencies and to grow a strong life sciences sector.
Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, announced a new investment to support one clinical trials consortium, seven training platforms, and 22 research projects. This is Canada's largest-ever investment in clinical trials.
The Accelerating Clinical Trials Consortium, led by Dr. PJ Devereaux (Population Health Research Institute of McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences) along with hundreds of researchers from across the country, is expanding existing clinical trial networks and helping to create new networks that will improve collaboration, knowledge sharing, efficiency, quality, and the number of clinical trials in Canada. This Pan-Canadian consortium is receiving $39M for its activities.
Seven training platforms are receiving a combined investment of over $32M to train a new generation of scientists and researchers in such specialties as biostatistics, stroke research, behavioural change, and the general practice of clinical research. One of them is the Canadian Consortium of Clinical Trial Training platform. This collaborative initiative led by Dr. Jean Bourbeau (Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre) is addressing the critical need for training and mentoring of clinical research professionals to fill gaps across our public institutions and biotechnology industries.
Approximately $60M is being awarded to 22 projects to fund clinical trial phases, designs, and objectives that align with the priorities of the BLSS. Highlights of this major funding stream include:
- Dr. Fiona Smaill (McMaster University) and researchers from Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec, as well as the city of Manchester, England, are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of an inhaled aerosol vaccine that can help break the cycle of new COVID-19 variants, waning vaccine immunity, transmission, and infection.
- Dr. Ewan Goligher (University Health Network) and researchers in Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United States, are working on a new approach to stop patients from developing lung damage from ventilators.
- Dr. Natasha Kekre (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute) is joining forces with research institutions and governmental organizations in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan to explore the potential of modified T-cells to fight particularly resistant forms of blood cancer.
- Dr. Todd Lee (McGill University) is collaborating with researchers from Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK to evaluate multiple treatment strategies for staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection to assess the effectiveness of different combinations of antibiotics in a randomized controlled trial.
- Dr. Srinivas Murthy (University of British Columbia) is working with researchers from Canada, Colombia, and the United States, to improve care for the sickest patients in the hospital, by supporting those with community-acquired pneumonia.
- Dr. Nicola Wright (University of Calgary) and researchers from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and the city of Los Angeles, United States, are paving the way for gene therapy in Canada, using a therapy for the genetic disorder C3delta SCID as a pilot for a gene therapy framework.
The CTF ensures that Canada is well-positioned to develop and produce safe and effective vaccines and therapies that protect Canadians against future health emergencies. The direct impact of these investments will also contribute to fulfilling our vision of a healthier future for all.
