A bright day for B.C. life sciences: Phase 1 Clinical Trials Unit opens at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital

In a landmark moment for B.C.’s life sciences sector, Providence Research, in collaboration with the Government of B.C., Michael Smith Health Research BC, Providence Health Care and the University of British Columbia, officially opened the province’s first and only non-oncology Phase 1 Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (MSJ) on September 16, 2025. 

The new CTU will conduct non-oncology Phase 1 clinical trials, in which new treatments are tested for safety in healthy participants. This is a critical step toward a new treatment gaining Health Canada approval and becoming available to patients. The facility features eight participant beds, and a comfortable lounge area equipped with a dining table, couch, TV and 24/7 staffing. 

Enabling early-phase research within B.C.

Prior to the establishment of this unit, B.C. lacked the facilities to conduct Phase 1 clinical trials unrelated to cancer – requiring local companies to go elsewhere to conduct this early phase of drug development. 

“The impact of this clinical trials unit on British Columbians cannot be understated,” says Dr. Darryl Knight, President, Providence Research, Vice President, Research and Academic Affairs, Providence Health Care, and Associate Dean of Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia. “Early access to new therapies translates into improved health outcomes for people in B.C. and tangible economic benefits for the province.” 

With this new unit, B.C. will be able to support the full lifecycle of drug and therapy development, driving innovation and allowing British Columbian patients to access life-saving treatments here at home. 

Accelerating opportunities in life sciences

The CTU will accelerate growth in the life sciences sector, resulting in more highly skilled jobs for British Columbians and helping to develop and keep valuable intellectual property in the province.

“We are committed to ensuring B.C.-based life sciences businesses have access to the tools they need to scale up and grow, while attracting more investment to B.C.,” says the Honourable Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “The new eight-bed Clinical Trials Unit at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital will advance early-stage drug development, while allowing more local life sciences companies to conduct clinical research and grow here in B.C., instead of going elsewhere.”

Amshen (Joan Phillip), MLA for Vancouver-Strathcona, emphasized the province’s commitment to removing barriers for life science companies through its Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, enabling them to advance lifesaving research and bring innovative treatment options to people in B.C. and beyond.

“B.C. is home to a vibrant life-sciences and biomanufacturing community that is creating good opportunities for British Columbians,” says Amshen. 

“Enhancing capacity for Phase 1 trials will increase the global competitiveness of British Columbia’s clinical trials ecosystem. This crucial investment supports B.C.’s vision for clinical trials in which health and economic benefits are maximized for British Columbians,” says Dr. Danielle Lavallee, Vice President of Research Programs at Michael Smith Health Research B.C., a co-funder of the CTU.

Inaugural trial is now recruiting

AbCellera, a leading life sciences company based in B.C., is a key partner of Providence with the CTU. During the announcement, Anne Stevens, AbCellera’s Vice President of Business Development, introduced the CTU’s inaugural clinical trial: a first-in-human study of ABCL635, a new drug targeting symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats. The trial will evaluate the safety and tolerability of a single dose of the medicine in healthy adult men and postmenopausal women. The study is actively recruiting, and more information about is available here. 

“A robust clinical research ecosystem strengthens the province's drug-development continuum, ensuring British Columbians are among the first to benefit from innovation discovered here,” says Ms. Stevens, “Increasing capacity for conducting Phase 1 clinical trials moves B.C. closer to achieving its full potential as a world leader in medical innovation and research, and the resulting health and economic advantages that will benefit British Columbians for generations to come.”

The CTU is building a database of individuals interested in participating in clinical trials via the REACH BC platform. For inquiries regarding the CTU, please contact P1CTU@providencehealth.bc.ca.