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Governments of Canada and Alberta Invest to Move Medical Discoveries to Market |
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Wednesday, 19 May 2010 |
Calgary, AB- Canadians suffering from injuries and chronic diseases affecting the brain and nerves will benefit from new medical technologies thanks to a joint investment from the Governments of Canada and Alberta. Funding for the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) nerve repair and regeneration facility at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine will make it easier for promising treatments developed in its labs to reach the marketplace, and patients worldwide.
"Today's investment will ensure that our health research community has the resources and equipment needed to transfer discoveries into marketable products, which will benefit the quality of life for many Canadians," said the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
$2.3 million in support from the Canada-Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA), the University of Calgary, and Integra LifeSciences Corporation, is enabling research leaders at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute to access new resources needed to pre-clinically test new nerve regeneration technologies. The ability to perform these tests will play a key role in enhancing the HBI's capacity to efficiently translate discoveries into marketable products.
"When people think about Alberta, we want them to think about groundbreaking science and big ideas," said Doug Horner, Deputy Premier and Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. "This investment in the Hotchkiss Brain Institute will help put our province on the map as the place-to-be for innovative medical research."
The Government of Canada's investment has enabled the acquisition of advanced imaging and analysis equipment, which paired with Alberta government and industry funding will further support the development of strong industry partnerships, highly trained personnel and valuable intellectual property at the HBI, all of which will contribute to diversifying the Alberta economy and enhancing Alberta's reputation for innovation in the rapidly expanding biomedical field.
"Integra is extremely honored to have the opportunity to partner with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute to further explore the potential applications of regenerative medicine in treating the neurosurgical patient," said William MacDonald, President of Canada Microsurgical, a subsidiary of Integra LifeSciences Corporation. "We look forward to a stimulating and productive partnership with the HBI."
"This new facility helps the University of Calgary realize its goal of becoming an international leader in biomedical engineering, which is one of our top-priority areas of research," says U of C President-elect Elizabeth Cannon. "Biomedical research creates opportunities for researchers and students from a variety of disciplines to collaborate and translate research into products and services that improve our quality of life and result in a more efficient and effective health care system."
The Hotchkiss Brain Institute's nerve repair and regeneration facility will serve as a bridge between new discoveries and technology development in HBI labs and product development in new, start-up companies. The HBI will work with researchers and companies to speed the processes to validate and pre-clinically assess new candidate drugs and medical devices.
"At the HBI, we are working towards discoveries that will improve the lives of people suffering from nerve and spinal cord damage," says HBI Director Samuel Weiss, PhD. "The investments from government and industry in this new facility will help us develop and commercialize technologies that will lead to new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating neurological conditions."
The investments by the Governments of Canada and Alberta are made through the Canada-Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement. Through this agreement, Canada and Alberta are jointly contributing $50 million, over four years, to strengthen economic activity and improve quality of life in Alberta communities. |
