CAIC welcomes the release of the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) report, Overcoming Resistance.

CAIC welcomes the release of the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) report, Overcoming Resistance.

September 11th, 2023 – The Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) welcomes the release of the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) report, Overcoming Resistance. CAIC would like to thank the Expert Panel on Antimicrobial Availability and the report’s sponsor, The Public Health Agency of Canada, for their thorough analysis of economic incentive models to encourage market entry and sustained market availability of high-value antimicrobials in Canada.

“CAIC applauds the CCA and its Expert Panel in identifying appropriate market incentives for high-value antimicrobials. The Expert Panel’s inclusion of a made-in-Canada approach that incorporates both push and pull incentives to create a viable and sustainable market while encouraging support for Canadian research and development will impact the lives of Canadians for years to come,” says Dr. Sameeh M. Salama, Chief Scientific Officer, Fedora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Chair, Board of Directors, CAIC. “Implementing the appropriate economic incentives will be necessary to make innovative products available to Canadians and contribute to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).”

According to the Council of Canadian Academies 2019 report, When Antibiotics Fail, approximately 26% of infections were resistant to the drugs commonly used to treat them in 2018. Prior to COVID-19, this number was expected to increase to 40% by 2050, projecting the loss of 396,000 Canadian lives, an increase of $120 billion in hospital costs, and a $388 billion decrease in GDP. The costs to the healthcare system and Canada’s GDP are already significant – an estimated $1.4 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, in 2018. Essential medical interventions such as organ transplantations, joint replacements and chemotherapy are becoming riskier as the antimicrobials used to prevent and treat infectious complications from these interventions are losing effectiveness. Meanwhile, the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention found that hospital-associated AMR infections and deaths rose 15% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, undermining the progress made in 20212-2017 to lower U.S. deaths from AMR.[1] 

“The Council of Canadian Academies report, coupled with the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, provides an economic and policy framework for federal, provincial and territorial governments to work together to reward innovative antibiotic, diagnostic, and alternative therapies and optimize their access in Canada,” says Dani Peters, Senior Advisor, CAIC. “We encourage the federal government to maintain this positive momentum with a funding commitment to support swift and effective implementation of the Action Plan reflecting the recommendations in the CCA’s report for adequate economic and regulatory to support other important priorities to address AMR in Canada.”

Incentives that reward innovation play a critical role in combatting AMR. Incentives improve access to rapid diagnostics to support antimicrobial stewardship, reinvigorates antimicrobial development, and supports the availability and adoption of alternatives to antibiotics, vaccines and phage therapy, all contribute to bringing higher medical value to patients, improving patient outcomes and reducing adverse events.

Access the Council of Canadian Academies report here: https://cca-reports.ca/reports/pull-incentives-for-high-value-antimicrobials/

[1] CDC. COVID-19: U.S. Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance, Special Report 2022. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/covid19.html

About CAIC

The Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) is a member-based non-profit organization helping to protect Canada’s population from the rise in antimicrobial resistance. We are committed to engaging Canada’s public, health sector and governments on strategies to combat AMR through biomedical innovation. CAIC’s mandate is to protect the Canadian population from the rise in AMR, by positioning Canada to be a leader in AMR research and product development, economic growth, and investment.

CAIC aims to facilitate necessary dialogue and collaboration between relevant partners such as regulators, public policymakers, researchers, and manufacturers. Through its influential membership, CAIC seeks to advocate for certain policy initiatives and advise government officials on appropriate research mechanisms, regulatory incentives aimed at strengthening efforts to combat AMR in Canada, and methods to overcome market barriers. 

For more information, visit www.amrinnovation.ca and follow us on Twitter @CanadaAMR and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canada-amr/.

