Arthritis Research Canada

What Arthritis Research Canada does

Arthritis Research Canada is a Canadian registered not-for-profit organization (charity) founded in 2000 and headquartered on Yukon Street in Vancouver, British Columbia, that operates as a national hub for clinical arthritis research. Its mission is to improve the lives of people living with arthritis and rheumatic diseases through patient-centered research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care innovation. The organization coordinates work for over 100 scientists, trainees, and staff across five provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia) with joint appointments and research collaborations at nine Canadian universities including the University of British Columbia, McGill University, the University of Calgary, and the University of Waterloo.

The organization delivers a portfolio of research outputs and translational tools rather than commercial products. Core offerings include the Arthritis Research Education Series (20+ webinars and videos on arthritis management topics), The Arthritis Newsletter (a quarterly publication), and clinical programs such as VIVA, a nine-week virtual rehabilitation program for osteoporosis-related spine fractures delivered across four recruitment sites (Vancouver Coastal Health, GERAS Health, Unity Health, and McGill University Health Centre), and REPOSE, an eight-week self-paced online cognitive behavioral therapy program tailored for insomnia in inflammatory rheumatic disease patients. Underlying research technologies include machine learning and mass spectrometry-based proteomics with HuProt antigen-specific immunity arrays for biomarker discovery (notably in sporadic inclusion body myositis), simulation modeling for rural pharmacy access feasibility, and a 21-indicator patient-centered quality dashboard for rheumatoid arthritis care. ChatRheum, a chatbot for rheumatology-related patient questions, extends the digital surface area.

The business model is donation-driven rather than commercial. Arthritis Research Canada reports being funded entirely by donors, with revenue streams spanning individual donations (one-time, monthly giving, gift of securities, legacy giving, personal fundraisers), corporate partnerships (including UBC-spinout Augurex Life Sciences Corp), government grants (a $3 million commitment from the Government of British Columbia was announced at the 2022 ARThritis Soirée, alongside a 2014 government commitment also reported at $3 million), and signature event fundraising (the ARThritis Soirée raised over $3.375M in 2022; the MOVE Challenge drives community fitness fundraising). No products or services are priced; instead, the patient advisory board (APAB) embeds people living with arthritis into study design, and multi-stakeholder partnerships — including Indigenous community partners Siksika Nation, Kainai First Nation, Otipemisiwak Métis Government, and Elbow River Healing Lodge — extend the addressable population.

Name

Arthritis Research Canada

Legal name

Arthritis Research Canada

Website

https://arthritisresearch.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Arthritis Research Canada is a Canadian not-for-profit clinical research organization coordinating over 100 scientists across five provinces to produce patient-centered arthritis research, digital health tools, and education programs funded entirely through donations, government grants, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Health Care and Social Assistance (62)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Real-World Data (RWD) / Real-World Evidence (RWE) & Observational Research Platforms (HLACAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) & Digital Rehabilitation Platforms (HLALABAK), Digital Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy Therapeutics (HLACANAJ), Rheumatology Telemedicine Platforms (HLALAGAG)

Keywords

• Clinical arthritis research
• Rheumatic disease research
• Patient-centered research
• Biomarker discovery research
• Virtual rehabilitation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Arthritis Research Canada is funded entirely by donors. Individual donors contribute through one-time donations, monthly giving programs, giving in honour or memory of loved ones, creating personal fundraisers, and donating securities.
2. Government Grants: Government funding, such as the $3 million announced by the Government of British Columbia at the ARThritis Soirée in 2022, represents a significant institutional funding stream.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships and partnerships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Augurex Life Sciences Corp (a UBC-spinout focused on arthritis biomarker research), provide organizational support and funding.
4. Legacy Giving: Bequests and planned giving through wills, allowing donors to make transformative gifts that support long-term research sustainability.
5. Event Fundraising: Signature fundraising events such as the annual ARThritis Soirée and the MOVE Challenge generate direct donations and community engagement, with the Soirée raising over $3.375 million in its 2022 edition.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Arthritis Research Canada conducts clinical research on arthritis and rheumatic diseases, develops practical tools and treatments through patient-centered studies, and translates findings into educational resources. The organization operates intervention programs including virtual rehabilitation (VIVA), online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (REPOSE), and a chatbot (ChatRheum), alongside an education series and quarterly newsletter.

