Wednesday, September 29, 2021 So much has happened recently that I wanted to take a moment to update everyone on key accomplishments and our group aims for future. First, we have a new CCTG Strategic Plan. With guidance from CCTG scientific and network leaders and stakeholders, we have a vision and agenda for the group over the next 5 years. We will continue to our trial portfolio to cover a broader range of innovative therapies, establish platforms for pre-operative trials and cell therapy, expand our data science platform research portfolio, and grow our correlative science and tumor banking activities. Our partnership with patients will continue to be at the heart of all CCTG activities. Second, we are completing our program grant renewals. Our Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) program grant renewal was submitted on August 5th, 2021. This grant is the foundation of our group’s activities, and the renewal application (all 1000+ pages) represents the collective work of the network leaders and members. In the grant, we highlight the incredible range and impact that CCTG has on the clinical trial landscape in Canada and globally which is only possible through our collective ongoing commitment. The CCS grant site visit will take place Oct 26th, 2021, and we will know the outcome of the grant in early 2022. Our second program grant renewal application for the CFI MSI program is in progress to be submitted by Nov 4th 2021. This grant supports some aspects of administration of the CCTG network. We look forward to updating everyone on the outcome of both grants in the new year! Third, we continue to execute our core mission to development and conduct trials that can inform and potential improve outcomes for cancer patients. Six new trials have recently been activated including SR7, CO29, CXC2, PAC3, and I240 – I240A, I240B. We also have 17 more trials in development; HD11, AL6, HN11, MA41, MYC2, HD12, CLC3, MAC27, EN10, HN12, MAC28, GA4, SC28, CO31, HN13, MEC6, and PAC4. Fourth, our committees continue to meet virtually to develop new trial proposals and oversee their portfolios. The next network meeting is the virtual IND Fall Meeting which will take place Dec 3rd, 2021. This is a by invitation meeting for CCTG IND Committee members, Disease Site Committee leaders and their IND liaisons and other key invitees. The date for the 2022 CCTG Annual Spring Meeting is April 29 -May 01, 2022, so mark your calendars ! If you have any questions about these upcoming meetings please contact meetings@ctg.queensu.ca Finally, we recognize that the impacts of the pandemic continue to be felt within our institutions and cancer centres as well as in our professional and personal lives. Thank all of you for your ongoing efforts and support to ensure patient safety, trial integrity, and continuity of our activities across the network.
