By Matt Jones
NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research said today that it will receive C$420 million (US$445.4 million) in funding from the Government of Ontario over the next five years for research, and that it plans to expand its genomics and bioinformatics research facilities within a business development center in Toronto.
The investment from Ontario's Ministry of Research and Innovation will fund studies that pursue OICR's current five-year strategic plan, which includes research into cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
OICR President and Scientific Director Tom Hudson said today that the institute will expand its genomics and bioinformatics facilities into two new floors of a new phase of the MaRS Centre in Toronto, where it already has offices and headquarters.
The institute said that the funding will enable it to continue its Ontario Health Study effort to recruit patients and pursue research into cancer and other chronic diseases.
"With renewed funding we will continue this important work, ensuring the most promising cancer research in Ontario will be turned into new treatments and provide new hope for cancer patients worldwide," Hudson said.
"We have one of the highest rates of patient enrolment in cancer clinical trials in North America," he said. "The trials, conducted in 23 adult and five pediatric cancer centers in Ontario, brings new cancer therapies to Ontario cancer patients sooner."