Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

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Cancer biotherapeutics

Biologically based therapeutics, which include oncolytic viruses and immune cell therapies, are among the most promising cancer treatments to emerge over the last decade. While different biotherapeutics function in different ways, one thing they have in common is the ability to mobilize and activate the body's natural defence mechanisms (the immune system) to attack cancer cells. Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are leading the way in this area of research, with a number of world-first clinical trials and projects.

Research News

	Ontario’s biomanufacturing sector gets $45M boost from province April 25, 2025 - Ontario’s life sciences sector is getting a boost from the Government of Ontario’s $45 million investment in biomanufacturing infrastructure through the Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative, which forms part of the Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded $3.9M from BioCanRx to develop new cancer immunotherapies April 9, 2025 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have been awarded $3.9 million from BioCanRx to develop cutting-edge biotherapeutics that harness the immune system to fight cancer.
	Researchers create tiny “mobile pharmacy” to fight cancer December 6, 2024 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa and Université de Sherbrooke Cancer Research Institute (IRCUS) have developed a novel approach to create tiny “mobile pharmacies” that can get inside tumours and dispense anti-cancer d
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	Tumour engineering could provide a powerful new approach to make more cancer patients eligible for targeted immunotherapies September 26, 2024 - There are many highly-effective immunotherapies available in the clinic, but few cancer patients are eligible for these treatments because their tumours must have specific targetable proteins. A new tumour engineering approach could help.
	Dr. John Bell awarded Lifetime Contribution Prize from the Canadian Cancer Society September 4, 2024 - Dr. John Bell has been awarded the Lifetime Contribution Prize from the Canadian Cancer Society in recognition of his international leadership in cancer biotherapeutics, including the discovery and development of cancer-killing viruses and treatments
	The Ottawa Hospital’s new campus to become a hub for biotherapeutics research and manufacturing thanks to $59M grant May 6, 2024 - The Ottawa Hospital is receiving $59 million to boost Canada’s capacity to develop and manufacture life-saving biotherapeutics, including vaccines, gene therapies and cell therapies.
	ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers at The Ottawa Hospital improve treatment for inflammatory and immune conditions February 21, 2024 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute is awarding four ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers understand the role of inflammation and the immune system in various diseases and develop better treatments.
	Making CAR T Therapies More Accessible January 2, 2024 - “Our study shows there is room for CAR T therapy in the market. We further show that Canadian-made CAR T therapy could be cost-effective and has a much better chance of being funded than existing commercial CAR T therapies.”
	Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre makes ‘living therapies’ for people in Ottawa and beyond December 15, 2023 - The Ottawa Hospital’s BMC is a hidden jewel that is helping Ottawa become a leading city for developing new therapies
	Catching cancer at its sneakiest moment November 9, 2023 - Dr. Rebecca Auer is receiving the Chrétien Researcher of the Year Award from The Ottawa Hospital for her research on cancer surgery and immunotherapies
	Clinical trial drug could boost cancer-fighting viruses October 13, 2023 - New research led by Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo’s group shows that a compound called pevonedistat, which is currently showing promise in cancer clinical trials, could boost the activity of cancer-fighting viruses.
	Making ‘living therapies’: The Ottawa Hospital’s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre plays critical role in Ontario life sciences sector October 2, 2023 - Biotherapeutics have enormous potential to improve health and save lives and Ontario has the potential to lead the way in manufacturing these innovative therapies.
	Meet Dr. Natasha Kekre, The Ottawa Hospital’s new Research Chair in Advanced Stem Cell Therapy September 18, 2023 - The best part of Dr. Natasha Kekre’s workday is when she is able to offer hope to her patients through clinical trials. As The Ottawa Hospital’s new Research Chair in Advanced Stem Cell Therapy, Dr. Kekre is looking forward to many more hopeful conve
	Ottawa scientist spearheads groundbreaking cancer treatments August 18, 2023 - If you’re in the field of oncology, you’ve likely heard of Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo, an internationally recognized scientist with expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology, cancer therapeutics and viral immunology.
