$15M SUPPORTS LIFE-SAVING HEALTH RESEARCH IN B.C.

VICTORIA – The Province has provided another $15 million to help the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research support some of the world’s best health research, ministers Ida Chong and George Abbott announced today.

“When the Michael Smith Foundation was established eight years ago, its goal was to help British Columbia become a leading force in world-class health research,” said Chong, who is Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development and has responsibility for research. “The investments we’ve made since 2001 have helped B.C. researchers improve not only the health of people here and elsewhere, but the health of our economy through spinoff companies that offer new medical treatments and technology to the world.”

The foundation supports outstanding researchers in all phases of their development, from trainee through senior scholar, allowing them to build careers in B.C. As well as funding researchers directly through award competitions, the foundation also operates programs to ensure researchers, health service providers and other disciplines work together to increase their productivity and competitiveness.

“By investing in health research today, we’re setting the stage for better care for people in British Columbia in the future,” said Abbott, Minister of Health Services. “Through co-ordinated research efforts, we have the potential to realize innovations that will prevent illnesses and treat them more effectively.”

To date, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research has received $260 million from the Province. The Province’s funding has been used to increase B.C.’s share of federal health research grants from 8.6 per cent to 14 per cent, with B.C. health researchers being awarded more than $132 million from other sources in 2007-08.

“On behalf of B.C.’s health research community, I thank the government for its added support of our work to foster excellence in health research in this province,” said Dr. John Challis, president and CEO of the Michael Smith Foundation. “We look forward to continuing to advance and co-ordinate the excellent health research that has earned B.C. international respect and admiration.”

Of the 283 scientists supported by the Michael Smith Foundation, 26 per cent, or 74 scientists, have been recruited to B.C. from other parts of Canada and from other countries. These researchers have gone on to generate funding for their research from other agencies, including federal ones. This further funding supports students and technicians, bringing jobs and people to the province.

Over 97 per cent of the senior-level researchers funded by the foundation have remained in B.C. – 275 scientists in all. This includes people like neuroscientist Dr. Brian Christie, who came from California’s famed Salk Institute, where he was part of the team to discover that brain cells in mice could be increased through exercise, not just lost through disease. His current work at the Island medical program at the University of Victoria is finding more detail about the mechanisms involved – and may result in new ways to enhance human brain cells and their connections as people age.

The foundation has also supported Dr. Marco Marra, who led the team that cracked the genetic code for SARS and today is identifying new genes for use as new therapies or vaccines to combat cancer, infectious diseases, and other disorders.

Since 2001, the provincial government has committed $800 million to health research and innovation, including funding for the Michael Smith Foundation, Genome BC, the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund and life science centres to train new doctors throughout the province.

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Contact:

Gordon Williams

Communications Director

Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development

250 952-0152 / cell 250 413-7316

Bev Holmes

Acting Director of Communications

Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research

604 714-6600/pager 604 645 0055




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