Host a CF clinical trial in Canada

As a centralized network of paediatric and adult cystic fibrosis trial sites across the country, Cystic Fibrosis Canada Accelerating Clinical Trials Network (CF CanACT), removes barriers and provides the infrastructure and support required for sponsors to conduct trials in Canada.

Two lab technicians working in a Sick Kids laboratory.

Trusted leaders in CF clinical trials

Since inception in 2018, CF CanACT has led CF clinical trials across the country. This nimble network of 10 adult and pediatric clinic-affiliated sites at 13 clinics has direct access to more than half of the people in Canada with cystic fibrosis and is supported by experienced on-site research coordinators for rapid trial start-up, execution and successful trial completion. Through a national referral program, sponsors gain access to 100% of the 4,500+ CF patients in Canada across CF clinics, enabling broad recruitment.

2018

Cystic Fibrosis Canada creates CF CanACT, a network of 6 sites, to coordinate both adult and paediatric CF clinical trials across Canada.

2020

The network grows to 10 sites that provide direct access to more than 50% of Canada’s CF population, and 100% through our referrals program.

2023

CanACT coordinated 50+ interventional and observational clinical trials since its creation.

2024

CanACT launches two different gene therapy clinical trials for adults with rare mutations.

Cross-Canada Representation

Map of clinical trial locations across Canada

CF CanACT in Review

Trial Participation

2600+ participants to date

70+ interventional and observational trials

30+ global pharmaceutical organizations

Recent Milestones

First multi-centre investigator-initiated protocol review conducted by CF CanACT

First NABT trials in the network launched

First pediatric pharmacokinetics study launched by the network

Built for Every Trial Type

From gene therapy to CFTR modulators to observational studies and more

Supporting your research needs

Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s clinical trial network is well-positioned to support trials of all sizes and complexities. Our network consists of coordinators and principal investigators experienced in conducting a broad range of studies, working directly with pharmaceutical and contact research organizations (CROs) to advance trials.

Types of trials

The network supports a wide range of clinical trials including modulators, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, genetic therapy, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) and observational trials

Pharmaceutical trials

Gene therapy/NABT trials have a smaller population of eligible patients and they are complex and resource-intensive to run.

The network is currently offering early-stage NABT trials to eligible patients – building expertise that will help these trials expand to additional sites in the future. These trials are offered alongside others as we continue to support sponsors on a range of potential treatments for the CF community.

Feasibility studies

Through our partnerships with the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Registry, the burden of feasibility assessments is significantly lowered for both sponsors and prospective sites. By leveraging the CF registry and the capabilities of our sites, CF CanACT is well-positioned to streamline and accelerate the feasibility assessment process.

Advanced clinical research infrastructure

Our sites are well-equipped to handle most CF trials. In addition to highly experienced staff, our clinical research infrastructure includes (site dependent):

Well-equipped clinical research facilities, including MRI, CT, and lung clearance index (LCI)/multiple breath washout (MBW) testing and advanced wet lab infrastructure (select sites)
Specialized clinical trials pharmacies, with a subset of sites having direct experience handling NABT drugs
Comprehensive inpatient hospitalization facilities available, including isolation facilities and 24/7 nursing support
Sweat chloride equipment and expertise
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing
Proficiency in sputum collection and bronchoscopy
Experience with decentralized clinical trials and remote data collection

Global Collaboration, Domestic Expertise

CF CanACT is a frequent collaborator in global protocol reviews through our partnerships with CFF-TDN (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-Therapeutics Development Network) and ECFS-CTN (European Cystic Fibrosis Society-Clinical Trials Network). In addition to aligned global reviews with one or both international partners, CF CanACT offers independent protocol reviews exclusive to Canada.

The network has access to a broad pool of experienced reviewers, including respirologists, gastroenterologists, paediatricians, research coordinators, statisticians, community members, and other individuals with broad clinical expertise, such as respiratory therapists, physiotherapists, and dietitians.

Protocol Review Process:

Service agreements and contracts with CF CanACT (and other networks, as appropriate)
Protocol review group convened, NDAs and financial disclosure agreements signed
Protocol, IB (investigator’s brochure), and other relevant documents submitted to CF CanACT for review
Comments and feedback from review group collected and collated by CF CanACT (initial critique summary and key issues table returned to Sponsor within 14 days)
Sponsor submits responses to key issues table and amended protocol, if appropriate
CF CanACT Executive committee reviews responses to key issues table and updated protocol, notifies sponsor of network sanctioning decision within 5 days
Feasibility assessment process moves forward at the sponsor’s direction

The network has a condensed process for observational and other low-risk trials.

