​The Clinical Trials Summit offers a premier opportunity for Alberta’s life sciences community to connect, exchange insights, and drive forward advancements in clinical trial practices. This summit will foster robust discussions and strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing patient outcomes and accelerating the path of innovative therapies to market.

​Focused on the clinical trials landscape in Alberta, the summit will compare industry trends and collaboration strategies with other key jurisdictions. It aims to facilitate meaningful conversations among stakeholders to advance clinical research, promote efficient and impactful trials, and position Alberta and Canada as leaders in clinical health research.

​Agenda

​8:00–8:30 AM: Registration/Light Breakfast

​8:30–9:45 AM: Welcome and Overview

​Making Alberta the premier destination for conducting high-quality clinical trials
Speaker: Ryan Mercer, Director, Clinical Research Innovation, Alberta Innovates

​Keynote Address: Global Leading Jurisdictions in Clinical Trials
Speaker: Professor John Crown, Consultant Medical Oncologist, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

​9:45–10:00 AM: Bio Break & Networking

​10:00–11:15 AM: Panel & Discussion
Topic: Scaling and Aligning Alberta's Clinical Trials for Global Competitiveness

​This session will explore strategies to enhance Alberta’s capabilities to meet global clinical trial demands while leveraging the province's unique strengths to address key global research priorities. The discussion will also highlight the role of Alberta's community-based clinical trial centers, focusing on operational benefits, challenges, and contributions to the province’s broader research ecosystem.

Moderator: Dr. Launa Aspeslet, Board Chair, Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API)

​Panelists:

• ​Dr. Lawrence Richer, Associate Dean, Health Research, College of Health Sciences - Dean's Office, University of Alberta

• ​Sandra Harb, Independent Clinical Research Consultant, President of Harb Consulting Inc.

• ​Dr. Aneal Khan, MSc, MD, FCCMG, FRCPC, President of MAGIC Clinic Ltd. and CEO of Discovery DNA