As part of the StrongerBC Economic Plan’s Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, the Province has made a significant announcement regarding how BC will continue to “position British Columbia as a global hub for life sciences and biomanufacturing, and as a leading centre for commercial-scale biopharmaceutical and medical manufacturing.” through an expansion of the Province’s clinical trial capacity. Due to clinical trials being an essential component of the translational medicine pipeline, this announcement is exciting for the Academy of Translational Medicine and those in its community.
The strategy consists of various components. For example, British Columbia will be creating a new Phase 1 clinical trial unit (CTU) at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, the first (non-cancer) in Western Canada. The unit will be a $4.2 million investment and by late 2024 is expected to be operational. An additional $2.4 million will also be provided to UBC for the “establishment of an endowed research chair focused on accelerating the province’s capacity to design and conduct trials of next-generation therapeutics”.
“Strengthening B.C.’s early-stage clinical trials ecosystem will advance life-saving medicines for patients by fostering collaboration between researchers, clinicians and industry experts,” –Anne Stevens (vice-president of business development, AbCellera)
Patients in BC will have more opportunities for clinical trial participation for therapeutics they previously wouldn’t, due to biotech companies soon having the ability to conduct Phase 1 clinical trials within the province. This project also includes a Phase 1 to 3 CTU planned for a clinical support and research centre beside the new St. Paul’s Hospital at the Jim Pattison Medical Campus, and Michael Smith Health Research BC contributing $1.2 million and support for the initiatives.
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