In a news conference at the David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute, located on the Hamilton General Hospital site, representatives from Novartis and the Ontario Government announced a $40-million investment that will see the Centre become home to a major international clinical trial.
The long-term study, called APOLLO (Aliskiren Prevention of Later Life Outcomes), will follow 11,000 elderly persons with high blood pressure (hypertension) in 20 countries over five years to determine the long-term benefits of aliskiren, the first of a new class of blood-pressure-lowering drugs known as direct renin inhibitors.
The APOLLO trial, one of the largest ever to be led by Canadian scientists, was launched in January and has a total global budget of more than $100 million. The study will be led by Dr. Salim Yusuf, Executive Director of the Population Health Research Institute, Professor of Medicine at McMaster University and Vice-President of Research at Hamilton Health Sciences.
APOLLO will evaluate whether lowering blood pressure with aliskiren and other drugs (diuretics and calcium channel blockers) will reduce the risk of mortality and of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, strokes or heart failure in elderly patients. A novel aspect of the study is a functional ability assessment to determine if participants can continue to carry out the various complex tasks associated with independent and productive living.
Novartis, the fourth-largest life sciences company in the world, has been facilitated in making this investment in Ontario by the Ontario Life Sciences Commercialization Strategy. This Ontario government program includes funding to upgrade infrastructure in the province necessary to allow such major projects to take place. The government has made an investment of $1 million in facilities at the PHRI, part of a $4-million provincial program to help promote and attract global R&D investment.
"We're supporting innovation to strengthen our healthcare system, create new jobs, and move our economy forward," said Hon. Glen Murray, Minister of Research and Innovation, who attended the study launch announcement and announced the government's investment. "The McGuinty government is ensuring that Ontario's world-class researchers have the tools they need to make new discoveries and attract new investment."
"Novartis is proud to be launching the APOLLO trial, a strategic global investment in clinical development across 20 countries, which will be led by Dr. Yusuf at the Population Health Research Institute based in Hamilton, Ontario,” said Dr. Riad Sherif B, President of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. “Of Novartis' $100-million investment, $40 million will remain in the province. This investment would not have happened without the partnership of Dr. Yusuf, an international visionary leader in cardiovascular research, and the Ontario government. APOLLO will provide further insights on the long-term health of hypertensive patients."
"The PHRI is a world leader in conducting cutting-edge research into the prevention of heart disease and stroke," said Dr. Yusuf. "We are delighted to work on this exciting opportunity with Novartis on this major study. The findings from APOLLO have major potential to improve the health and well-being of the elderly in all parts of the world."
The partners in the PHRI see this major investment as a tribute to the strengths of their institutions and people. "Dr. Yusuf over many years has built a strong, world-class research team at PHRI, which is justly deserving of taking on this important global mandate," said Murray T. Martin, President and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences.
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