2016-17 highlights strength of Canada’s stem cell research community

July 31, 2017 (Ottawa) The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is pleased to release its 2016-17 annual report which highlights the success of Canada’s stem cell research community and re-affirms the role of the Network as a national leader within the sector. The fiscal year was marked with the awarding of more than $9 million for high quality research and clinical trials across Canada. SCN’s funds are supporting high potential research focused on treatments and therapies for illnesses such as: diabetes, retinal degeneration, liver failure and blood cancers.

“As a national research network, funder and trainer we are committed to excellence and building an innovative and competitive regenerative medicine sector for Canada,” said Cate Murray, SCN’s Executive Director. She added, “We are thrilled to have funded 25 research projects and six clinical trials, with 55 percent led or co-led by women. These projects involve 100 investigators and 200 early career investigators located at 22 research institutions across Canada.”

The fiscal year also saw SCN providing a variety of training opportunities for more than 200 early career investigators. SCN trainees are the highly skilled personnel that are powering Canada’s knowledge economy. The Network’s training support ensures that young investigators will be well equipped to adapt to an evolving labour market driven by science and technology.

Dr. Michael Rudnicki, SCN’s Scientific Director noted, “Over the past two decades stem cell science has moved from being a basic science to one with significant clinical application. Today, there is a real opportunity for Canada to be a global leader in commercializing regenerative medicine therapies and technologies.” He added, “As such, SCN has worked to bring regenerative medicine business and science leaders together to discuss how best to grow the sector for the benefit of all Canadians. We look forward to contributing to the commercial growth of the sector and in specific initiatives such as the regenerative medicine, advanced biologics and biomanufacturing supercluster.”

The 2016-17 annual report illustrates the strength of stem cell research and the progress that is taking place in research institutions across Canada. SCN will continue to build on this momentum with the launch of a new funding competition on August 8th that will see an additional $4 million provided for novel research that will realize both health and economic benefits for Canadians.

Click here to view the full report.

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About the Stem Cell Network: Supporting and building Canada’s stem cell and regenerative medicine research sector has been the raison d’etre of the Stem Cell Network (SCN) since its inception in 2001.  Its work has been supported by the Government of Canada from the beginning. SCN’s mandate is to act as a catalyst for enabling the translation of stem cell research into clinical applications, commercial products and public policy. In just over 15 years SCN has forged a national community that has transformed stem cell research in Canada, brought research to the point where regenerative medicine is changing clinical practice and established an outstanding international reputation. SCN has pushed the boundaries of what was a basic research area towards translational outcomes for the clinic and marketplace. www.stemcellnetwork.ca

Contact:
Cate Murray
Executive Director
Stem Cell Network
catemurray@stemcellnetwork.ca
Mobile: 613-979-6174