Renewal comes following seven successful years of fostering and accelerating health innovation in Alberta.

October 17, 2023 – EDMONTON, AB

After seven years and eight innovative research initiatives, University Hospital Foundation (UHF) announced the renewal of the Johnson & Johnson Alberta Health Innovation Partnership (JAHIP) between Alberta Technology and Innovation, University Hospital Foundation (UHF) and Janssen Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company. JAHIP will continue for another three years, committed to fostering and accelerating health innovations benefiting patient and health systems outcomes in Alberta.

“We are thrilled to continue this proven and successful partnership, and for the invaluable insight that will come out of the clinical research being funded. This is a victory for patients and health care across Alberta and beyond,” said Dr. Jodi Abbott, President and CEO of the University Hospital Foundation.

With a financial investment of $2.9 million, JAHIP will focus on supporting research, data driven initiatives and therapeutic investigations related to cancer and other areas of interest. The goal is to support evidence generation for improved patient outcomes with emphasis on projects that could positively impact health systems in Alberta.

“This partnership illustrates Alberta’s reputation as a global leader in health innovation as more pharmaceutical giants come to Alberta to work with our top talent. JAHIP has successfully advanced health research in critical areas such as cancer, and we look forward to more scientific breakthroughs over the next three years of the partnership.” said Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation.

With a focus on fostering life sciences innovation for Alberta patients, the first project funded under the renewed JAHIP agreement is:

Myeloma Biomarker Identification: Biomarker identification to support improved multiple myeloma patient eligibility criteria for CAR-T therapy

Dr. Paola Neri and Dr. Nizar Bahlis from the University of Calgary, and Dr. Michael Chu from the University of Alberta are recipients of the $567,000 JAHIP grant award. The research team will generate new knowledge in harnessing a patients’ own immune system to attack cancer. Understanding how patients respond to immunotherapy is important to enhance the efficacy and durability of these therapies to prevent relapse. Investments such as this will lead to breakthrough precision medicine treatments with the objective of achieving long lasting remission for people living with Multiple Myeloma.

“By collaborating closely with government leaders and external partners, we not only enhance our understanding of healthcare challenges but also foster a culture of innovation and knowledge sharing,” said Berkeley Vincent, President, Janssen Inc. “Our goal remains unwavering: to create a future where disease is a thing of the past, one partnership and one breakthrough at a time. Together, we are forging a path towards a healthier world for all.”

About the University Hospital Foundation:

The University Hospital Foundation raises funds to advance patient care, research and innovation at the University of Alberta Hospital, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and the Kaye Edmonton Clinic, as well as research at the University of Alberta and care in the community through Alberta Health Services (AHS). Using innovative approaches to philanthropy, including new partnerships and bold ideas to bring the right people, resources and solutions together, we are improving health, reducing the devastating impact of disease and addressing the inequitable health challenges faced by members of diverse cultures.