Dr. Paul Hébert was appointed as the President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) on January 2, 2025. Dr. Hébert is a proud Acadian, is a clinician scientist and health leader, as well as a practicing palliative care and former critical care physician. He is a professor of medicine at the University of Ottawa and was previously a professor at Université de Montréal.

As a researcher, he is best known for major resuscitation and transfusion trials. In particular, he led a ground-breaking trial entitled, "Transfusion Requirements in Critical Care (TRICC)," published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1999. This study demonstrated that a restrictive approach to the care of critically ill patients (i.e., giving less blood) was certainly no worse than, and was possibly superior to, giving more red cells. This study decreased blood use in acute care settings worldwide. Many other basic and clinical blood studies followed, including a recent study again published in the NEJM demonstrating that patients who suffer from a myocardial infarction are one of the only patients who need more blood rather than less.

Dr. Hébert has conducted research in both critically ill adults and children, palliative care, aging in place and long-term care. To do so, he has secured over $65 million in research funding. His research projects have resulted in more than 480 articles in peer- reviewed journals (16 articles in NEJM, 13 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 3 in the Lancet, 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, and 9 in the British Medical Journal). These projects and publications would not have been possible without the support of the Canadian Critical Trials Group, the help and support of literally thousands of patients and families, nurses, physicians and researchers from around the globe. He is most proud of the young faculty from several universities that he has had the pleasure of mentoring, from whom he has learned a great deal.

During his career, he has had the opportunity to be the Canadian Medical Association Journal's Editor-in-Chief, publishing over 80 editorials in Canada's leading medical journal. He chaired the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group, the world's top critical care research network. As Physician-in-Chief and Director of Clinical Research at the Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal he mounted major programs while leading more than 400 physicians. In addition, Dr. Hébert served as Chief Medical and Science Officer at the Canadian Red Cross and Scientific Director of Ontario's Public Health Emergency Taskforce. These many leadership experiences have provided him with unique and diverse perspectives on the health care and health research ecosystems.

Dr. Hébert has had a long relationship with the former Medical Research Council and now with CIHR, and he attributes much of his success to funding from MRC/CIHR. Dr. Hébert led a clinical trial transformation initiative for MRC, was a member of an inaugural Institute Advisory Board, served on many peer review panels and developed the vision for the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research as its original Executive Director. Dr. Hébert is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and was also the recipient of a number of career awards, including the Landsteiner-Alter Award for his groundbreaking work in transfusion medicine.

Barry D. Stein, B.Com, B.C.L., LL.B., graduated from McGill University and has been a member of the Bar of Quebec since 1981. Barry sits on the Board of Directors of several corporations, not-for-profit organizations and foundations including Colorectal Cancer Canada, Exactis Innovation, the Canadian Personalized Healthcare Innovation Network (CPHIN), Le Consortium de recherche en oncologie clinique du Québec (observer) (Q-CROC) and FT3- From Testing to Targeted Treatments. He is also on the governing council of CANTRAIN the Canadian Consortium of Clinical Trial Training platform and on the Board of Directors od DNA to RNA An inclusive Canadian Approach to Genomic-based RNA Therapeutics (D2R) based at McGill University Research Institute. As a survivor of metastatic colorectal cancer diagnosed in 1995, Barry was obliged to seek health care outside of Canada to fight his disease. His judgement, obtained in the Superior Court of Quebec in 1999, still serves as a leading precedent in Canada for the reimbursement of out of country health care.

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Barry D. Stein, B.Com, B.C.L., LL.B., est diplômé de l'Université McGill et est membre du Barreau du Québec depuis 1981. Barry siège au conseil d'administration de plusieurs sociétés, organisations à but non lucratif et fondations, dont Cancer colorectal Canada, Exactis Innovation, le Canadian Personalized Healthcare Innovation Network (CPHIN), le Consortium de recherche en oncologie clinique du Québec (observateur) (Q-CROC) et FT3- From Testing to Targeted Treatments. Il est également membre du conseil d'administration de CANTRAIN, le Consortium canadien de formation en essais cliniques, et du conseil d'administration de D2R : de l’ADN à l’ARN - Une approche inclusive des traitements à base d’ARN au Canada (D2R), basé à l'Institut de recherche de l'Université McGill. En tant que survivant d'un cancer colorectal métastatique diagnostiqué en 1995, Barry a été dans l'obligation d'obtenir des soins de santé à l'étranger pour lutter contre sa maladie. Le jugement qu'il a obtenu devant la Cour supérieure du Québec en 1999 sert encore de précédent au Canada pour ce qui est du remboursement des soins de santé dispensés à l'étranger.

Lindsay Timm is CCSN’s Executive Director. Before joining CCSN on staff, Lindsay was a volunteer helping to organize fundraising events and always coming up with new and innovative ideas and project proposals for fundraising. As a staff member, she started out as the Administrative Coordinator. Lindsay then tackled the opportunity of being the Community Engagement Manager. In this role she worked closely with patients, survivors, and caregivers within the network. She also fostered new and existing partnerships with organizations that align with CCSN’s mission, vision, and values. She continued to develop her skills in completing HTA patient voice submissions so that Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA) and Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) continues to consider the patient perspective in the decision-making process. Lindsay has been leading the presentation of the All-party Cancer Caucuses across the country. The skills and knowledge learned during these meetings have helped equip her with new perspectives and ideas on how to support and communicate effectively with decision and policy makers. Throughout the time that Lindsay has been with CCSN she has gained valuable knowledge and experience through each role she has held. She is grateful to the partnering organizations that she closely works with for being a source of knowledge and guidance.

Eva Villalba is an internationally recognized value-based health care leader and advocate for patient-centered care. As Executive Director of the Quebec Cancer Coalition, she advances policy and system transformation to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.

