For Immediate Release
February 7, 2008

HEALTH RESEARCH AT SUNNYBROOK WILL SAVE LIVES

McGuinty Government Investing $23M In ‘World-First’ Health Care Discoveries

TORONTO — A ‘world-first’ system to better diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease – and save lives – is the goal of a new Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre project.

The project is one of two cutting-edge research projects at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to receive funding from the McGuinty government. The government is funding the projects in partnership with industry to support the province’s top researchers in areas where Ontario can compete and win in the global marketplace.

Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson made the announcement today with MPP for Don Valley West Kathleen Wynne.

Ontario is investing:

• More than $14 million to create better imaging tools to diagnose, monitor and treat cardiovascular diseases. Sunnybrook’s new approach is a world-first and will lead to faster and more accurate diagnosis, potentially less invasive surgical procedures and, ultimately, better health outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease.

• Over $8 million to explorE the use of focused ultrasound surgery for a wide range of medical conditions, from soft tissue tumours to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Because of its reduced invasiveness, this approach speeds treatment time and patient recovery—and reduces health-care costs.

The $22.9 million for the two projects is part of nearly $115 million invested by the government to support 19 cutting-edge research projects across Ontario. The research at universities, institutes and hospitals will receive matching funding from 107 major industry and other partners.

“To ensure Ontario can compete and win in the global economy, our government is investing in leading research in our province,” Wilkinson said. “The strong partnerships among our top researchers, global business leaders and government will help provide Ontarians with better healthcare services, a higher quality of life and more opportunities for success.”

“Sunnybrook’s state-of-the-art facilities house some of the best research talent in the world,” said Wynne. “These projects announced today will help ensureToronto remains at the forefront of medical research and continues to build the skilled workforce we need to prosper in the 21st century.”

“The Ontario government firmly recognizes that health research and innovation offers two great benefits,” said Dr. Barry A. McLellan, President and CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. “We can continue to improve our quality of life and healthcare here at home and produce new tools for diagnosis and treatment that we can market to the world. Sunnybrook is proud to be a key part of that process.”

Together, these investments form part of the McGuinty government’s plan to support research excellence that can be developed into new products and services that will boost Ontario’s economy and support Ontario families. Other initiatives include:

• Launching the $160 million Ideas-to-Market strategy that supports emerging companies, which includes the Ontario Venture Capital Fund;
• Providing a 21 per cent Capital Tax rate cut for all businesses retroactive to January 1, 2007, on the way to full elimination in 2010;
• Announcing in the 2007 Fall Economic Statement an additional $50 million in strategic investment to further strengthen Ontario’s environment for scientific research that will lead to new discoveries, higher quality of life and new jobs.

For more information about the Ontario Research Fund, please visit www.ontario.ca/innovation.

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