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Bettina Hamelin
President at Innovative Medicines Canada
Bettina Hamelin is the President of Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC), having assumed the role on April 8, 2024. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and an Executive MBA in Healthcare from the University of British Columbia. With over 30 years of experience in academia, industry, and non-profit organizations, Dr. Hamelin is recognized as a leader in the life sciences sector.
Career Highlights
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Previous Roles: Before joining IMC, Dr. Hamelin was the President and CEO of Ontario Genomics, where she significantly advanced the organization's role in engineering biology. She has also served as Vice President at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), focusing on public-private partnerships and research innovation. Her earlier career includes leadership positions at BioChem Pharma and Pfizer, as well as a decade as a tenured professor at Université Laval.123
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Current Focus: As President of IMC, Dr. Hamelin is committed to enhancing access to innovative medicines for Canadians and promoting Canada as a hub for life sciences investments and clinical trials. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to drive healthcare innovation.12
Contributions and Advocacy
Dr. Hamelin is actively involved in various committees and boards aimed at advancing research and innovation in Canada. She serves as a Board Director at the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization and chairs the National Engineering Biology Steering Committee.2 Her advocacy efforts are directed towards ensuring that Canada's pharmaceutical sector is prepared to adopt new innovations that can improve public health.23
Personal Attributes
Fluent in three languages, Dr. Hamelin combines her extensive knowledge with a passion for improving health outcomes in Canada, making her a trusted figure in the pharmaceutical industry.12
Highlights
I’m pleased to see Ontario Premier Doug Ford call for the acceleration of the federal approval process for new medicines, and for this important issue being discussed in Halifax at the Council of the Federation Secretariat | Secrétariat du Conseil de la fédération meetings. Provinces, territories, and the federal government have a unique opportunity to collaborate and create a meaningful impact for Canadian patients and their families. The decision to act should be unequivocal. Canadians deserve access to the latest innovative medications and healthcare advancements that can significantly enhance their quality of life and lifespan. This is particularly crucial for patients with rare diseases or those who have exhausted all existing treatment options. IMC is committed to working with and supporting provincial governments in achieving that shared goal. See our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eEd2RyK2
Innovative Medicines Canada - Médicaments novateurs Canada
I am excited to share this op-ed, co-authored by Dr. P.J. Devereaux, of Accelerating Clinical Trials – Accélérer les Essais Cliniques, and I.
The availability of clinical trials is not just important for advancing medical research and innovations, it is often a lifeline for patients with severe health conditions who have run out of options for treatment. Here in Canada, we must ensure patients are no longer forced to make desperate choices because they do not have access to the latest trials on home soil.
In this op-ed, we discuss the systemic challenges that limit access to clinical trials in Canada and propose actionable solutions. From funding top-ups to a streamlined approval process and enhanced public awareness, there are several steps we can take to ensure no Canadian is deprived of treatment that has the potential to give them a second chance at life.
Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eTbgbtAC
Share it amongst your network so we can raise awareness about the way in which we can transform healthcare outcomes for all Canadians.
Innovative Medicines Canada - Médicaments novateurs Canada
