Priority 1: Finding the best research models for ovarian cancer
Organize a pan-Canadian consortium of ovarian cancer researchers with expertise in model development, characterization, and validation.
- Have established the OvCAN Models Consortium and three Working Groups dedicated to: i) human ovarian cancer cell lines, ii) ex vivo models/organoids and iii) in vivo models.
Develop a strategic plan and fund the researchers and mechanisms that can optimize existing and new models for pre-clinical trials and high-throughput assessment.
- Members of each Working Group have been working together and sharing information to identify the most promising models for each major type of ovarian cancer and prioritizing what needs to be done to complete their characterization and optimization. The first round of funds will be allocated by March 31, 2020 to begin this work.
Once complete, the “OvCAN Collection” of ovarian cancer research models will be made available to Canadian scientists studying this disease.
Priority 2: Identify the most promising novel treatments to be screened in the best research models (pre-clinical studies)
Identify and prioritize development of up to 10 novel treatments to be tested. Fund the best projects using an open competition for grants.
- Launched the “LeadAction Ovarian Cancer Competition” on February 5, 2020 in connection with the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer — Commercialization of Research (or IRICoR). Ovarian Cancer Canada and IRICoR have each committed $2M to fund this competition, to support the advancement of hit-to-lead targets and novel therapeutic approaches (e.g. targeted or immune-based) through pre-clinical trials.
- More information can be found on the IRICoR website
Priority 3: Advancing clinical trials using a personalized medicine approach
Fund 4-5 early phase clinical trials to bring the best new treatments to women living with ovarian cancer.
After a successful first round of competition earlier this year in which we funded 4 exciting clinical trials, we are now launching the second and final round of the OvCAN Priority 3 competition, focusing on early phase clinical trials in ovarian cancer with a translational emphasis. Eligibility criteria will be similar to Round 1 but will encourage pan-Canadian co-leadership and studies investigating treatments which may benefit women diagnosed with less common types of ovarian cancer. Total funding available is $2.2M, to be spent between April 2022 and March 2024.
The competition will occur in two stages:
- Expression of Interest (Deadline: Saturday, May 8, 2021; World Ovarian Cancer Day). This will be a non-competitive process; however, constructive feedback will be provided to all applicants following review by the OvCAN Governing Council.
- Full application (Deadline: Friday, September 3, 2021). All applications will be reviewed by an independent, international review panel of scientific experts and patient representatives. Funding recommendations will be made to the OvCAN Governing Council, with funding decisions expected in July 2021. Applications will not be limited to those investigators who submitted an EOI.
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