Last Updated: August 20, 2008

Engaging Canada and California's
Research Leaders - Private Sector - Governments - Finance Community
in Research, Development and Delivery

News

Third CCSIP Summit in Montreal, Canada on October 27, 2008 - More details soon; check out the Calendar.

Historic Achievement Announced at BIO 2008

Left to right: Dr. Alan Trouson, PhD, President of California Institute of Regenerative Medecine (CIRM), Alain Dudoit, Consul General, Los Angeles, Dr. Cindy L. Bell, PhD, Vice President, Genome Canada, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement, Robert Klein, Chair Independent Citizens Oversight Committee of California, Dr. Catriona Jamieson, UCSD, Moores Cancer Centre, Dr. Martin Godbout, President and CEO of Genome Canada, and Marc Lepage, Consul General, San Francisco

On June 18, 2008 the Canada-California Strategic Innovation Partnership (CCSIP) yielded a major achievement at BIO in San Diego. A project initiated by a stem cell and regenerative medicine working group of CCSIP produced an historic agreement. Canadians and Californians will join forces to gain a better understanding of the role cancer stem cells play in the development of the disease and learn how to prevent and treat cancer.

Tony Clement, Canadian Minister of Health announced over $100 M dollars from Canada to the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium (CSCC) to work with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The two organizations signed a three year agreement which lays the foundation for CIRM and CSCC to explore collaborative approaches to evaluate, fund and monitor cancer stem cell research projects leading to therapies or diagnostics.

Governor Schwarzenegger stated that "Entering into collaborations such as this, which bring together leading medical research capabilities, have great potential in improving the lives of not only Californians, but people around the world” and "no one state or nation should do this alone.”

Minister Clement stressed the importance of international collaborations: “Now we are working together across borders, bringing together the best minds from both countries with the goal of learning how to prevent and treat cancer for the benefit of all of our citizens."

Press release: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/36451.html or http://www.cirm.ca.gov/press/pdf/2008/06-18-08_b.pdf

Backgrounder: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/36453.html

Summary

The Canada-California Strategic Innovation Partnership (CCSIP) Initiative is an informal process of collaboration and exchange between the two jurisdictions involving academic, private sector, financial and public sector organizations. It champions the development of new models of cooperation and specific projects in innovation-intensive areas that are priorities in both jurisdictions:

  • Stem cells & Regenerative medicine / Cancer stem cells
  • ICT / Broadband internet connectivity and applications
  • Advanced transportation & Energy / Sustainable Energy
  • Nanotechnology / Micro-Macro Interfaces
  • Infectious diseases
  • Venture Capital & Intellectual Property / Cross-border flows
  • Highly qualified personnel

See details.

Status

In addition to encouraging applied research projects, CCSIP's Bilateral Steering Committee and other Partners are working to more fully engage the private sector and maximize the development of highly-qualified human resources in support of all sectors.

Workgroups are exploring and identifying complementary areas of expertise with best potential to develop successful bilateral RD&D collaborations.

Stakeholders have begun discussions to define the best approach and governance model to move CCSIP forward to next level.

Contacts

General inquiries: