The Viscogliosi Molecular Genetics Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Disorders of the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre is among the winners of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada 2012 Premio Venezia. The Chamber recognizes annually the excellence in partnerships between Italy and Québec in various sectors of activity, including human health.
The laboratory, directed by professor Alain Moreau, was chosen for the quality, the scope and the innovative partnership between Québec and Italy in researches on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, which affects 4 % of the Québec population, osteoarthritis, which affects one in 10 Canadians, and bone cancers, the fourth most common cancer for people under the age of 25.
In light of the considerable progress the team has made in testing and clinical treatments for pediatric scoliosis, several business partners have expressed interest in the manufacturing and marketing of screening tests for Canada, Italy and the rest of the world.