Results of the Cancer Research UK Biology to Prevention Award Competition

In February 2026, the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) launched its new strategic roadmap for the next five years. A key pillar of this strategy is our commitment to stopping cancer before it starts. We know biology, behaviours and environment all play a significant role in cancer risk, and that prevention is one of the most powerful ways to save lives. To advance this priority and accelerate impact, CCS has partnered with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) to invest in prevention research.

The goal of the Biology to Prevention Award is to support projects harnessing biological and mechanistic insights to provide new targets and approaches for cancer primary prevention.

Learn more about the program here.

Grants funded by CCS in partnership with:

This funding opportunity was led by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) in partnership with CCS through CRUK’s broader Biology to Prevention Award competition. Applications for co-funding are expected to be true, and where possible equal, intellectual partnerships between established UK and Canada-based lead applicants.

Through this partnership, 2 grants were jointly funded by Cancer Research UK and the Canadian Cancer Society for a total CCS investment of nearly $1.9M to support UK- and Canada-based teams. CCS funds will directly support the Canada-based joint lead applicant(s).

Dr Stephanie Xie
Dr Michael Pollack

Further cycles for the Biology to Prevention Award are ongoing:

Cycle 3 – Review ongoing

Cycle 4 – Open for applications fall 2026

Please note, the dollar amounts listed below represent the CCS portion of these funds that will directly support the Canada-based joint lead applicant. Further, although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the grant recipient list, this list does not include an “official” notification. Successful applications have been informed, in writing, with an official Notification of Award giving the details pertaining to their grant.

Studying existing drugs that may help prevent cancer

Dr Michael Pollak | Canada-based Principal Investigator, Jewish General Hospital - Montréal, QC
Dr Karen Brown | UK-based Principal Investigator, University of Leicester – Leicester, UK

CCS Funding Amount:	$ 864,000
Grant Duration:	2026-2029
Research Pillar:	Clinical
Cancer Site:	Breast
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Incretin-mimetic drugs may reduce this risk, but more research is needed to understand how they work and who can benefit most. Dr Michael Pollak, Dr Karen Brown and their teams in Canada and the UK are studying one such drug, tirzepatide, in both lab models and people who are having surgery to treat or prevent breast cancer. The researchers hope to shed new light on whether and how these drugs can help prevent breast and other cancers.

New clonal hematopoiesis treatments to reduce cancer risk

Dr Stephanie Xie | Canada-based Principal Investigator, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre – Toronto, ON
Dr Philip Awadalla | UK-based Principal Investigator, University of Oxford – Oxford, UK

CCS Funding Amount:	$ 1,000,000
Grant Duration:	2026-2030
Research Pillar:	Biomedical
Cancer Site:	Leukemia
Clonal hematopoiesis, a blood condition common with age, obesity or diabetes, can increase the risk of cancer and other health issues. Dr Stephanie Xie, Dr Philip Awadalla and their colleagues in Canada and the UK are studying whether drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists can slow or stabilize clonal hematopoiesis. If successful, their work could lead to new tests, guidelines and treatment options that lower the risk of cancer for people with this condition.