She co-chairs the Resilient Healthcare Coalition, a cross-sector initiative bringing together public, private, and community leaders to build a more agile, equitable, and outcomes-driven health system. She also serves on the board of the Artificial Intelligence Impact Alliance, promoting the role of AI for social good. Eva holds an MBA from HEC Montréal and a Master of Science in Health Transformation from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was the first Canadian graduate in VBHC under Professor Elizabeth Teisberg. She is currently a PhD candidate at Radboud University Medical Center, under Professor Paul van der Nat, focusing on VBHC and patient partnership.

Founder of Expertise Valeur en Santé and the VBHC Summit Canada, Eva is also faculty with ICHOM Education and an active contributor to international VBHC networks, including a core member of the Value Catalyst Learning Community. She is a sought-after speaker committed to advancing collaborative, patient-centered health system transformation.

Christina Sit is a healthcare and nonprofit leader at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC), where she works closely with patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry partners to improve support, education, advocacy, and access to care for people affected by blood cancers. With extensive experience in partnership engagement and program development, Christina is passionate about advancing patient-centred initiatives that help Canadians living with blood cancers.

As the CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC) since August 2021, Tania has been excited to empower and mobilize communities to achieve impact, affect change, and truly make a difference in the lives of Canadians.  

As a professional with over 25 years of leadership experience in the charitable sector, Tania is fueled by the need to improve outcomes and shine a light on the significance and urgency of ovarian cancer. Tania has brought a new bold vision, strategy and brand to OCC, focused on eradicating the disease through patient-centered and driven research and she has led the organization to include endometrial cancer in the scope of OCC’s work. As the only national health charity in Canada focused on any gynecologic cancer, OCC is committed to elevating the importance of women’s health and supporting women in the unique realities of gynecologic cancers.

In her previous roles, Tania held leadership positions at The Kidney Foundation of Canada, St. Clair College, John McGivney Children’s Centre, Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation, and MS Canada.  Tania is a political science graduate of Western University in London, Ontario.

Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1998, Nadia lived with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for more than 25 years before being diagnosed with early-stage colorectal cancer in November 2022. In January 2023, she underwent a total proctocolectomy and now lives with a permanent ileostomy.

Nadia also brings firsthand experience with clinical research through her participation in clinical trials during her IBD journey.

Through her platform, Gutsy Girl Diaries, Nadia shares her lived experience with IBD, colorectal cancer and life with an ostomy. She uses her platform to educate, advocate, raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding invisible illness and disability.

Nadia is passionate about amplifying the patient voice and helping create more open conversations around health, survivorship and life with an ostomy.

Lucie possède plus de 15 ans d’expérience en gestion financière, opérationnelle et stratégique acquises dans des environnements diversifiés à caractère entrepreneurial et innovateur. Gestionnaire rigoureuse, elle se distingue par son leadership collaboratif et son orientation vers les résultats. Depuis son arrivée chez Q-CROC en 2015, Lucie a joué un rôle clé dans sa transformation, menant une restructuration stratégique et pilotant des initiatives majeures, dont le projet OncoQuébec ainsi que celui d’Essais Cliniques sur le Cancer au Canada. Directrice générale depuis 2019, elle continue d’impulser une vision ambitieuse et une croissance durable. Elle siège à de nombreux comités, dont le conseil d’administration de la Coalition Priorité Cancer. Titulaire d’un baccalauréat en administration des affaires, majeure en finances, de l’Université Laval, Lucie met à profit son expertise pour façonner une organisation dynamique et tournée vers l’avenir.

Lucie has over 15 years of experience in financial, operational and strategic management, acquired in diverse entrepreneurial, and innovative environments. A meticulous manager, she stands out for her collaborative leadership and result-oriented approach. Since joining Q-CROC in 2015, Lucie has played a key role in its transformation, leading a strategic restructuring and piloting major initiatives such as the OncoQuébec project, or the Cancer Trials Canada one. As General Manager since 2019, she continues to drive an ambitious vision and sustainable growth. She serves on several committees, including the board of directors of the Coalition Priorité Cancer. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (major in Finance) from Université Laval, Lucie leverages her expertise to shape a dynamic, forward-thinking organization.

As President and Chief Executive Officer of CATALIS Québec, Christine Lennon brings together stakeholders across the clinical research ecosystem to enhance Québec’s attractiveness, competitiveness, and reputation as a leading destination for clinical trials.

In April 2026, Christine Lennon was appointed President and CEO of CATALIS, a not-for-profit clinical trials accelerator that contributes to Quebec’s leadership and competitiveness in clinical research.

A recognized leader in the life sciences sector, Christine has over 25 years of experience in biopharmaceuticals, business development, commercialization, innovation, and clinical research. Prior to joining CATALIS, she led the establishment and growth of Incyte Biosciences Canada as the company’s first General Manager in Canada, building a team of nearly 50 employees, bringing four new drugs to market in oncology and dermatology, and overseeing nearly 35 clinical trials across all stages of clinical development.

Previously, Christine served as CEO of Epigene Therapeutics, a spinout of Neomed that is now part of adMare BioInnovations. She also held several senior leadership positions at Novartis in both Canada and Ireland, with responsibilities spanning oncology, market access, public affairs, and general management. Her career also includes leadership roles at Neurochem, Shire (now Takeda), BioChem Pharma, and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Industrial Research Assistance Program.

She has been an advisor to life sciences startups and venture capital funds at the Business Development Bank of Canada (now Amplitude Ventures) and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. She holds an MBA and a BSc from McGill University, is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) through the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, and is actively involved as a judge and mentor at McGill.

A recipient of the McGill Scarlet Key Award and named a Luminary by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association in 2022, Christine currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Montréal InVivo, is a Board Member of Research Canada, and has served as a Board member of Innovative Medicines Canada from 2022 to 2025.

