NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 2005
FINDING NEW AND BETTER WAYS TO FIGHT CANCER
Premier McGuinty Launches Innovative Institute For Cancer Research
TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty today celebrated the official launch of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), the first collaborative research institute in Canada to focus efforts on the entire spectrum of cancer issues -- from prevention right through to treatments.
"Cancer is a disease that affects one in three Ontarians," said Premier McGuinty, who is also the Minister of Research and Innovation. "We owe it to families to do everything we can to fight cancer by supporting research that will help Ontarians lead fuller, healthier lives."
The Premier made today's announcement at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. The government is investing $142 million over four years to create the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. Working with public and private sector partners, researchers from across the province will work together on a coordinated strategy to fight cancer -- from the need for better prevention and early detection to more targeted diagnosis and more effective treatments. As a major hub for cancer research, the OICR will also partner with other leading provincial, national and international cancer research institutions to advance research opportunities.
In the past, the government's cancer research funds were distributed piecemeal to different researchers and research teams. This meant that "big picture" ideas with great promise did not receive funding because the research required many teams working together toward a common goal. With the creation of the OICR, researchers and caregivers can now pursue bigger ideas by working together and sharing information and resources.
"Investment in cancer research holds the key to our ability to prevent, and continually improve cancer detection and treatment," said Dr. Terry Sullivan, President and CEO of Cancer Care Ontario. "The research generated through the OICR will enable us to reduce the risk of cancer and lead to better care for Ontario patients in the future."
Part of the government's investment announced today includes $65.2 million to support ongoing research programs under the Ontario Cancer Research Network -- a provincially funded not-for-profit organization that transforms promising laboratory research into new treatments. Of that $65.2 million, the government today announced that $21.3 million has been awarded to nine academic and research institutions, and two research consortia across Ontario as part of the network's next funding phase.
These investments are part of the government's plan to improve the health of Ontarians by creating a place where ideas are shared and research and innovation thrive. Developing the next generation of cancer researchers will lead to better health for Ontarians, and make Ontario an internationally recognized centre for cancer research.
"Today's investments will help create a critical mass of researchers in Ontario and a more coordinated, collaborative approach to fighting cancer," said Premier McGuinty. "This will help us attract and retain the best talent, create more investment in the province and strengthen our reputation for innovation in the field of cancer research."
Contacts Presse:
- IRIS CONSEIL
- Christine Arnal
- Tél : 01 45 44 04 21
- Fax: 01 45 44 18 14
- E-mail: c.arnal@iris-conseil.net
- & Site: http://www.iris-conseil.net
Ray
Lancashire
Media Relations
Invest Ontario Program
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
(416) 326- 1608
December 2005
ONTARIO INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is the first research network in Canada to bring together leading researchers from across the province in a coordinated effort to fight cancer.
A core group of OICR researchers will be located in the MaRS Discovery District, part of a corridor of innovation that includes dozens of public research institutes working with industry to speed new discoveries from the lab to the marketplace. Other researchers will conduct their research at existing labs in universities, health science centres and research institutes across the province.
The OICR will work with public and private sector partners to translate findings and new knowledge into better prevention, earlier diagnosis and new life-saving treatments. Researchers joining the institute will work collaboratively in support of these goals. The institute will also help develop Ontario's next generation of cancer researchers. By connecting researchers with each other, and to international institutions, the province will expand its innovation capacity and help make Ontario a world leader in cancer research.
Ontario Cancer Research Network
The Ontario Cancer Research Network (OCRN), a provincially funded not-for-profit organization, will consolidate its programs within the OICR to better coordinate the fight against cancer.
The OCRN takes promising research from the lab and develops new treatments for patients. For example, network-funded projects have led to new techniques for killing cancer cells that preserve surrounding healthy tissue, and a vaccine that stimulates the immune system to attack tumour cells related to an incurable form of leukemia.
The board of directors at the OCRN will appoint an internationally recognized Scientific Director to lead the OICR. As part of the coordinated fight against cancer, the OCRN board has been expanded to include representatives from Cancer Care Ontario, research hospitals, the University Health Network, universities and other experts.