Canada can deliver groundbreaking therapies to patients more quickly, reduce health-care costs, and drive economic growth by fostering a robust domestic life sciences sector.
by Ken Newport and John Bell
This piece was first published in the Hill Times, February 12, 2025
Cancer remains one of this country’s most urgent health challenges, affecting nearly half of Canadians during their lifetimes. With an aging and growing population, the number of new cancer cases and related deaths is on the rise, straining individuals, families, and the nation’s healthcare system.
Beyond its devastating human toll, cancer imposes a significant financial burden on Canadian society. In 2024, the Canadian Cancer Society estimated the total economic impact of cancer at $37 billion. Shockingly, patients and their families bear about 20 percent of these costs—approximately $7.5 billion out of pocket. This financial strain is only expected to grow, with costs projected to rise by 23 percent over the next decade.
While Canada invests roughly $500 million annually in cancer research, the allocation of these funds reveals a critical imbalance. About 70 percent of this funding supports early-stage research, leaving a significant gap in translational research and clinical trials—two of the most expensive, yet essential, steps in transforming promising discoveries into life-saving treatments.
All too often, groundbreaking Canadian innovations are advanced to the clinical trial phase outside of our borders, depriving this country’s patients of timely access to cutting-edge therapies and limiting opportunities for domestic life sciences companies to bring these treatments to market.
Addressing this gap represents not just a challenge, but an extraordinary opportunity. Translational research bridges the critical divide between scientific discovery and clinical application, turning innovative ideas into effective treatments. By bolstering this phase of research, Canada can deliver groundbreaking therapies to patients more quickly, reduce healthcare costs, and drive economic growth by fostering a robust domestic life sciences sector that capitalizes on Canadian ingenuity.
At BioCanRx, we focus on accelerating the development of Canadian cancer immunotherapies—innovative treatments that harness the body’s immune system to combat cancer and improve patient outcomes.
Our impact is clear. Through strategic investments in the immunotherapy network, BioCanRx has demonstrated the power of translational research to drive significant advancements. For instance, our support has been instrumental in the development and accessibility of made-in-Canada CAR T-cell therapy, a cutting-edge treatment that has already transformed lives across the country.
Another success story is Virica Biotech, a company that benefited from a timely BioCanRx investment to develop tools that decrease the cost of manufacturing vaccines and biotherapeutics. Virica’s innovations have significantly enhanced the efficiency of biomanufacturing, an activity that is critical to Canada’s ability to respond to the next pandemic and reduce the cost of producing life-saving therapeutics. This is a clear example of how strategic translational research funding benefits both the health of Cana- dians and our economy.
By providing critical resources and expertise at a pivotal stage in the research pipeline, BioCanRx has ensured that Canadian discoveries benefit Canadian patients, while also positioning the country as a global leader in life sciences innovation.
The stakes are high, but the potential rewards are even higher. With increased support for trans- lational research, we can ensure that Canada remains at the forefront of innovation in cancer treatment. This is not just a win for patients, who will gain access to life-saving therapies, but also for the Canadian economy, which stands to benefit from a stronger, more vibrant life sciences sector.
Investing in translational research is not just a scientific imperative—it is a moral and economic one. By bridging the gap between discovery and treatment, we can create a healthier, more prosperous future for all Canadians.
On the heels of world cancer day, it’s time for policymakers, funders, and stakeholders to scale these efforts, securing Canada’s position as a leader in cancer treatment innovation. By invest- ing in the business of cancer treatment, we not only improve lives, but also lay the foundation for a healthier, more prosperous future for all Canadians.
Ken Newport is past board chair of BioCanRx, and Dr. John Bell is the scientific director of BioCanRx.
The Hill Times
