The McPeak-Sirois Group and The Ottawa Hospital partner to improve access to breast cancer clinical trials in Outaouais and Eastern Ontario
Montreal, May 1, 2025 – The McPeak-Sirois Group, a clinical research consortium in breast cancer, and The Ottawa Hospital are proud to announce a collaboration that will make it easier for people living in Outaouais and Eastern Ontario to access breast cancer clinical trials. For the research consortium, this partnership marks its first expansion beyond Quebec. People living in Outaouais will now have more options to enroll in breast cancer clinical trials at The Ottawa Hospital, without having to travel to hospitals outside their region.
“We are very proud of this expansion in Ontario, which marks an important step in our mission to make research that cares more accessible. Our Group now has 13 members and brings together immense expertise for the benefit of patients,” says Charles Sirois and Susan McPeak, co-founders of the McPeak-Sirois Group.
Dr. Arif Awan, a medical oncologist at The Ottawa Hospital will sit on the Group’s Scientific Committee which ensures the selection of clinical trials conducted within the consortium.
“On behalf of the Group’s scientific committee, I am pleased to welcome Dr. Arif Awan. His involvement with the consortium represents a tremendous opportunity to benefit from his valuable expertise. This partnership marks the first collaboration between Quebec and Ontario for our Group, paving the way for new perspectives both for patients and for research. For patients in the Outaouais region, this advancement represents a significant progress that will greatly facilitate access to clinical trials,” says to Dr. Jamil Asselah, Chair of the Group’s Scientific Committee and medical oncologist at the MUHC.
“At The Ottawa Hospital, we know how critical it is for people with cancer to have access to the latest treatments through clinical trials, and we are committed to working with partners to improve access across the region,” said Dr. Arif Awan. “We are delighted to partner with the McPeak-Sirois Group, which is using an innovative approach to bring additional cutting-edge clinical trials to people with breast cancer.”
“Breast Cancer Canada is proud to collaborate on this important initiative, ensuring all patients, regardless of location, have access to the latest advancements in breast cancer treatment. Expanding clinical trial access in the greater Ottawa area is a vital step toward improving outcomes. We look forward to working with the McPeak-Sirois Group to bring cutting-edge research to patients.” — Kimberly Carson, CEO, Breast Cancer Canada
This expansion is possible within the Programme Accès-recherche Dr. André-Robidoux of the McPeak-Sirois Group, funded by Breast Cancer Canada and aimed at giving more patients who live outside of major urban centres access to cutting-edge treatments.