À la tête de CATALIS Québec, Christine Lennon contribue à mobiliser les acteurs de l'écosystème de la recherche clinique afin d'accroître l'attractivité, la compétitivité et le rayonnement du Québec comme destination de premier plan pour la réalisation d'essais cliniques.

En avril 2026, Christine Lennon a été nommée présidente-directrice générale de CATALIS, un accélérateur d’essais cliniques à but non lucratif qui contribue au rayonnement et à la compétitivité du Québec en recherche clinique.

Leader reconnue du secteur des sciences de la vie, Christine cumule plus de 25 ans d’expérience en biopharmaceutique, en développement des affaires, en commercialisation, en innovation et en recherche clinique. Avant de se joindre à CATALIS elle a dirigé la création et la croissance d’Incyte Biosciences Canada à titre de première directrice générale de l’entreprise au pays, constituant une équipe d’environ 50 employés, lançant quatre nouveaux médicaments en oncologie et en dermatologie, et supervisant près de 35 essais cliniques à tous les stades de développement.

Auparavant, Christine a été PDG d'Epigene Therapeutics, un spin-off de Neomed aujourd’hui intégré à adMare BioInnovations. Elle a également exercé plusieurs fonctions de direction chez Novartis, tant au Canada qu’en Irlande, notamment en oncologie, accès au marché, affaires publiques et direction générale. Son parcours inclut également des postes de direction chez Neurochem, Shire (maintenant Takeda), BioChem Pharma et au sein du Programme d’aide à la recherche industrielle du Conseil national de recherches du Canada (CNRC).

Elle a agi comme conseillère auprès de startups en sciences de la vie et de fonds de capital‑risque à la Banque de développement du Canada (maintenant Amplitude Ventures) et à la Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. Elle détient un MBA et un BSc de l’Université McGill, est diplômée de l’Institut des administrateurs de sociétés (IAS.A) de la Rotman School of Management de l’Université de Toronto, et s’engage comme juge et mentore auprès de McGill.

Lauréate du Prix Scarlet Key et nommée Luminaire par la Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association en 2022, Christine est présidente du conseil d’administration de Montréal InVivo et membre du Conseil d’administration de Recherche Canada. Elle a également siégé au conseil d’administration de Médicaments Novateurs Canada de 2022 à 2025.

Dr. Rodney Ouellette is a physician-scientist whose career has been dedicated to advancing cancer research, precision medicine, and molecular diagnostics for patients. Born and raised in New Brunswick, Dr. Ouellette earned BSc and MSc degrees in Biochemistry from the Université de Moncton, followed by an MD and PhD in Molecular

Biology from Université Laval. He subsequently completed residency training at the Université de Sherbrooke. In 1998, he founded New Brunswick’s first hospital-based research centre, which later became the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute (ACRI). Under his leadership, ACRI introduced leading-edge genomics, proteomics, and molecular diagnostics to the province and grew into a multidisciplinary cancer research institution. He also established and continues to lead the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre, helping bring these advances into clinical care.

Building on this foundation, in 2016 he co-led the creation of the New Brunswick Centre for Precision Medicine, the Atlantic provinces’ first hospital-integrated research infrastructure dedicated to precision medicine. By integrating scientific expertise, clinical programs, bioinformatics, and shared infrastructure, the Centre strengthens

collaboration, expands access to advanced testing, and creates new opportunities for discovery, training, and precision patient care.

His research program focuses on liquid-biopsy, particularly the information contained in extracellular vesicles, to monitor treatment response, and identify mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy. His laboratory developed a patented extracellular-vesicle capture technology now being commercialized. More recently, his team has been

developing precision immunotherapy trials for patients, combining biomarker-guided approaches with strategies designed to overcome immune suppression. He has contributed to more than 75 peer-reviewed publications and trained dozens of gradate students and postdoctoral fellows. He has served on numerous national and provincial advisory bodies, including the Governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of

Health Research, Health Canada’s Science Advisory Board, and the Terry Fox Research Institute’s Scientific Advisory Committee. He has also held leadership roles with the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, and Prostate Cancer Canada.

For his contributions to research, healthcare, and innovation, he has received numerous distinctions, including the Order of New Brunswick in 2025. In July 2026, he was called to the Senate of Canada, where he hopes to bring a strong voice for science and evidence-informed decision-making to public policy discussions, drawing on his experience in medicine, research, and innovation.

French

Le Dr Rodney Ouellette est un médecin-chercheur qui a consacré sa carrière à faire progresser la recherche sur le cancer, la médecine de précision et le diagnostic moléculaire au bénéfice des patients. Né et ayant grandi au Nouveau-Brunswick, le Dr Ouellette a obtenu un baccalauréat et une maîtrise en biochimie de l’Université de Moncton, puis un doctorat en médecine et un doctorat en biologie moléculaire de

l’Université Laval. Il a ensuite effectué sa résidence à l’Université de Sherbrooke. En 1998, il a fondé le premier centre de recherche en milieu hospitalier du Nouveau-Brunswick, qui est devenu par la suite l’Institut atlantique de recherche sur le cancer (IARC). Sous sa direction, l’IARC a introduit dans la province des technologies de pointe en génomique, en protéomique et en diagnostic moléculaire, tout en évoluant pour devenir un institut multidisciplinaire de recherche sur le cancer. Il a également créé le Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire du Centre hospitalier universitaire Dr-Georges- L.-Dumont, qu’il continue de diriger, contribuant ainsi à intégrer ces avancées aux soins cliniques.

S’appuyant sur ces acquis, il a codirigé, en 2016, la création du Centre de médecine de précision du Nouveau-Brunswick, la première infrastructure de recherche des provinces de l’Atlantique consacrée à la médecine de précision et intégrée à un milieu hospitalier. En réunissant l’expertise scientifique, les programmes cliniques, la bio-informatique et

des infrastructures partagées, le Centre renforce la collaboration, élargit l’accès aux analyses de pointe et crée de nouvelles possibilités en matière de découvertes, de formation et de soins de précision.

