Putting Alberta’s clinical trials capabilities on the map

Alberta boasts a robust health research landscape, supported by our high-quality research organizations, cutting-edge facilities, and world class expertise. The challenge we faced was getting this message out to industry and attracting more clinical trials to the province.

With the launch of Clinical Trials Alberta (CTA) in 2021, major players from across the globe are looking to Alberta to advance their clinical trials. A collaboration of government, academic institutions and healthcare delivery organizations, CTA promotes the province’s unique assets for conducting high-quality clinical trials, attracts industry R&D, creates jobs for Albertans, and diversifies our economy in this fast-growing area.

Laying the groundwork

Simply stated, Alberta has what industry is looking for—strong research infrastructure, centralized clinical trial management system, a diverse patient population, good regulatory environment, strong ethics system, and partnership opportunities—all with single point of contact to simplify the process.

Over the past 12 years, Alberta Innovates has led a coordinated effort through the Alberta Clinical Research Consortium (ACRC) to build our clinical trial capacity and capabilities. “We’ve made investments into provincial level platform systems that enable better research and more efficient operations,” explains Ryan Mercer, Director, Clinical Research Innovation, Alberta Innovates. “These investments, along with broader Alberta advantages in health information and patient access, enables a level of integration and interoperability that few provinces can match.”

For example, the REB Exchange, an innovative technology platform allows for a single provincial ethics review for multi-site research conducted in Alberta—reducing study costs, shortening study start-up times, and providing more efficient reporting.

Industry clinical trial sponsors and members of the research community connect at the 2024 BioPartners event.

Making global connections

CTA marked a turning point in Alberta’s approach to showcasing our clinical trial capabilities to a global audience. To connect industry sponsors with our researchers, clinicians and support services, Alberta Innovates and CTA hosted Alberta BioPartners. This stakeholder and industry networking event emphasized the province’s centralized, cohesive ecosystem, and allowed representatives from major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to explore Alberta’s research ecosystem, meet local experts, and discuss potential partnerships.

And the word is getting out. Charles Brown, who attended the BioPartners event on behalf of Innovative Medicines Canada, an association representing Canada’s innovative pharmaceutical industry, sees promise in Alberta’s approach. “I think Alberta’s strengths lie in the coordination of data,” said Brown. “This increased attention is helping Alberta emerge as a hub for clinical trials, drawing on its strengths in data integration, world-class universities, and coordinated healthcare networks,” added Mercer.

Healthcare and economic impacts

Clinical trials offer not only health benefits, but substantial economic benefits as well. “For every clinical trial that comes to the province through a large multinational industry sponsor, we could have multiple millions of dollars’ worth of investment,” said Mercer. These investments create a ripple effect benefiting research institutions, creating jobs and contributing to Alberta’s GDP growth.

Another benefit of industry-funded clinical trials is improving patient outcomes through the delivery of cutting-edge treatments that otherwise may not be available.

Building on Alberta’s Advantage

Attracting clinical trials to the province that benefit Albertans, the healthcare system, and our economy is a team effort. Alberta Innovates, through its collaborative strategic initiatives, the ACRC and CTA, continue to drive impactful research and innovation. This collaboration includes the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, as well as two Government of Alberta ministries—Health and Technology & Innovation.

Looking forward, Alberta Innovates and CTA continue to work to bring more clinical trials to the province by providing what international sponsors are looking for—world-class research capabilities, diverse patient population, and an effective ethics framework.