Clinical Trials BC

About us

 

Clinical trials are essential for evaluating the safety, effectiveness and outcomes of life-saving and health promoting health interventions such as vaccines, drugs, devices and health services.

 

We strengthen the clinical trials ecosystem by increasing capacity and capability to conduct clinical trials across the province.

 

We lead and partner on various initiatives to maximize the health, educational and economic benefits of clinical trials. Our leadership at the national and international levels supports collaborative efforts to build talent and catalyze change to advance clinical trials in BC.

 

We’re part of Michael Smith Health Research BC, the province’s health research agency.

What we do

Grow a skilled clinical trials workforce

Build and support provincial systems and infrastructure

  • Provincial Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS): This vital program helps improve clinical research processes at sites and institutions.
  • Quality Management Program: We offer education, resources, leadership development and consultation support to help BC’s research sites and institutions meet regulatory requirements and best practices for clinical trials in Canada.
  • REACH BC: This provincial platform helps investigators to meet their participant recruitment goals, connects volunteers with research participation and involvement opportunities, and supports the public sharing of study results.

Engage communities in clinical trials and beyond

  • Convening the clinical research community: We bring together researchers, health professionals, patients, communities, and decision-makers through high-impact symposiums, roundtables, and interactive webinars. These gatherings foster collaboration, expand networks, strengthen regulatory and operational readiness, and support system-wide improvements across BC’s clinical research ecosystem.
  • Communities of Practice: We host dedicated Communities of Practice (CoPs) that provide space for knowledge-sharing, problem-solving, and peer support. Current CoPs focus on trial site management, quality, regulatory affairs, and an emerging group dedicated to advancing BC’s phase I trial capacity and capabilities.
  • Clinical Trials BC Awards: Each year, we recognize individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the clinical trials field in BC through the Clinical Trials BC Awards, celebrating leadership, innovation, and excellence.

I am a researcher and/or on a research team

We support researchers in developing expertise in clinical research processes, quality management and risk management. We also provide access to provincial tools and resources.

I am a sponsor/industry partner

BC’s population diversity and its efficient provincial clinical trials structure and network are among the many reasons to bring clinical trials to the province.

 

I am a patient partner/potential trial participant

We provide resources to help patients learn about clinical trials or being a trial participant in BC. Our team also engages patient partners to gather data to improve the patient experience.

Annual activities report

 

The annual report highlights our activities, programs and key achievements in contributing to the clinical research and clinical trial community provincially and nationally.

2021-2023 Clinical Trials BC Activities Report