An innovative partnership to offer less invasive cancer treatment in New Brunswick

SAN DIEGO, June 6, 2024 /CNW/ – Horizon Health Network (Horizon) is innovating through a partnership with Roche Canada, the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program, the Government of New Brunswick and ResearchNB, and with the support of Vitalité Health Network . Through this partnership, Horizon will be positioned to offer patients in the province a type of cancer treatment delivery with the potential to be more accessible and less invasive.

This initiative, which stems from a research study conducted by three Horizon medical oncologists, Dr. Mahmoud Abdelsalam, Dr. Luisa Galvis and Dr. James Michael, was officially announced by the New Brunswick delegation during the convention annual international BIO event currently taking place in San Diego, California.

Through this innovative research initiative, people in New Brunswick who have been diagnosed with lung cancer will be offered a new cancer immunotherapy treatment by subcutaneous injection, now authorized by Health Canada, which can be administered to home with a simple injection.

“Through its commitment to leveraging innovative partnerships and cutting-edge research, Horizon Health Network is determined to provide better access and better care to patients,” underlined the vice-president of strategy and transformation. and Chief Innovation Officer at Horizon, Jennifer Sheils. “I would like to express our gratitude to our partners and co-principal investigators for their valuable collaboration on this groundbreaking research study, which made the initiative announced today possible. »

Until now, oncology patients had to travel to a hospital to receive treatment by intravenous infusion, which can take 30 to 60 minutes, compared to approximately 7 minutes for a subcutaneous injection.

By offering this new type of administration directly to patients, which will be given by nurses from the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program (PEM), the researchers hope to improve the patient experience, as it would eliminate the need to travel and would offer a much less invasive process.

“We are very pleased to work with our partners at Horizon to help the people of New Brunswick receive important treatment in the comfort of their home,” said Ginette Pellerin, vice-president of the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program. -Brunswick. “The health professionals who work for the Extra-Mural Program take pride in caring for their patients. This partnership is another innovative way to develop and evolve the care we offer. »

Here are some key benefits of subcutaneous administration for patients, compared to traditional intravenous administration:

• Reduction in treatment duration, which means patients spend less time receiving their treatment.
• Potentially less discomfort, pain and irritation during treatment.
• Care tailored to the patient, which allows treatment to be administered in a hospital or at home setting, to better meet the patient’s needs.

This approach to care delivery could also free up time and resources needed for health care system operations. As a result, it could ease pressure on infusion centers and allow more patients to be treated more quickly, while also having a positive effect on hospital workflow. This would help maximize the value of healthcare services and reduce overall costs per patient. Through this innovative research framework, we hope to demonstrate the expected benefits to patients, healthcare providers and the New Brunswick healthcare system.

“We would like to thank Horizon Health Network and all the partners in this project who exemplify what the term “learning health system” means. This project not only allows us to learn and prepare for other innovative types of treatment delivery, including subcutaneous delivery, but also to facilitate access and delivery of cancer treatments for patients who need it,” explained the President and CEO of Roche Canada Pharma, Brigitte Nolet. “By understanding the impact and potential benefits of this new model of care delivery for patients, caregivers, providers and the health care system in New Brunswick, we can all benefit from leadership and our partners’ commitment to advancing health care innovation in Canada. »

Horizon would like to highlight the critical role its partners at ResearchNB have played in uncovering exciting opportunities like this and in building connections between industries and healthcare organizations like Horizon to help advance solutions innovative.

“Research powers discovery,” said ResearchNB President and CEO Damon Goodwin. “It can change lives and strengthen our health system. Our organization is proud to support purposeful research projects like this that improve access to care, promote more efficient use of health care resources and reduce travel for New Brunswick patients. »

Horizon advocates a culture conducive to research and innovation. Horizon’s research services conduct approximately 250 clinical trials for various treatments and solutions each year, in addition to approximately 300 investigator-led studies.

Horizon Health Network

Horizon Health Network is the largest regional health authority and one of the largest employers in New Brunswick, in addition to being the second largest regional health authority in Atlantic Canada. Horizon’s executives and care providers have recognized expertise in various health and community service sectors and provide services to more than half a million people. With an annual budget of approximately $1.4 billion, Horizon Health Network has more than 14,000 employees, 1,242 physicians and numerous volunteersas well as 17 foundations and 16 associations auxiliaries and associations old and old.

Roche Canada

At Roche Canada, patients and science are at the heart of everything we do. Our passion for science and our drive to relentlessly pursue the impossible for patients has made us one of the global leaders in pharmaceuticals, in vitro diagnostics and health technology.

With our combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, we advance personalized healthcare while ensuring we deliver real-world benefits to patients and build a sustainable healthcare system. We are determined that one day, everyone will have access to quality healthcare.

We are also cultivating our expertise in new areas, such as artificial intelligence and real-world data collection and analysis, and collaborating with different sectors and industries.

Having the courage to reinvent yourself and challenge the established order is what patients and the healthcare community expect from Roche. And that commitment is as strong today as it was when we started in Canada in 1931. Today, Roche Canada has more than 1,800 employees across the country in its pharmaceutical division in Mississaugain Ontarioand its Diagnostics and Diabetes Care divisions at Lavalin Quebec.

For more information, please visit our website at www.RocheCanada.comor follow Roche Canada on LinkedIn or on@RocheCanada).

SearchNB

ResearchNB is the catalyst for research and innovation in the province. Having offices in Frederictonin Saint John and Moncton, ResearchNB provides critical leadership and support to New Brunswick’s research sector, including advocacy, initial funding, connections with potential partners, and the translation of science into economic opportunities. Projects developed with the help of ResearchNB help New Brunswickers prosper through research that leads to new and innovative business practices and products.

Medavie NB Health Services / New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program

The New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program (EMP) is responsible for providing health care services to New Brunswickers of all ages in their homes and communities. The PEM, recognized by many as “the hospital without walls”, employs a team of more than 850 professionals who provide quality health care services at home to eligible residents when their health needs can be met. safely in the community. The PEM operates on a client- and family-centered model, focused on creating and maintaining partnerships with clients and their families, physicians, agencies, ministries and other service providers to best respond possible to meet the needs of patients.

Source Roche Canada

For further information: Kris McDavid, Media Relations, 1-877-499-1899, [email protected], horizonNB.ca/news; Amy Haddlesey, Strategic Communications, Roche Canada, 647-283-3406, [email protected]; Patti Ryan, Chief Operating Officer, ResearchNB, 506-455-8886, [email protected]www.researchnb.ca/en