Stem cell science belongs to Canada and it is powering regenerative medicine. Today, leaders from across this emerging sector have joined forces to advance the field, through the newly created Regenerative Medicine Alliance of Canada (RMAC).
The global market for regenerative medicine is expected to exceed US$49 billion by 2021. Canada is well positioned to compete by moving its innovative treatments and therapies out of the lab and into the clinic. Countries around the world, including the U.S., Japan and the U.K., have already taken bold steps through investment and regulatory modernization to capture a significant piece of the market. Now is the time for Canada to act.
RMAC will serve as a mechanism to support strategic activity across the regenerative medicine sector. Members will work collaboratively to share information and identify strategies that will benefit the growth of the sector. Bolstering and aligning programs, training, policy and communication will all be central themes addressed by RMAC.
The initial concept for this alliance was conceived by members of the regenerative medicine community during a workshop on the state of regenerative medicine in Canada. The workshop was held by the Council of Canadian Academies in 2016. Their newly released report notes the importance of strategic coordination amongst the stem cell and regenerative medicine community.
“On behalf of RMAC members we welcome the Council’s report, which details Canada’s global strength in stem cell research,” said Dr. Michael Rudnicki, Interim Chair of RMAC. “It comes as no surprise that Canada continues to punch above its weight and that Canadian researchers are producing high impact work. Science is our competitive advantage.”
Dr. James Jaquith, Head of Medicinal Chemistry at The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) and Head of CDRD’s Regenerative Medicine Program commented, “Joining RMAC is an extension of CDRD’s commitment to regenerative medicine, a key strategic area of focus for us, and to developing novel approaches in the pursuit of better therapeutics for patients. We look forward to working more closely with RMAC members, sharing our infrastructure, knowledge and networks to fully realize the contribution the regenerative medicine sector can make to Canada’s economic growth and prosperity.”
About the Regenerative Medicine Alliance of Canada (RMAC): RMAC is a voluntary organization comprised of national, provincial and regional organizations that are committed to building a robust regenerative medicine sector in Canada. All members have mandates relevant to stem cell research and/or regenerative medicine. The founding members include: CCRM; The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD); CellCan; Medicine by Design; Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine; ThéCell; Canadian Stem Cell Foundation, and Stem Cell Network. Regenerative Medicine is commonly described as the process of replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to establish or restore normal function.
About The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD): CDRD is Canada’s national drug development and commercialization centre working in partnership with academia, industry, government and foundations. CDRD provides the specialized expertise and infrastructure to identify, validate and advance promising discoveries, and transform them into commercially viable investment opportunities for the private sector — and ultimately into new therapies for patients. Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence Program has recognized CDRD as a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR). www.cdrd.ca
Contacts:
Cate Murray
RMAC Secretariat
catemurray@stemcellnetwork.ca
(613) 979-6174
