Health research foundation launched by pharmaceutical association

Ottawa, ON – The Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) association has created a new health research foundation to fund projects focused on major national health research themes.

The newly incorporated, not-for-profit Rx&D Health Research Foundation 2006 will bring together the combined expertise of Rx&D and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The foundation’s new research program, called HRF 2006, replaces the previous HRF Awards Program, which provided over $23 million in funding to more than 1,400 researchers across Canada since its inception in 1987.

“The new Rx&D Health Research Foundation 2006 gives increased flexibility and enhanced effectiveness of the research dollars spent by Rx&D member companies,” explained John Suk, vice chair of the HRF board of directors and president and CEO of ALTANA Pharma.

Each year, HRF 2006 will launch a thematic grants program with the aim of providing significant multi-year grants on a theme chosen by its scientific advisory committee. The support, which includes a research and training component, will be the object of a peer-reviewed competition, open to applications from academic and other research institutions including faculties of medicine, pharmacy, and others.

The first project to receive funding of $1 million under HRF 2006 is devoted to influenza pandemic preparedness and control.