Providence Health Care Announces Launch of Phase I, Non-Oncology Clinical Trials Unit at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital

Phase I clinical trials are the essential first step in testing new drugs in humans, after they have been developed and tested in pre-clinical models. Phase I, or first-in-human, trials must be administered under closely controlled conditions and protocols, in an in-patient setting with “Code Blue” capabilities. Successful Phase I clinical trial results lead to more extensive Phase II – IV trials, with the goal of ultimately achieving regulatory approval for the new drug.

The growth of the B.C. health research and clinical trials sector over the past decade has generated strong interest in establishing a Phase I Clinical Trials Unit (CTU). Outside of cancer-related drugs, the lack of Phase I clinical trials facilities is recognized as a serious “bottleneck” for the province in transitioning from laboratory/pre-clinical-based research to human clinical research. This means that currently, local companies have to conduct this crucial early phase of drug development outside of B.C., causing valuable health care discoveries, talent, and potential revenue, to leave the province.

Now, after years of planning and construction, Providence Health Care is pleased to announce that the Phase 1 CTU at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (MSJH) will be opening for business in June 2025.