JDRF launches Clinical Trial Network Centre at University of Waterloo

WATERLOO, ON, March 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Southern Ontario is one step closer to becoming a world-class hub for diabetes research. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada (JDRF) announced today that the University of Waterloo, in alliance with McMaster University, will serve as the Centre for its Clinical Trial Network.

In November 2009, the federal government made a commitment of $20 million to support the launch of a Clinical Trial Network for diabetes research, funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). JDRF is contributing an additional $13.9 million, resulting in a $33.9 million investment that will help bring new technologies to the marketplace, so that Canadians and people around the world can benefit.

"Our government's Economic Action Plan investments in type 1 diabetes research will create the jobs of the future and keep southern Ontario at the forefront of innovation and research," said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (FedDev Ontario). "As the clinical trial network project progresses, we are closer to achieving our goal of creating jobs, strengthening the economy and improving Canadians' quality of life."

"We are delighted to select this Centre as we progress with this exciting initiative. This partnership is about utilizing Southern Ontario's greatest strengths to create a research network unique in both Canada and the world. This announcement moves us that much closer to achieving this goal," said Andrew McKee, President & CEO, JDRF Canada.

In addition to creating highly-skilled jobs, this new partnership will diversify Ontario's economy into research fields for which there are worldwide needs, and attract international researchers and institutions to the province.

"Waterloo welcomes the opportunity to deepen our already broad involvement in health-related research by collaborating with JDRF and McMaster on this innovative approach to the management of clinical trials," said David Johnston, President of the University of Waterloo. "The Centre will provide a Canadian beachhead for clinical trial activities aimed at reducing the impact of diabetes."

University of Waterloo is one of the world's best technology and data management institutions, and McMaster University currently operates the largest set of clinical trials in Canada.

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research worldwide. JDRF's mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. JDRF funding is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes research to date in Canada and around the world. Internationally, JDRF has raised over $1.4 billion (U.S.) for diabetes research since its inception in 1970, including more than $101 million (U.S.) in 2009. JDRF supports research in over 22 countries globally. For more information, please visit www.jdrf.ca or call 1-877-CURE-533.

About the University of Waterloo

In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with 30,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Waterloo, as home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. For further details, visit www.uwaterloo.ca.

About Canada's Economic Action Plan

Canada's Economic Action Plan addresses the short-term effects of the global economic downturn on communities, while investing in long-term growth. FedDev Ontario was created as part of the Plan to support economic and community development, innovation, and economic diversification, with contributions to communities, businesses and non-profit organizations. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

B-roll is available at http://public.me.com/batchfilms

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: For Media Inquiries Please Contact: Lesley Ciciretto, JDRF, Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Jessica Dupuis, JDRF, Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]