Vancouver, British Columbia —Researchers working in universities and hospitals across British Columbia are getting a boost from the Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) thanks to $300,000 in funding from Canada’s New Government through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
The CDRD provides a research and development infrastructure that helps health researchers collaborate, refine and develop their discoveries for commercial use. The Centre, based at the University of British Columbia, will use these funds to establish laboratories and purchase essential lab equipment to advance promising early-stage medical discoveries towards commercialization.
“Canada’s New Government supports the development of innovative ideas into commercially viable medical drugs and therapies for all Canadians,” said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “This investment of $300,000, to the Centre for Drug Research and Development exemplifies how academia, government and industry can work together to improve the health of Canadians while creating new economic
opportunities.”
The CDRD represents a collaborative approach by academia, government and the private sector to capitalize on therapeutic drug research and development. The Centre will also train highly qualified people in related specialized fields and form a virtual network to help coordinate drug development research and commercialization.
“This funding is critical to CDRD establishing multiple state-of-the-art labs that will serve researchers and trainees across B.C.” said Natalie Dakers, CDRD’s chief executive officer. “It also reinforces Canada’s commitment to bridging the commercialization gap between research and the successful development of new
medicines.”
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the western economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
About the Centre for Drug Research and Development
CDRD brings together researchers, institutions and industry to bridge the gap between primary research and the successful development of new medicines. CDRD includes two separate bodies: The Drug Research Institute(s) (DRI) is an academic research infrastructure that enables B.C. researchers in universities and hospitals throughout the province to focus and amplify their drug discovery and development efforts; DDI Drug Development Inc. assists the commercialization of drug therapies by driving drug development projects and bringing the technology to market either by creating companies or licensing to an existing company. CDRD founders have a strong track record in commercializing early stage technology.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Karl Yeh
Communications Advisor
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(604) 666-4714
Web site: www.wd.gc.ca
Catherine Ducharme
Communications Advisor
Centre for Drug Research and
Development
(604) 813-6104
Website: www.cdrd.ca
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