Son programme de recherche porte sur la biopsie liquide, notamment sur l’information contenue dans les vésicules extracellulaires, afin de suivre la réponse aux traitements et de cerner les mécanismes de résistance à l’immunothérapie. Son laboratoire a mis au point une technologie brevetée de capture des vésicules extracellulaires, qui est actuellement en voie de commercialisation. Plus récemment, son équipe travaille à la

conception d’essais cliniques d’immunothérapie de précision combinant des approches guidées par des biomarqueurs à des stratégies visant à surmonter l’immunosuppression.

Il a contribué à plus de 75 publications évaluées par les pairs et a formé des dizaines d’étudiants aux cycles supérieurs et de stagiaires postdoctoraux. Il a siégé à de nombreux organismes consultatifs nationaux et provinciaux, notamment au conseil d’administration des Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada, au Conseil consultatif

des sciences de Santé Canada et au Comité consultatif scientifique de l’Institut de recherche Terry Fox. Il a également occupé des fonctions de direction au sein de la Fondation de la recherche en santé du Nouveau-Brunswick, de la Fondation de l’innovation du Nouveau-Brunswick et de Cancer de la Prostate Canada. En reconnaissance de sa contribution à la recherche, aux soins de santé et à l’innovation, il a reçu de nombreuses distinctions, dont l’Ordre du Nouveau-Brunswick en 2025. En juillet 2026, il a été appelé au Sénat du Canada, où il souhaite faire entendre une voix forte en faveur de la science et de la prise de décisions fondées sur

des données probantes dans les débats sur les politiques publiques, en s’appuyant sur son expérience en médecine, en recherche et en innovation.

Originally from Quebec City, Carl Viel received his bachelor's degree in economics and a corporate governance certificate from Laval University. He also has diplomas in entrepreneurship (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), leadership (NTL Institute) and coaching (Niagara Institute). After nearly 20 years in the private sector, he held managerial positions with various economic organizations, including as vice-president of Montreal International and general manager of Montreal InVivo, prior to joining Quebec International as CEO in 2008.

In parallel with his work at Quebec International, Mr. Viel is involved with various committees and charitable organizations. In July 2022, Mr. Viel received a decoration from the Ordre national du Mérite.

Daniel Dufort is a seasoned public policy professional. He holds a Bachelor of Laws from Laval University, and has worked in federal politics in the office of the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada as a speechwriter, issues manager, and stakeholder relations and strategic planification advisor. He has also been the Director of Issues Management and a policy advisor to the Minister of Infrastructure and the Prime Minister’s political lieutenant for Quebec. He has worked for major Canadian public relations firms, where he focused on government relations, crisis management, and the public positioning of corporations. He joined the MEI first as Senior Director of External Relations, Communications and Development, from June 2018 to October 2020, and then served as Vice President of Operations from July 2022 to April 2023.

Passionate about public policy and proudly dedicated to advancing the cause of freedom in Quebec and across Canada, his writings have appeared in publications such as The Globe and Mail, the Financial Post, La Presse+, and Le Journal de Montréal.

EN :

 Martin is a recognized life sciences and health technologies (LSHT) expert with extensive experience in business development, innovation, technology commercialization, and international partnerships. At Montreal International, he works with global companies considering investments and expansions in Greater Montreal, helping connect them with the region’s scientific, clinical, business, and innovation ecosystem.

Throughout his career, Martin has worked across the private sector, academic research centres, and innovation-support organizations. His experience includes advising startups, scouting emerging technologies, developing strategic partnerships in Canada and internationally, and facilitating the commercialization of university research. This cross-sector perspective enables him to bridge science, business, and investment opportunities and to build connections between companies, researchers, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem partners.

Martin holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Montreal and an Executive MBA from UQAM. He also contributes to the innovation community through volunteer involvement with industry organizations, including the International Forum on Intellectual Property (FORPIQ).

FR:

 Martin est un expert reconnu dans le domaine des sciences de la vie et des technologies de la santé (SVTS), possédant une vaste expérience en développement des affaires, en innovation, en commercialisation des technologies et en partenariats internationaux. À Montréal International, il accompagne des entreprises internationales qui envisagent d’investir ou de prendre de l’expansion dans le Grand Montréal, en les mettant en relation avec l’écosystème scientifique, clinique, entrepreneurial et d’innovation de la région.

Au cours de sa carrière, Martin a évolué au sein du secteur privé, de centres de recherche universitaires et d’organisations de soutien à l’innovation. Son expérience comprend notamment l’accompagnement de jeunes entreprises, le repérage de technologies émergentes, le développement de partenariats stratégiques au Canada et à l’international ainsi que la commercialisation de la recherche universitaire. Cette expérience multisectorielle lui permet de créer des ponts entre la science, les affaires et les occasions d’investissement, tout en favorisant les collaborations entre entreprises, chercheurs, entrepreneurs et acteurs de l’écosystème.

Martin est titulaire d’un doctorat en biochimie de l’Université de Montréal et d’un MBA pour cadres de l’UQAM. Il contribue également à l’écosystème d’innovation par son implication bénévole auprès d’organisations du milieu, notamment le Forum international sur la propriété intellectuelle (FORPIQ).

Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/alebouthillier

After 20 years of experience in IT for hospitals, space agencies, and city-wide storage infrastructure, Alexandre Le Bouthillier transformed his understanding of large systems to tackle the inefficiencies in healthcare. Now, Alexandre works with world renowned AI experts and physicians to revolutionize the speed, accuracy, and ultimately clinical outcomes of patients. He is a Board Member of Mila (honorific since 2023), IVADO, MEDTEQ+, envisAGE, Health Innovation District & Montreal InVivo. With a Ph.D. in Parallel Computing and Optimization from the Université de Montréal, Le Bouthillier is co-founder and general partner at Linearis, an AI health fund to foster a collaborative, accessible, equitable and durable end-to-end health continuum.