	Examining CAR-T therapy, person by person June 5, 2023 - Who responds better to CAR-T therapy? Men or women? What dose of the therapy works best?
	Next-generation cancer-fighting viruses could be fine-tuned with a pill June 2, 2023 - Cancer-fighting (oncolytic) viruses can infect and kill cancer cells without harming normal tissues, while also delivering therapeutic / toxic genes to tumours and stimulating an anti-cancer immune response.
	Dr. Piriya Yoganathan named one of Ottawa’s Forty Under 40 May 5, 2023 - This sought-after business award is a joint initiative of the Ottawa Board of Trade and Ottawa Business Journal.
	Bringing cellular immunotherapy to solid tumours: made-in-Canada approach to be pioneered in biliary tract cancers thanks to $7.4M grant April 13, 2023 - Canadians with biliary tract cancer (cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder) will have the first chance to benefit from a new made-in-Canada approach to personalized cellular immunotherapy, thanks to a $7.4 million grant from the Canadian Cancer Society
	Potential colorectal cancer treatment combines immunotherapy and viral therapy in a powerful new way February 16, 2023 - Immunotherapy is revolutionizing the treatment of many kinds of cancer, but for colorectal cancer, success has been limited to patients with rare genetic mutations. To tackle this challenge, researchers at The Ottawa Hospital engineered a new kind of
	Meet Dr. Natasha Kekre January 26, 2023 - A hematologist for our Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program, Dr. Kekre is also an associate scientist in our Clinical Epidemiology Program and an associate professor at the University of Ottawa.
	Made-in-Canada approach enhancing access to groundbreaking CAR-T cancer therapy January 19, 2023 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are partnering with colleagues across the country to expand access to new technology that turns patients’ immune cells into super-charged cancer-killers.
	Canadian-Led Immunotherapies in Cancer (CLIC) program inspires innovative CAR-T trial in Denmark December 8, 2022 - CAR-T therapy is a groundbreaking cancer treatment that involves genetically engineering a patient’s own immune cells to attack their cancer. While this therapy is commercially available in many countries, cancer researchers are also developing their
	Fireflies help researcher shine a light on COVID-19 November 2, 2022 - As a child watching fireflies in northern Iran, Dr. Taha Azad never dreamed he would someday use the secret behind their glow to help fight cancer and a global pandemic.
	Unique Hands-on Training Program in Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Expanding Across Canada September 23, 2022 - Mitacs, in partnership with BioCanRx, has developed CanPRIME 2.0 — a national, first-of-its-kind initiative that will enable standardized, hands-on training to work in a biomanufacturing environment.
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 19 CIHR grants worth more than $12 million July 20, 2022 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, autism, Kabuki Syndrome, kidney disease, patient engagement, blood transfusions, sepsis, surgery, anesthesia, plasma donation, muscle
	Cancer-fighting viruses soften up their victims before attacking April 7, 2022 - A research team based at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa has developed a virus that infects and kills cancer cells without harming normal cells, while also sending out signals to prepare nearby uninfected cancer cells for viral attac
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 18 CIHR grants worth more than $11 million February 5, 2022 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as tuberculosis, blood disease, prostate cancer, heart disease, muscle repair, sleep apnea, brain cancer, medical imaging, virtual care, prehab, intellectual disability, sarcoma, CA
	Personalized anti-cancer vaccine shows promise in mice January 28, 2022 - Treatments for cancer are becoming increasingly personalized, not just to a type of cancer, but even to an individual patient. A new study successfully applies this strategy in a new way in mouse models.
	First made-in-Canada CAR-T therapy gives lymphoma patient a third chance January 10, 2022 - Faced with the return of his lymphoma for the third time in ten years, Owen Snider was running out of options. But there was new hope when he was accepted into a made-in-Canada CAR-T therapy clinical trial.
	Medicine’s future: living drugs November 19, 2021 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre harnessing the life-saving power of biological therapies
	Startup company Virica Biotech aims to enhance production of viral medicines October 4, 2021 - Virica Biotech, a startup company founded by Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo, announced a major funding milestone and the grand opening of its new process innovation facility this month.
	Biotherapeutics: the future of medicine May 25, 2021 - World-class biotherapeutics facility at The Ottawa Hospital uses cells, genes and viruses to create unique life-saving treatments
