Canada Spearheads International Arthritis
Research Program
Toronto, May 25, 2007—The mysteries of arthritis
will soon have an international team of arthritis researchers
on their case. The Canadian Arthritis Network (CAN) is leading
an effort that brings together world-class arthritis organizations
from Switzerland, England, Japan and the United States thanks
to a new program being funded by the federal government.
The International Partnership Initiative is a pilot project
created by the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE).
The Canadian Arthritis Network will receive $700,000 over
two years to send eligible members of the Network -- arthritis
researchers, graduate students and representatives of its
Consumer (Patient) Advisory Council -- to participate in
international conferences and up to 40 academic sabbaticals
or exchanges in international partner laboratories to build
research collaborations. Network researchers will be hosting
international graduate students and researchers in Canadian
labs.
“CAN is thrilled to have been chosen by the NCE for
this opportunity,” says Dr. John Esdaile, Scientific
Director and CEO of the Canadian Arthritis Network. “Canadian
arthritis research is recognized internationally for excellence
but this will expand that recognition. The exchange of graduate
students and scientists with other research power houses
around the world will speed up arthritis research success,
benefit the Canadian economy and improve the lives of the
4.5 million Canadians who suffer from painful and often
debilitating forms of arthritis.”
“These NCEs have put forward innovative proposals
that support the New Government of Canada’s vision
for a more productive economy and extend Canada’s
influence around the world,” said Minister Bernier.
“This investment will place Canadian research at the
forefront of international initiatives that are important
to our economy and society.”
Confirmed international partners include: AO Foundation
(Switzerland); Arthritis Research Campaign (UK); Japan Society
for the Promotion of Science; Nuffield Foundation: The Oliver
Bird Fund (UK); and the Arthritis Foundation (US).
About the Canadian Arthritis Network
The Canadian Arthritis Network (CAN) (www.arthritisnetwork.ca)
is a not-for-profit organization, funded by the Government
of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (http://www.nce-rce.gc.ca/),
to support arthritis research and development and to facilitate
the commercialization of its Network Investigators’
discoveries. CAN is the single point of contact that links
172 leading Canadian arthritis researchers and clinicians,
32 Canadian academic institutions, The Arthritis Society,
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and government.
CAN is hosted by Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.
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For more information, please contact:
Stacey Johnson
Canadian Arthritis Network
416-586-4685
sjohnson@arthritisnetwork.ca
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