Major Donation of $1M from the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation

January 30, 2019
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A clinical study aimed at reducing risks of heart attacks and strokes with a low-cost drug derived from a plant

The Montreal Heart Institute is happy to announce a $1,000,000 financial contribution from the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation which will go towards the COLCOT study, currently in progress at the Montreal Heart Institute. This study is aimed at preventing heart attacks, strokes and deaths by developing an accessible and affordable drug from a plant extract.

A Plant That Can Save Lives

The COLCOT clinical study looks into evaluating the benefits of using colchicine as an anti-inflammation drug to prevent heart attacks, strokes and deaths among patients who recently had a heart attack. No other similar project, nationally or internationally, addresses this essential issue among patients who suffered a recent heart attack. This study’s positive results, should they manifest, will once again help the Institute shine in terms of excellence, innovation and medical research.

COLCOT is an acronym for “Colchicine Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial”. Colchicine is a low-cost and readily available drug. Extracted from the autumn crocus, a purplish flower perennial which blooms in fall, colchicine was first used in medicine for its anti-inflammation properties as a treatment for gout. Within the last few years, works have demonstrated the drug’s potential in treating cardiovascular diseases caused by the pro-inflammatory process, mainly on patients suffering from pericarditis.

“The COLCOT clinical study will drive the city’s shining reputation, here and abroad. Reducing heart attacks and strokes with an accessible and affordable drug would lead to fewer hospitalizations and improved quality of life. Our foundation is proud to support a study that has the potential for such an impact and that will confirm the Montreal Heart Institute as a world-class cardiology centre,” said Lino A. Saputo, Jr., President of the Montreal Heart Institute’s Board of Directors. “We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to count on the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation, who believes in this kind of innovative project. We thank their team from the bottom of our heart.”

“What can be more meaningful than supporting a clinical study with such a big social potential! Social innovation, developing medical knowledge and research projects are at the heart of the Foundation’s mission. With this donation, we are proud to continue our partnership with the Montreal Heart Foundation started 40 years ago already,” said Nicole Beaudoin, President of the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation’s Board of Directors.

“Besides testing the drug’s role in reducing inflammation after a heart attack, the COLCOT study also uses precision medicine. We are aiming to identify patients beforehand who would specifically benefit from this anti-inflammatory treatment, with the help of pharmacogenomics, for example, which is the study of genes to understand patient responses and optimize efficiency,” said Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Director at the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation Research Centre.

About the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation

A private foundation established in 1965, the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation helps community, organization and individual development by supporting initiatives that foster social innovation and capacity building. The Foundation is financed by Bombardier Inc., a world leader in the transport industry with a head office in Montreal, and contributes to the company’s social responsibilities realization. With its philanthropic work across Canada, the Foundation has granted around 150 million $ to this day.

The Foundation is also responsible for financing and organizing activities for the Museum of Ingenuity J. Armand Bombardier and the Yvonne L. Bombardier Cultural Centre, located in Valcourt, through which it promotes technology education, academic perseverance, and access to arts and culture. Since 2011, it has taken a central role in Quebec’s philanthropic community by supporting innovation capacity building and management in the non-profit sector with the Philagora program.

About the Montreal Heart Institute

Founded in 1954 by Dr. Paul David, the Montreal Heart Institute constantly aims for the highest standards of excellence in the cardiovascular field through its leadership in clinical and basic research, ultra-specialized care, professional training and prevention. The Montreal Heart Institute is one of the three best cardiology centres in the world. It has the first Prevention Branch in Canada, a cardiovascular genetics centre, and Canada’s first simulation-based education program focused on cardiology. The Institute is affiliated with the Université de Montréal and has more than 2,000 employees, including 225 CMDP doctors and more than 80 researchers. We practise more than 2,300 surgeries each year.

About the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation

Founded in 1977, the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation raises and administers funds to support the Institute’s priority and innovative projects and fight cardiovascular diseases, the world’s number one cause of mortality. Its philanthropic events and the contributions of its donors have enabled this leading cardiovascular health care organization to become the largest cardiac research centre in the country. Since its creation, the Foundation has raised nearly $260 million in donations. Its 27,350 donors helped make important discoveries and support specialists, professionals and researchers of the Institute to provide care at the cutting edge of technology to tens of thousands of patients in Quebec.

From left to right: Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Mélanie La Couture, Lino A. Saputo, Jr., Nicole Beaudoin, Josée Noiseux, Josée Darche