British Columbia Opens First Phase 1 Clinical Trials Unit for Non-Oncology Treatments
Key Insights
British Columbia has launched an eight-bed clinical trials unit at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (search), marking the province's first facility capable of conducting Phase 1 clinical trials for non-oncology conditions (search).
The $4 million government investment addresses a critical gap in early-stage drug development, allowing local biotech companies to test antibody treatments (search), gene therapies (search), and vaccines (search) in humans for the first time.
The facility is expected to strengthen B.C.'s life sciences ecosystem by enabling companies to retain intellectual property locally and attract high-value licensing agreements with global pharmaceutical companies.
British Columbia has opened its first clinical trials unit capable of conducting Phase 1 studies for non-oncology conditions (search), marking a significant milestone for the province's life sciences sector. The eight-bed facility at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (search) in Vancouver addresses a critical infrastructure gap that previously forced local biotech companies to conduct early-stage drug development elsewhere.
The Government of B.C. invested more than $4 million to create the clinical trials unit (CTU), with Michael Smith Health Research BC (search) contributing an additional $1.2 million to strengthen the province's clinical trials environment. The facility officially launched on September 17, 2025, representing a strategic asset for B.C.'s growing life sciences ecosystem.
Expanding Clinical Research Capabilities
The new unit enables researchers to perform Phase 1 clinical trials for medical devices and potential medicines, including antibody treatments (search), gene therapies (search), and vaccines (search) administered to humans for the first time. Until now, Phase 1 clinical trials for non-oncology conditions (search) were not possible in British Columbia, creating a significant barrier for local companies seeking to advance their therapeutic candidates.
"The new Clinical Trials Unit will drive the development of cutting-edge therapies and give B.C. life-sciences companies a clear pathway from invention to final approval," said Josie Osborne, B.C.'s Minister of Health. "With the opening of the CTU, we can now support every stage of therapy development, benefiting patients, strengthening B.C. companies and growing our economy."
Phase 1 clinical trials represent the first studies of new treatments in humans and are conducted in specialized units with full medical support. These trials test the safety, side effects, and optimal dosing of new treatments, as well as the best method of administration. The facility can accommodate eight participants at a time for any ongoing trial.
Economic and Strategic Impact
The clinical trials unit is designed to help B.C.-based life sciences businesses retain their intellectual property while scaling up operations. Successful Phase 1 clinical trials can lead to high-value licensing agreements with global pharmaceutical companies, potentially generating increased revenues for local companies.
"We are committed to ensuring B.C.-based life sciences businesses have access to the tools they need to scale up and grow, while attracting more investment to B.C.," said Ravi Kahlon, B.C.'s Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. "The new eight-bed Clinical Trials Unit at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (search) will advance early-stage drug development, while allowing more local life-sciences companies to conduct clinical research and grow here in B.C., instead of going elsewhere."
Anne Stevens, vice-president of business development at AbCellera, a UBC spin-off company, emphasized the broader implications for the province's innovation ecosystem. "A robust clinical research ecosystem strengthens the province's drug-development continuum, ensuring British Columbians are among the first to benefit from innovation discovered here," Stevens said. "Increasing capacity for conducting Phase 1 clinical trials moves B.C. closer to achieving its full potential as a world leader in medical innovation and research."
Academic Partnership and Workforce Development
The Province is also supporting the establishment of a new professorship in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics within the UBC Faculty of Medicine (search). This position will provide academic leadership for the CTU and lead an integrated research and education program in clinical pharmacology. The professorship will also work to establish a new residency training program in clinical pharmacology, strengthening the talent pipeline of clinical researchers and clinical trial investigators in the province.
"This expansion of clinical trial capacity, through the new CTU and UBC professorship, will be transformative for B.C. patients and for Canada's economy," said Dr. Wyeth Wasserman, vice-dean of research at UBC Faculty of Medicine (search). "Enabling researchers to conduct early-stage trials here at home will accelerate the delivery of breakthrough therapies to patients and further fuel B.C.'s rapidly growing life sciences sector."
Patient Access and Health Outcomes
The facility is expected to provide B.C. patients with earlier access to innovative treatments and more treatment options. Dr. Darryl Knight, associate dean of research at Providence Health Care Research Institute (search) and vice-president of research and academic affairs with Providence Health Care (search), highlighted the immediate benefits for patients.
"The impact of this clinical-trials unit on British Columbians cannot be understated," Knight said. "Early access to new therapies translates into improved health outcomes for people in B.C. and tangible economic benefits for the province."
All studies conducted at the new CTU must receive approval from Health Canada, the Providence Health Care (search) Research Ethics Board, and Providence Health Care prior to initiation. Clinical Trials BC (search) is providing regulatory compliance consultation, training, and digital platforms to support the quality and efficiency of trials based at the new unit.
Industry Context
British Columbia is home to more than 2,000 life sciences companies employing close to 20,000 people. The new clinical trials unit is part of the B.C. Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, which outlines key actions to position British Columbia as a global hub for life sciences and biomanufacturing.
"Enhancing capacity for Phase 1 trials will increase the global competitiveness of British Columbia's clinical trials ecosystem," said Danielle Lavallee, vice-president of research programs at Michael Smith Health Research BC (search). "This crucial investment supports B.C.'s vision for clinical trials in which health and economic benefits are maximized for British Columbians."