WXI.v,...very interesting news release from Health Canada yesterday. Alan Rock hi-lites the research of a drug addiction researcher working on opiate addiction,...Wex's drug Tetrodin helps addicts kick the addiction in weeks without side effects, and eliminates the need to put these addicts on daily methadone maintenance injections during which many methadone users become dependent upon the drug for the rest of their lives and experience withdrawal symptoms much like those with heroin when they go off the drug. Buzz is that Wex is negotiating for a piece of this research money. If they announce they secured some government money, it should give a good boost to the stock. Wex just negotiated a non-brokered PP so the overhang and pressure on the price has been removed.
Might even work for cigarettes (gggggggggggggggggg).
http://www.newswire.ca/releases/April2001/18/c5532.html
http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=15688882
$234 million investment spurs growth in Canada's health research: mental health and addiction research to benefit
TORONTO, April 18 /CNW/ - Health Minister Allan Rock and Dr. Alan
Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR),
announced today a Government of Canada investment of over $234 million to fund
health research across the country, through CIHR. Over one-quarter of the
funded researchers will advance our knowledge of mental health, neuroscience
and addiction issues.
"In its first complete round of competitions, CIHR is funding more
research by more researchers, thanks to increased federal government
investments in health research," said Minister Rock. "Through CIHR, Canada's
researchers will contribute to improvements in Canada's health care system
with sound scientific evidence. It is my sincere hope that the projects we are
announcing today will ultimately improve the mental health of Canadians."
Today's announcement, made at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
(CAMH), will direct over $53 million to 124 mental health, neuroscience and
addiction researchers across Canada. The grants awarded range from three to
five years and cover the four pillars of health research: biomedical,
clinical, population health and health services. Under the leadership of
CIHR's Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction, the
researchers will work to enhance the health of Canadians and reduce the burden
of related disorders and problems through prevention strategies, screening,
diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation.
Of particular note, the Minister highlighted the work of Dr. Benedikt
Fischer, Research Scientist, Social, Prevention and Health Policy Research at
CAMH and Assistant Professor, Public Health Sciences and Criminology,
University of Toronto, who will lead one of 29 large scale CIHR multi-
disciplinary team projects awarded across Canada. Fischer's team - comprised
of 15 researchers from ten institutions across Canada - will endeavour to
improve illicit opiate research, treatment and policy in Canada.
Addiction to illegal opiates is a major health problem in Canada, tied to
high rates of mortality and morbidity, psychiatric disorders, socio-economic
dysfunction, and crime and criminal justice costs. Methadone treatment,
currently the only available treatment in Canada, is limited in use and
effectiveness. Fischer's interdisciplinary team of researchers will link
neuroscience, clinical, health systems, and population health research to
increase health and reduce the harms and costs of illicit opiate use to
Canadians.
Averaging 20 researchers per team, these new CIHR multi-disciplinary
projects bring together researchers from all disciplines of health to find
answers to questions in a wide array of health issues such as health
promotion, childhood injuries, community genetics, chronic illness in rural
communities, addiction and colorectal cancer.
"Building capacity in the four pillars of health research is the
cornerstone of CIHR's mandate," stated Dr. Bernstein. "The multi-disciplinary
team approach to health research questions expresses the true spirit of CIHR -
the research of Dr. Fischer and his team will contribute to our growing
knowledge of addiction and ultimately work to improve the lives of Canadians."
"This funding presents a very exciting opportunity for our researchers at
the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health," noted Dr. Paul Garfinkel,
President and CEO of CAMH. "We applaud the federal government's commitment to
the healthy future of all Canadians. The CIHR concept is an innovative one,
building upon the expertise of researchers who approach health challenges from
different disciplines, and working in a multidisciplinary fashion bring their
knowledge together to achieve scientific excellence."
In addition to Dr. Fischer's work, the Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health received seven other grants. In total, the University of Toronto and
its affiliates received 91 grants through today's announcement: 33 will be
conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto; 18 at the University
Health Network; 15 at the Hospital for Sick Children; eight at the Samuel
Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital; four at Sunnybrook and
Women's Health College Health Science Centre; three at the Baycrest Centre for
Geriatric Care; and two at St. Michael's Hospital.
A detailed list of the projects funded can be found on CIHR's website
(www.cihr.ca). Further funding opportunities will be available to health
researchers later in 2001-2002 through CIHR's salary support and operating
grant competitions. In addition, CIHR's 13 Institute Scientific Directors will
be launching strategic initiatives later this year.
CIHR is Canada's premier agency for health research. Its objective is to
excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific
excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved
health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a
strengthened health care system.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, a World Health Organization
designated Centre of Excellence, is Canada's largest addiction and mental
health facility.
2001-15
Ce document est également disponible en français.
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For further information: Andrew Matejcic, CIHR, (613) 954-7143;
Catherine Lappe, Minister's Office (613) 957-0200; Deborah Etsten, CAMH,
(416) 595-6015 |