Membership

Adapsyn Bioscience
BD Canada
bioMerieux
Bright Angel Therapeutics
GSK
DiaSorin
DynaLife
Fedora Pharmaceuticals

Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC)
Johnson & Johnson
Nobelex
Nosotech
Paladin Labs
Merck
Microbion
Red Leaf Medical

Roche
SaNOtize
SterileCare
SmartBiotic
Shionogi
Verity Pharmaceuticals

À propos de la CAIC

La Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) est composée d’acteurs majeurs dans les secteurs de l’innovation biomédicale, de la recherche biopharmaceutique, du diagnostic et de la recherche. Le mandat de la CAIC est de protéger les Canadiens contre la croissance de la résistance aux antimicrobiens (RAM) en faisant du Canada un chef de file en matière de recherche, de développement de produits, de croissance économique et d’investissements relatifs à la RAM. Les membres actuels de notre comité de direction représentent les entreprises suivantes : Adapsyn, BD-Canada, bioMérieux Canada inc. DeNovaMed Inc, Fedora Pharmaceuticals, GSK Inc., Merck Canada Inc. et saNOtize Inc. Pour plus d’information, visitez www.amrinnovation.ca et suivez-nous sur Twitter au CanadaAMR.

CAIC applauds the Government of Canada’s release of the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance

CAIC applauds the Government of Canada’s release of the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance

June 26, 2023 – The Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) applauds the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Health and Agriculture for releasing the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), a five-year (2023 to 2027) blueprint to coordinate an accelerated pan-Canadian response to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the major health threats of our time.

“CAIC applauds the government for this significant milestone in addressing AMR in Canada and looks forward to continuing to work together to strengthen AMR preparedness and response over the next five years,” says Dr. Sameeh M. Salama, Chief Scientific Officer, Fedora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Chair, Board of Directors, CAIC. “AMR poses a serious threat to the health of people and animals and we are encouraged to see concrete steps being taken by the Canadian government to address this.”

Nearly 15 people in Canada per day were estimated to have lost their lives to antimicrobial-resistant infections in 2018. The costs to the healthcare system and Canada’s GDP are already significant – an estimated $1.4 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, in 2018. Essential medical interventions such as organ transplantations, joint replacements and chemotherapy are becoming riskier as the antimicrobials used to prevent and treat infectious complications from these interventions are losing their effectiveness.

“Whether through access to new technologies for prevention, diagnostics and treatments or new policies and programs, innovation will be central to Canada’s ability to fulfill the Pan-Canadian Action Plan. We look forward to working together with government and partners to ensure that innovation supports program areas of research and innovation, surveillance, stewardship, and infection prevention and leadership,” says Dani Peters, Senior Advisor, CAIC.

CAIC values the Action Plan’s commitments to develop and implement economic and/or regulatory incentives to support innovation and facilitate sustainable access to new and existing antimicrobials, diagnostics, and alternatives to antimicrobials. Innovation will play a critical role in combatting AMR through the availability of novel antimicrobials to address antibiotic-resistance bacteria, as well as diagnostics and alternatives to antibiotics such as surgical tools, vaccines and phage therapy.

Access the full Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/drugs-health-products/pan-canadian-action-plan-antimicrobial-resistance.html

About CAIC

The Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) is a member-based non-profit organization helping to protect Canada’s population from the rise in antimicrobial resistance. We are committed to engaging Canada’s public, health sector and governments on strategies to combat AMR through biomedical innovation. CAIC’s mandate is to protect the Canadian population from the rise in AMR, by positioning Canada to be a leader in AMR research and product development, economic growth, and investment.

CAIC aims to facilitate necessary dialogue and collaboration between relevant partners such as regulators, public policymakers, researchers, and manufacturers. Through its influential membership, CAIC seeks to advocate for certain policy initiatives and advise government officials on appropriate research mechanisms, regulatory incentives aimed at strengthening efforts to combat AMR in Canada, and methods to overcome market barriers. 

For more information, visit www.amrinnovation.ca and follow us on Twitter @CanadaAMR and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canada-amr/.

