Research News

	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.
	Tiny Cells for Tiny Lungs September 28, 2023 - “Stem cells used to be something that were grown in a petri dish. They are now game-changing therapies with live-saving potential for even the tiniest of patients.”
	After 18 years with MS—“I really feel like I’m cured.” April 2, 2023 - “It’s now 12 years since my stem cell transplant. I really feel like I’m cured,” said Heather Harris, who has no symptoms of the disease. She works full-time as a school principal, and is back to camping, skiing, running and driving a manual shift ca
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	Stem cell treatment banishes disease for MS patient April 2, 2023 - John Chafe had a job in a bank with the goal of running it one day. But his plans were sidetracked by an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis (MS). In 2001, he became the second person in a world-first clinical trial of its kind that virtually elimi
	First patient treated in world-first cell therapy trial to heal the lungs of preterm babies March 23, 2023 - Researchers have treated the first patient in an innovative clinical trial of a cell therapy that aims to prevent very premature babies from developing a chronic lung disease called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This is the first trial of its kin
	Meet Dr. Manoj Lalu, the clinician-scientist bringing lab discoveries to patients every day March 16, 2023 - From looking at how we can use stem cells to treat diseases like sepsis to dealing with patients directly in the ICU and OR, Dr. Lalu is making an impact behind the scenes and beyond.
	Moving the needle forward on sepsis research with a world-first clinical trial March 16, 2023 - The search for the silver bullet for sepsis has been decades in the making. However, The Ottawa Hospital is taking a big step forward in the next phase of a world-first clinical trial using stem cells in patients with septic shock.
	Meet Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre — sepsis researcher and clinician extraordinaire March 16, 2023 - Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre’s path to The Ottawa Hospital wasn’t necessarily a direct one — it took her all over Ontario and out west to the mountains — but she couldn’t do her groundbreaking sepsis research anywhere else, or with any other team.
	The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa, and McMaster University join forces to prepare Canada for future pandemics March 2, 2023 - Building on the knowledge gained over nearly three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), the University of Ottawa and McMaster University are joining forces with partners to create the Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub (CP2H).
	Clinical trial will test promising cell therapy for septic shock January 19, 2023 - Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre was awarded $1.6 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Clinical Trials Fund to conduct a Phase II clinical trial of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patients with septic shock.
	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
	Huge hope for our smallest patients November 2, 2022 - Dr. Bernard Thébaud clearly remembers the day he decided to become a doctor—his dad had suggested the soccer-loving teen become a sports physician. But from the first day of his pediatric surgery rotation, Dr. Thébaud knew he wanted to help
	“Dream team” of researchers tackles leading cause of vision loss July 27, 2022 - Dr. Catherine Tsilfidis has assembled a world-class team to bring discoveries with game-changing potential to patients with retinal disease
	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
	First made-in-Canada CAR-T cell therapy for cancer shows promise in clinical trial June 17, 2022 - More than a dozen people with cancer who had exhausted all treatment options are alive and cancer-free today thanks to a pioneering Canadian clinical trial of a highly personalized kind of immunotherapy.
	Meet brain and eye researcher Dr. Pierre Mattar April 25, 2022 - Dr. Pierre Mattar is doing the groundwork needed to develop treatments for vision loss
	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
	$2.4 M grant to help researchers develop gene and cell therapies for a leading cause of blindness September 15, 2021 - A team led by Dr. Catherine Tsilfidis has received $2.4 M from the Ontario Research Fund to develop treatments for retinal diseases, a leading cause of blindness.
	Biomanufacturing partnership boosts Canada’s life-saving treatment and vaccine capacity September 13, 2021 - As Canada seeks to rebuild its biomanufacturing sector and support made-in-Canada solutions to global health challenges, The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Alberta and BioCanRx have collaborated to create Canada’s first full-service, end-to-end b
	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.
	Grateful COVID-19 patient gives back by participating in research April 13, 2021 - Sharon Charlebois doesn’t remember much about the 25 days she spent at The Ottawa Hospital fighting a severe case of COVID-19 in January 2021. Now that she’s recovering at home with her husband, some memories come back to her in flashes.
	The rise of point-of-care cell manufacturing March 12, 2021 - Decentralized approach represents a paradigm shift in the way Canada studies, commercializes and delivers stem cell treatments for serious diseases
	Cancer team awarded $5M for cell-based immunotherapy research March 3, 2021 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa are partnering with colleagues across the country to expand Canada’s capacity to develop new cell-based immunotherapies for cancer with a $5.2 million grant from the Canada Foundation fo
	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
	Experimental stem cell therapy a potential weapon against COVID-19 February 1, 2021 - Drs. Duncan Stewart, Shane English, Dean Fergusson and colleagues have launched a clinical trial to test MSCs in people with severe COVID-19.
	$1M investment fuels development of new therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy February 1, 2021 - Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy has invested $1M in Satellos Bioscience, a startup company founded by Dr. Michael Rudnicki.
	$1M grant to support manufacturing of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines at The Ottawa Hospital and uOttawa November 6, 2020 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have been awarded $1,050,000 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support facilities for manufacturing innovative treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.
	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
	Experimental Stem Cell Therapy a Potential Weapon in COVID-19 Fight May 28, 2020 - Ottawa-based researchers pivot at lightning speed to launch study on treating related respiratory failure
	COVID-19 research on cell therapy, drug screening and marginalized populations funded through Ontario’s Rapid Research Fund May 21, 2020 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded almost $2 million from Ontario’s COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund for three research projects that could help in the fight against the virus. These three pr
	Harnessing stem cells and regenerative medicine to fight COVID-19 April 23, 2020 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have been awarded $490,000 from the Stem Cell Network for two research projects that could help in the fight against COVID-19. These peer-reviewed grants are part of an overall investm
	Researchers join the fight against COVID-19 April 2, 2020 - As hospitals and communities band together to fight COVID-19, researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are harnessing their unique expertise and resources to help.
	Stem cells may heal lungs of premature babies March 4, 2020 - Premature babies need extra oxygen and mechanical intervention to breathe but this can damage their lungs, causing a chronic lung disease. A stem cell treatment soon to be tested in clinical trials at The Ottawa Hospital may help heal the lungs of pr
	Could umbilical cord cell therapy help premature babies? Dr. Bernard Thébaud awarded $638,000 from Stem Cell Network for clinical trial March 2, 2020 - Dr. Bernard Thébaud and colleagues received $638,000 from the Stem Cell Network with in-kind matching funds from MDTB Cells GmbH to conduct a phase 1 clinical trial of umbilical cord cell therapy for premature babies.
	Cell therapy for premature babies: new lab study suggests wider treatment window may be possible February 19, 2020 - Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease caused by the breathing equipment that keeps premature babies alive.
	Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease— newfound hope for treatment September 12, 2019 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are working together to help prevent and treat acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.
	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
	Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recommended as a standard of care for certain kinds of MS in the U.S. March 13, 2019 - The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation has recommended that stem cell transplantation for MS, which has been pioneered at The Ottawa Hospital, be considered a “standard of care, clinical evidence available” for people with certain
	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
	Using stem cells to treat brain cancer: pilot study highlights potential new approach August 16, 2018 - Stem cells are usually associated with repairing damaged tissue and treating degenerative diseases, but they also have a unique property that may be harnessed to fight cancer. When injected into the body, stem cells naturally migrate to tumours, and
	Experimental stem cell therapy tested for rare lung disease April 30, 2018 - A Canadian-led research team has launched a clinical trial of an experimental stem cell therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension. This rare and deadly disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the lungs become so damaged that blood can
	Could stem cells repair the heart, fight infections, mend premature lungs, and heal the brain after stroke? April 11, 2018 - Ottawa researchers closer to finding out, thanks to $999,900 from the Stem Cell Network Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the University of Ottawa are bringing discoveries made in the lab closer to human trials and therapies, thanks
	Pre-treated cells boost blood vessel repair November 29, 2017 - Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) are stem-like cells found in umbilical cord blood that help repair damaged blood vessels. They may hold promise for the treatment of stroke, heart attack and blocked leg arteries. However, their rate of bloo
	Stem cells for septic shock: world-first trial establishes safety, sets stage for larger trial November 2, 2017 - Stem cells are usually thought of as the building blocks of the body – able to give rise to all our cells and organs. But Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre, Dr. Duncan Stewart, Dr. Dean Fergusson and their colleagues are testing the idea that certain stem cells
	Ottawa scientist wins Canada's top stem cell prize for multiple sclerosis trial September 6, 2017 - Dr. Harold Atkins, stem cell transplant physician and scientist at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa, will receive the prestigious Till & McCulloch Award for “exceptional contributions to global stem cell research.” The award will
	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
Allan, David MD FRCPC	Associate Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Blood cancer, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Cell therapy, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Systematic reviews, Transfusions, Translational research, Transplantation
Ardolino, Michele PhD	Senior Scientist (Cancer Therapeutics)	Blood cancer, Brain cancer, Breast cancer, Cancer, Colorectal cancer, Head and neck cancer, Liver cancer, Lung cancer, Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Prostate cancer, Skin cancer, Soft tissue sarcoma	Basic research, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Disease models, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology, Transgenic/knockout models, Translational research
Atkins, Harold MD, FRCPC	Senior Clinician Investigator (Cancer Therapeutics)	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 (Cancer Therapeutics)	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 (Cancer Therapeutics)	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 (Cancer Therapeutics)	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
Burns, Kevin MD CM, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (Chronic Disease)	Diabetes, Kidney disease, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Basic research, Biomarkers, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Disease models, Extracellular vesicles / exosomes, Gene expression, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Transgenic/knockout models, Translational research
Courtman, David PhD	Senior Investigator (Regenerative Medicine)		Biomaterials, Cell therapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research
Coutu, Daniel PhD	Scientist (Regenerative Medicine)	Aging, Arthritis, Autoimmune disease, Bleeding disorders, Blood cancer, Bone and joint degeneration, Bone and joint injuries, Chronic disease, Musculoskeletal conditions, Osteoporosis	3D printing, Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomaterials, Cell therapy, Gene expression, Gene therapy, Genetics, Genomics, Imaging, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Proteomics, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Surgery, Systems biology, Transgenic/knockout models, Translational research
Freedman, Mark HBSc, MSc, MD, CSPQ, FAAN, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (Neuroscience)	Multiple sclerosis	Cell therapy, Clinical research, Regenerative medicine, Clinical trials
Kekre, Natasha BSc, MD, MPH, FRCPC	Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Blood cancer, Cancer	Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical trials, Epidemiology, Immunotherapy, Patient engagement, Stem cells, Translational research, Transplantation, Viral therapy
Lalu, Manoj MD, PhD, FRCPC	Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Blood cancer, COVID-19, Heart disease, Stroke, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Anesthesiology, Basic research, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Disease models, Health research methods, Model organisms, Patient engagement, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research
Lorimer, Ian PhD	Senior Scientist (Cancer Therapeutics)	Brain and neuromuscular disease, Brain cancer, Cancer	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cell therapy, Disease models, Molecular and cellular biology, Translational research
Mattar, Pierre PhD	Senior Scientist (Regenerative Medicine)	Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, Glaucoma, Intellectual disabilities, Macular degeneration, Retinal disease, Vision	Basic research, Bioinformatics, Cell therapy, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genetics, Genomics, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology, Proteomics, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Systems biology, Transgenic/knockout models
McIntyre, Lauralyn MD, MHSc, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Septic shock	Cell therapy, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Critical care, Patient engagement, Pragmatic trials, Stem cells, Transfusions, Translational research
Mei, Shirley PhD, MSc	Investigator (Regenerative Medicine)	COVID-19, Septic shock	Basic research, Biomarkers, Cell therapy, Critical care, Disease models, Epigenetics, Gene therapy, Knowledge translation and implementation research, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells
Ngsee, John Ph.D.	Affiliate Investigator (Neuroscience)	Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Dementia, Parkinson's	Cell therapy, Drug development, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology
Quizi, Jennifer PhD	Investigator (Cancer Therapeutics)	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
Ramsay, Timothy PhD	Senior Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Addiction, Alzheimer's, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Anxiety, Ataxia, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism, Bipolar, Brain and neuromuscular disease, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Colorectal cancer, Concussion, Cystic fibrosis, Dementia, Depression, Dystonia, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health, HIV, Immigrant and refugee health, Influenza, Kidney disease, Lung cancer, Macular degeneration, Men's health, Multiple sclerosis, Muscular dystrophy, Myasthenia gravis, Obesity, Ovarian cancer, Parkinson's, Pulmonary hypertension, Septic shock, Spinal cord injury	Artificial intelligence and data science, Behaviour, Biomaterials, Biostatistics, Cell therapy, Clinical decision rules, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Critical care, Drug development, Emergency medicine, Epidemiology, Health professional behaviour change, Health promotion, Health research methods, Health services research, Health technology, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Palliative care, Patient decision aids, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Prevention, Psychology, Psychometrics, Public health, Qualitative methods, Quality Improvement, Regenerative medicine, Rehabilitation, Risk assessment, Shared decision making, Surgery, Surveys, Systematic reviews, Transfusions, Translational research, Transplantation, Viral therapy
Stewart, Duncan MD, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (Regenerative Medicine)	COVID-19, Heart disease, Pulmonary hypertension, Septic shock, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Extracellular vesicles / exosomes, Stem cells, Cell therapy, Clinical trials, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Translational research
Thébaud, Bernard MD, PhD	Senior Scientist (Regenerative Medicine)	Lung disease, Newborn and child health	Cell therapy, Extracellular vesicles / exosomes, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research
Wang, Jing Ph.D.	Senior Scientist (Regenerative Medicine)	Alzheimer's, Multiple sclerosis, Stroke	Cell therapy, Disease models, Epigenetics, Imaging, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Transgenic/knockout models

Related Resources

Cancer biotherapeutics research at The Ottawa Hospital

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Regenerative Medicine Program

The Ottawa Hospital Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre