New Precision Analytics Program to address critical issues in Alberta’s cancer system
June 4, 2024 (Alberta) – The Alberta Cancer Foundation, in collaboration with Cancer Care Alberta, Merck, AstraZeneca and Novartis, is proud to announce the launch of the Precision Analytics Program, an innovative initiative aimed at revolutionizing cancer care in Alberta. This collaboration, announced this morning by Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, at BIO International Convention 2024 in San Diego, CA, has led to a significant investment in the Precision Analytics Program, aimed at driving innovative solutions in cancer care across Alberta. The Precision Analytics Program seeks to address some of the most pressing challenges in health care by leveraging advanced data analytics to reduce wait times and develop new models of care. This initiative builds upon the Government of Alberta’s investments in Connect Care and Cancer Care Alberta’s Data Environment for Cancer Inquiries and Decisions (DECIDe), utilizing data from these initiatives to inform decision-making and streamline operations province-wide.
“At the Alberta Cancer Foundation, we are committed to making life better for Albertans facing cancer,” says Wendy Beauchesne, CEO, Alberta Cancer Foundation. “The Precision Analytics Program exemplifies how we can leverage partnerships and data-driven insights to improve outcomes for patients and frontline medical staff. This initiative is a testament to our dedication to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer care.”
“The Precision Analytics program will provide us with invaluable insights into patient characteristics, trends and resource allocation strategies,” says Brenda Hubley, chief program officer, Cancer Care Alberta. “By leveraging realtime data and cutting-edge analytics, we can improve our operations and ensure that patients with cancer receive timely access to high-quality care, which we know is vital for better patient outcomes.”
“AstraZeneca is proud to support the Precision Analytics program, which is aligned with our commitment to advancing cancer care through innovation,” says Erik Schrader, vice president and head of oncology at AstraZeneca Canada. “This collaborative partnership and multidisciplinary approach to maximizing efficiencies in the health system is sure to advance the standard of care in Alberta and beyond. We hope learnings from this investigative model can be applied to other areas of health care across the country.”
“The Precision Analytics Program leveraging AI represents a collaborative effort to bring the best minds and resources together to tackle the complexities of cancer care,” says Marwan Akar, president and managing director, Merck Canada. “We are proud to be part of this initiative that has the potential to deliver best outcomes for cancer patients.”
“Novartis is committed to reimagining medicine and improving patient lives,” says Mark Vineis, president, Novartis Canada. “In that spirit, we are proud to partner with the Alberta Cancer Foundation and Cancer Care Alberta to unlock valuable population-based data insights that will help inform decision making and, ultimately, improve health outcomes for Albertans affected by cancer.”
“Technology is not just an industry. It is the future of every industry. And it must be the future of healthcare,” says Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, Government of Alberta. “Our partnership in the Precision Analytics Program will improve healthcare for all Albertans. We look forward to seeing where this revolutionary work will lead as we collaborate with Cancer Care Alberta and other industry partners.”
The partnership will also facilitate the recruitment of specialists in epidemiology, biostatistics and machine learning to identify patient characteristics, trends and factors that influence health-care delivery and access. Additionally, the program will develop interactive software to enable the modeling of various care delivery scenarios, providing an optimal learning environment for health department leaders.
Media contact: news@albertacancer.ca
About the Alberta Cancer Foundation:
Creating more moments for Albertans facing cancer by inspiring our community to give to innovation in detection, treatment and care. Albertans helping Albertans is at the core of everything the Alberta Cancer Foundation does. As the official fundraising partner for every cancer centre in Alberta, our very purpose comes from our desire to create more moments for all Albertans facing cancer, no matter where they live or the type of cancer they are facing. From the Canmore mountains to the canola fields in Lloydminster, we make life better for Albertans facing cancer by supporting world-class research and patient care, close to home. For more information, visit albertacancer.ca.
About Alberta Health Services:
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow. For more information, visit: albertahealthservices.ca/cancer.
About AstraZeneca:
AstraZeneca is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a focus on the discovery, development, and commercialization of medicines that transform lives. In Canada, the company employs roughly 1,800 employees across the country, and recently announced a major expansion of our Mississauga-based Research & Development Hub and the creation of an Alexion Development Hub, which are focused on leading clinical studies for next generation therapeutics in such areas as breast, lung and prostate cancer, COVID-19, chronic kidney disease, and rare diseases. AstraZeneca was recently recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, and a Greater Toronto Top Employer. To learn more visit www.astrazeneca.ca.
About Merck:
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit www.merck.ca and connect with us on LinkedIn and X @MerckCanada.
About Novartis:
Novartis is a focused innovative medicines company with the mission to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Their medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. In Canada, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 600 people to serve the evolving needs of patients and the healthcare system and invests over $30 million in R&D yearly in the country. For more information visit www.novartis.ca.