About

Clinical Trials Ontario is a leading organization in the clinical trials community dedicated to strengthening, promoting and capitalizing on Ontario’s competitive advantages for conducting high-quality clinical trials. We work collaboratively with industry, research institutes, patients and the public and other health innovation organizations to improve the clinical trials environment and attract investment to the province, while supporting the highest ethical and quality standards.

A Decade of Impact

In 2012, Ontario and Canada saw a decline in clinical trials activity. In response, the Government of Ontario, along with hospitals, universities, industry, research ethics boards and others came together to establish Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO) with a goal of strengthening, promoting and capitalizing on Ontario’s advantages for conducting quality clinical trials.

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’ve published A Decade of Impact: Improving Ontario’s Clinical Trials Environment, to highlight growth in the clinical trials sector.

Mission & Priorities

Vision

Make Ontario a preferred location for global clinical trials, while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Mission

Strengthen, promote and capitalize on Ontario’s competitive advantages to conduct high-quality clinical trials.

Strategic Priorities

Streamline

Streamline processes to help make high-quality clinical trials more timely, efficient and cost-effective.

Engage

Engage with patients and the public to increase awareness, foster collaboration and improve how clinical trials are conducted.

Promote

Promote Ontario’s competitive advantages and clinical trial capacities to attract more trials and industry investment to the province.

Guiding Principles

Ensure the highest ethical standards.
Respect and value the role of the patient and the public in clinical research.
Work with the clinical trials community to understand and implement effective programming.
Leverage or build upon existing capacities where possible.
Partner where mutually beneficial and be mindful of other initiatives to maximize effectiveness and minimize overlap.
Recognize the value of the contributions made by both the public and private sectors.
Continuously measure and evaluate activities.
Diversify funding sources and implement appropriate cost-sharing mechanisms.

It Takes a Community

Our achievements over the past decade are thanks to the dedicated efforts of members of the clinical trials community, and continued support from the Government of Ontario.

“This work directly benefits the future of our province and reflects the spirit of innovation and desire to overcome challenges that have always been at the heart of Ontario’s researchers. ”

— Honourable Jill Dunlop, Ontario’s Minister of Colleges & Universities