Introducing OHRI’s New Clinical Trial Services Office
The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute (OHRI) is strengthening its clinical research infrastructure with the development of a new Clinical Trial Services Office (CTSO). This coordinated service is designed to enhance trial start-up and strengthen research readiness across the clinical trial lifecycle.
The CTSO brings together a range of clinical trial operational functions within a single, coordinated structure. By aligning start-up, operational coordination and trial delivery services, the office is designed to improve efficiency, consistency, transparency and readiness across studies.
The CTSO was developed in response to investigator feedback calling for more coordinated start-up support, as well as sponsor expectations related to timelines, documentation, and operational readiness. Dedicated CTSO staff have already been hired, and services will roll out in stages. Initial offerings will focus on start-up services for industry sponsored clinical trials, including site selection support and study activation. Engagement with CTSO is optional and intended to provide additional support where added structure, expertise, or capacity would be helpful.
As part of this new structure, the Clinical Investigation Unit (CIU) will transition into the CTSO, maintaining its longstanding role in supporting both investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored studies, while benefiting from improved coordination and shared infrastructure.
Over time, CTSO services will expand to support investigator-initiated studies and additional clinical research needs.
“The creation of the CTSO is an important step in strengthening TOH’s clinical trial environment,” said Dr. Gregoire Le Gal, senior clinician scientist, CTSO Steering Committee member and Program Director of OHRI’s Inflammation and Chronic Disease Program. “By coordinating services and providing dedicated expertise, we’re positioning investigators and their teams for greater success while ensuring we remain a trusted partner for sponsors.”
"By coordinating services and providing dedicated expertise, we’re positioning investigators and their teams for greater success while ensuring we remain a trusted partner for sponsors," said Dr. Gregoire Le Gal, CTSO Steering Committee member.
What’s Next?
Over the Spring and Summer of 2026, CTSO will establish workflows and service pathways, develop investigator-facing guidance and begin pilot start-up support for select industry sponsored trials.
In the Fall of 2026, CTSO will refine services based on pilot feedback, expand staffing as needed and prepare for a formal CTSO launch during Research Week (November 23-27).
“Clinical trials provide our patients with new and potentially life-saving treatment options, while also helping us advance care for future patients at TOH and around the world,” said Dr. Rebecca Auer, Executive Vice-President of Research and Innovation at TOH. “The CTSO will ensure more patients can access innovative therapies at TOH while enabling our teams to deliver high-quality research more efficiently.”
More information about CTSO services, engagement options and timelines will be shared as development progresses.
"Clinical trials provide our patients with new and potentially life-saving treatment options, while also helping us advance care for future patients at TOH and around the world,” said Dr. Rebecca Auer, Executive Vice-President of Research and Innovation at TOH.
FAQs
- Is CTSO involvement required for clinical trial start up?
No. CTSO services are optional and intended to support investigators and teams who would benefit from additional coordination or start up support. - Which studies will CTSO support initially?
The initial phase will focus on startup support for industry sponsored clinical trials. Additional services for investigator-initiated studies will be introduced in future phases. - What happens to the Clinical Investigation Unit (CIU)?
The CIU will become part of the CTSO and will continue to support a broad range of clinical studies, now within a more coordinated institutional structure. - How are CTSO services funded?
CTSO services will be supported through study budgets as part of the clinical trial start up process. Additional details will be shared as services and engagement pathways are rolled out. - Will CTSO services expand over time?
Yes. The CTSO is being implemented in stages, with services and scope expanding as the office matures and institutional needs evolve. - Who to contact for more information?
If you have questions about the CTSO as it is being developed, please contact:
Alison Jennings, Associate-Director, Clinical Trial Services
Core Facilities:
The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