Membership

Adapsyn Bioscience
BD Canada
bioMerieux
Bright Angel Therapeutics
GSK
DiaSorin
DynaLife
Fedora Pharmaceuticals

Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC)
Johnson & Johnson
Nobelex
Nosotech
Paladin Labs
Merck
Microbion
Red Leaf Medical

Roche
SaNOtize
SterileCare
SmartBiotic
Shionogi
Verity Pharmaceuticals

À propos de la CAIC

La Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) est composée d’acteurs majeurs dans les secteurs de l’innovation biomédicale, de la recherche biopharmaceutique, du diagnostic et de la recherche. Le mandat de la CAIC est de protéger les Canadiens contre la croissance de la résistance aux antimicrobiens (RAM) en faisant du Canada un chef de file en matière de recherche, de développement de produits, de croissance économique et d’investissements relatifs à la RAM. Les membres actuels de notre comité de direction représentent les entreprises suivantes : Adapsyn, BD-Canada, bioMérieux Canada inc. DeNovaMed Inc, Fedora Pharmaceuticals, GSK Inc., Merck Canada Inc. et saNOtize Inc. Pour plus d’information, visitez www.amrinnovation.ca et suivez-nous sur Twitter au CanadaAMR.

Canadian researchers and industry partners jointly-develop new recommendations to combat ‘superbugs’ in Canada

Media Release

 

Embargoed until

Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 11 a.m. EDT

 

 

Canadian researchers and industry partners jointly-develop new recommendations to combat ‘superbugs’ in Canada

 

A new proposal developed by an interdisciplinary team of McMaster University researchers and members of the Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) calls upon Canadian public health officials to make necessary changes to how novel antibiotics are approved, procured, and accessed in Canada in order to slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

 

AMR occurs when microbes develop ways to protect themselves from the effects of antimicrobial medications, such as antibiotics. These resistant microbes are colloquially known as ‘superbugs.’

 

Today, new antibiotics — drugs with efficacy against these superbugs — are approved for use in other jurisdictions but remain unavailable to Canadian patients. Furthermore, there is a global decline in the development of novel antibiotics that necessitates policy incentives in Canada and other industrialized countries to spur new product innovation.

 

“This proposal provides an important tool for policymakers, health providers and other stakeholders in the health ecosystem to inform the development, testing and implementation of economic incentive models to better address AMR in Canada,” says Wes Miyai, project steering committee member and Associate Director, Public Health and External Affairs at Merck Canada.

 

In fact, new research published in Clinical Infectious Diseases reveals that, of 18 novel antibiotics approved and commercially launched in 14 high-income countries over the past decade, only two have been introduced in Canada — the fewest on the entire list. Meanwhile, other countries, like the U.S., have introduced as many as 17 new antibiotics within the same span.

 

“We believe that this can be rectified through incentivization and regulatory improvements, as other G7 countries are doing,” says Lori Burrows, associate director of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research (IIDR), and project lead. “But having these newer antibiotics commercially launched here is just part of the equation. Canada must also expand front-line access to these medications through measures related to data, costs, distribution, and supply and demand.”

 

Some of the recommendations put forth in this proposal include:

 

  • Expediting and streamlining the marketing approval of select priority antibiotics that have already been approved by the EMA in the EU or the FDA in the US
  • Creating specific funding envelope(s) to encourage appropriate utilization of new antibiotics for hospital settings, which could also be applied to community settings
  • Establish national forecasts for antibiotics required by Canadian patients, including for those not yet approved here

 

The proposal also calls upon the Canadian government to encourage pharmaceutical companies to bring their products to the Canadian market through an incentive model that is based on an antibiotic’s overall value to the Canadian health care system, thereby delinking sales volume from pharmaceutical return on investment.

 

“Part of the reason we’re seeing drugs approved elsewhere but not here in Canada is because approval costs are high, our population is relatively small, and physicians try to use new antibiotics only as a last resort, to reduce the chance of resistance to them developing,” Burrows explained. “These factors make it unlikely that companies will see a return on their investment; however, guaranteeing revenue for manufacturers – similar to what the government did to purchase COVID-19 vaccines – reduces those financial risks and encourages companies to bring these life-saving medications to the Canadian market.”

