Minister Yelich Announces Funding for Technology Upgrades

A federal investment of over $911,000 to support innovative medical and pharmaceutical research at TRIUMF through the Western Diversification Program was announced by the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Our Government believes that science, technology and innovation are vital to stimulating productivity, competitiveness and growt” said Minister Yelich.  “Research funding is an investment in scientific discovery, in new ideas and products, and in job creation through tough economic conditions.

Today's funding will support TRIUMF in upgrading essential infrastructure and in the acquisition of equipment which creates Positron Emission Radiopharmaceuticals (PERs).  These radiopharmaceuticals are essential for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning; an important medical diagnostic procedure used for the detection of cancer.  The upgraded equipment will ensure the facility has continued compliance with industry standards.  Today’s project contributes to the infrastructure that is essential to improving medical and pharmaceutical research in British Columbia.

The promise of nuclear medicine is its potential to understand the individual diagnosis and treatment plan for each person in real time and non-invasively” said Dr. Thomas J. Ruth, senior scientist jointly at TRIUMF and the BC Cancer Agency. Today’s investment will not only move forward our research programs with the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre and the BC Cancer Agency in understanding movement disorders and cancer, but it will also enhance our efforts bring these results into the clinic following the strictest quality controls for use with humans.

Since its inception as a local university in 1968, TRIUMF has evolved into Canada’s national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics while maintaining strong ties to the research programs of Canadian universities.  It is owned and operated by a consortium of 15 Canadian universities.  TRIUMF is a leader in the emerging medical revolution that brings together physics, chemistry, and biology.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.

For additional information (media only) contact:

Jerra Byrne
Senior Special Assistant - Communications
Office of the Minister of State - Western Economic Diversification
Email: jerra.byrne@wd-deo.gc.ca

Timothy Meyer
Head, Strategic Planning & Communications
TRIUMF
Tel: 604-222-7674
Cell: 650-464-8955
Email: tmeyer@triumf.ca