MONTREAL, Nov. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - A $100,000 grant to support the University Health Network's (UHN) Transplant Program, in honour of outgoing Innovative Medicines Canada Chair Michael Tremblay, was announced today. Innovative Medicines Canada made an initial pledge of $25,000 and Astellas Pharma made a matching pledge of $25,000. In addition, UHN announced another matching pledge of $50,000, making the total amount of the Michael Tremblay Grant to UHN's Transplant Innovation Fund $100,000.

"I am extremely proud to support the incredible work done through the UHN Transplant Program, which has saved countless lives and improved care for transplant patients in Canada and around the world. Furthermore, I am committed to its mission of being a world leader in providing excellence in donor transplantation and innovative, cutting-edge research and discoveries. The goal of this grant is to continue the advancement of research in this very important field," said Michael Tremblay, outgoing Innovative Medicines Canada Chair.

The grant will support the UHN Transplant Innovation Fund, a fund that the Transplant Program has established through investments from philanthropic donors and partners. The goal of this Fund is to continue to foster high-level, interdisciplinary innovation throughout UHN's Transplant Program. The Michael Tremblay Grant will assist this Fund in fostering high-level, interdisciplinary innovation throughout UHN's Transplant Program.

Each year, Innovative Medicines Canada contributes $25,000 toward an Outgoing Chair's Scholarship or Grant announced at the Association's Annual General Meeting. The outgoing Chair is given the choice of allocating Innovative Medicines Canada's scholarship/grant funds to an institution of their choice.

"This thoughtful grant, provided in recognition of Michael Tremblay, will help the UHN's Transplant Program to continue to effectively turn new research from the laboratory to the clinic, develop unparalleled advances to provide the best medical and surgical care for our patients from all over the world," said Pamela Fralick, President of Innovative Medicines Canada.

ABOUT INNOVATIVE MEDICINES CANADA

Innovative Medicines Canada is the national voice of Canada's innovative pharmaceutical industry. We advocate for policies that enable the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines and vaccines that improve the lives of all Canadians. We support our members' commitment to being valued partners in the Canadian healthcare system.