Session Two: Barriers to investment in research to find a disease modifying therapy or cure for dementia Ms Inez Jabalpurwala, President and CEO, Brain Canada Foundation

1. Brain Canada
2014 Global Dementia Legacy Event
London, UK, June 19th, 2014
Inez Jabalpurwala, President & CEO

2. Vision: To understand the brain, in health and illness, to improve lives and
achieve societal impact.
Mission: Brain Canada is achieving its vision by:
Increasing the scale and scope of funding to accelerate the pace of
Canadian brain research;
Creating a collective commitment to brain research across the public,
private and voluntary sectors;
Delivering transformative, original and outstanding research programs.
Brain Canada

3. An independent Board of Directors with distinguished members drawn from
the business, science, and academic communities
 Chair, Rupert Duchesne, Group Chief Executive, AIMIA Inc.
 Honourary Chair, Hon. Michael H. Wilson
Ongoing consultation with the research community in Canada and
internationally and other stakeholders
Research Policy Committee and Science Advisory Forum, with Canadian and
international members (to replace Science Advisory Council)
 Chair, Brian MacVicar, University of British Columbia
Stakeholder consultations
Strategic planning process
Brain Canada – joining business and
science leadership

4. On June 6, 2011, the Canadian government allocated up to $100 million in
new funding over six years to establish the Canada Brain Research Fund “to
support the very best Canadian neuroscience,” to be matched by $100 million
in private and non-governmental sources, with funding stewarded by Brain
Canada
The Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF) is a partnership between Brain
Canada, the Government of Canada, and all those who share the commitment
to advancing brain research and brain health; the Fund is intended to
stimulate increased awareness and investment in brain research
The Canada Brain Research Fund

5. The Canada Brain Research Fund
A Public-Private Partnership to Support Canada’s World Class Brain Research

6. CBRF - expected outcomes
A substantial increase in private investment in brain research in Canada
An increase in the number of multidisciplinary, networked researchers
and research projects in universities and academic health centres
Training for the next generation of researchers
A stronger neuroscience community through increased partnerships
and collaborations, leading to
A reduced individual and societal burden of brain disease

7. Highlights since launch of CBRF in May 2012
Closing on $45 million raised. These funds are being matched on a 1:1 basis by
the Government of Canada to reach $90 million
Includes largest private commitment to support Alzheimer prevention
research - $25 million from Chagnon Family
Includes largest private donation to support neurodevelopmental research
(with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fragile X syndrome) –
$7.5 million from the Azrieli Foundation
$35.5 million already allocated – this is new funding for brain research

8. Funded research – by theme

9. Brain Canada’s support of research on
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
$25 million – partnership with the Chagnon Family for research on prevention
interventions for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders
$7.5 million – partnership in British Columbia to support projects focused on
Alzheimer Disease research led by Principal Investigators in British Columbia
$5.6 million – partnership with funding organizations in Alberta to support
project(s) studying healthy brain aging and dementia in Alberta
$1.5 million – partnership with The W. Garfield Weston Foundation and Krembil
Foundation for early detection methods for brain amyloid in neurodegeneration
~$8 million – partnerships with universities, hospitals for support of national and
regional infrastructure (under review)

10. What we have learned
At more than $40 million (funds already allocated + donor and partner
commitments), largest allocation from CBRF is expected to support
Alzheimer’s disease/dementia research
Public-private partnership means harnessing the power of philanthropy to
direct Government funding
Patient/family/donor voice key to size of investment and major focus on
prevention

11. What’s next
A more strategic approach:
What is happening around the world—from silos to collaborations—risk
of another type of fragmentation
Where are the gaps and opportunities for a coordinated strategy for
research AND investment which integrates the patient/family/donor
voice; what outcomes do we want to achieve
How can Canada connect to this

12. Our team
For more information: braincanada.ca