Crohn’s and Colitis Canada Invests $1.5 Million to Advance IBD Research and Future Care

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Crohn's and Colitis Canada Invests $1.5 Million to Advance IBD Research and Future CareAuthor of the article:Four Canadian research teams will investigate new approaches to understanding, treating and preventing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitisTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountTORONTO, Oct. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Canada’s inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population continues to grow, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is committed to invest 1.5 million over three years across four research projects aimed at advancing understanding of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and creating new possibilities for better treatment and care.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againCanada’s IBD population is projected to reach 470,000 by 2035, underscoring the need to keep accelerating research that can improve how these diseases are understood and treated. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s recent national survey of people affected by IBD also highlighted ongoing challenges in achieving remission and finding treatments that work, reinforcing the need for continued progress.Through the 2026 Grants-in-Aid of Research Program, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada will invest $375,000 over three years in each of four projects.The investments reflect an important part of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s approach to accelerating research impact: supporting strong science across different stages and areas of discovery, while building the evidence needed to move promising ideas closer to meaningful outcomes for people affected by IBD.“Research impact is built over time by investing in strong science, testing promising ideas and creating pathways for discovery for better patient care,” said Josh Berman, President and CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. “These investments are an important part of that journey. By supporting researchers who are examining IBD from different perspectives, we are strengthening the evidence base today while opening new possibilities for more precise and effective care in the future. We are deeply grateful to our donors, partners, volunteers, and supporters whose generosity and commitment make this research possible.”This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.2026 Grants-in-Aid recipientsDr. Sun-Ho Lee, Mount Sinai HospitalHost-Microbe-Immune interactions and the risk of postoperative recurrence of Crohn’s diseaseDr. Lee will investigate why Crohn’s disease can return after surgery, focusing on how gut bacteria and the immune system may interact in the earliest stages of recurrence. By identifying biological changes that occur before symptoms appear, the research could eventually help inform more tailored approaches to treatment, reduce the risk of repeat surgery and improve quality of life. Dr. Stephen Girardin, University of TorontoExcessive STING signaling as a novel pathophysiological process in Crohn’s diseaseDr. Girardin and his team will investigate how a Crohn’s-associated variant in the ATG16L1 gene may disrupt the cGAS-STING antiviral and antimicrobial pathway. The research explores a potential new explanation for why some people are more susceptible to Crohn’s disease and could help identify new treatment targets, including whether STING-pathway inhibitors developed for other diseases should be studied further in Crohn’s disease.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Dr. Marcel Behr, McGill UniversityA new therapeutic approach for Crohn’s diseaseDr. Behr and his team will investigate the hypothesis that infection with Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) may contribute to Crohn’s disease in a subset of people. Researchers will test antibiotic combinations and develop methods to detect MAP in Crohn’s disease tissue, laying groundwork for potential future clinical trials in people who are found to be MAP-positive.Dr. Irah King, McGill UniversityInvestigating the role of PCSK9 and PCSK7 in epithelial regenerationDr. King’s team will investigate PCSK9, a protein involved in cholesterol regulation, and the related protein PCSK7, both of which have been linked to inflammation in the intestine. The research will examine their role in ulcerative colitis and assess whether targeting these pathways could have potential as a future treatment approach for IBD.Accelerating research impactCrohn’s and Colitis Canada’s Grants-in-Aid of Research Program supports investigator-driven research with defined objectives that advance understanding of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and associated conditions. Projects are assessed for scientific merit, relevance, and translatability potential.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.These projects are part of a broader research landscape that is helping move IBD toward a future of more precise, personalized care, building understanding of the biological differences that may influence how disease develops, returns and responds to treatment.The grant review process brings together scientific, lay and nurse reviewers, helping ensure investment decisions reflect both scientific quality and relevance to the IBD community.Media availability: Media interested in the funded research, the future of IBD treatment and care, or Canada’s growing IBD challenge are invited to connect with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Interviews with funded researchers and Crohn’s and Colitis Canada spokespeople can be arranged upon request.About Crohn’s and Colitis CanadaCrohn’s and Colitis Canada’s promise is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improve the lives of everyone affected by these chronic diseases. We are one of the top two health charity funders of Crohn’s and colitis research in the world, investing over $150 million in research since 1974, leading to important breakthroughs in genetics, gut microbes, inflammation, and cell repair, as well as laying the groundwork for new and better treatments.We are transforming the lives of people affected by Crohn’s and colitis (the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease) through research, patient programs, advocacy, and awareness.For more information, visit crohnsandcolitis.ca.Media Contact: Daud Arif, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada media@crohnsandcolitis.ca (Cell: +1 6479149883)This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.