Who We Are
The Cancer Stem Cell Consortium (CSCC) brings together researchers, funding agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners from Canada and around the world. By coordinating and accelerating the work of international cancer stem cell researchers, the CSCC is applying a new model for highly focused medical research in the 21st century.
An integrated strategy. CSCC's objectives are to coordinate an international strategy for cancer stem cell research, to rapidly translate discoveries into clinical applications, to foster partnerships among organizations from around the world, and to secure stable funding for cancer stem research from governments, private foundations and the private sector.
A broad-based partnership. Current members of the CSCC include the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Genome Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), and the Stem Cell Network. The CSCC's first international partnership, with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), was announced in June 2008.
A $100 million commitment. The Canadian partners in the CSCC are expected to make an initial investment of more than $100 million to support cancer stem cell research. Genome Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Ontario Government-through the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research-have each already committed up to $30 million.
CSCC History
The CSCC originated from a desire for collaboration among cancer stem cell researchers in Canada and California. The idea for the CSCC was born at the first Summit of the Canada-California Strategic Innovation Partnership (CCSIP), held in Los Angeles in January, 2006. The CCSIP brings together research leaders, the private sector and governments in an effort to sustain Canada's and California's position as global leaders in Research, Development and Delivery (RD&D).
Initial discussions at the first CCSIP Summit led to a follow-up meeting attended by Canadian cancer stem cell researchers in Toronto in May, 2006, further discussions at the second CCSIP Summit in Vancouver in June, 2006, and a presentation to the CCSIP Steering Committee in Ottawa in December, 2006.
These events were followed by a workshop for scientists and representatives of funding agencies from Canada and California at Stanford University in January, 2007. The enthusiasm of participants led to the incorporation of the CSCC as a not-for-profit corporation later in the year; the first Board of Director's meeting was held in February, 2008.
After the first workshop, and a second one held in Toronto in April, 2008, teams were formed to develop a Strategic Plan for the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium. The activities also led to the announcement on June 18, 2008 in San Diego of the CSCC's first international partnership, a three-year agreement with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), to explore collaborative approaches to evaluate, fund and monitor cancer stem cell research projects.
CSCC intends to form partnerships with a range of public and private entities, including research organizations, governments, funding agencies, cancer NGOs, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
