Canada puts $100 million into stem cell research

SAN DIEGO - The federal government said Wednesday it was giving $100 million over three years to a partnership between Canadian and California scientists researching links between cancer stem cells and the disease.

Health Minister Tony Clement made the announcement here during the BIO 2008 International Convention. He was expected to sign a memorandum of understanding during a photo opportunity with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The money will go to the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium, a partnership between Canadian research organizations and the University of California, Berkeley's Stem Cell Center, which will work with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine on collaborative stem cell research.

California is expected to match Ottawa's funding with $100 million US.

Canada's money is expected to primarily flow through consortium members Genome Canada, the Canadian Institute of Health and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, said Clement.

"Many researchers are now convinced that cancer stem cells are at the root of many cancers," said Clement, in an interview with Canwest News Service before the announcement.

"This started because some visionaries in Canada and California realized . . . if they worked together the chances of breakthroughs were very high."

Schwarzenegger said in a statement that the cross-border research partnership would benefit people around the world.

"Entering into collaborations such as this, which bring together leading medical research capabilities, have great potential in improving the lives of not only Californians, but people around the world," he said.

Clement said 70 per cent of all cancer stem cell research comes from Canada and California.

Wednesday's announcement was the result of a commitment Prime Minister Stephen Harper made to Schwarzenegger during their meeting last year, said Clement.

The announcement also follows a $30 million investment from the Ontario government to the consortium which was announced last year during an encounter between Schwarzenegger Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Clement was joined by Dr. Alan Trounson, President of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Robert Klein, chairman of the institute and Dr. Martin Godbout, CEO of Genome Canada and board chairman of the consortium.

Canwest News Service