On August 13, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced a $43 million investment by the Government of Canada to support 14 new clinical trials aimed at preparing the country for future health emergencies and advancing the life sciences sector. Dr. Dick Menzies is a researcher at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) that will lead one of these trials. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Clinical Trials Fund, this initiative is part of Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy and the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research.
Minister Holland praised Canada’s world-class researchers for their contributions to life-saving treatments. Dr. Rhian Touyz, Executive Director of the RI-MUHC, commended the success and innovation of their research teams, highlighting the role of their Centre for Innovative Medicine in supporting these efforts. Dr. Tammy Clifford, Acting President of CIHR, expressed enthusiasm for the potential outcomes of these cutting-edge clinical trials.
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Four new clinical trials grants from the CIHR for RI-MUHC researchers. The Government of Canada announced investments in 14 new clinical trials to support Canada’s response to major health threats and bolster the life sciences sector. RI-MUHC News. August 13, 2024
Investigators: Dick Menzies, Jonathon Campbell, Gregory Fox, James Johnston, Stephanie Law, Richard Long, Anreanne Lupien, Rovina Ruslami
About the study: Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health issue, causing serious illness, disability, and death each year. Many TB cases could be prevented with TB preventive treatment (TPT), but only a small number of people actually receive this treatment. Current TPT regimens are long and can cause serious side effects, making healthcare providers hesitant to prescribe them and patients reluctant to complete them. Since TPT is given to otherwise healthy people, ensuring it is safe is crucial. The study will test three short TPT regimens in adults and children over 4 years old to see if they meet the criteria for safety, tolerability, and acceptability. If one of these shorter treatments proves safe, well-tolerated, and acceptable, the research team will plan a larger study to confirm its effectiveness in preventing TB.