Global industry leaders join $4.5M initiative to advance cancer care in Alberta

PRESS RELEASE / FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION: Thursday, March 5, 2026

Pfizer, Roche Canada, and Alberta Innovates partner with the Alberta Cancer Foundation to turn world-class data into a roadmap for a faster, more sustainable cancer care system.

Edmonton, AB – The Alberta Cancer Foundation is proud to announce that Pfizer and Alberta Innovates have joined a $4.5-million initiative to revolutionize cancer care in the province. These organizations join Roche Canada, which is continuing its support of the program for a second year, to transform Alberta’s vast health data into a foundation for a faster, more sustainable cancer care system.

The industry and innovation leaders are new sponsors of the Precision Analytics Program, which was first announced in 2024. The program — a collaboration between the Alberta Cancer Foundation and Cancer Care Alberta — is creating a roadmap to improve patient outcomes. This collaboration will lead to shorter wait times and care that is more closely tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

As cancer diagnoses in Alberta are expected to dramatically rise by 56 per cent by 2040, the Precision Analytics Program is designed to help the healthcare system stay ahead of the curve.

“Like cancer itself, growth in new diagnoses has ‘side effects’ on our cancer care system, including longer wait times and a strained workforce,” says Wendy Beauchesne, CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation. “New solutions are no longer optional — they are urgent. This continued investment allows us to turn data into a roadmap for faster, more personalized care.”

The program provides health leaders with the insight to virtually model the provincial cancer system. By identifying where pressures are building, the team can find new ways to boost efficiency, reduce wait times for patients, and lower overall costs.

This work relies on a significant Alberta advantage: one of the most complete and detailed collections of cancer data in the world. Since 2014, over 300 million patient visits have been recorded, creating a rich resource for health researchers. This information has allowed the program to create a “digital map” of the cancer journey — a first of its kind for the province. This tool gives experts the ability to test new ideas in a virtual environment to see which changes will have the greatest impact before they are introduced into the healthcare system.

The team’s ability to rapidly test and refine new ideas for the provincial cancer system is powered by a partnership with GovLab.ai and AltaML. This collaboration allows a vital public health initiative to move with the agility of a private-sector project, transforming complex data into solutions more efficiently.

“Alberta’s unique data landscape makes it an ideal place to invest in the future of healthcare,” says Pierre-Alexandre Landry, Vice-President of Access and Value at Pfizer Canada. “This initiative stands out in Canada for its ability to turn substantial amounts of information into actionable insights, and Pfizer is proud to support a program that bridges the gap between data and more personalized care for patients.”

“This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to strengthen Alberta’s data ecosystem and support the researchers and entrepreneurs who are redefining what is possible in medicine,” says Mike Mahon, CEO of Alberta Innovates “By advancing precision analytics, we are helping move innovations out of the lab and into everyday use, ensuring our province remains a leader in delivering life-changing health solutions for all Albertans.”

“Our focus at Roche Canada is doing now what patients need next, and we know that starts with a cancer system that can anticipate the challenges of the future,” says Laura Pagnotta, Vice-President, External Affairs at Roche Canada. “We recognize the power of collaboration in addressing patient and healthcare system needs and believe this partnership will help to strengthen our healthcare systems, boost economic growth and improve outcomes for patients.”

To learn more about the Precision Analytics Program, inquiries can be directed to Christy Holtby and Lindsay Gilbert with the Alberta Cancer Foundation.