À propos d’Alexandre Le Bouthillier

Après avoir mis ses 20 années d’expérience en TI au service d’hôpitaux, d’agences spatiales et d’infrastructures de stockage urbaines, Alexandre Le Bouthillier a transformé sa compréhension des systèmes de grande envergure afin d’améliorer le diagnostic et les traitements dans le secteur des soins de santé. Aujourd’hui, Alexandre travaille avec des médecins et des experts en intelligence artificielle de renommée mondiale afin de révolutionner la vitesse et la précision des traitements, et, ultimement, les résultats cliniques chez des patients. Il siège aux conseils d’administration de Mila (honorifique depuis 2023), d’IVADO, du Quartier d’innovation en santé, de MEDTEQ+, d’envisAGE et de Montréal InVivo. Titulaire d’un doctorat en informatique parallèle et en optimisation de l’Université de Montréal, Le Bouthillier est co-fondateur et partner de Linearis, un fonds d’investissement en IA Santé pour un continuum de santé collaboratif, accessible, équitable et durable.

Dr. Choudhri is the Senior Vice President and Head of Medical and Scientific Affairs (M&SA) for Bayer Inc. Before assuming his current role, Dr. Choudhri was a Global Clinical Leader, Anti- Infectives with Bayer Global Clinical Development. Prior to joining Bayer, Dr. Choudhri was an assistant professor in the Departments of Medical Microbiology and Internal Medicine at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. He was also the director of the AIDS program at the St. Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg; and the Manitoba satellite director for the Canadian HIV Clinical Trials Network. Dr. Choudhri obtained his MD from the University of Manitoba and also did his specialty training in internal medicine and sub-specialty training in infectious diseases in Manitoba. Following completion of his training, he completed a senior research fellowship in Nairobi, Kenya. In 1996, he was awarded the Young Investigator Award by the Canadian Association of HIV Researchers. Dr. Choudhri has authored or co-authored over 100 scientific abstracts and over 60 publications in peer reviewed journals. He is a passionate advocate for mobile and digital Health and for promoting Canada as a destination for clinical research.

Roger is a General Counsel for Roche Canada.  Roger is a licensed pharmacist with 20 years experience as a front line HCP, and in addition to responsibility for legal matters, Roger has assumed senior leadership responsibilities at different times for medical, regulatory, access, pricing, patient support program, government relations and communications.  Roger was responsible for founding and managing the innovation team at Roche Canada which has been responsible for driving digital transformation of core initiatives such as our PSP programs.  Roger also works closely with the global partnering functions to expose and develop Canadian innovations and capabilities.

Dr. Gunita Mitera is the Roche Canada Head of National Oncology Health System Partnerships. She works with the provincial payers, decision-makers, patient groups and other cancer system stakeholders to ensure pan-Canadian implementation barriers are addressed in advance of cancer drug funding. This work helps ensure Canadians receive broad and timely access to innovative cancer medicines. Previous to this, she was the Executive Director with the Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies. 

Fernando Frankel is the Country Head of Clinical Research Medical Advisors (CRMA) at Novartis Canada, where he leads the national CRMA team and supports the strategic planning and execution of clinical research across multiple therapeutic areas. Based in Montréal, Fernando works closely with investigators, healthcare institutions, and cross-functional stakeholders to advance clinical trial feasibility, site engagement, and patient access to innovative research opportunities. With extensive experience in medical affairs and clinical research, he is passionate about strengthening Canada's role in global clinical development and fostering collaboration to improve outcomes for patients with serious diseases

Jenny Buckley has more than twenty years of health systems and policy experience across the continuum of health care at the provincial, national, and international level. At Innovative Medicines Canada, Jenny works closely with internal and external partners to explore ways to improve Canada’s clinical research ecosystem to increase Canada’s attractiveness for clinical trials and research investment. She is also responsible for the regulatory affairs portfolio, working closely with a team of regulatory experts from IMC member companies. Jenny is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario (MA History) and the University of London (MSc Public Policy and Management).

Domenic (Dom) Alessi is Head of Technology for GSK Canada and a member of the Canadian Leadership Team. He brings 26 years of experience across the telecommunications, technology, and the pharmaceutical industries, beginning his career as a software engineer before moving into leadership roles spanning engineering, product management, and customer excellence.

 Since joining GSK in 2021, Dom has led the company's Canadian digital and AI agenda leveraging both local and global initiatives, with a vision of leading the digital and AI-enabled future of GSK Canada to fuel sustainable growth, customer engagement, and patient outcomes. His work centres on putting data and AI to practical use: driving commercial and medical excellence, accelerating product launches, and shortening the path from diagnosis to treatment.  Most recently, Dom led GSK Canada's as the first market to develop and pilot an AI-enabled oncology landscape and opportunity assessment platform. Colorectal cancer was the first tumour type assessed, producing roughly three times the depth of a traditional third-party vendor report — covering disease burden, clinical practice guidelines, the patient journey, reimbursement pathways, and Canadian expert mapping — in a fraction of the time and cost, with a purpose-built quality-control process designed to eliminate AI hallucination. He has also championed the responsible-AI guardrails that make this work possible, alongside broad AI fluency and upskilling programs across the Canadian organization.

 Looking ahead, Dom is focused on scaling these AI capabilities so that faster, evidence-grounded insight translates into earlier diagnosis, quicker access to the right therapy, and better outcomes for oncology patients across Canada.

Rahul G. Krishnan is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Medicine (Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology) where he holds a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Computational Medicine. He is a Canada CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute. He works on deep learning, causal inference and machine learning in healthcare. Previously, he was a Senior Researcher at Microsoft Research New England. He received his MS from New York University and his PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT in 2020.

