Toronto, October 18, 2023 – Crohn's and Colitis Canada is investing $2.7 million in 10 researchers across Canada to address key gaps that will accelerate the impact of our research investment on the lives of people living with Crohn’s or colitis. Including these newly announced investments, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is funding the work of 40 researchers.
Lori Radke, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada President and CEO, says: “This research investment moves us further down the road to cures and better treatments. Since 1974, we’ve invested $145 million into world-leading Canadian research. This year’s researchers are looking for new treatments, finding the causes and triggers as well as ways to offer the best care possible.”
The recently published 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Canada report shows the urgency of addressing the challenges of Crohn’s and colitis, starting with the number of people in Canada with IBD, which is increasing rapidly:
- 322,600 people in 2023 (0.8% of the population) to 470,000 in 2035 (1.1% of the population)
- 11,000 people will be diagnosed in 2023 (1 every 48 minutes) and 14,000 in 2035 (1 every 38 minutes)
- The number of new diagnoses is rising most rapidly in children under the age of six years old. They and their families face particular challenges as they age.
- Seniors are the most rapidly growing group since people with IBD are living longer due to better therapies, and our population is aging
The recipients of the 2023 grants are:
Dr. Jean-François Beaulieu – Université de Sherbrooke
Research Subject: Looking for non-invasive markers of IBD such as stool protein markers. The team has identified 400 to date and will seek to confirm those associated with Crohn’s or colitis
Ability to rapidly determine whether a person has IBD; whether their disease is Crohn’s or colitis; and whether their disease is active or in remission
Hope for people with Crohn's or colitis: Ability to rapidly determine whether a person has IBD; whether their disease is Crohn’s or colitis; and whether their disease is active or in remission
Find out more about his research
Dr. Wael Elhenawy – University of Alberta, Edmonton
Research Subject: Understand how Crohn’s disease associated E. coli form protective structures in the gut environment that protect bacteria from the immune system
Hope for people with Crohn's or colitis: Uncover new targets for drug development
Find out more about his research
Dr. Simon Hirota – University of Calgary
Research Subject: Study the impact of Metformin in the process of intestinal muscle obstruction formation, specifically by activating cells that reduce muscle thickening
Hope for people with Crohn's or colitis: Potential to bring a new IBD treatment to patients quickly as Metformin is already used to treat cystic fibrosis and diabetes
Find out more about his research
Dr. Deanna Gibson – University of British Columbia - Okanagan
Research Subject: Ongoing treatment development by testing an already developed beneficial microbe that can target inflammation in colitis
Hope for people with Crohn's or colitis: Innovative step in the development of a new treatment
Find out more about her research
Dr. Sun-Ho Lee – Sinai Health System, Toronto
Research Subject: Identify specific bacterial species associated with the future onset of colitis. Also, explore blood-based profiling approaches that could bypass the need for more invasive diagnostic tools
Hope for people with Crohn's or colitis: New treatments and establishing criteria for earlier diagnosis of colitis
Find out more about his research
Dr. Giada Sebastiani – McGill University, Montreal
Research Subject: Follow 680 Crohn’s or colitis patients with ultrasound over three years to determine how many with IBD and fatty liver develop liver fibrosis
Hope for people with Crohn's or colitis: Develop fatty liver indications in IBD guidelines to improve care for those affected, which may be up to 40% of those with IBD
Find out more about her research
Dr. Timothy Shutt – University of Calgary
Research Subject: Explore therapies to fix cell mitochondrial dysfunction in the gut by replacing them with healthy ones
Hope for people with Crohn's or colitis: Uncover new targets for drug development
Find out more about his research
Dr. Matthew Sorbara – University of Guelph
Research Subject: Study a family of bacteria and a fatty acid it creates that are abundant in a healthy gut but lower in IBD patients. Determine whether they may be involved in inhibiting intestinal inflammation
Hope for people with Crohn's or colitis: Potential new path to restore gut bacteria function to a healthy level
Find out more about his research
Dr. Karine Tremblay – Université de Sherbrooke
Research Subject: One-third of colitis patients do not respond well to current drugs – potentially due to genes that regulate their individual response. This project will seek to identify specific genes that positively or negatively affect response to drugs
Hope for people with Crohn's or colitis: Help physicians match patients to the most effective treatment option, with better patient outcomes sooner, e.g. reduced side effects, treatment fatigue, and improved psychological health
Find out more about her research
Dr. Michael Zaugg – University of Alberta, Edmonton
Research Subject: Develop nutrition-based treatments to help IBD patients induce and maintain remission – potentially reducing the side effects of current therapies
Hope for people with Crohn's or colitis: Develop diets that produce a specific by-product in the body that has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects
Find out more about his research
Crohn's and Colitis Canada
We are on a relentless journey to transform the lives of people affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis by delivering impact at all stages of life, in every corner of the country, by
- finding the cures for these lifelong diseases, and
- improving the quality of life of everyone affected by these diseases.
Our 2023-2026 Impact Strategy creates a roadmap for our journey with a focus on
- accelerating the impact of research – address key gaps and success factors; shorten the timeline from discovery to patient impact
- reaching further – help more people with Crohn’s and colitis and their caregivers with our wide range of programs
- boosting awareness and understanding – engage and motivate Canadians
- driving system change – advocate and partner to influence change
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