	Experts on call: Stem cells, gene therapy and biotherapeutics April 22, 2021 - Could biotherapeutics be the key to the next wave of medical breakthroughs? Join this lively discussion to learn how researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are using biological materials like cells, genes and viruses to heal the body and fight disease.
	One small step for blood cancer patients, one giant step for Canadian cancer patients of all stripes February 25, 2021 - The Canadian-Led Immunotherapies in Cancer (CLIC) research program is building Canada’s capacity for innovation in CAR-T therapy, with support from BioCanRx, The Ottawa Hospital, BC Cancer and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
	Vaccines and viral immunotherapies: unique Canadian program provides training to manufacture biotherapeutics November 21, 2020 - As COVID-19 highlights the urgent need to increase vaccine manufacturing around the world, a unique training program is bolstering Canada’s capacity to manufacture vaccines, as well as viral immunotherapies for cancer and other emerging biotherapeuti
	From “what if” to “what is” October 9, 2020 - What if you could deliver just one product, in this case one cancer-killing (or oncolytic) virus, to any kind of cancer and have that virus turn into something customized to kill one particular cancer –your own.
	The Ottawa Hospital and uOttawa launch new cancer immunotherapy research projects with funding from BioCanRx September 22, 2020 - BioCanRx, Canada’s Immunotherapy Network, today announced funding of $10M for 14 cancer immunotherapy research projects and eight core and biomanufacturing facilities across the country. Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and the University of
	Virus and targeted drug synergize to fight cancer in mice August 26, 2020 - While some cancer cells can be killed quickly by a single drug, the reality for patients is that multiple therapies are often required, especially if resistance develops. A new study led by Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo reveals for the first time that two pr
	Protecting cancer patients from COVID-19 July 8, 2020 - In the race to find new ways to prevent and treat COVID-19, Canadian researchers have launched an innovative clinical trial focussed on strengthening the immune system for one of the most vulnerable populations – cancer patients.
	Could biotherapeutics be the next revolution in cancer treatment? February 20, 2020 - From helping the body’s own immune system better detect and fight cancer, to treating cancer with immune cells, viruses and vaccines, The Ottawa Hospital is conducting cutting-edge research that could transform cancer care right here at home and arou
	Viral therapy for cancer: Frequently asked questions from patients and families October 1, 2019 - What is viral therapy for cancer? Viral therapy for cancer, also called oncolytic viral therapy or viral immunotherapy, makes use of viruses to treat cancer.
	The promise of CAR-T therapy for cancer: meta-analysis shows the big picture August 14, 2019 - CAR-T therapy, which uses a patient’s own genetically modified immune cells, is one of the most exciting advances in cancer treatment. To get a big picture view of the field, Drs. Manoj Lalu and Dean Fergusson led a team that analyzed data from nearl
	Dr. John Bell wins public and patient engagement award April 15, 2019 - Dr. John Bell won the inaugural European Society for Gene and Cell Therapy Public and Patient Engagement Award.
	Patients and clinical trial experts key to upcoming made-in-Canada CAR-T clinical trial March 1, 2019 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa are known around the world for their expertise in designing and leading clinical trials, and they're now applying this knowledge to create a made-in-Canada approach for CAR-T cell cl
	Researchers uncover possible new mechanism to enhance cancer-killing viruses July 11, 2018 - Cancer-killing (oncolytic) viruses have shown promise in the lab and the clinic, but they don’t always work. New research led by Dr. Carolina Ilkow could help change this. While normal cells often lose their first line of antiviral defenses when they
	MS drug makes cancer-fighting viruses more effective in lab models February 7, 2018 - A drug used to treat multiple sclerosis and psoriasis can dramatically enhance the spread of cancer-fighting viruses in human tumour samples and animal models, according to a study published in Science Translational Medicine. A team led by Dr. Jean
	Could viruses take cancer immunotherapy to the next level? Study shows viruses and checkpoint inhibitors work together to cure resistant breast cancer in mice January 3, 2018 - Immunotherapy, which helps the body’s immune system attack cancer, has revolutionized treatment for cancers such as melanoma and leukemia. However, many other kinds of cancer remain resistant. A new study led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and
	Ottawa researchers to play lead role in new cancer immunotherapy studies February 15, 2017 - BioCanRx funds research into CAR-T and virus-infected cell therapy Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa will play a lead role in cutting-edge research on cancer immunotherapy, thanks to five new peer-reviewed researc

