Contact UsCareersMediaScienceContact UsHomeOur Voice Pfizer announces recipients of research grants focused on transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy inHomeOur VoiceIntroducing the Faces of Pfizer Fighting Against Cancer in CanadaMonday, January 20, 2025Cancer remains one of the most significant health challenges of our lifetime. Despite remarkable advancements in research, it is the second leading cause of death globally.1 In Canada, 2-in-5 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime2, and with an aging population, this number is projected to increase by 20401,2. Fortunately, rapid progress in oncology research and development (R&D) is yielding new advancements, bringing new technologies and therapies closer to patients.
 
At Pfizer Canada, we work alongside the brightest minds across the oncology ecosystem toward our common purpose: to bring new hope to people living with cancer everywhere. Here in Canada, Pfizer Oncology treatments, including the 12 launched since only 2019, have impacted over 18,000 patients. But that’s only the beginning. Hundreds of people and organizations help to drive progress in oncology. Today, we’re showcasing some of the Faces of Pfizer on the forefront.
Harnessing the Power of Partnership
To help continue the improvement of cancer care, Pfizer Canada collaborates with prominent cancer organizations. In 2024 alone, we’ve committed $1.1 million in grants submitted by researchers and clinicians across the country.
 
In her role as Pfizer Canada’s Director of Patient Advocacy, Manon ensures we keep cancer patients at the heart of everything we do. Manon ensures that the Canadians we support have a voice in our work. She also works tirelessly to understand and connect us with the individuals our work is designed to help.

"As a pharmaceutical company, we have the responsibility to understand the needs of patients. We cannot take anything for granted," explains Manon. 
Research and Development
With some Canadian projections indicating a 40% increase in the number of cancer cases from 2020 to 20403, our commitment to research has never been more urgent. Approximately 40% of our global R&D budget is focused on  cancer therapies. Our goal is to develop medicines that will help extend and improve the lives of patients in Canada and around the world.

One of the key players in our R&D journey is Felicia, Pfizer Canada’s Team Lead for Regulatory Sciences. Felicia plays a pivotal role in ensuring our oncology treatments meet some of the most stringent regulations in the world. Each approval represents years of work for Felicia and her team, and each approval also signifies another opportunity for us to support Canadians living with cancer.
"In my daily work, I feel like if I can help make a difference in the lives of people living with cancer, then that makes me happy," adds Felicia.
Pfizer Oncology R&D Areas
Pfizer’s areas of focus span a range of cancers, including:
  • Genitourinary cancers (prostate and bladder)
  • Hematologic cancers (multiple myeloma, leukemias, and lymphomas)
  • Melanoma and thoracic cancers (including lung cancer)
  • Breast cancer
  • Gastro-Intestinal cancers
Marie-Christine, a Pfizer Canada Medical Affairs Scientist, leverages her background in pharmacology to collaborate with healthcare professionals to understand care gaps and patient needs, deepening the understanding of innovative science, and ensuring the appropriate use of our medications. Her knowledge and skills are essential in bringing new hope to the fight against cancer.
"The science is always moving, you have to be up-to-speed with where it’s going. It makes you really agile, and it makes every day interesting," explains Marie-Christine.
Bridging Gaps in Care
Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and neither should cancer care. We are committed to bridging gaps to ensure that all individuals affected by cancer benefit from the latest scientific advancements.

In his role as Pfizer Canada Access Manager, Maxim works to accelerate access to treatment for patients living with cancer. His colleague, Julien, is a Pfizer Canada Patient Support Program Manager devoted to reducing the hurdles between cancer patients and the therapies they have been prescribed. Their work is essential to allowing the right patient to get the treatment that is right for them at the right time.

"We discovered that a family member had been diagnosed with cancer. It was then that I truly understood the depth of my passion for providing access to our medicines and the significant impact we, as a team, can have on patients," adds Maxim.

"Our role in the Patient Support Program involves providing patients with assistance, offering necessary services, helping them navigate the healthcare system, and helping to fill gaps and provide support," explains Julien.


Shantal, one of Pfizer Canada’s Clinical Trials Site-Care Partner, is another crucial member of our team. She works with internal and external partners to activate clinical trial sites, facilitate regulatory compliance with the goal of helping us study treatments that may one day benefit cancer patients.

"I am passionate about supporting the sites that participate in our clinical trials. The work we are doing involves testing our medicines with the goal of potentially bringing new therapies to patients," adds Shantal.
At Pfizer, we believe time is life. And for the two in five Canadians expected to be diagnosed with cancer2, each day matters. This isn’t just a number – it’s us, and the people we love. This is why nothing is more personal, or more urgent, than our goal to find treatments for these deadly diseases. Cancer isn’t slowing down – so it’s time we speed up.


References
[1] World Health Organization. (2024). Cancer. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/cancer#tab=tab_1. Accessed October 2024.
[2] Canadian Cancer Society. (2023). Cancer statistics. Canadian Cancer Society. https://cancer.ca/en/research/cancer-statistics. Accessed October 2024.
[3] Yibing Ruan, Abbey Poirier, Jean Yong, Rochelle Garner, Zhuolu Sun, John Than, Darren R. Brenner, Long-term projections of cancer incidence and mortality in Canada: The OncoSim All Cancers Model, Preventive Medicine, Volume 168, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107425. Accessed November 2024.
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