The Research Institute of the MUHC (The institute) celebrated a long-anticipated milestone today with the official launch of the Liquid Biopsy Unit (LBU), an exciting new research centre that is on the frontlines of the fight to end cancer as a life-threatening disease. Liquid biopsy is already changing the standard of care for various cancers, easily detecting trace amounts of tumour DNA in the body through a minimally invasive urine, blood, or saliva sample. This translational, collaborative research initiative is led by the MUHC’s Cancer Research Program (CRP), Quebec’s largest adult cancer research group.
The launch event was a momentous occasion, attended by researchers, health care professionals, and many of the donors whose support made this new initiative possible. Among those in attendance were Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation, as well as multiple Foundation donors to Liquid Biopsy including CGI, the Godin Family Foundation represented by Julie Godin, the Wormell Family, Claude Mongeau, Chantal Parent, Vincent Auger, and Jean-François Leduc.
For LBU Director Dr. Julia Burnier, it was a long-awaited moment.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from our donors and partners, which is enabling earlier diagnosis, personalized treatment, and better outcomes for patients with cancers that have historically been difficult to treat. With the launch of the LBU, we now have a dedicated space to enhance our focus and resources, propelling us forward in the realm of precision medicine,” states Dr. Julia Burnier.
The event also featured key figures behind the LBU’s research efforts, including leading scientists such as Drs. Rhian Touyz, Peter Metrakos, Patricia Tonin, Anthony Zeitouni, and Nader Sadeghi, who spoke on the life-changing possibilities of liquid biopsy technology.
“This is a pivotal moment for cancer research, and we are excited to witness the beginning of a new chapter in precision medicine. We deeply thank every donor who has contributed to making the Liquid Biopsy Unit a reality. Your support is directly helping transform once-deadly cancers into treatable conditions, and this achievement is something we can all be extraordinarily proud of,” says Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, the LBU is advancing our mission to position the Research Institute of the MUHC as a leader in innovative cancer research worldwide.