 

Previous reporting by the Council of Canadian Academies revealed the devastating social and economic consequences of leaving AMR unchecked in Canada. The report, When Antibiotics Fail, shows that 26% of infections in Canada are currently resistant to the drugs used to treat them, but that this rate is expected to rise to 40% by 2050. If these forecasts are accurate, AMR is anticipated to cost nearly 400,000 Canadian lives and $388 billion in GDP losses over the next 30 years. More concerning is the fact that these forecasts were made before the COVID-19 pandemic, which has shown to have exacerbated AMR considerably.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us what life is like when we have an infectious disease for which we have no viable treatments,” said Pamela Fralick, President of Innovative Medicines Canada, a member organization of CAIC. “It has also shown us how the federal and provincial governments can coordinate in the face of emerging public health threats. While AMR is a slower-moving pandemic, it is worsening every day. Rewarding innovation and having more treatment options accessible here in Canada will help slow the development of resistance, saving lives and reducing pressure on our healthcare system in the process.”

 

This project was supported by and developed in partnership with the Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC), a non-profit alliance of industry organizations including Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, Innovative Medicines Canada, and more.

 

 

Editors:

Relevant images may be found at:

https://macdrive.mcmaster.ca/d/b8e06c859de24c8387f1/

 

The full proposal is available at:

https://iidr.mcmaster.ca/MAAC/

About CAIC

The Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) is composed of Canada’s key players in biomedical innovation, biopharmaceutical, diagnostic and research industries. CAIC’s mandate is to help protect Canadians from the rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), by positioning Canada to be a leader in AMR research and product development, economic growth, and investment. Our current Steering Committee Members include representatives of : Adapsyn, BD-Canada, bioMérieux Canada inc. DeNovaMed Inc, Fedora Pharmaceuticals, GSK Inc., Merck Canada Inc., saNOtize Inc.  For more information visit www.amrinnovation.ca and follow us on Twitter @CanadaAMR.

Le chef de file de l’industrie biomédicale et des groupes de recherche forment une coalition contre la résistance aux antimicrobiens

Le chef de file de l’industrie biomédicale et des groupes de recherche forment une coalition contre la résistance aux antimicrobiens

 

Pour marquer la semaine mondiale de la sensibilisation aux antimicrobiens, le chef de l’industrie biomédicale canadienne et les organismes de recherche se sont réunis pour former la Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC). Le groupe visera à accélérer la réponse du Canada contre la résistance aux antimicrobiens (RAM) par le biais de l’innovation biomédicale, de comités consultatifs et d’un meilleur accès au marché. La RAM représente la résistance aux médicaments permettant de traiter les infections causées par des bactéries, des champignons, des virus et des parasites pathogènes.

 

« L’émergence et la propagation rapides d’infections résistantes aux médicaments dans le Canada représentent un véritable problème de santé publique qui ne sera qu’exacerbé par l’épidémie de la COVID-19 », explique Sameeh Salama, président du comité de direction de la CAIC et conseiller scientifique en chef de Fedora Pharmaceuticals. « Selon le Conseil des académies canadiennes, il est hautement plausible que, d’ici 2050, 40 % de toutes les infections bactériennes résisteront aux antibiotiques et causeront par le fait même la mort de 396 000 personnes ainsi qu’une perte financière de 388 milliards de dollars. La formation d’une coalition comme la CAIC n’a jamais été aussi importante. »

 

La RAM se produit lorsqu’une bactérie évolue pour contrer les effets d’un médicament, ce qui est empiré lorsque les antibiotiques sont mal employés. Les antibiotiques actuels perdent en efficacité, ce qui est très alarmant étant donné que nous n’en créons pas suffisamment de nouveaux pour les remplacer. La Coalition travaillera étroitement avec les secteurs de santé, les gouvernements et d’autres partenaires d’industrie du Canada pour encourager l’innovation en thérapeutique, en diagnostics, en vaccins et en traitements alternatifs, tout en encourageant l’utilisation appropriée d’antibiotiques existants.

