CHUM Becomes the Second Site Worldwide to Be Activated for an AstraZeneca Sepsis Study

The team led by Dr. Han Ting Wang at Santé Québec – Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) became the second site worldwide to be activated for AstraZeneca’s Phase IIa clinical trial in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury. Thanks to the collaboration of all partners and the support of the FAST TRACK Evaluation Service, CHUM obtained authorization for the SERENIA study in 9.8 weeks and was activated in 10.8 weeks.

Two other healthcare institutions were also activated for this study through the FAST TRACK Evaluation Service. Santé Québec – CHU de Québec – Université Laval obtained authorization in 9 weeks and was activated in 12.8 weeks. Santé Québec Chaudière-Appalaches obtained authorization in 11.8 weeks and was activated in 15.2 weeks.

This coordinated effort among teams helps accelerate access to innovative treatments for people across Quebec.

Excellence in Intensive Care Driven by Research at CHUM

Dr. Han Ting Wang is an intensivist and professor in the Department of Medicine at CHUM. He has recognized expertise in intensive care medicine, particularly in the management of older adults in highly vulnerable situations. As a researcher at the CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM), he contributes to several large-scale international clinical trials aimed at improving intensive care practices.

This expertise is supported by a highly innovative clinical and research environment. CHUM is particularly recognized for integrating artificial intelligence into the prediction, diagnosis, and treatment of complex diseases. By combining clinical data, research, and cutting-edge technologies, CHUM promotes the adoption of best practices for the benefit of patients.

An Investigational Treatment Aimed at Reducing Sepsis-Related Damage

AstraZeneca’s SERENIA study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of an investigational treatment in adults recently hospitalized with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury.

Sepsis is an excessive inflammatory response triggered by an infection that can damage multiple vital organs, including the kidneys. It is a major medical emergency: 30% to 50% of affected individuals die from the condition¹. In Canada, an estimated one in every 18 deaths is associated with sepsis². At the current time, management of patients largely relies on supportive care to maintain vital organ function, as well as the rapid administration of antibiotics to treat the underlying infection.

The investigational treatment is designed to directly reduce excessive inflammation during sepsis. By limiting this inflammatory response, the therapy may help preserve organ function and ultimately reduce mortality. Treatment efficacy will be assessed through blood and urine analyses to monitor kidney function over time. The study plans to enroll 124 participants worldwide.

A Strategic Lever to Accelerate Health Innovation

These results are part of the overall performance of the FAST TRACK Evaluation Service, whose median authorization and activation timelines rank among the fastest in Canada. They reflect the strong commitment of healthcare institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and CATALIS teams to positioning Quebec as a preferred environment for rapid clinical trial start-up.

Thanks to this collective effort, CATALIS and its Network of partners are proud to drive innovation in clinical research and to reduce authorization timelines for privately funded clinical trials by more than 65% compared to those conducted outside the FAST TRACK Evaluation Service, thereby accelerating the development of, and access to, innovative treatments for patients.

CATALIS would like to thank all its public and private partners for their trust, their contribution to the development of innovative approval processes, and their commitment to implementing accelerated clinical trials in Quebec.

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