For Immediate Release
April 22, 2009

CANCER RESEARCH MOVES FROM LAB TO CLINIC

McGuinty Government Supporting Fight Against Cancer

NEWS

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research is supporting five projects that will explore better ways to detect and treat cancer.

The Institute is committing $2.25 million towards projects that will help move new innovations closer to clinical applications, where they can make a real difference in the lives of patients.

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research will actively work with the leaders of these projects, providing additional expertise and resources to more quickly move new innovations out of research labs and into the hands of the doctors and patients that need them. 

Ontario created the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research in 2005 to align the province’s considerable strengths around prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment — making the province a global leader in the fight against cancer.

QUOTES

“The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research is turning Ontario’s world-class cancer research into better prevention, improved patient care, new technologies and more effective therapies for people. Our government is proud to be supporting leading scientists whose work in Ontario means a more vibrant research community, a stronger economy, and better lives for people here at home and around the world.”
- Minister of Research and Innovation, John Wilkinson

“It is important that promising cancer research projects receive the funding they need to successfully move out of the lab and into the clinic. We are happy to assist these researchers in developing these technologies further and eventually create new treatments to help people living with cancer.”  
- President and Scientific Director of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Dr. Tom Hudson

QUICK FACTS

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. The WHO predicts deaths from cancer worldwide will continue to rise, with an estimated 12 million deaths in 2030.
• Ontario has committed $357-million to create and sustain the world-class scientists and research happening at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research.
• Budget 2009 has committed an additional $100-million to fund world-class life science and genomics research happening across the province.
• With 25 research and academic hospitals employing 10,000 scientists, clinical investigators and other researchers conducting $850 million in research annually, Ontario is the largest hub of biomedical activity in Canada and the fourth largest biomedical research centre in North America. 

LEARN MORE

Find out more about the projects being funded

Find out more about the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Visit the World Health Organization’s Cancer Fact Sheet

Learn more about Ontario’s Innovation Agenda and its focus on the life sciences

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See also:

• Video: Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
• For the Media: B-roll of cancer research happening at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)