Clinical Trials Network Now Covers More Than 60% of Canadian CF Population
Cystic Fibrosis Canada introduces four new sites to clinical trials network
TORONTO, September 4, 2020— Cystic Fibrosis Canada is proud to announce the expansion of the Cystic Fibrosis Canada Accelerating Clinical Trials Network (CF CanACT) from six sites across Canada, to ten. The four sites that have joined the clinical trials network are, the Quebec City adult and paediatric CF clinics (including three satellite sites in Rimouski, Chicoutimi and Sherbrooke), the Montreal adult CF clinic located at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal, the Halifax adult CF clinic, and the Saskatoon adult and paediatric CF clinics.
With these additions to the Canadian clinical trials network, CF CanACT will collectively cover more than 60% of the cystic fibrosis population in Canada. Having more sites across Canada will mean better access to clinical trials for everyone with cystic fibrosis, through referrals to one of the CF CanACT sites.
“Thanks to the generous support of our community, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and our strong network of CF clinics across Canada, we are now able to offer clinical trials to more Canadians living with cystic fibrosis”, said John Wallenburg, chief scientific officer, Cystic Fibrosis Canada. “Clinical trials are an important and essential step in the development of new treatments. An expanded network will help bolster this work.”
“Having the opportunity to be part of a clinical trial is something I am so grateful for. Whether the outcome is positive or negative I now feel like I’ve had the chance to play a role in advancing research in the treatment of cystic fibrosis,” said Maygan Coulombe, a young woman living with cystic fibrosis. “In a sense it feels like a way to give back to my CF community. These trials have the power to impact our future.”
Clinical trials test potential new drugs, treatments and devices to assess how well they work, and whether they offer benefits over currently used drugs, treatments or therapies. World-class clinical trials are an integral part of the process that brings new therapeutics and better care to Canadians living with cystic fibrosis. Before the expansion, CF CanACT consisted of six sites located in Montreal, Toronto (two sites), Calgary and Vancouver (two sites).
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About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure. Of the Canadians with cystic fibrosis who died in 2018, half were under the age of 33. Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, degenerative multi-system disease that affects mainly the lungs and digestive system. In the lungs, where the effects are most devastating, a build-up of thick mucus causes severe respiratory problems. Mucus and protein also build up in the digestive tract, making it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from food. In addition to the physical effects of the disease, mental health concerns are emerging; anxiety and depression are common among this population. Double lung transplants are the final option for patients with end-stage disease; most fatalities of people with CF are due to lung disease.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Cystic Fibrosis Canada is one of the world’s leading charitable organizations committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and is an internationally-recognized leader in funding Cystic Fibrosis research, innovation, and clinical care. We invest more funding in life-saving CF research and care than any other non-governmental agency in Canada. Since 1960, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has invested more than $261 million in leading research, care and advocacy, resulting in one of the world’s highest estimated median age of survival for Canadians living with cystic fibrosis. For more information, visit cysticfibrosis.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Kenya Francis, Associate
Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Tel: 416-485-9149 ext. 203
Email: kfrancis@cysticfibrosis.ca
