MONTREAL and BOSTON, June 5, 2023 –Oncopole, the cancer center of the Fonds de recherche du Québec- Santé (FRQS), is proud to announce major investments that will strengthen its unique public-private partnership model dedicated to the fight against cancer. Building on its dynamism and ability to mobilize stakeholders in the life sciences community, Oncopole was able to pursue its mission thanks to a reinvestment of $3 million from its founding partner Merck Canada.
Today, Oncopole welcomes two of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, GSK and Pfizer Canada, who have pledged to invest $1 million and up to $1.5 million respectively in oncology research. These new partnerships will support the development of programs mobilizing financial and human resources for research into promising targeted oncology treatments.
“We’re very excited to be able to count on new partners. These investments will enable us to accelerate the collaborative research essential to making a real difference in the lives of people affected by cancer,” said Carole Jabet, Scientific Director of the FRQS and Oncopole.
The announcement was made at the BIO International Convention in Paris. held in Boston from June 5 to 8, in the presence of Oncopole representatives, the Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE), Mr. Pierre Fitzgibbon, partners Merck Canada, GSK and Pfizer Canada, as well as several other life sciences companies.
“Merck Canada is delighted to announce the renewal of its financial support to Oncopole for research in Oncology. As a founding member, Merck Canada is proud to have participated in the creation of Oncopole and now to continue its commitment to this oncology research, development and investment hub that is making a real difference in the lives of patients,” said Jennifer Chan, Vice-President, Policy and External Affairs, Merck Canada.
“GSK is proud to support Oncopole and its synergistic role in oncology innovation. Through our partnership, we hope to contribute to improving and accelerating access to the latest advances for patients,” said Ranya El-Masri, Vice President, Government Relations and Market Access, GSK Canada. “Innovation is at the heart of GSK’s mission and strategic partnerships are essential to open up new avenues to stay ahead of cancer together.”
“It is vital that all stakeholders, scientists, healthcare professionals and health system leaders support research that addresses the unmet needs of people living with cancer. We are proud to partner with Oncopole to actively contribute to the development of innovative cancer therapies,” said Karine Grand’Maison, Vice-President, Access and Government Relations, Pfizer Canada.
This financial support underlines our confidence in Oncopole, the FRQS’s cancer cluster, a public-private consortium whose mission is to act as a catalyst for action in Quebec’s oncology research and innovation ecosystem.
Since 2017, thanks to the support of founding partner Merck Canada and the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie, Oncopole has been able to mobilize key players in oncology research in Quebec. The investments announced today by GSK and Pfizer Canada will enable the company to pursue its vision through strategic investments and partnerships that support innovation for the benefit of patients.
A unique and innovative platform for accessing innovation
With a view to accelerating oncology research and strengthening implementation recommendations based on data from real-life care settings, and with the collaboration of numerous collaborators, Oncopole announces the launch of the PROVEM program for the creation of a single platform to facilitate dialogue between innovation promoters and drug and medical technology evaluators. Funding of $1.5 million will be awarded through a competition aimed at optimizing access to innovations that present a level of uncertainty as to their value to patients and the healthcare system.
Accelerating care for cancer patients
Through the ACCES-Onco competition and an investment totalling over $1.5 million thanks to a public-private partnership between the MEIE and Merck Canada, in addition to support from the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, Oncopole announces the funding of six research projects. Piloted by teams in Quebec, they will accelerate optimal care for cancer sufferers. The aim is to develop access to treatments, care and services to prevent, detect and treat cancers.
About Oncopole, the FRQS cancer cluster
Oncopole, the FRQS cancer cluster, is the result of a unique co-creation approach, supporting research, innovation and investment to accelerate the fight against cancer, made possible by founding partner Merck Canada. Oncopole’s mission is to act as a catalyst for the actions of Quebec’s oncology research and innovation ecosystem. The aim is to position the province as a leader in this field. For more information, visit oncopole.ca
About Merck
At Merck, also known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, we join forces for one purpose: to use the power of modern science to save and improve lives around the world. We’ve been bringing hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines for over 130 years. We aspire to become the world leader in biopharmaceutical research. The innovative healthcare solutions we provide today are at the cutting edge of research, enabling us to advance techniques used in prevention and improve treatments for human and animal diseases. We encourage the employment of a diverse and inclusive workforce worldwide, and operate responsibly every day to ensure a safe, sustainable and healthy future for people and communities. For more information on our activities in Canada, visit www.merck.ca/fr/ and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @MerckCanada.
About GSK
We’re a global biopharmaceutical company whose raison d’être is to bring together science, technology and talent, because together, we can stay one step ahead of disease. We manufacture innovative vaccines and specialized medicines to prevent and treat disease. Our R&D focuses on the science of the immune system, human genetics and advanced technologies. We aim to improve the health of 2.5 billion people over the next 10 years. For more information, visit gsk.ca.
About Pfizer Canada
Pfizer Canada SRI is the Canadian subsidiary of Pfizer Inc. one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies. Our diversified healthcare portfolio includes some of the world’s most popular and widely prescribed medicines and vaccines. We leverage science and our global resources to improve the health and well-being of Canadians at every stage of life. Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from disease awareness initiatives to community partnerships. To find out more about Pfizer Canada, please visit pfizer.ca or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or Youtube.
Sources and information :
Maxime Dumais
Coordinator – Oncopole
Fonds de recherche du Québec
Phone number: 514 873-2114, ext. 4010
Email: mdumais@oncopole.ca