 

 « Au Canada, nous nous trouvons dans un moment critique où nous devons unir nos efforts pour assurer que les Canadiens ne vivront pas continuellement les effets négatifs de la RAM », raconte Wes Miyai, vice-président du comité de direction de la CAIC et directeur associé de la santé publique et des affaires étrangères chez Merck Canada. « La crise de la COVID-19 a déjà accéléré le développement de la RAM à cause de la hausse des prescriptions fréquentes d’antibiotiques et des traitements administrés pour lutter contre cette infection virale. La CAIC a comme objectif d’améliorer l’emploi des antibiotiques et d’autres antimicrobiens pour protéger la vie des Canadiens. »

 

La CAIC est une organisation à but non lucratif fondée par ses membres. Elle s’engage à s’attaquer à la RAM en prenant immédiatement, en conjonction avec les efforts du gouvernement, les mesures suivantes pour protéger tous les Canadiens contre la RAM :

 

  • Rassembler les organismes de réglementation, les responsables des politiques publiques, les chercheurs et les fabricants pour franchir les barrières de la recherche, du développement et de l’adoption de produits et des investissements relatifs à la lutte contre la RAM.
  • Défendre les projets de politiques, les procédures de recherche et les règlements visant à renforcer nos efforts dans notre combat contre la RAM au Canada.
  • Contribuer au cadre d’action pancanadien contre la résistance aux antimicrobiens et pour l’optimisation de leur utilisation, en accordant une attention particulière à la recherche et à l’innovation.

 

Le Canada a déjà soulevé la menace de la RAM et le besoin urgent d’agir lorsque l’Agence de la santé publique a publié en 2017 l’article Lutter contre la résistance aux antimicrobiens et optimiser leur utilisation; un cadre d’action pancanadien. Ce plan était le résultat d’un effort conjoint entre les gouvernements fédéral, provinciaux et territoriaux, ainsi qu’avec les universités, les ONG et les experts de l’industrie représentant la santé humaine et animale et toutes les sphères des secteurs de l’agriculture.

 

La CAIC soutient fortement la déclaration canadienne de la résistance aux antimicrobiens. Ses membres sont tous bien établis dans les secteurs de la recherche biopharmaceutique, du diagnostic et de la recherche pour apporter leurs conseils sur les nouveaux modèles d’entreprise, ce qui nous aidera à faciliter l’accès aux nouveaux antibiotiques, diagnostics et vaccins au Canada et partout dans le monde.

 

À propos de la CAIC


La Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) est composée d’acteurs majeurs dans les secteurs de l’innovation biomédicale, de la recherche biopharmaceutique, du diagnostic et de la recherche. Le mandat de la CAIC est de protéger les Canadiens contre la croissance de la résistance aux antimicrobiens (RAM) en faisant du Canada un chef de file en matière de recherche, de développement de produits, de croissance économique et d’investissements relatifs à la RAM. Les membres actuels de notre comité de direction représentent les entreprises suivantes : Adapsyn, BD-Canada, bioMérieux Canada inc. DeNovaMed Inc, Fedora Pharmaceuticals, GSK Inc., Merck Canada Inc. et saNOtize Inc. Pour plus d’information, visitez www.amrinnovation.ca et suivez-nous sur Twitter au CanadaAMR.

À propos de la CAIC

La Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) est composée d’acteurs majeurs dans les secteurs de l’innovation biomédicale, de la recherche biopharmaceutique, du diagnostic et de la recherche. Le mandat de la CAIC est de protéger les Canadiens contre la croissance de la résistance aux antimicrobiens (RAM) en faisant du Canada un chef de file en matière de recherche, de développement de produits, de croissance économique et d’investissements relatifs à la RAM. Les membres actuels de notre comité de direction représentent les entreprises suivantes : Adapsyn, BD-Canada, bioMérieux Canada inc. DeNovaMed Inc, Fedora Pharmaceuticals, GSK Inc., Merck Canada Inc. et saNOtize Inc. Pour plus d’information, visitez www.amrinnovation.ca et suivez-nous sur Twitter au CanadaAMR.