Michael has worked in the life sciences industry for nearly 20 years in various roles. He is a neuroscientist by training, a pharma executive by trade, and an innovator at heart.

Michael was previously at Hoffman-La Roche where he held several roles in market access, medical affairs, patient services, and commercial operations. He was most recently Roche’s Head of Innovation where he led a team of creative disruptors focused on reimagining the future of our healthcare system. Michael is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors of CPHIN – an organization that he co-founded that is focused on democratizing health data and bringing more innovations to Canadian patients. Michael also teaches at the University of Waterloo and is a member of the board of directors of the Stem Fellowship.

Dr. Devereaux is a cardiologist, perioperative care physician, and clinical epidemiologist. He is the Director of the Division of Perioperative Care at McMaster University. Dr. Devereaux is the CEO and Scientific Director of the World Health Research Trust, an academic research organization focused on large international randomized clinical trials. He is the Deputy Director of the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI). He is a Senior Scientist and the Scientific Leader of the Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine, and Surgical Research Group at the PHRI. He is the Nominated Principal Applicant of the Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) Consortium, which is the Pan-Canadian Clinical Trials Consortium funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). He holds a Tier 1 Canadian Research Chair in Perioperative Medicine. Most recently, he has been awarded the Order of Ontario. Dr. Devereaux is a full Professor at McMaster University. He is the President of the Society of Perioperative Research and Care. Dr. Devereaux has published >515 peer reviewed papers and >99 book chapters, editorials, and commentaries, including 19 in the New England Journal of Medicine, 15 in the Lancet, and 11 in JAMA. He has an h-index of 132. He has given >1,191 lectures and research presentations in 44 countries. Dr. Devereaux’s research program focuses on major vascular complications during and after surgery. He has led many large international randomized trials and prospective cohort studies focused on major perioperative vascular complications.

Dr. Gunita Mitera is the Roche Canada Head of National Oncology Health System Partnerships. She works with the provincial payers, decision-makers, patient groups and other cancer system stakeholders to ensure pan-Canadian implementation barriers are addressed in advance of cancer drug funding. This work helps ensure Canadians receive broad and timely access to innovative cancer medicines. Previous to this, she was the Executive Director with the Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies. 

I officially joined BioCanRx in 2026 after 20 years of federal public service in eight departments and agencies where I contributed to health, research, innovation, economic, administrative, and strategic policy, regulation and legislation. At BioCanRx I create and support connections among the BioCanRx Network and the broader health, research, and innovation community, including holding relationships with many patients, patient organizations, caregivers, and people who are interested in immunotherapy and the future of health.

I have contributed to my local community as a Board Member with the local school and school board, and with YouTurn Youth Support Services that provides services to youth and their families who are in conflict with the law or at risk of becoming involved in the justice system. 

My post-secondary education in the late 90’s and early 2000’s resulted in a Human Biology HBCs from the University of Toronto, and MSc in Neuroscience from the University of Ottawa.  I am a trained facilitator and contributed to the development and deployment of anti-racism courses at the Canada School of Public Service.

Barry D. Stein, B.Com, B.C.L., LL.B., graduated from McGill University and has been a member of the Bar of Quebec since 1981. Barry sits on the Board of Directors of several corporations, not-for-profit organizations and foundations including Colorectal Cancer Canada, Exactis Innovation, the Canadian Personalized Healthcare Innovation Network (CPHIN), Le Consortium de recherche en oncologie clinique du Québec (observer) (Q-CROC) and FT3- From Testing to Targeted Treatments. He is also on the governing council of CANTRAIN the Canadian Consortium of Clinical Trial Training platform and on the Board of Directors od DNA to RNA An inclusive Canadian Approach to Genomic-based RNA Therapeutics (D2R) based at McGill University Research Institute. As a survivor of metastatic colorectal cancer diagnosed in 1995, Barry was obliged to seek health care outside of Canada to fight his disease. His judgement, obtained in the Superior Court of Quebec in 1999, still serves as a leading precedent in Canada for the reimbursement of out of country health care.

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Barry D. Stein, B.Com, B.C.L., LL.B., est diplômé de l'Université McGill et est membre du Barreau du Québec depuis 1981. Barry siège au conseil d'administration de plusieurs sociétés, organisations à but non lucratif et fondations, dont Cancer colorectal Canada, Exactis Innovation, le Canadian Personalized Healthcare Innovation Network (CPHIN), le Consortium de recherche en oncologie clinique du Québec (observateur) (Q-CROC) et FT3- From Testing to Targeted Treatments. Il est également membre du conseil d'administration de CANTRAIN, le Consortium canadien de formation en essais cliniques, et du conseil d'administration de D2R : de l’ADN à l’ARN - Une approche inclusive des traitements à base d’ARN au Canada (D2R), basé à l'Institut de recherche de l'Université McGill. En tant que survivant d'un cancer colorectal métastatique diagnostiqué en 1995, Barry a été dans l'obligation d'obtenir des soins de santé à l'étranger pour lutter contre sa maladie. Le jugement qu'il a obtenu devant la Cour supérieure du Québec en 1999 sert encore de précédent au Canada pour ce qui est du remboursement des soins de santé dispensés à l'étranger.

Petrina Kamya, PhD, serves as Global Head of AI Platforms (VP) and President of Insilico Medicine Canada. She is responsible for the strategy, development, and application of Pharma.AI, Insilico’s integrated generative AI platform that connects multi-omics target discovery (PandaOmics), generative chemistry for novel small molecules (Chemistry42), and multimodal clinical trial outcome prediction (inClinico).

Through Pharma.AI, Insilico has nominated more than 30 preclinical candidates since 2021 and advanced multiple programs into the clinic. Notable achievements include rentosertib (ISM001-055), the first AI-designed molecule against an AI-discovered target to demonstrate positive Phase 2 results in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, as well as a growing pipeline spanning oncology, fibrosis, immunology, and other areas of high unmet need. The platform is licensed by many of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies and supports large-scale R&D collaborations.