Product overview

Arthritis Research Canada operates as a not-for-profit clinical research organization dedicated to arthritis research. Its product portfolio consists of educational and research-focused offerings rather than commercial software products. The core offerings include the Arthritis Research Education Series (webinars and videos on arthritis management topics), The Arthritis Newsletter (quarterly publication), and various research programs including VIVA (virtual rehabilitation for spine fractures), ChatRheum (a chatbot for rheumatology questions), and REPOSE (online CBT for insomnia management). The organization also maintains a broad research portfolio spanning arthritis care, prevention, treatments, and innovative research methods, with patient involvement through the Arthritis Patient Advisory Board.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VIVA (Virtual Intervention for Vertebral fracture) A virtual rehabilitation program for people who have had a spine fracture, involving weekly virtual 1-on-1 sessions covering pain management, safe movement, exercise, and nutrition over nine weeks.
• REPOSE (TailoRing Internet-Delivered CBT for Insomnia) An online cognitive behavioral therapy program adapted for individuals with inflammatory rheumatic diseases to help manage insomnia, offered as an eight-week self-paced intervention.
• ChatRheum A chatbot being developed for answering rheumatology-related questions, designed to provide accessible information to patients about arthritis and related conditions.
• Arthritis Research Education Series A series of educational webinars, videos, and resources translating research findings on arthritis into practical guidance on managing pain, protecting mental health, staying employed, and related topics.
• The Arthritis Newsletter A quarterly newsletter sharing the latest advances in arthritis research alongside lived experiences of patients, written in an accessible voice.

Quantifiable outcome

• The ARThritis Soirée raised over $3.375 million in total to support arthritis research efforts.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• BC Cancer FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHannah Hashimoto, Director of Development at Arthritis Research Canada, previously served as Director of Development Operations at the BC Cancer Foundation, overseeing Campaign & Development Operations during the Foundation's $500 million province-wide fundraising campaign. This prior role reflects an interchange of professional talent between healthcare-focused not-for-profits in British Columbia.
• University of British ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore academic partner hosting Arthritis Research Canada's headquarters and multiple research projects including pharmacy model studies, VIVA virtual rehabilitation, knee osteoarthritis and running research, and EDI in arthritis research. Multiple researchers hold joint appointments including Nick Bansback (School of Population and Public Health), Wei Zhang (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences), and Raheem Kherani.
• University of CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey academic partner hosting researchers including Claire Barber, Cheryl Barnabe, and Glen Hazlewood. Collaborates on rheumatoid arthritis quality care frameworks, shared decision-making studies for Indigenous patients, and rheumatoid arthritis treatment research.
• McGill UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaborator hosting Susan Bartlett (Professor of Medicine) and Deborah Da Costa (scientist at Research Institute, MUHC). Partners on mental health and arthritis research, anxiety/depression studies, and osteoporosis rehabilitation through the McGill University Health Centre site for the VIVA study.
• University of WaterloocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for the VIVA virtual rehabilitation study (led by Lora Marie Giangregorio) and pharmacy model research (Feng Chang, William Wong). Provides research infrastructure across multiple arthritis care and rehabilitation studies.
• Osteoporosis CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in the VIVA virtual rehabilitation study for spine fractures, with Sheila Brien (Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network) and Larry Funnell contributing expertise as patient partners and co-investigators. Collaborates on bridging osteoporosis and arthritis research for integrated patient care.
• BC Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing $3 million in funding at the 2022 ARThritis Soirée and collaborating on pharmacy model feasibility research with I fan Kuo (Senior Director, Special Authority, Optimal Use and Evaluation) as co-investigator on the pharmacy access simulation study.
• GERAS HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOntario-based healthcare partner participating as one of four recruitment sites for the VIVA virtual rehabilitation study, alongside Unity Health (Ontario) and McGill University Health Centre (Quebec).
• Unity Health (Ontario)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOntario-based healthcare network participating as one of four recruitment sites for the VIVA virtual rehabilitation study for spine fractures, working with Arthritis Research Canada researchers on patient outcomes.
• Siksika NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations community partner in the Indigenous Inflammatory Arthritis Prevention and Treatment approaches for Health Equity (IIA-PATH) project. Represented by Cheryl Sorenson (Siksika Nation Home Care Team leader) and Charlene Brough (Siksika Nation Nursing Advisor). Research agreements in place to address OCAP principles (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession).
• Kainai First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations community partner in the IIA-PATH project, represented by Dr. Terri-Lynn Fox (a person living with rheumatoid arthritis, Assistant Professor at Mount Royal University in Indigenous studies, and Director of the Wellness Program for Kainai Nation). Dr. Fox serves as co-principal investigator.
• Elbow River Healing LodgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban Indigenous clinic in downtown Calgary partner in shared decision-making research for Indigenous rheumatoid arthritis patients, represented by Danene Lenstra (Manager). Collaborates on adapting decision aids for Indigenous patient settings.
• Otipemisiwak Métis GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMétis government partner in the IIA-PATH project for inflammatory arthritis prevention and treatment in Indigenous communities, represented by Reagan Bartel (Director of Health). Contributes to community-led research governance.
• Augurex Life Sciences CorpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBC-spinout biotechnology company founded by Norma Biln (Board Director at Arthritis Research Canada), focused on arthritis biomarker research and clinical diagnostics for autoimmune conditions. Recognized by LifeSciences BC as the 2024 Emerging Company of the Year. Augurex has pursued doctoral research in reducing diagnostic delay in rheumatology, directly aligned with Arthritis Research Canada's mission.
• Vancouver Coastal HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional health authority partner collaborating on the REPOSE study (online CBT for insomnia in inflammatory arthritis), with Patricia Patrick serving as a study contact. Provides clinical research infrastructure for patient recruitment and study conduct.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Osteoporosis Canada: Canadian non-profit focused on osteoporosis, already a core ARC partner on the VIVA vertebral fracture study. Comparable in patient-centered research, education series, and Canadian charitable funding model, with overlapping musculoskeletal scope.

