Canada’s Clinical Trial and Life Science Competitiveness

Roundtable Luncheon with Dr. Stuart Edmonds, Dr. Paul Karanicolas & Michelle McLean.

C.D. Howe Institute events and webinars are open to members and their guests.

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Representatives from the Canadian Cancer Society, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and HealthCareCAN will join this C.D. Howe Institute roundtable to discuss the future of Canada’s clinical trial and life sciences ecosystem. The conversation will explore how clinical trials contribute to patient access, hospital innovation, and Canada’s broader economic competitiveness, while examining the policy and regulatory conditions needed to attract and retain research activity. Panelists will discuss the value of hospital-based clinical research, barriers and opportunities within the current system, and how governments can better align innovation, health, and economic policy objectives to strengthen Canada’s position in the global life sciences sector.

Dr. Stuart Edmonds, Executive Vice President, Mission, Research and Advocacy, Canadian Cancer Society

Stuart joined the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in February 2020 following the amalgamation with Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC). As Executive Vice President of Mission, he oversees the Research and Advocacy teams.

Prior to the amalgamation, Stuart spent 8 years at PCC as Vice President of Research, Health Promotion and Survivorship. He has held leadership roles at several national cancer research institutes and government agencies. Stuart holds a Doctorate in pharmacology from Oxford University.

Dr. Paul Karanicolas, Surgical Oncologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Dr. Karanicolas received his MD degree from the University of Western Ontario in 2003 & his PhD in health research methodology, clinical epidemiology and bio statistics from McMaster University in 2008. He completed his residency in general surgery at Western University in 2009 and a fellowship in surgical oncology at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in 2011. Dr. Karanicolas is a surgical oncologist & scientist at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook
Health Sciences Centre & holds a Professor title at both the Department of Surgery and the Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation at the University of Toronto. The overarching theme of his research program is the development & conduct of clinical trials in surgical oncology. Dr. Karanicolas is also the surgical lead for the hepatic artery infusion pump chemotherapy program at the Odette Cancer Centre, the only such program in Canada.

Michelle McLean, President & Chief Executive Officer, HealthCareCAN

Michelle is an experienced lawyer, public affairs professional and leader in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

Over the past 20 years, Michelle has provided strategic counsel and leadership to a wide array of organizations in the health and life sciences sector, including health charities, health research organizations, hospitals, pan-Canadian government-funded health organizations, and pharmaceutical and health technology companies. Having led the development of many national communications, stakeholder engagement and government relations strategies and campaigns, she is best known as a skilled and strategic advocate who has secured significant policy and funding commitments at the federal level.

Michelle previous leadership roles include General Manager at Hill + Knowlton Strategies, one of Canada’s largest public affairs agencies, and Vice President at the Mental Health Commission of Canada.