Funded Local Who is raising money in your own backyard?

Canadian universities have managed to achieve impressive gains in fundamental research, thanks largely to Canada’s commitment to improved funding for research, infrastructure, manpower and new technology platforms. What has been less clear is how to convert this internationally competitive research into economic and health gains for Canadians.

Health research creates many new ideas that do not produce corresponding advances in therapy, mainly because they do not attract the financial backing to permit their development through clinical trials. Attempts to prematurely commercialize research discoveries are increasingly less likely to attract investment, creating a ‘commercialization gap’.

CDRD fills the commercialization gap

Investment in early-stage research fuels a strong life sciences community, which is important for the long-term health of Canadians and the economy. The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) was founded in 2006 by a group of renowned biomedical investigators—with proven track records for creating medicines—in response to the growing challenge of securing funding and increasing the talent pool for early stage drug research and discovery in British Columbia.

By making facilities and expertise available, CDRD provides a collaborative platform through which drug development can become sustainable, cost-effective and advantageous to society.