Our process accelerates timelines, allows for consistent feedback from a broader pool of experts, maximizes recruitment potential by providing insights from multiple regions and ensures operational efficiency with one point of contact.

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My life is typical of someone with CF, although every few years a new treatment comes out that helps with the symptoms, you come to terms with the feeling that your health is on a slow downward trajectory. When I started the train, my whole life changed. Suddenly I was symptom-free. For the first time in my life, I believed I could beat this disease.

Roger who lives with CF in New Brunswick and participated in a trial at the Halifax CF CanACT site

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CF CanACT reduces the activation energy required for a research site to get a trial off the ground through our straightforward and streamlined protocol review and study start-up processes. This helps companies conduct their studies faster and more cost-efficiently.

Dr Jonathan Rayment, CF CanACT Medical Lead

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We have been working with the CanACT team on several CF projects and have found the CanACT group helpful during the feasibility process. We also had a client interested in knowing some specifics about the Health Canada regulations and the CanACT representative took the extra time to reach out directly to Health Canada to get the client’s specific questions answered. We hope to have more studies that will allow us to work again with the CanACT group.

CF CanACT industry partner

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[Participation in a clinical trial] has made me realize the immense, ongoing team effort in the fight against CF in Canada. Knowing that there are a lot of people involved in CF research is very encouraging. It was amazing to feel like I was a part of something greater for the CF community.

Isaiah, who lives with CF in Edmonton and participated in a clinical trial at the Vancouver, BC CF CanACT site through the network referral program

❝

My life is typical of someone with CF, although every few years a new treatment comes out that helps with the symptoms, you come to terms with the feeling that your health is on a slow downward trajectory. When I started the train, my whole life changed. Suddenly I was symptom-free. For the first time in my life, I believed I could beat this disease.

Roger who lives with CF in New Brunswick and participated in a trial at the Halifax CF CanACT site

❝

We have been working with the CanACT team on several CF projects and have found the CanACT group helpful during the feasibility process. We also had a client interested in knowing some specifics about the Health Canada regulations and the CanACT representative took the extra time to reach out directly to Health Canada to get the client’s specific questions answered. We hope to have more studies that will allow us to work again with the CanACT group.

CF CanACT industry partner

❝

[Participation in a clinical trial] has made me realize the immense, ongoing team effort in the fight against CF in Canada. Knowing that there are a lot of people involved in CF research is very encouraging. It was amazing to feel like I was a part of something greater for the CF community.

Isaiah, who lives with CF in Edmonton and participated in a clinical trial at the Vancouver, BC CF CanACT site through the network referral program

❝

My life is typical of someone with CF, although every few years a new treatment comes out that helps with the symptoms, you come to terms with the feeling that your health is on a slow downward trajectory. When I started the train, my whole life changed. Suddenly I was symptom-free. For the first time in my life, I believed I could beat this disease.

Roger who lives with CF in New Brunswick and participated in a trial at the Halifax CF CanACT site

The process

Our benchmark timelines help to ensure your clinical trial gets moving as quickly as possible:

STEP ONE

Key issues table and critique summary returned to Sponsor within 14 days of submission

STEP TWO

Executive committee (EC) decides on sanctioning and internal strategic fit score within 5 days of Sponsor response to key issues

STEP THREE

Sponsor may choose to accept or appeal the EC’s sanctioning decision

Support referrals

CF CanACT has a well-established referral process to ensure that your trial is well-positioned to meet recruitment targets, no matter where eligible patients are located. CF CanACT also has established relationships with CF clinics that are not affiliated with the research network, which allows patients to be referred into trials happening with CF CanACT from anywhere in Canada.

Study promotion and progress tracking

Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s public clinical trials finder allows the CF community to easily search for upcoming and ongoing research studies in one convenient place.

The CF CanACT coordinating centre is in touch with CF clinics across the country frequently to support recruitment referrals. Clinic staff regularly discuss with patients the trials in the network actively recruiting to help sponsors reach 100% of the CF population, no matter which sites are selected. Our sites track recruitment metrics, allowing sponsors to stay informed on study progress.

Clinical trial finder

Researcher handling containers of medicines to be tested

Reach out!

Connect with us to explore how CF CanACT’s experienced network can support your clinical research. Whether you're planning a complex early-stage trial or a broader study, we’re here to help drive innovation in CF treatment.