McGuinty Government Supports Revolutionary Oncology Research

For Immediate Release April 15, 2010

Global Partnership To Fight Cancer

McGuinty Government Supports Revolutionary Oncology Research

NEWS

Ontario is joining forces with Merck and leading research institutions to develop new drugs to fight cancer.

The province is supporting an oncology partnership involving Merck, the Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm the Ontario Cancer Institute (OCI) — part of the University Health Network. The province is investing approximately $2.6 million through the Biopharmaceutical Investment Program to support the $17.3-million partnership, which will help create and retain between 10 to 12 highly-skill jobs at the hospital

The hospital will join Merck’s global oncology research network — a collaborative group of leading cancer research institutions around the world — as a centre of excellence for clinical trials of new anti-cancer drugs.  The network will develop a new generation of cancer treatments based on genomics, stem cell research and personalized medicine.

Investing in research and innovation has been a cornerstone of Ontario’s economic planning since 2003. This investment is part of Ontario’s Innovation Agenda to make innovation a driving force of Ontario’s economy and supports the new Open Ontario Plan to build new opportunities for growth and jobs.

QUOTES

“This partnership will help keep our province at the forefront of the global effort to eradicate cancer. Today’s investment builds Ontario’s research strength and creates jobs and a healthier future for Ontario families.”— John Milloy, Minister of Research and Innovation

“Almost everyone has been affected by cancer in one way or another. Today’s announcement reaffirms our government’s commitment to helping Ontarians and their families by funding crucial research, and also builds on the excellence and experience that has made Ontario a world leader in research.”— Glen Murray, MPP Toronto Centre

“At Merck we are committed to making a difference in the lives and health of Canadians. Our partnership with Princess Margaret Hospital and the Ontario government will allow us to deliver on our goal of putting patients first.”— Carlos Dourado, President, Merck

“Amazing advances in biology, physics, computational sciences and other critical domains have set the stage for major advances in understanding and treating cancer. I have no doubt that this global oncology research network will lead the way to better cancer treatments,”— Dr. Christopher Paige, VP Research, University Health Network/Princess Margaret Hospital

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario is the largest hub of biomedical activity in Canada and the fourth largest biomedical research centre in North America. There are more than 850 medical/life science companies in Ontario with more than 45,000 employees and annual revenues of approximately $14 billion.
• Between 2005 and 2008, provincial investments in research and innovation leveraged $1.1 billion while helping to advance the knowledge, skills and training of close to 30,000 people.

LEARN MORE

About Ontario’s Innovation Agenda.

About the Open Ontario Plan.