Better access to new life-saving medical treatments is coming with the launch of an eight-bed clinical trials unit (CTU) at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital in Vancouver.

The new unit is a strategic asset for B.C.’s life-sciences sector, including Providence Research, and will address a critical gap in early-stage drug development allowing companies to keep their intellectual property here at home, while moving ideas from bench to market, and strengthening B.C.’s growing knowledge economy.

“We are committed to ensuring B.C.-based life sciences businesses have access to the tools they need to scale up and grow, while attracting more investment to B.C.,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “Part of this work has included promoting B.C.'s life-sciences sector to international audiences at events like Bio Boston. The new eight-bed Clinical Trials Unit at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital will advance early-stage drug development, while allowing more local life-sciences companies to conduct clinical research and grow here in B.C., instead of going elsewhere."

With the purpose-built CTU, researchers will have the capacity to perform non-oncology Phase 1 clinical trials for medical devices and potential medicines, such as antibody treatments, gene therapies and vaccines given to humans for the first time.

“The new Clinical Trials Unit will drive the development of cutting-edge therapies and give B.C. life-sciences companies a clear pathway from invention to final approval,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Until now, Phase 1 clinical trials for non-oncology conditions weren’t possible in B.C. With the opening of the CTU, we can now support every stage of therapy development, benefiting patients, strengthening B.C. companies and growing our economy.”

Successful Phase 1 clinical trials can lead to high-value licensing agreements with global pharmaceutical companies, resulting in increased revenues for B.C. companies.

“A robust clinical research ecosystem strengthens the province's drug-development continuum, ensuring British Columbians are among the first to benefit from innovation discovered here,” said Anne Stevens, vice-president of business development at AbCellera. “Increasing capacity for conducting Phase 1 clinical trials moves B.C. closer to achieving its full potential as a world leader in medical innovation and research, and the resulting health and economic advantages that will benefit British Columbians for generations to come.”

Clinical trials are a fundamental part of advancing medical knowledge and ensuring that new treatments improve health without causing harm. Phase 1 clinical trials are the first studies of a new treatment in humans and are conducted in specialized units with full medical support. They test the safety, side effects and best dose of a new treatment, as well as the best method to give the treatment, such as by mouth, injection or others.

“The impact of this clinical-trials unit on British Columbians cannot be understated,” said Darryl Knight, president, Providence Research, vice-president, research and academic affairs, Providence Health Care, Associate Dean of Research, Faculty of Medicine, UBC. “The immediate benefit is provincial access to early-phase clinical trials which, up to now, has been missing. Phase 1 clinical trials conducted on healthy volunteers in the first instance are the gateway to Health Canada approval. Early access to new therapies translates into improved health outcomes for people in B.C. and tangible economic benefits for the province.”

The new unit is expected to attract more clinical trials to the province, provide B.C. patients with more treatment options sooner, as well as draw new investment to the life-sciences sector.

“Enhancing capacity for Phase 1 trials will increase the global competitiveness of British Columbia’s clinical trials ecosystem,” said Danielle Lavallee, vice-president, research programs, Michael Smith Health Research BC. “This crucial investment supports B.C.’s vision for clinical trials in which health and economic benefits are maximized for British Columbians.”

Announced in 2023, the Province invested more than $4 million to create the CTU. Michael Smith Health Research BC, B.C.’s health research agency, contributed $1.2 million to further strengthen the province’s clinical trials environment, including $600,000 to the CTU and $600,000 to support a professorship at the University of British Columbia. That person will serve as the unit’s chief medical officer.

Expanding the province’s clinical-trial capacity and capabilities is part of the B.C. Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy. The strategy outlines key actions developed in consultation with industry and academia 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.

Quote:

Amshen (Joan Phillip), MLA for Vancouver-Strathcona –

“B.C. is home to a vibrant life-sciences and biomanufacturing community that is creating good opportunities for British Columbians. Through our Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, our government is removing barriers for life-sciences companies to conduct the lifesaving research they need to advance their biotechnology and bring more innovative treatment options to people here in B.C. and around the globe.”

Quick Facts:

• There are more than 2,000 life-sciences companies employing close to 20,000 people in the B.C.
• All studies conducted at the new CTU must have approval from Health Canada to proceed.
• Studies must also receive approval from the Providence Health Care Research Ethics Board and Providence Health Care prior to initiation of study activity.
• Eight participants at a time can participate in any ongoing trial.
• Volunteers can sign up for any future studies through REACHBC.
• Clinical Trials BC, part of Health Research BC, is providing regulatory compliance consultation, training, and digital platforms to support the quality and efficiency of trials based at the new unit.

Learn More:

Learn more about the B.C. Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/technology-innovation/life-sciences-biomanufacturing

Learn more about Providence Health Care: https://www.providencehealthcare.org/en

Learn more about Providence Research: https://www.providenceresearch.ca/en

Learn more about Michael Smith Health Research BC: https://healthresearchbc.ca/

Learn more about AbCellera: https://www.abcellera.com/

Read the initial announcement: https://news.gov.bc.ca/29637

Learn more about participating in health research: https://www.reachbc.ca/