CATALIS’s public and private partners join forces to make Quebec a
global leader in the conduct of early-stage clinical trials.
PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#QcBIO2019–During the 2019 BIO (Biotechnology Innovation Organization)
International Convention (BIO 2019), CATALIS Québec announced that its
eight pharmaceutical partners have renewed their financial commitments.
Since its launch, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, AbbVie, Takeda, Novartis,
Merck, Servier and Roche have invested nearly CAD 1.6 million in the
CATALIS initiative to support Quebec’s role as a global leader in the
field of early clinical research.
Since 2017, this innovative public-private partnership has rallied some
fifteen organizations working jointly to develop and establish clinical
research global best practices for the benefit of patients and the
public in Quebec.
“To ensure our life sciences industry enjoys a solid reputation and a
competitive edge, it is critical to attract more private investment. By
mobilizing all actors of this sector of the economy, the CATALIS
initiative strengthens Québec’s position as a leader in early-stage
clinical research. The government is proud to support this project,
which clearly shows the industry’s innovative character,” stated Pierre
Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy and Innovation.
“From the outset, our association has supported the CATALIS initiative,
and several members of Innovative Medicines Canada are now involved in
this network, which is a major asset for Quebec. We endorse several
actions of the 2017-2027 Québec Life Sciences Strategy, including this
partnership model, based on converging interests, to accelerate the
discovery of innovative treatment solutions for patients,” declared
Pamela Fralick, president of Innovative Medicines Canada.
In addition to developing resources for the entire clinical research
ecosystem in Quebec, the CATALIS initiative supports five institutions
in the Quebec health care system: the Centre hospitalier de l’Université
de Montréal (CHUM), the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), the
Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine, the CHU de Québec –
Université Laval and the Centre de Recherche du Centre
hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS). These partner
institutions have received funding to support them as they implement
their expertise in early clinical research, notably allowing them to
hire highly qualified research staff.
“CATALIS has created a unique partnership network that brings together
the key players in the field of clinical research in Quebec. By working
together, we’ll stimulate the launch of new clinical trials and generate
positive impacts for Quebec’s economy and for the health of its people,”
stated Danika Laberge, general manager of CATALIS Québec.
Early-stage clinical trials (phases 1 and 2) are the first studies
conducted on humans to provide scientific proof of the safety and
efficacy of a medication or some other therapeutic approach. These
trials, which involve a small group of patients, often represent an
opportunity to find a potential treatment for patients with serious
diseases when standard therapies have failed.
To learn more: catalisquebec.com.
Contacts
Isabelle Girard, Communications and Marketing Director, CATALIS Québec
igirard@catalisquebec.com
+1-514-233-6671