Ottawa Hospital researchers awarded clinical trial funding support from feds

Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have received major new funding for clinical trials as part of a national funding announcement made by the federal government earlier this week. 

The feds 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 Clinical Trials Fund (CTF) is not only helping strengthen the innovative research across the country, it is also driving important health interventions that will improve health outcomes for Canadians. With the pan-Canadian clinical trials consortium, several training platforms, and 22 projects ranging from gene therapy to cancer treatments to new vaccines, this initiative is starting strong and demonstrates the need for sustained clinical funding in Canada,” said Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos

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.

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 $39 million for its activities. Dr. Dean Fergusson, a researcher at The Ottawa Hospital, is co-leading the initiative. 

Seven training platforms are receiving a combined investment of over $32 million 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. 

Approximately $60 million is being awarded to 22 projects to fund clinical trial phases, designs, and objectives that align with the priorities of the BLSS. 

“The funding provided through the CTF breaks new ground in clinical trials and is fundamental to CIHR’s commitment to ensuring the best health for all through research excellence,” said Michael J. Strong, president of the CIHR. “This is a pivotal step that will increase the number and quality of clinical trials, build capacity, improve collaboration, and get results into the hands of doctors, nurses, health officials and policymakers faster for the benefit of Canadian patients.”

Dr. Natasha Kekre and Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre, also researchers with The Ottawa Hospital, were awarded $4 million and $1.3 million respectively for their projects. 

Dr. Kekre is leading a clinical trial of genetically engineered immune cells to treat cancer (called CAR-T therapy). Her team has now treated more than 50 patients in their first trial with promising results and this next trial will allow them to expand across Canada and hopefully get Health Canada approval.

“We are hoping that at least that with the current clinical trials, patients with certain blood cancers who have run out of other options will now be able to pursue the CAR-T therapy as part of our clinical trials,” said Dr. Kekre on The Sam Laprade Show on Jan. 20. “Ultimately, if all goes well, and if we see a good response rate which we are expecting and hopeful of than we hope this would go beyond clinical trials and be used for standard of care treatments down the road for cancer patients in Ottawa.”

Listen to the full interview with Dr. Natasha Kekre below: