Takeda Canada has co-sponsored the Canadian Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Consortium (CIRC) PIONEER Grant with a contribution of C$500,000 to boost clinical research efforts aimed at improving patient outcomes and quality of life for individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The total grant amounts to C$1 million.
PIONEER Grant Awarded to Pediatric Crohn's Disease Study
This year, Dr. Kevan Jacobson and Dr. Genelle Lunken from BC Children's Hospital received the PIONEER Grant for their research on dietary intervention in Crohn's disease patients. Their study is titled ‘Open Label Multicentre Randomised Dietary Intervention Study in Paediatric Crohn's Disease Patients Initiating Anti-TNF Therapy (DISPENSE-T).’ The study will evaluate the efficacy of dietary intervention in children with Crohn's initiating anti-TNF therapy.
CIRC's Ongoing Efforts in IBD Research
Currently, CIRC is conducting nine multi-center, investigator-initiated trials, including four multi-centered randomized controlled trials, to address critical clinical questions in IBD management. These trials aim to set new standards in IBD care through collaborative, high-quality scientific research.
Takeda's Commitment to IBD Research
Takeda Canada general manager Vatro Mateljic stated, “At Takeda, we remain deeply committed to advancing scientific research in IBD and are honored to continue our support through the CIRC PIONEER Grant. We congratulate Dr. Jacobson and Dr. Lunken for their innovative project that could significantly impact the lives of children living with IBD.”
Impact of IBD in Canada
IBD, primarily comprising Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The condition affects more than 322,000 Canadians, and despite ongoing research, there is currently no cure.
Expert Commentary
CIRC president and McGill University gastroenterologist Dr. Talat Bessissow said, “The PIONEER Grant exemplifies our commitment to advancing high-quality scientific research through collaboration. This study holds the potential to yield transformative insights and set new standards in IBD care, thanks to our Canadian investigators.”
