News Release
For Release
July 6, 2007
Vancouver, British Columbia — Researchers working
in universities and hospitals across British Columbia are geting 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
Tel: (604) 666-4714
Catherine Ducharme
Communications Advisor
Centre for Drug Research and Development
Tel: (604) 813-6104
Website: www.cdrd.ca
