An international biotech company announced a new fund today to support cancer research in Canada.
It’s called the BeiGene Canada Fund for Research and Innovation and will provide financial backing for non-clinical cancer research in Canada.
It was designed to leverage financial contributions from other sources including public funding agencies, health charities, and other private sector granting sources.
The funding is available to any individual who is affiliated with a Canadian university or college, medical training program, regional health authority, and healthcare or research institution in Canada.
The announcement was made in collaboration with the New Brunswick Department of Health as well as the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute.
“We’re hopeful that fostering partnerships and collaborations like this will help pave the way for breakthroughs that will transform the way we approach cancer care,” said Health Minister Bruce Fitch in a press release.
The fund is worth $500,000 to start but BeiGene hinted that that number could grow as the years go by. It will be awarded on a rolling basis and people c apply for the grant at any time throughout the year.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 40 per cent of Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
BeiGene’s focus is on developing effective and affordable oncology treatments around the world. They hope this new fund will do just that for Canada.