OTTAWA, Sept. 29, 2011 /CNW/ - Rx&D President Russell Williams made the following statement to complement today's earlier announcement by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Inc. of a joint investment with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Université de Sherbrooke for the creation of a new Research Chair in Quebec on the causes of Type 2 Diabetes.
"This strategic partnership between GSK, CIHR and the Université de Sherbrooke for the creation of a research and education Chair about Type 2 Diabetes is a clear example of the innovative scientific collaborations being developed in this country that will benefit all Canadians.
"The newly created Chair's activities will be supported by a $1 million endowment and a matching grant of $375,000 over a five-year period. The work undertaken will yield a better understanding of Type 2 Diabetes, a chronic illness currently affecting seven to 10 per cent of the Canadian population. The research will ultimately give rise to new clinical management models for the prevention and early treatment of Diabetes.
"According to Diabetes Québec about nine per cent of the adult population in Quebec or 650 000 people have the disease of which 200,000 are unaware that they have it. The aging of the population will definitively increase the already high number of people that have developed the disease and add to the economic burden associated with diabetes that is currently in the order of $3 billion per year.
"Clearly, the initiative announced today serves our objective that we share of enhancing Quebec's reputation as a world class centre of research and innovation. Our lasting partnership includes not only government and industry, but also academia, health professionals and the scientific research community.
"Innovation is the key to the future productivity of our country, our workplaces, our communities and our citizens. Investments in innovation are an essential part of creating a sustainable health care system, and developing health care options for people, whether these options are aimed at better diagnosing disease, better delivering care to people, or better managing health care systems or processes.
"Enhancing life sciences innovation in Canada depends upon a number of important policy choices, including improving patient access to innovative medicines and vaccines, and ensuring that Canada has a competitive intellectual property regime to better compete with the European Union, the United States and other leading nations.
"It is by working together that we can consolidate the position of Canada as a leader in the provision of health care solutions to people across the country and throughout the world."
About Rx&D
Rx&D is the association of leading research-based pharmaceutical companies dedicated to improving the health of Canadians through the discovery and development of new medicines and vaccines. Our community represents 15,000 men and women working for 50 member companies and invests more than $1 billion in research and development each year to fuel Canada's knowledge-based economy. Guided by our Code of Ethical Practices, our membership is committed to working in partnership with governments, healthcare professionals and stakeholders in a highly ethical manner.