Leading Biomedical industry and Research-Based Groups Launch Coalition against Antimicrobial Resistance

Leading Biomedical industry and Research-Based Groups Launch Coalition against Antimicrobial Resistance

 

To mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, Canada’s leading biomedical industry and research-based organizations have come together to form the Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC). The group will work to accelerate Canada’s response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through biomedical innovation, regulatory advisory, and market access. AMR is the resistance to medicines that help treat infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.

 

“The rapid emergence and spread of drug resistant infections in Canada is a serious public health concern that will only be exacerbated with the COVID-19 outbreak,” says Sameeh Salama, Chair of CAIC’s Steering Committee and Chief Scientific Officer at Fedora Pharmaceuticals. “According to the Canadian Council of Academies, by 2050, it is highly plausible that 40% of all bacterial infections would be resistant to antibiotics, having contributed to 396,000 lives lost and shrinking the Canadian economy by $388 billion. The development of a coalition such as CAIC has never been more vital.”

 

AMR happens when bacteria evolve to counteract the effect of a drug, and is made worse by the misuse of antibiotics. As the threat of existing antibiotics losing their effectiveness grows, not enough new antibiotics are being created to replace them. The Coalition will work with Canada’s health sectors, governments and other industry partners to foster innovation in therapeutics, diagnostics, vaccines and alternative treatments while also encouraging appropriate use of existing antibiotics.

 

 “In Canada, we are at a critical juncture where we must coordinate our efforts to ensure Canadians won’t experience the continued negative effects of AMR,” said Wes Miyai, Vice-Chair of CAIC’s Steering Committee and Associate Director, Public Health/External Affairs at Merck Canada. “The COVID-19 crisis has already accelerated the pace of AMR through the use of antimicrobials routinely prescribed in addition to treatments for the viral infection. CAIC will work to improve the use of antibiotics and other antimicrobials, helping to protect the lives of Canadians.”

 

CAIC is in the process of being established as a non-profit, membership-based organization. The Coalition is committed to tackling AMR by immediately taking the following steps in conjunction with government efforts to protect all Canadians against AMR:

 

  • Unite regulators, public policymakers, researchers, and manufacturers to overcome barriers to AMR research, product development and adoption, and investment.
  • Advocate for policy initiatives, research mechanisms, and regulation aimed at strengthening efforts to combat AMR in Canada.
  • Contribute to the Pan-Canadian Framework for Action on Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use, with a specific focus on research and innovation.

 

Canada has already recognized the threat of AMR and the urgent need for action with the Public Health Agency of Canada’s September 2017 release of a Pan-Canadian Framework for Action for Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use. This was the result of a coordinated effort between federal, provincial, and territorial governments, as well as academics, NGOs, and industry experts representing human and animal health and agriculture sectors at all levels.

 

CAIC strongly supports the Canadian Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance. Its members are well positioned in the biopharmaceutical, diagnostic and research industries to advise on new business models that will help improve access to new antibiotics, diagnostics and vaccines both in Canada and around the world.

About CAIC


The Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) is composed of Canada’s key players in biomedical innovation, biopharmaceutical, diagnostic and research industries. CAIC’s mandate is to help protect Canadians from the rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), by positioning Canada to be a leader in AMR research and product development, economic growth, and investment. Our current Steering Committee Members include representatives of : Adapsyn, BD-Canada, bioMérieux Canada inc. DeNovaMed Inc, Fedora Pharmaceuticals, GSK Inc., Merck Canada Inc., saNOtize Inc.  For more information visit www.amrinnovation.ca and follow us on Twitter @CanadaAMR.