November 23rd, 2004

CIHR: Canada's Health Research Funding Agency

• Health #1 issue of concern to Canadians
• CIHR is addressing chronic disease and supporting an innovative and evidence-based health care system
• Funds over 9,100 researchers in 95 universities, teaching hospitals, and research institutes across Canada
• Invests in high quality people, excellent science and training the next generation - the backbone of a knowledge-based economy
• $662 million budget for 2004-2005
• 94 cents of every dollar CIHR receives from the federal government goes directly to fund Canadian health research

Government of Canada:

A strong commitment to Health Research

The Government of Canada has made substantial investments-more than $13 billion since 1997-that have built a strong foundation in basic science and technology, including the Canada Foundation for Innovation, health research and other initiatives to create leading-edge capabilities. It will continue to build on this strength.
Speech from the Throne, October 5, 2004

Recognizing the progress that has been made, the federal government commits to continued investments to sustain activities in support of health innovation.
FMM, September 16, 2004

The health accord puts everybody's focus where it should be-on shortening waiting times, getting more health care professionals and better equipment, improving primary care, home care and drug coverage, better services in the North and for Aboriginal people, more health research and innovation, and improved public health and wellness.
Minister Ralph Goodale, 2004 fall Economic and Fiscal Update

Turning Commitment into Action:

Improving the Health of Canadians today

E. coli
Cattle vaccine developed that prevents E. coli from entering the food supply now being marketed worldwide by a Canadian biotech company. (Dr. Brett Finlay, UBC)

ALS
Antibiotic commonly prescribed for acne may slow the development of ALS, providing hope for thousands of Canadians. (Dr. Jean-Pierre Julien, McGill)

Cardiac Care
Study finds that vast majority of heart attacks may be predicted by nine easily measurable factors, providing evidence needed to build national and international prevention and control programs. (Dr. Salim Yusuf, McMaster)

HIV/AIDS
First Canadian-led trial of a therapeutic HIV vaccine underway. Promising vaccine combines drug products in an effort to boost the immune systems of HIV sufferers. (Dr. Jonathan Angel, University of Ottawa)

Improving the Health of Canadians Tomorrow

* Economic Burden of Illness in Canada, 1998 (Table 2), Page 7
** For Funded Projects that Received a CIHR Financial Commitment in Fiscal Year 2003-2004

Supporting Innovation in the Health Care System

Mental Illness

• Dr. Patricia Martens, University of Manitoba, led a province-wide mental health study to examine who is being treated, what treatments they are receiving and whether the response represents an appropriate use of resources.
• Results are helping health authorities plan more effective and efficient mental health services.

Dr. Patricia Martens and the "Need to Know Team", University of Manitoba

Cardiac Care

• Dr. Jack Tu and the Canadian Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Team, comprised of researchers from across Canada, are producing health care "report cards" that aim to improve the quality of cardiac care.
• Results are already helping physicians provide better treatment and providing information needed to ensure consistent quality of care. For example, as many as 400 lives could be saved each year in Ontario if more heart attack and heart failure patients received needed medications before leaving hospital.

Dr. Jack Tu, Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences

Patient Safety

• Drs. Ross Baker of the University of Toronto and Peter Norton of the University of Calgary lead national patient safety study of Canadian hospitals. Findings reveal that an estimated 70,000 people annually (7.5 per cent of people hospitalized) have experienced an adverse event.
• This first-ever picture of the extent of adverse events in our health care system provides scientific foundation to develop strategies to reduce errors.

Supporting Efficient and Effective Health Care

Pacemakers
Single chamber pacemakers are as effective as dual chamber
CIHR investment $2.2 M / Annual health care savings $10M

Dialysis
Providing dialysis at night is less stressful for patients and less costly
CIHR investment $180K / Annual health care savings $43M

Ear Surgery
Specialized procedure prevents the need for surgery on children with ear problems
CIHR investment $342K / Annual health care savings $300M

Croup
Treating all 75,000 Canadian children who get croup each year immediately with steroids reduces follow-up physician visits by half
CIHR investment $223K / Annual health care savings $1.5M

Fostering Commercialization

• CIHR has developed a coherent suite of programs to help move research discoveries from the academic setting to the marketplace
• CIHR's new Commercialization Strategy is filling gaps and expanding current activities 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)

Through CIHR's Proof of Principle program, Dr. Mandar Jog, London Health Sciences Centre, is working with a Canadian biotech company to commercialize his innovate Parkinson's-related technology.

The Way Ahead:

CIHR's Strategic Plan - Blueprint

CIHR launched its strategic plan (Blueprint) in January 2004 to usher in the next step in its evolution. The five key areas where CIHR will focus from 2003-2008 are:

1. Strengthen Canada's health research community
2. Address emerging health challenges and develop national platforms and initiatives
3. Develop and support a balanced research agenda that includes research on disease mechanisms, disease prevention and cure, and health promotion
4. Harness research to improve the health status of vulnerable populations
5. Support health innovations that contribute to a more productive health system and prosperous economy

Upcoming Focus

Clinical Research Initiative (with CFI)
Bridging the gap between what we know and what we do
Modernizing Canada's platform for clinical research

Regenerative Medicine (with NSERC, NRC, Heart and Stroke Foundation, others)
Harnessing the new sciences of nanotechnology, stem cells and biomaterials
Creating multidisciplinary research teams to study the rapidly expanding field of regenerative medicine and nanomedicine

Global Health Research Initiative (with IDRC, CIDA and Health Canada)
Affirming Canada's place in the world
Developing practical solutions for the health problems of the developing world

Resources Necessary to put Blueprint into Action

Recommendation:
The Government increase CIHR's annual base budget from $662M to $1 Billion over three years and provide flexibility for carry over of 5% of funds.