Grand Challenges Canada Thanks Government of Canada for Continued Support of Breakthrough Solutions in Global Health

OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - April 21, 2015) - Grand Challenges Canada today commended the Government of Canada's sustained leadership on solving global health challenges through innovation, including maternal, newborn and child health, reaffirmed in the federal budget for 2015 tabled by the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Joe Oliver.

Grand Challenges Canada is honoured that the Government of Canada will provide $22.8 million in 2016-17 to continue supporting innovative and promising projects in global health. This support will help stimulate breakthrough solutions with the potential to significantly impact the lives of millions in the developing world, and ensure that mothers and children survive and thrive by enabling Grand Challenges Canada to continue its partnerships.

The support of the federal government will also enable Grand Challenges Canada to continue the legacy of its founding Chairman, Mr. Joseph L. Rotman, OC. Earlier this year, Mr. Rotman, passed away. He had played a pivotal role in the success of the organization, and was a strong proponent of the power of integrating science, technology, social and business innovation to generate long-lasting impact in global health, to save and improve the lives of the world's poorest. His visionary leadership has transformed Canada's role in the field of global health and international development.

Since its launch in 2010, Grand Challenges Canada has supported more than 700 innovations, implemented in over 80 countries, and has leveraged $269 million in additional funding from outside the Government of Canada, including significant private sector investment. These investments are producing results: over 3.7 million people have been reached and 145,000 lives have been saved or improved.

Dr. Peter A. Singer, Chief Executive Officer of Grand Challenges Canada, said, "We thank the Government of Canada for its continued support and we look forward to working with the government and our partners to make sure that Canada can continue to lead on innovation in maternal, newborn and child health, Canada's top development priority, unlocking the potential of developing countries, and stimulating economic growth and employment."

About Grand Challenges Canada
Grand Challenges Canada is dedicated to supporting Bold Ideas with Big Impact^® in global health. We are funded by the Government of Canada. We fund innovators in low- and middle-income countries and Canada. Grand Challenges Canada works with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and other global health foundations and organizations to find sustainable, long-term solutions through Integrated Innovation^® -- bold ideas that integrate science, technology, social and business innovation. Grand Challenges Canada is hosted at the Sandra Rotman Centre.
www.grandchallenges.ca