Researchers

Name	Scientific appointment	Diseases, conditions and populations of interest	Research and clinical approaches
Atkins, Harold MD, FRCPC	Senior Clinician Investigator (CR)	Autoimmune disease, Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, Blood cancer, Cancer, Multiple sclerosis, Myasthenia gravis, Stiff person syndrome	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical trials, Immunotherapy, Oncolytic viruses, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research, Transplantation, Viral therapy
Auer, Rebecca MD, MSc, FRCSC	Senior Scientist (CR)	Cancer, Colorectal cancer, Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Peri-operative medicine, Quality Improvement, Surgery, Translational research, Viral therapy
Bell, John PhD, FRSC, FCAHS	Senior Scientist (CR)	Cancer, COVID-19	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Berardi, Philip MD, PhD, FRCPC	Clinician Investigator (CR)	Aging, Anemia, Bleeding disorders, Blood cancer, Cancer, COVID-19, Health equity, Health in older peoples, Sickle cell anemia, Thalassemia, Thrombosis / thromboembolism	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cell therapy, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genetics, Genomics, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Stem cells, Translational research
Cook, David PhD	Scientist (CR)	Cancer, Ovarian cancer	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Big data, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Drug development, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genomics, Imaging, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, RNA sequencing, Systems biology, Translational research
Diallo, Jean-Simon PhD	Senior Scientist (CR)	Cancer, COVID-19, Infectious disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Drug development, Gene therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Ilkow, Carolina PhD	Senior Scientist (CR)	Breast cancer, COVID-19, Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Extracellular vesicles / exosomes, Gene therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Kekre, Natasha BSc, MD, MPH, FRCPC	Scientist (CR)	Blood cancer, Cancer	Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Epidemiology, Immunotherapy, Patient engagement, Translational research, Transplantation
Lorimer, Ian PhD	Senior Scientist (CR)	Brain and neuromuscular disease, Brain cancer, Cancer	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cell therapy, Disease models, Molecular and cellular biology, Translational research
Nair, Vimoj MBBS MD MSc FRCPC	Clinician Investigator (CR)	Blood cancer, Brain cancer, Colorectal cancer, Gastric cancer, Liver cancer, Pancreatic cancer	Artificial intelligence and data science, Biostatistics, Cancer biotherapeutics, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Health technology, Imaging, Pragmatic trials, Quality Improvement, Translational research
Quizi, Jennifer PhD	Investigator (CR)	Cancer, Infectious disease	Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Drug development, Gene therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Santos, Marlise MD (FRCPC), MSc, MPH	Clinician Investigator (NS)	Alzheimer's, Anxiety, Ataxia, Autoimmune disease, Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, Blood cancer, Brain and neuromuscular disease, Brain cancer, Cancer, Concussion, Dementia, Depression, Global health, Head and neck cancer, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Infectious disease, Intellectual disabilities, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Population health, Sickle cell anemia, Spinal cord injury, Stroke, Subarachnoid hemorrhage, Thrombosis / thromboembolism, Traumatic brain injury, Traumatic injuries, Vascular cognitive impairment, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Behaviour, Biostatistics, Cancer biotherapeutics, Clinical decision rules, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Critical care, Epidemiology, Health economics, Health research methods, Health services research, Health technology, Imaging, Patient safety, Pragmatic trials, Prevention, Public health, Qualitative methods, Quality Improvement, Shared decision making, Surgery, Surveys, Systematic reviews
Vanderhyden, Barbara PhD	Senior Scientist (CR)	Cancer, Infertility, Ovarian cancer, Women's health	Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Cancer biotherapeutics, Disease models, Drug development, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genomics, Immunotherapy, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Stem cells, Transgenic/knockout models, Translational research, Viral therapy

Related Resources

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Cancer Therapeutics Program

Cancer immunotherapy research at The Ottawa Hospital

The Ottawa Hospital Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre

The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Program

BioCanRx - Canada's Immunotherapy Network