About

BRAS Drug Development Program

The BRAS Drug Development Program is one of the largest and most recognized drug development programs in Canada.  It has one of the top 10 early phase drug development programs in the world.

Over the last 20 years, this remarkable program has witnessed substantial team growth and brought renewed hope to patients who have exhausted other treatment options.

The BRAS DDP began with four doctors and a manager, and has over the last 20 years grown into Canada’s largest and premier drug development program, with 10 doctors and more than 80 staff including:  nurses, coordinators, managers, fellows, and scientists.  Importantly, the group has treated more than 5800 patients on over 300 clinical trials, developed and led by BRAS DDP investigators from Princess Margaret and consortium sites throughout Canada.

It has led the development of many new targeted anti-cancer drugs and immunotherapies, some of which have subsequently become established as major advances in treatment of several cancers.

It has successfully attracted and trained 45 Clinical Research Fellows internationally through high caliber training programs which are funded through industry and academic partnerships.  The Research Fellows have taken the knowledge they gained in the BRAS DDP with them to lead and work with trials programs in Australia, Europe, New Zealand, South American and the United States to name a few.

The BRAS DDP investigators continue to push the boundaries of our understanding of cancer and how we can advance the next generation of precision anti-cancer agents.  Whether this means honing in on particular changes in the DNA of cancer, like targeting its Achilles’ heel, or harnessing the power of the immune system, the BRAS Drug Development Program has contributed important new information over the last 20 years to help conquer cancer.

  • Program – insights

    Clinical Trials

    Clinical trials represent the first time a promising new agent is given to humans and determine whether there is any hint of activity to warrant further development. On average, the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre opens 150-160 new clinical trials of all types cancers each year. The Phase I program is the largest in Canada is recognized internationally as a leader in first-in-human clinical trials.

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  • Medical Team

    The program is lead by experienced, skilled, focused and dedicated people. The work of testing a new drug must be led by specialists who are part clinical doctor, part scientist, part pharmacist and part compassionate care-giver.

    Learn more
    Program – insights
  • Program – insights (duplicate)

    Clinical Trials

    Clinical trials represent the first time a promising new agent is given to humans and determine whether there is any hint of activity to warrant further development. On average, the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre opens 150-160 new clinical trials of all types cancers each year. The Phase I program is the largest in Canada is recognized internationally as a leader in first-in-human clinical trials.

    Learn More
  • Program – insights (duplicate)

    Medical Team

    The program is lead by experienced, skilled, focused and dedicated people. The work of testing a new drug must be led by specialists who are part clinical doctor, part scientist, part pharmacist and part compassionate care-giver.

    Learn more
  • I could never have envisioned building a program quite like this,” Lillian admits. “Everybody feels such purpose. They know what they’re doing is important and they don’t want to fail anyone: patients, colleagues, or the program. They don’t want it to lose its cohesiveness, its quality. It’s definitely considered one of the top programs, not just in terms of science and research, but in terms of operational efficiency, quality and high standards. And yes, I’m saying this because it’s ours, but I think if you asked our peers, they would say the same.

    Dr. Lillian SiuDr. Lillian SiuDirector Phase l Program
  • The Bras family’s generosity and commitment to new drug development has helped pave the way to more personalized cancer treatment, which is the focus of the Princess Margaret’s Billion Dollar Challenge for Personalized Cancer Medicine.

    Greg LichtiGreg LichtiVice President Development, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
  • We all know someone who has been affected by cancer, and the BRAS Drug Development Program, under the directorship of Drs. Malcolm Moore, Amit Oza, Lillian Siu, Philippe Bedard and Albiruni Razak, has achieved credibility on an international scale, and the advancements being made will bring us that much closer to finding a cure for this dreaded disease…

    Madam Hazel McCallionMadam Hazel McCallionHonorary Chair of the BRAS DDP
  • The BRAS Drug Development Program is one of the largest and most recognized drug development programs in Canada. Over the years, this remarkable program has witnessed substantial team growth and brought renewed hope to patients who have exhausted other treatment options. The lives of cancer patients have been improved, and even saved, thanks to you.

    Dr. Peter PistersDr. Peter PistersPresident and CEO of University Health Network
  • The Bras Family was remarkably visionary in establishing this center, and Canadian cancer patients are certainly indebted to the family for their generosity.

    Robert S. BellRobert S. BellMDCM, MSc, FACS, FRCSC-President and Chief Executive Officer, University Health Network (Toronto)