Canada’s Research Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) have renewed a partnership to strengthen clinical research done in Canada, announced Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health.

“Our government is proud to support research that will deliver better treatments and better care for Canadians,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “This partnership will enhance Canada’s reputation as world-class center for clinical research and ensure new findings are applied to bedside care, for patients.”

The partnership seeks to strengthen Canada’s position as a preferred location to conduct clinical research. The partnership will play a key role in the implementation of the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research, a national initiative to ensure better translation of research findings into clinical practice that was announced August 2011.

Through the partnership, CIHR and Rx&D member companies will fund clinical research across Canada through a competitive, peer-reviewed process and improve the coordination of research activities. Rx&D member companies have set an objective to match CIHR clinical research commitments dollar-for-dollar.

“This partnership will better integrate health research and health care,” said Dr. Alain Beaudet, president of CIHR. “By bringing together researchers and industry, this partnership will accelerate the development of new clinical practices and health products which will have a direct impact on treatment and services provided to patients.”