The University of British Columbia is an active participant in five of the 11 grants awarded by the Government of Canada for the new Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR). Close to $75 million of the $163 million is awarded to UBC affiliated Centres of Excellence.
“We welcome the Government of Canada’s recent investment in commercialization and research,” said Dr. John Hepburn, UBC Vice President, Research. “This announcement further recognizes UBC’s international reputation for excellence, innovation and leadership.”
Four of the five Centres for Excellence in which UBC researchers participate are based in Vancouver; the fifth is based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. They are:
Advanced Applied Physics Solutions, Inc. (AAPS) – Vancouver
AAPS is a wholly owned, not-for-profit subsidiary of TRIUMF,
Canada’s National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics. TRIUMF is located on UBC’s south campus and is operated as a joint venture with UBC and six other Canadian universities. At any given time there are approximately 80 UBC faculty and students on site.
“With the great talent of the Canadian universities to draw on, especially with UBC right next door, this award will seed the transfer of ideas and innovations from laboratory to marketplace,” said Centre Director Philip Gardner.
Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) – Vancouver
The Centre for Drug Research and Development proposes to increase the probability that discoveries made by Canadian researchers become medicines that improve the health and well being of Canadians and millions worldwide. An international calibre initiative led by founders with extensive academic research backgrounds and success in establishing key B.C. life sciences companies, CDRD is a hybrid organization that brings together researchers, institutions and industry to bridge the gap between primary research and the successful development of new medicines. Based at UBC, CDRD has received more than $66 million in funding to date. UBC is a founding institution of CDRD and a consistent supporter providing facilities and expertise.
“CDRD exactly addresses what the Government of Canada is hoping to achieve with these Centres of Excellence,” said Natalie Dakers, CEO of the Centre for Drug Research and Development. “It has recognized that CDRD is already well on its way to tackling commercializing problems, so, rather than create something new it is building upon an existing foundation that has already garnered support from the Provincial Government, industry and key academic and health institutions. This $15 million will significantly accelerate our progress and build our capacity.”
Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise (PREVENT) – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), a UBC partner, along with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan, and the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology in Halifax have pooled their expertise to create PREVENT. Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise CECR will strengthen Canada’s vaccine industry, promoting growth, investment and improved global competitiveness. Dr Robert Brunham, Provincial Executive Director of the BCCDC and UBC Professor of Medicine, is a co-leader of PREVENT. Four of the vaccine candidates identified for possible PREVENT funding are:
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Mad Cow disease
- E coli
- Salmonella – non-typhoidal
The BCCDC plays a significant role in Canada’s infectious disease capability and offers unique research expertise that will contribute to PREVENT through vaccine antigen discovery methods (with secured patents) for respiratory viral diseases such as SARS, influenza and for sexually transmitted pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis. More than 20 investigators and 30 students at the BCCDC research various aspects of disease prevention and control.
Prevention of Epidemic Organ Failure (PROOF) – Vancouver
The Prevention of Epidemic Organ Failure (PROOF) CECR will lead the way in finding practical solutions to vital organ failure and its impact on Canadians and our health care system.
“The opportunity provided by the Networks CECR Program to our team to deepen our search for markers of heart, lung and kidney risk or an early disease, as well as markers that herald disease progression towards organ failure is so exhilarating,” said Dr. Bruce McManus, Director, PROOF, Director, Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul’s Hospital and Professor in UBC’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
The Prostate Centre’s Translational Research Initiative for Accelerated Discovery and Development (PC-TRIADD) – Vancouver
The Prostate Centre at Vancouver General Hospital is a UBC Centre of Excellence, in collaboration with Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI). It is an extensive, state-of-the-art facility and multi-disciplinary team of scientists and clinicians with an established record of major successes. The Prostate Centre is an international leader in cancer research, identifying and developing new treatments for prostate and other cancers. PC-TRIADD encompasses tumor biology, drug discovery, preclinical testing, and clinical research, all in close partnership with national clinical trials, research networks and industry.
“PC-TRIADD acts as a bridge between academia and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, conducting translational research that facilitates rapid progression of new drug treatments into human trials, promoting regional growth and investment in biotechnology, and improving patient care,” said Dr. Martin Gleave, Director, Prostate Centre and UBC Professor Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine.
VCHRI is the research body of Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. In academic partnership with UBC, the institute advances health research and innovation across B.C., Canada, and beyond. www.vchri.ca
BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority that focuses on preventing and controlling communicable disease and promoting environmental health for the province. The day-to-day public health work of the BCCDC is done in support of regional health authorities, the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer. Scientific and technical support is provided by a number of specialized, yet integrated, operating divisions. www.bccdc.org
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