clinical trials

The Centre for Cell and Vector Production: a look inside

CCRM, in partnership with University Health Network, has built a Good Manufacturing Practices-compliant facility to produce cells and viral vectors for Phase I and II clinical trials. Now welcoming clients, the Centre for Cell and Vector Production (CCVP) is a 20,000 sq. ft. space featuring ISO Class 7/Grade B cell and viral vector clean rooms – 10 in total. Watch our video for a view into this leading-edge facility and hear from Susan Marlin, of Clinical Trials Ontario, along with others, on why CCVP is so important for Toronto and Canada. Working with academics, cell therapy and gene therapy developers, CCRM is continuing to drive the industry closer to delivering on the promise of regenerative medicine as a possible cure for many devastating diseases and conditions.

The CCVP video, produced by Big Red Oak, has won the 2019 Videographer Award of Excellence (the highest level). The Videographer Awards “recognize works that are written, produced, shot and/or edited in an exceptional manner.” The awards are administered and judged by the international Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals as part of the dotCOMM Awards.

Introducing the Centre for Cell and Vector Production

The Centre for Cell and Vector Production (CCVP) is a leading-edge Good Manufacturing Practices-compliant facility built in partnership with University Health Network. CCVP is located at MaRS, in downtown Toronto, adjacent to some of Canada’s leading hospitals and research institutes. The 20,000 sq. ft. facility includes: 10 suites, two dedicated to viral vectors and eight for cell therapies. They are ISO Class 7/Grade B clean rooms for Phase I and II trials. CCVP is designed for FDA, Health Canada and EMA compliance.

Bringing Immunotherapies to Ontario

Using genetic engineering, immunotherapies mobilize the body’s own cells against cancer. This revolutionary therapy has demonstrated remarkable curative potential, but comes with a big price tag and many complex technical challenges. Health-care providers, governments and industry are working on solutions that will make this therapy widely available. With the first immunotherapies having won regulatory approval in the United States, we are slowly making progress. What does this mean for Canada? What are the key challenges we need to address to bring immunotherapy to patients here at home?

The discussion included:
– Michael May, PhD, President & CEO, CCRM (Moderator)
– Donna Wall, MD, Section Head – Blood and Marrow Transplant/Cell Therapy Program, Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children
– Justin Shakespeare, Executive Director, Oncology Business Unit, Amgen
– Patrick Bedford, Senior Manager, Clinical Translation and Regulatory Affairs, CCRM
– Aaron Dulgar-Tulloch, PhD, Director of BridGE, GE Healthcare Cell Therapy

This event took place during Toronto Health Innovation Week 2018, on April 11, 2018.

CCRM’s GMP Facility

CCRM Sits Down With Janet Rossant SickKids Research Institute

Dr. Janet Rossant, SickKids Research Institute, sits down with CCRM and shares her views on the current trends in regenerative medicine and how the potential for commercialization should factor into research plans. Dr. Rossant touches on her research for Cystic Fibrosis and on the changing culture in academia and the need to consider the clinical applications of research. She then explains how new discoveries can be turned into commercial products with the help of organizations like CCRM and the recently established Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine (OIRM).