An Overview of CIHR

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Presentation Slides 21-27

 

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[Slide 21]

CIHR: The First Five Years
Creating partnerships

• CIHR is working with a wide cross-section of partners to set research priorities, reduce duplication, share funding and accelerate the translation of knowledge into improved health for Canadians and people worldwide
• In 2005-06, partner contributions were more than $102 million
• Partners include:
  • Universities
  • Teaching hospitals
  • Voluntary health sector
  • Governments, agencies
  • Community groups
  • Private sector
  • International agencies

[Slide 22]

CIHR: The First Five Years
Fostering commercialization

• Health related companies, including biotech companies, are responsible for more than $20 billion in revenues each year
• CIHR has a coherent suite of programs to help move research discoveries from the academic setting to the marketplace
• CIHR’s new Commercialization Strategy will build on work to date and expand ongoing programs such as:
  • Randomized Controlled Trials Program
  • CIHR/Rx&D Research Program (partnering with pharma)
  • CIHR/SME Research Program (strengthening infrastructure for technology transfer)
  • Proof of Principle Program (developing and facilitating commercial transfer from research institutions)
  • Proof of Principle Partnered Program (mobilizing the discovery further down the innovation pipeline; in conjunction with non-academic investors)

[Slide 23]

CIHR: The First Five Years
CIHR Spin-off Successes

Xenon Genetics:

• Spin-off company - Dr. Michael Hayden from UBC
• Discovering genes involved in a variety of human diseases
• Annual payroll 10 times CIHR's total investment

Armorfix Life Sciences Ltd.:

• Spin-off company - Its first products are based on the Epitope Protection technology discovered by Drs. Cashman and Marty Lehto (Univ. of Toronto).
• Developing new diagnostic tests to safeguard against prion-based diseases in the human blood supply (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) and the food supply (BSE).
• Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd. raised $4 million and began trading on the TSX Venture exchange in October 2005.

[Slide 24]

Moving forward:
Addressing gaps and seizing opportunities 

• CIHR undertook national consultations with health researchers and other stakeholders (federal departments, provinces, health charities, NGOs), to develop a strategic plan that charts a path for its next phase of evolution
• CIHR now seeks to address key gaps and seize opportunities, in order to better deliver on stated Government of Canada priorities: improved health for Canadians; a stronger and sustainable health care system; and a productive, knowledge-based economy

[Slide 25]

Moving Forward:
CIHR will address identified gaps. . .

Addressing the research translation gap

• Clinical Research Initiative, a partnership with CFI, will increase Canada’s capacity to do clinical research and determine which of the growing number of health discoveries actually work in humans and are safe

Addressing the gap between what we know and what we do

• CIHR will contribute to a more productive health system and economic growth by fully implementing its Commercialization and Knowledge Translation strategies

Addressing the HQP Gap

• To continue building a culture of creativity and innovation, CIHR will enhance its programs that develop highly qualified personnel by training the next generation of health researchers, equipped with the skills to work in academic, government or industry settings

Addressing the funding gap

• New investments to ensure Canada retains our best and brightest
  

[Slide 26]

Moving Forward:
CIHR will address key opportunities. . .

Opportunity for impact and success

• CIHR will address the Grand Challenges of Chronic Disease and Disparities in Aboriginal Peoples’ Health, areas that have the potential for the greatest impact and success

Opportunity to be a world leader

• CIHR’s Regenerative Medicine and Nanohealth Initiative will support the growth of a critical mass of talent in these areas, building on our existing strengths and ensuring a leadership role for Canada

Opportunity to project Canada’s Values Abroad

• CIHR’s Global Health Research Initiative, a partnership with CIDA, IDRC and Health Canada, will build on sustainable research collaborations with lower income nations

[Slide 27]

Moving Forward:
The impact of continued investments

CIHR will continue to: 

• Improve the health of Canadians
• Strengthen the Canadian economy
• Turn knowledge into action
• Support the development of a health care system that is leading edge, evidence-based and cost effective
• Build capacity in all regions of Canada
• Train the next generation of health researchers
• Attract and retain world class researchers

[Summary Table] 
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