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CTO Clinical Trials Conference · 2026

CTO 2026 Clinical Trials Conference

Nov 4–5

Nov 4–5, 2026

Hilton Toronto · Toronto, Canada · In person

Clinical Trials Ontario's annual two-day conference in Toronto, described as a leading Canadian forum to drive innovation in clinical trials. It brings together the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, academia, healthcare, patient groups, health charities, and research institutions. The 2026 programme covers Canada's clinical research competitiveness, regulatory modernization, AI and health data, and lessons from CTO's QuickSTART study start-up program. Attendance may be eligible for SOCRA continuing education credits.

Venue
Hilton Toronto
Program
29 sessions
41 speakers

Agenda

Times in Toronto (EST)
Wed, Nov 4 Thu, Nov 5

  1. 7:30 AM

    85 min

    Networking

    Registration, Breakfast & Exhibition Hall

  2. 8:55 AM

    5 min

    Other

    Welcome Remarks

    Raphael Hofstein, Clinical Trials Ontario Susan Marlin, Clinical Trials Ontario

  3. 9:00 AM

    10 min

    Talk

    Opening Address

    Hon. Nolan Quinn, Government of Ontario

  4. 9:10 AM

    35 min

    Keynote

    KEYNOTE | Research as Care: Why Canada Needs to be More Competitive

    Christine Elliott

  5. 9:45 AM

    45 min

    Panel

    The Bridge: Strategies to Connect Research to Care Across Canada

    Christine Elliott Dr. Geoff Payne, Michael Smith Health Research BC Dr. Braden Manns, University of Calgary Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, University of Manitoba Christine Lennon, CATALIS Quebec Dr. Aristotle Voineskos, CAMH

  6. 10:30 AM

    30 min

    Break

    Break, Networking & Exhibition Hall

  7. 11:00 AM

    20 min

    Talk

    How Canada is Modernizing Clinical Trials Regulations to Compete Globally

    Dr. Supriya Sharma, Health Canada

  8. 11:20 AM

    20 min

    Talk

    ACT 2: Accelerating Trials and Expanding Equitable Access

    Dr. Emilie Belley-Côté, Population Health Research Institute

  9. 11:40 AM

    20 min

    Talk

    Keep Trials Moving: CanReview Report

    Susan Marlin, Clinical Trials Ontario

  10. 12:00 PM

    70 min

    Break

    Lunch, Networking & Exhibition Hall

  11. 1:10 PM

    20 min

    Talk

    Advancing AI to Strengthen Clinical Trials

    Dr. Shurjeel Choudhri, Bayer

  12. 1:30 PM

    20 min

    Talk

    Expanding Access to Clinical Trials: Insights from Nova Scotia Health

    Dr. Ashley Hilchie, Nova Scotia Health

  13. 1:50 PM

    35 min

    Panel

    Getting to 45 Days: Lessons from QuickSTART's First Studies

    Eleana Rodriguez, University Health Network Erika Basile, Western University Jocelyn Edwards, London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute and Lawson Research Institute Leandro Jankowski, AstraZeneca Canada Gail Klein, Sunnybrook Research Institute Sarah Best, Lawson Research Institute

  14. 2:25 PM

    20 min

    Break

    Break, Networking & Exhibition Hall

  15. 2:45 PM

    45 min

    Talk

    Psilocybin and the Past and Future of Care

    Justin Jennings, Royal Ontario Museum Dr. Claudio Soares, Queen's University Dr. Ishrat Husain, University Health Network

  16. 3:30 PM

    60 min

    Keynote

    UNPLUGGED: An Evening with Shawn Hook

    Shawn Hook

  17. 4:30 PM

    Networking

    CTO 2026 Reception

  1. 7:30 AM

    90 min

    Networking

    Registration, Breakfast & Innovation Showcase

  2. 9:00 AM

    5 min

    Other

    Welcome Remarks

    Susan Marlin, Clinical Trials Ontario

  3. 9:05 AM

    40 min

    Keynote

    KEYNOTE | Smarter, Better, Faster: Trial Innovations from Denmark and the EU

    Dr. Tor Biering-Sørensen

  4. 9:45 AM

    45 min

    Panel

    Unlocking Trial Potential Through Data and Registries

    Dr. Mina Tadrous, University of Toronto Dr. Tor Biering-Sørensen Dr. Beth Potter, University of Ottawa Nicole Yada, VITAL Dr. Christopher J. Yarnell, Scarborough Health Network; University of Toronto

  5. 10:30 AM

    30 min

    Break

    Break, Networking & Exhibition Hall

  6. 11:00 AM

    20 min

    Talk

    Advance Consent for Acute Stroke Trials: Results of a Feasibility Study

    Dr. Michel Shamy, University of Ottawa

  7. 11:20 AM

    40 min

    Panel

    Hot Takes on Life Sciences Sovereignty

    Chris Hannay, The Globe and Mail Rob Henderson, BioTalent Canada Dr. Jason Field, Life Sciences Ontario Cate Murray, Stem Cell Network

  8. 12:00 PM

    30 min

    Talk

    Thanks for the Advice – Now Let's Talk Sovereignty

    Dr. Tibetha Kemble (Stonechild), University of Alberta

  9. 12:30 PM

    60 min

    Break

    Lunch, Networking & Exhibition Hall

  10. 1:30 PM

    40 min

    Panel

    Building a Safer and More Inclusive Clinical Trials Ecosystem

    Dr. Jaris Swidrovich, University of Toronto Dr. Natalie Dayan, McGill University Kim Meeking, Queering Cancer Kearie Daniel, The Black Women's Institute for Health Miranda Miller, Queen's University

  11. 2:10 PM

    50 min

    Fireside chat

    When Less is More: A Participant's Perspective on De-Escalation

    Beth Ciavaglia Dr. Mark Clemons, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

  12. 3:00 PM

    Other

    Closing Remarks & Conference Concludes

Speakers

Plan your trip

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The venue

Hilton Toronto

145 Richmond Street West

Toronto, ON M5H 2L2, Canada

Directions from where you are

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Into Toronto Pearson International Airport · about 20 km from the venue

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