Helping shape the future of clinical trials in Canada

Seventeen delegates from The Ottawa Hospital joined clinical trials experts from across Canada at the annual meeting of the Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) Consortium on September 24 and 25, 2026 in Edmonton. 

This group aims to transform Canada's clinical trials landscape by removing barriers, streamlining approvals, enhancing support and facilitating the engagement and participation of patients and other stakeholders.

The delegates from The Ottawa Hospital serve on multiple ACT Committees and are part of networks and Clinical Trial Units associated with the ACT Consortium.

Discussions at the meeting ranged from ways to increase Canadian biotechnology innovation and support Canadian biotechnology, to the opportunities and challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in clinical trials, innovations in trial conduct, and lessons learned from international colleagues. 

The meeting also included the inaugural ACT Awards, with 12 awards presented for individual and collective achievement in clinical trials. 

Several awards went to individuals from The Ottawa Hospital including:

• Canadian Rising Trialist Award – Natasha Kekre
• ACT Outstanding Study Personnel at a Site – Irene Watpool
• Canadian Lifetime Achievement in Trials Award – Dean Fergusson

The Ottawa Hospital also played a significant role in several groups that received awards including:

• Canadian Conventional Trial of the Year (EPCAT III)  - Paul Beaulé, Geoffrey Dervin, Meaghan Dufresne, Robert Feibel, Simon Garceau, Wade Gofton, George Grammatopoulos, Isabel Horton, Liam Rappoldt (contributing investigators and staff) 
   
• Canadian Non-Conventional Trial of the Year (TRACTION) – Daniel McIsaac, Rodney Breau, Salmaan Kanji, Peter Greenstreet, Tim Ramsay, Alan Tinmouth, Robert Talarico, Dean Fergusson (authors and investigators) 
   
• ACT Trial Innovation Award – ACT Contracts Working Group (Accepted by Jennifer Cox)