Six world-class research teams to investigate overcoming therapeutic resistance in high fatality cancers

October 30, 2017

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Azrieli Foundation and the Israel Science Foundation (ISF) are pleased to announce the recipients of the Joint Canada-Israel Health Research Program’s 3rd call for proposals. These world-class research teams will direct their focus towards new frontiers in cancer research.

The six winning teams were selected from among 56 proposals and will receive funding totaling up to C$ 7 million over the next three years.

Two teams will develop strategies to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy against leukemia and lung cancer. Four other teams will use advanced genomics and protein engineering techniques to elucidate basic molecular mechanisms associated with tumor development, progression and resistance to therapy in pancreatic, breast, renal and hepatic cancer. 

Research results are expected to enable breakthrough discoveries that can ultimately lead to new or improved therapies against high fatality cancers that affect millions of people. 

The research teams will integrate researchers from India, China, Brazil, Argentina and Turkey to further the knowledge base and scientific capacity in low and middle income countries. As collaborators or trainees, these researchers will contribute to, and benefit from, their involvement in the program with the overall aim of strengthening research capacity in their countries, promoting research excellence, and building long-lasting international scientific relationships.

Of note, the program will support two more calls in 2017 and 2018:

• 4th call – Neurobiology (to be launched in November 2017)
• 5th call – Metabolism (to be launched in November 2018)

Please consult the backgrounder for a list of the selected projects and more information on the program.

Date modified:

2017-10-30