Based in Montréal, Dr. Kamya leads Insilico’s Canadian AI R&D center and focuses on turning advanced machine learning into validated, clinically relevant drug candidates. She holds a PhD in theoretical chemistry and a BSc in Biochemistry from Concordia University.

Susan Marlin is the President and CEO of Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO) where she collaborates to strengthen the clinical trials environment. Susan was foundational in establishing CTO’s streamlined research ethics review system to enable a single review for multi-site clinical trials and health research. She is the nominated principal investigator for the CIHR funded Canada-wide CHEER project and the CanReview Collaboration to establish a pan-Canadian single research ethics review system, supported by the CIHR-funded Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) Consortium. 

Susan was the Associate Vice-Principal at Queen’s University, and worked with Canadian Cancer Trials Group to coordinate clinical trials and lead the development of the Ethics and Regulatory Office. Susan served as President of the Canadian Association of Research Ethics Boards. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and in 2012 received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contributions to Military and Veterans Health Research.

Dr. Louise Pilote is Professor of Medicine at McGill University, Deputy Director of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Senior Scientist at the Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, and Co-Principal Investigator of the Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) Consortium. She is an internationally recognized clinician-scientist whose research has transformed the understanding of cardiovascular disease through the integration of sex- and gender-based science into clinical research.

Over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, Dr. Pilote has led groundbreaking research in cardiovascular outcomes, clinical epidemiology, and women's health, publishing extensively and receiving numerous national and international honours, including election to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the 2025 Margolese National Heart Disorders Prize.

As a national leader in clinical trials innovation, Dr. Pilote has played a central role in advancing Canada's clinical research ecosystem through ACT Canada. She serves on the ACT Operations Committee, co-chairs the ACT Scientific Committee, chairs the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee, and co-leads the RI-MUHC Accelerating Clinical Trials Unit. Through these leadership roles, she has helped modernize clinical trial infrastructure, strengthen national collaboration, improve patient engagement, and promote innovative, equitable, and efficient approaches to clinical trial design and delivery across Canada.

Dr. Pilote continues to lead innovative clinical research and is currently the principal investigator of a clinical trial evaluating social prescribing for women living with heart failure, reflecting her ongoing commitment to developing patient-centred interventions that improve health outcomes.

Dr. Pilote is passionate about building collaborative research environments that accelerate high-quality, patient-centered clinical trials and improve health outcomes for diverse populations.

Fahad Razak is an internist at St Michael’s Hospital and Canada Research Chair in Data-Informed Health Care Improvement at the University of Toronto. He co-founded GEMINI, the largest hospital research network in Canada, and has received over $310M in funding as Principal Investigator. GEMINI is used by an active community of more than 1,000 scientists, and health system leaders. He is also co-lead of VITAL, which has been funded through a $210M investment from federal and provincial sources to build a pan-Canadian platform for innovation with hospital data.

Fahad completed a degree in Engineering Science and Medical Doctorate at the University of Toronto, and was the first physician appointed as the David E. Bell Fellow at Harvard University. He served as Scientific Director for the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table and contributed to over 50 science and policy briefs that shaped Canada’s response to the pandemic. He was a member of the Federal Expert Panel on Science Advisory and Research convened by Health Canada – “the Walport Panel” – the only Federal review of the pandemic. He is Vice President for Research at the Canadian Society of Internal Medicine, inaugural Chair of the Advisory Committee for Science at the Public Health Agency of Canada, and on the advisory board of the BMJ. He has received three major mentorship awards, include the inaugural Canadian Society for Internal Medicine National Award for Mentorship, and is a two-

time recipient of the Teaching Award for Excellence from the University of Toronto.

Dr. Devereaux is a cardiologist, perioperative care physician, and clinical epidemiologist. He is the Director of the Division of Perioperative Care at McMaster University. Dr. Devereaux is the CEO and Scientific Director of the World Health Research Trust, an academic research organization focused on large international randomized clinical trials. He is the Deputy Director of the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI). He is a Senior Scientist and the Scientific Leader of the Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine, and Surgical Research Group at the PHRI. He is the Nominated Principal Applicant of the Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) Consortium, which is the Pan-Canadian Clinical Trials Consortium funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). He holds a Tier 1 Canadian Research Chair in Perioperative Medicine. Most recently, he has been awarded the Order of Ontario. Dr. Devereaux is a full Professor at McMaster University. He is the President of the Society of Perioperative Research and Care. Dr. Devereaux has published >515 peer reviewed papers and >99 book chapters, editorials, and commentaries, including 19 in the New England Journal of Medicine, 15 in the Lancet, and 11 in JAMA. He has an h-index of 132. He has given >1,191 lectures and research presentations in 44 countries. Dr. Devereaux’s research program focuses on major vascular complications during and after surgery. He has led many large international randomized trials and prospective cohort studies focused on major perioperative vascular complications.

Dr. Ebrahimizadeh is an operational and translational research leader with extensive experience spanning healthcare systems, academia, and the biotechnology industry. He currently serves as Director of Clinical Research Operations at Nova Scotia Health, where he provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a diverse portfolio of clinical trials and research initiatives across the province.

Dr. Ebrahimizadeh holds a Ph.D. in Experimental Surgery, an M.Sc. in Biotechnology, and a B.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Microbiology. His research has focused on molecular diagnostics and precision oncology. Throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of biomedical sciences, genetics, precision medicine, molecular engineering, and immunotherapy, establishing a strong foundation in translational medicine and clinical research.

In his current role, Dr. Ebrahimizadeh leads province-wide efforts to enhance research capacity, streamline study start-up processes, strengthen regulatory compliance, and improve research data infrastructure. He has developed and implemented innovative operational strategies that have improved clinical trial efficiency and fostered collaborations among healthcare organizations, academic institutions, government agencies, and industry partners.