Others

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS): US NIH institute funding musculoskeletal and skin disease research. Comparable in disease focus and research-funding role, though operates as a federal research agency rather than a non-profit, and is a potential collaborator/funder rather than direct competitor.
• CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis: Canadian Institutes of Health Research institute supporting musculoskeletal and arthritis research nationally. Directly comparable in Canadian arthritis research focus, but functions as a federal grant-funding agency rather than a non-profit research organization.

Broad incumbents

• American College of Rheumatology: The largest US professional society for rheumatologists, supporting research, training, and clinical guidelines. Comparable as the broader institutional ecosystem in which ARC operates, but operates as a professional membership organization rather than a research charity.

Direct peers

• National Psoriasis Foundation: US non-profit funding psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research with patient programs and advocacy. Comparable as a single-disease autoimmune research charity operating with a donation-funded model.
• Lupus Research Alliance: US-based non-profit funding lupus research with a similar patient-engaged research model. Comparable as a single-disease autoimmune research charity with a donor-funded model and clinical research portfolio.
• Spondylitis Association of America: US non-profit focused on ankylosing spondylitis and related spondyloarthritis conditions. Directly comparable in disease sub-focus (one of ARC's specific conditions) and in patient-engaged research support, though smaller in scale.
• Arthritis Foundation (US): The leading US arthritis non-profit, funding research and patient advocacy at national scale. Comparable in disease focus, patient-centered programs, and research funding model, but operates at materially larger scale and accesses larger US philanthropic and NIH funding pools.
• The Arthritis Society (Canada): The largest Canadian charitable organization dedicated to arthritis, funding research and providing patient programs. Most directly comparable to ARC as a Canadian arthritis-focused non-profit, though The Arthritis Society has a broader mission spanning advocacy, patient programs, and research funding.
• Versus Arthritis (UK): The UK's largest arthritis charity, formed from the merger of Arthritis Research UK and Arthritis Care. Directly comparable disease focus and research-funding model, with deeper integration of research, care, and policy functions in a single national organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Arthritis_ARC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ArthritisResearch
• Facebookfacebook.com/arthritisarc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arthritis-research-centre-of-canada
• Instagraminstagram.com/arthritisresearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Arthritis Research Canada