$574 Million in Funding for Pandemic Preparedness and Vaccine Development Announced by Ottawa
Ottawa is allocating $574 million towards 19 research projects aimed at enhancing Canada’s preparedness for future health emergencies, focusing on vaccine development, according to government officials.
The funding will support projects at 14 research institutions nationwide, announced Soraya Martinez Ferrada, the minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada. Among the initiatives funded is the establishment of a new bio-manufacturing center at Ottawa Hospital to produce vaccines, gene therapies, and cell therapies.
“The projects we’re backing today will enhance our capacity to provide medicines, vaccines, and therapeutics for the benefit of Canadians,” Ms. Martinez Ferrada stated in a press release on May 6. “These collaborations among research centers, universities, and research hospitals will promote innovation across the country.”
Another initiative involves a national network comprising existing emergency departments and primary-care clinics to screen for new viruses or pathogens that may emerge in patients.
Dr. Andrew Pinto from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, leading the project, described it as a “coast-to-coast shield” to safeguard Canadians.
This network will also involve other research institutions and biomedical companies capable of swiftly responding to the early detection of dangerous viruses by producing vaccines and treatments.
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The government stated that it is investing in “research, talent, and infrastructure projects” to provide Canadians with access to locally produced vaccines, therapeutics, and other life-saving medicines and innovations.
Other funded projects will focus on enhancing antibody discovery, therapeutics production, developing self-amplifying RNA vaccines, and creating better rapid diagnostic tools for identifying emerging pathogens. Additionally, the funding will be utilized to establish a national resource for maternal-child health surveillance and pandemic preparedness.
These projects were selected based on submissions to the Canada Biomedical Research Fund (CBRF) and Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund.
“The research supported by the CBRF will position Canada as a global leader in the biomanufacturing and life sciences sector,” said Ted Hewitt, President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. “Importantly, this investment will ensure that our country’s top researchers and scientists lead in vaccine and therapeutic discoveries, driving Canadian industry and equipping Canada to respond promptly and effectively to future pandemics.”
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
