Pair of provincial announcements aim to streamline clinical trial research in Manitoba

Manitoba has made two significant announcements related to the biosciences sector, in an effort to fast-track health research and streamline the review system for research projects.

The new Research Improvements Through Harmonization in Manitoba program (RITHIM) will bring industry partners together to streamline the review system so research projects can be approved faster and more efficiently.

“Innovative medicines that we’re not using need clinical trials to meet the ecosystem that we have and become available to those who need it most, and often that can be a life-saving treatment,” said Andrea Ladouceur, the president and CEO of Bioscience Association Manitoba.

“A lot of these trials are global, and so they start at a certain point, and if we don’t have our paperwork done, the trial will advance and the opportunity won’t happen here in Manitoba.”

In addition, the province has invested $100,000 in a new clinical trials office to help with the streamlining process.

“Our clinical trials office will start within out department, we’ll work with the ministers who are here today, and across our entire government to make sure we have the person who is really able to work appropriately and navigate industry with our healthcare system, with researchers and with institutions to make sure they can navigate the system and get clinical trials off the ground a bit faster,” said Jamie Moses, the Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation.

Ladaouceur noted that not only does the sector deliver 7 per cent of the provincial GDP, but it’s essential to saving lives, as clinical trials provide last resort treatment options.

“In the worst cases is the last option. Maybe they have exhausted all of the opportunities within our public system, and this is a chance to try an innovative medicine, and they simply can’t do it here in the province because it takes too long,” said Ladouceur.

The announcements come on the heels of a $5 million investment in research in Manitoba from last month.