Organization: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

CIHR funds research into disease-environment link

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is investing $16 million over five years into etiological research on environment-microbiome-gene-interaction for chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. The new funding will support eight research teams that will examine interactions between genes and the environment to guide new approaches for treatment, prevention and…

CDRD spin-off secures seed funding from Quark

Sitka Biopharma, Vancouver, has received a “significant” but unspecified seed investment from Quark Venture to advance its lead compound for treating bladder cancer into clinical trials. Sitka was spun out in 2013 from the Univ of British Columbia and the Centre for Drug Research and Development. CDRD assisted the firm in developing its nanoparticle platform…

Cochrane Canada returning to McMaster with new director

The Cochrane Canada Centre is returning to McMaster Univ following support from a benefactor who will be announced in the near future. The Centre was slated for closure following a 2015 decision not to renew central funding by the cash-strapped Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The centre — one of 14 worldwide — received…

CIHR awards $62.25 million for new research networks

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has announced $62.25 million for five new pan-Canadian research networks in chronic diseases including diabetes, chronic pain, child disability, gastrointestinal disorders, and chronic kidney disease. The networks involve patients from the outset to ensure research is integrated into patient care and the health care system. The funding is provided…

CIHR funds study into prescription opioid abuse

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is investing $4.4 million in four research teams to examine the increasing abuse of prescription drugs, primarily opioids. The teams – based in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and the prairies – has developed a randomized control trial (OPTIMA) to tackle the issue through the Canadian Research Initiative in…

CIHR and IDRC fund chronic lung disease research

Canada is investing $5 million in the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) to support research teams from Canada and low- and middle-income countries studying how to prevent chronic lung diseases such as asthma, lung cancer and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease. The funding is being provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and…

CIHR funds national hepatitis research network

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has awarded $4.4 million for a new national network aimed at improving the health of people infected with hepatitis C and preventing new infections. The National Collaborative Hepatitis C Network has a team of 60 researchers led by Dr Naglaa Shoukry, a scientist at the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université…

Israel and Canada partner on biomedical research

Canada and Israel are partnering to launch a $35-million Canada-Israel Health Research Program, with an initial focus on the neurosciences. The seven-year initiative is a partnership between the Azrieli Foundation, International Development Research Centre, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Israel Science Foundation. Up to 30 teams will integrate researchers from lower-income countries to further…

GHRI secretariat at IDRC shuttered

The secretariat for the Global Health Research Initiative (GHRI) has been closed. Housed at the International Development Research Centre, GHRI is a multi-funder initiative between IDRC, Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. The partners will continue to work on the Innovating for Maternal and Child Health…

CIHR invests in obesity research

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is investing $2.7 million to support three research project teams exploring bariatric care to help people combat obesity. An additional $1.8 million will be provided by The Canadian Obesity Network, Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions, Alberta Health Services Obesity, Diabetes and Nutrition Strategic Clinical Network, Ontario Ministry of…