The Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) Consortium  was approved by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) in late 2022 to address the known challenges in conducting randomized controlled trials (RCT) that are facing the biotechnology industry in Canada. To address these challenges, the ACT Consortium has developed 14 Key Objectives that guide and shape the Consortium’s work over the next three years. 

Key Objectives 

1.  Establish a pan-Canadian Consortium of excellence in clinical trials. 

2. Expand and support existing clinical trial networks and develop new networks in areas of need. 

3. Accelerate the conduct and efficiency of clinical trials in Canada. 

4. Expand Canadian participation in international trials and vice versa. 

5. Strengthen the coordination of Canadian clinical trials, and facilitate collaboration and harmonization among trial units, networks and stakeholders. 

6. Foster collaboration across trial units, networks and stakeholders. 

7. Ensure trial units have the resources and expertise to conduct high-quality, high-impact trials.  

8. Establish a communications strategy to enhance Canadians’ understanding of clinical trials. 

9. Democratize clinical trials by enhancing access for all Canadian citizens to participate and by fostering robust equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) approach to clinical trials.

10. Improve the process of involving Indigenous Peoples in trials and establish a process to identify Indigenous Health Priorities and interventions for evaluation.

11. Maximize knowledge mobilization and impact by engaging diverse partners and experts. 

12. Partner with other groups applying for funding through other major BLSS initiatives. 

13. Bring Canada’s biomanufacturing and biotechnology companies and clinical trialists together to learn about available products and needs and promote partnerships between these groups. 

14. Increase funding opportunities for Canadian-led clinical trials (i.e. growing the funding pie).