Dr. Angela Cheung Awarded $20M Grant for Long COVID Web

Dr. Angela Cheung, an IHPME faculty member and senior scientist at UHN, was recently awarded a $20M grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The funds will support Long COVID Web, a pan-Canadian research network that “supports and conducts research into the Post-COVID Condition (PCC).” Dr. Cheung co-leads the project with Dr. Adeera Levin (University of British Columbia), Dr. Piush Mandhane (University of Alberta), and Dr. Simon Décary (Université de Sherbrooke).

“I have seen the devastation to peoples’ lives that this virus can bring and am very thankful that the Government of Canada is investing in research to fully understand and treat post COVID-19 condition. As a Network, we will enable Canadian clinicians, researchers and educators to fully understand and recommend treatment options for people who live each day with the effects of post COVID-19 condition. What we will learn here will also help those who live with other post-infectious disease syndromes.” ~ Angela Cheung

“Congratulations to Angela and her co-leads on winning this grant from CIHR,” said IHPME’s Director, Audrey Laporte. “Their work will play an important role in the development of our understanding of long COVID, its symptoms and treatments. And I’m pleased to hear that they are incorporating the voices of those living with long COVID into their work.”

About Long COVID Web

The Long COVID Web network consists of over 300 scientists and has four teams: biomedical, clinical, health services research, and population health. As stated on their website, Long COVID Web “will use existing networks and funded projects across Canada over the next five years to:

1. Improve our understanding of PCC mechanisms; 
2. Identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PCC; 
3. Test novel therapies for PCC treatment; 
4. Look into inequities in racialized and Indigenous populations among those affected by PCC; and
5. Find optimal solutions for PCC patients’ access to care and recovery.”

According to the Government of Canada’s announcement, “The physical and psychological effects of a COVID-19 infection can be long-lasting, as some individuals experience new, persistent, or recurring symptoms for weeks or months after their acute infection. These prolonged symptoms are commonly referred to as post COVID-19 condition (PCC), or long COVID.

Dr. Cheung will work with more than 300 researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience of COVID-19, partners and representatives from Indigenous communities across the country to develop accurate diagnostics, treatments, and rehabilitation strategies for PCC. This work will deliver real and lasting improvements in the lives of those with PCC through evidence-based and standardized clinical practices that will reduce the socioeconomic impact of this disability.”