Andrea Ladouceur
President & CEO, BAM
Dr. Bram Ramjiawan
Director of Research & Regulatory Affairs, St. Boniface Hospital Research
Michelle di Nella
Executive Director, Seven Oaks Hospital Chronic Disease Innovation Centre
Bioscience Association of Manitoba (BAM) supports Manitoba’s clinical trial ecosystem by connecting members with key stakeholders, research institutions, and government partners.
Manitoba is fast becoming a leading province for conducting clinical trials. Supporting Manitoba in this endeavour is Bioscience Association of Manitoba (BAM), a non-profit industry association serving companies that innovate in health care, agriculture, and clean technology. “We are part of a broader network of organizations advancing bioscience innovation across the country,” says Andrea Ladouceur, President & CEO, BAM.
Using a servant leadership approach, that emphasizes collaboration and regional strength, BAM helps members grow and succeed by connecting them with key stakeholders, research institutions, and government partners. Members include non- profits, for-profit companies, and academia.
A strong clinical trials ecosystem
As a place to conduct clinical trials, Manitoba has much to offer. Being situated in the centre of Canada affords access to local, national, and even international networks. Its size is another advantage. “We’re large enough to have capacity to conduct all four phases of clinical trials across many different medical disciplines, yet small enough to avoid some of the problems of larger jurisdictions like fragmentation and duplication[AP1] ,” says Dr. Bram Ramjiawan, Director of Research & Regulatory Affairs, St. Boniface Hospital Research.
With bioscience as the cornerstone of Manitoba’s economy, Manitoba boasts research excellence, institutions focused on specific disease states, and a well-educated workforce. Manitoba also has a broad and diverse patient population, which includes some unique elements. “The higher prevalence of certain chronic diseases like diabetes and kidney disease presents an opportunity to find more effective treatments that could potentially delay the disease progression in these patients,” says Dr. Ramjiawan. Finally, Manitoba has one of the most comprehensive data infrastructures in the country. “This can be used to help screen or notify patients for trials, giving Manitoba the ability to expand access and support more diverse clinical research,” says Michelle di Nella, Executive Director, Seven Oaks Hospital Chronic Disease Innovation Centre.
Clinical trials important to Canadians
Clinical trials are an essential bridge between research discovery and patient treatment. “Without them, we would be depriving our citizens of access to novel therapies to combat disease,” says Dr. Ramjiawan. Additionally, “if we don’t foster an environment of innovation, novelty, and scientific excellence, a lot of our leading experts will go elsewhere, which would be detrimental to both the healthcare system and our economy,” says Dr. Ramjiawan.
There are also economic and research benefits that extend beyond the province. “When we have large multi-nationals conduct clinical trials here, that’s foreign money coming directly back to Canada,” says Ramjiawan. Michelle di Nella agrees, adding “having a broad population that we have to conduct clinical trials on serves not only Manitobans, but the research in and of itself,” she says.
Ultimately, a strong, pan-Canadian clinical trials ecosystem is important and regions like Manitoba can play a role within it. “It’s important that we move together, so having Manitoba linked with national organizations and on national strategies to support clinical trial research helps to break down barriers across provinces in terms of recruitment and rolling out clinical trials. BAM plays a key role in helping us to do that,” says Dr. Ramjiawan.
Learn more about BAM by visiting biomb.ca