Prior to joining Nova Scotia Health, Dr. Ebrahimizadeh held several senior scientific and research leadership positions, including Director of Clinical Translational Research and Associate Director and Head of Genomics and Systems Biology. Throughout his career, he has contributed to major initiatives in precision medicine, systems biology, molecular diagnostics, and immuno-oncology.

Dr. Ebrahimizadeh's current focus is advancing clinical research excellence, strengthening research partnerships, and supporting the integration of innovative therapies and technologies into healthcare practice.

Dr. Jordan Warford is Executive Director of Planning, Performance, and Data at the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, where he leads province-wide work across health system performance, data governance, analytics, and strategic investment. With a foundation in translational research, Jordan focuses on turning data and evidence into decisions that improve how care is delivered. He played a key role in establishing Atlantic Canada's first clinical trials network, helping create a coordinated entry point for global partnerships, industry-sponsored research, and expanded patient access to emerging therapies.   

His current work focuses on building the infrastructure and governance needed to responsibly use health data for better planning, public reporting, real-world evidence generation, and evaluation of clinical and economic outcomes.   

Jordan serves on the boards of N2 Canada and Research Nova Scotia. He holds a PhD in Pathology and an MSc in Pharmacology and Neuroscience from Dalhousie University, and is a Certified Health Executive and Project Management Professional. 

Dr. Paul Karanicolas is a surgical oncologist in the Odette Cancer Centre, a scientist at the Sunnybrook Research Institute, and a Professor at the University of Toronto. His clinical practice is dedicated to patients with hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal malignancies. Dr. Karanicolas received his medical degree at the University of Western Ontario where he also completed his general surgery residency training. He then completed a PhD in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University and a clinical fellowship in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Dr. Karanicolas holds the Sherif and Mary-Lou Hanna Chair in Surgical Oncology Research. The main focus of his research is designing and leading randomized controlled trials in surgical oncology. Dr. Karanicolas spearheaded the establishment of the “HepatoPancreaticoBiliary Community of Surgical ONcologists: Clinical, Evaluative, and Prospective Trials Team (HPB CONCEPT Team)”, a Canada-wide consensus-based framework for liver and pancreas cancer research. He is the principal investigator of several clinical trials on behalf of this group. Dr. Karanicolas is the Medical and Scientific Director of the Centre for Clinical Trials Support at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) hepatobiliary committee co-chair.

Dr. Karanicolas is the surgical lead for the hepatic arterial infusion pump chemotherapy program at the Odette Cancer Centre. This is the first program of its kind in Canada and offers an additional therapeutic option for patients with colorectal liver metastases.

Charles Crosbie is an innovation executive and product leader with more than two decades of experience driving digital transformation, organizational growth, and technology strategy across healthcare, government, and the private sector. 

As a senior leader with the Terry Fox Research Institute's Digital Health & Discovery Platform (DHDP), he helps guide the development of a national AI-enabled ecosystem designed to accelerate precision medicine, clinical research, and health data collaboration across Canada.

Charles has built product and innovation organizations from the ground up, led multidisciplinary teams spanning product management, engineering, UX, and commercialization, and advised executive leadership on investment strategy, governance, and emerging technologies. His expertise includes patient-centered digital health, AI and machine learning applications, federated data systems, platform strategy, and the adoption of innovative technologies that bridge the needs of patients, researchers, clinicians, and healthcare institutions.

A frequent contributor to discussions on digital health innovation, Charles is passionate about creating trusted, accessible, and scalable solutions that empower patients and accelerate breakthroughs in medical research and healthcare delivery.

Heather DiFruscia is Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Engagement at Sciteline, a Canadian clinical research technology company focused on improving access to and participation in clinical research. With more than a decade of experience across clinical research, Heather’s background spans clinical trial technology, sponsor-facing study delivery, strategic partnerships, market development, and stakeholder engagement, including work supporting global studies and industry sponsors.

Today, she works with research organizations, health systems, government, industry, and other partners to strengthen clinical research infrastructure and create more connected pathways into research. She also serves as Co-Chair of the working group supporting the Canadian Cancer Society’s Clinical Trials Action Plan priority to enhance public awareness about cancer clinical trials.

Dr. Hamm is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology at Western University.  She is also the Chair of the Windsor Division of Oncology at Schulich School of Medicine.  She is the chair of Windsor Regional Hospital Academic and Research Committee and co-chair of the WE-SPARK Health Institute Research Committee. Dr Hamm established, and has grown the Clinical Trials Navigator program into a national program serving cancer patients and oncologists across Canada, now over 750 users. She partners with the Canadian Cancer Society, 3CTN and CCTG to improve equity to clinical trials access across Canada.

Louise Binder is a lawyer who has been involved in informing the development of health policy and systemic treatment access practices from a patient perspective for more than 25 years. She started her work in this area in the HIV community in the early 1990s after her own diagnosis and before effective treatments were available for HIV. She cofounded the Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC) in 1996 that successfully ensured access to treatments and quality care for people living with HIV by working with the federal and provincial governments and other relevant stakeholders to enhance drug review and approval systems, pricing policies and access  to liver transplants for this community. Ten years ago Louise began similar work in the cancer area and is presently Health Policy Consultant for the Save Your Skin Foundation.

She has been recognized by many organizations for her work including receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from her alma mater Queen's Law School, the Order of Ontario from the province of Ontario and two Queen Elizabeth II medals.

Helena Sonea is an Ottawa-based advocacy professional and is the Director of Advocacy at the Canadian Cancer Society. Helena has led advocacy initiatives over the past fifteen years, including on food security, disability rights, cancer control, and Employment Insurance reform. Helena was recognized as one of the Peak's Emerging Healthcare Leaders in 2024. Helena holds a Masters in Critical Disability Studies and is a mom of two.