The Institute celebrates the vital role of clinical research and the Centre for Innovative Medicine in transforming care for patients today and tomorrow
Source: The Institute
May 20, 2025
In recognition of International Clinical Trials Day, the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) is shining a spotlight on Dr. Angela Genge, the newly appointed Director of Clinical Research and the Centre for Innovative Medicine (CIM). With a distinguished career in neurology and clinical trials leadership, Dr. Genge brings a bold vision to expand the reach, inclusivity, and impact of clinical research—both within The Institute and across the broader McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) patient community.
In this candid conversation, she shares why the CIM is uniquely positioned to be a global leader in clinical research, how innovation means bringing cutting-edge treatments home to our patients, and why participation in research is more than voluntary—it is an opportunity to help shape the future of care.
Clinical research at a turning point
The CIM is The Institute’s state-of-the-art clinical research centre – a hospital within a hospital - purpose-built for early-phase and first-in-human trials. With dedicated pediatric and adult inpatient and outpatient facilities, a specialized research pharmacy, advanced imaging and an experienced multidisciplinary clinical research team, it provides an ideal environment for safely testing new therapies and bringing them to patients faster.
When asked what inspired her to take on this new role, Dr. Genge does not hesitate:
"What I see at the CIM is a tremendous opportunity. It’s one of the greatest assets we have at The Institute and MUHC—located in the right place, with the right facilities to support world class clinical trials, and perfectly positioned to support our outstanding doctors and patients. It’s truly a unique opportunity, and I wanted to contribute to taking it to the next level."
Her immediate priority? Spreading the word about the CIM’s potential.
"First, I want to get the word out about the capacity and potential of the CIM. Second, I want to highlight the incredible—and growing—number of first-in-human and first-in-patient studies we’re leading, and how often we deliver the very first dose in the world! We have the perfect facility for this, with the right team, and I’d love to see it fly!"
Between 2018 and 2023, The Institute conducted 242 trials with 125 different clinical investigators—proof the CIM has the experience, scale and expertise needed to take on the most complex clinical studies.
For Dr. Genge, innovation is not an abstract concept—it is about tangible hope for patients facing difficult or otherwise untreatable conditions.
"Innovation, to me, is about finding the breakthrough technologies being developed worldwide and turning them into better therapies for hard-to-treat or untreatable conditions—then delivering them to our patients."
Clinical research as a bridge to tomorrow’s therapies
The CIM is embedded within the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), one of the largest and most advanced academic health networks in North America. The MUHC’s mandate is to provide tertiary and quaternary care to the population of Montreal and Quebec—that is, care requiring hospitalization, complex surgery, emergency interventions or highly specialized treatments.
Reflecting on why clinical research is essential, particularly in a complex care setting, Dr. Genge points to the transformative history of medicine itself.
"There was a time when everything was untreatable. We’ve made huge breakthroughs. And now, in every instance where a disease remains untreatable, our goal is to find those therapies that start patients on the path to treatment—so they can live with their disease, not die from it."
She also shares a personal example that continues to drive her passion:
"Not long ago, the drug Tofersen was approved in Canada for a genetic form of Lou Gehrig’s Disease, known as SOD1 ALS. ALS has always been considered untreatable—until now. We’ve moved beyond slowing progression; for these patients, we can now stop the disease. It’s a true game-changer—a disease-modifying therapy."
Unlike general hospital settings, the CIM is designed for the complex needs of early-phase research, providing industry partners and investigators with the expertise and infrastructure to rapidly initiate and conduct high-quality trials—especially for rare and hard-to-treat conditions.
Building trust and equity in research
Dr. Genge emphasizes that inclusion is not just a value—it is a necessity for the highest quality clinical research studies.
“Inclusivity is a core ethos of the Institute and the MUHC. When we are conducting clinical trials, we actively seek patients from all walks of life and all backgrounds, including—and importantly—our First Nations communities. Ensuring diversity in clinical research isn’t just the right thing to do—it makes the science stronger. Treatments can work differently for different people. By including varied participants, we ensure research leads to better care for everyone.”
She also underlines the rights and protections in place for every research participant.
"Participation in clinical research is always voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time, no questions asked. Your data is yours, and it stays in the trial only if you consent. The protections now in place in clinical trials ensure that participants are respected and protected."
A call to action for International Clinical Trials Day
Looking to the future, Dr. Genge is confident the CIM is ready to accelerate.
“I think the Institute’s clinical research is really going to take off. As we continue building our infrastructure and expertise, we’ll be able to reach even more patients and find successful therapies for them."
Her message to the research community is clear and full of momentum:
“Whether you are a researcher looking to bring a novel therapy to patients, an industry partner seeking a high-quality clinical trial site, or a patient interested in participating in cutting-edge research, the CIM offers the expertise, infrastructure, and support to make it happen.”
As clinical research continues to build on its strong foundation at The Institute and MUHC, Dr. Genge’s leadership marks an exciting new chapter—one focused on expanding innovation, inclusivity, and patient-centred care. International Clinical Trials Day reminds us that every study, every participant, and every breakthrough brings us closer to transforming lives today and for generations to come.
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