ACCESS-ACCES

What ACCESS-ACCES does

ACCESS (Accelerating Childhood Cancer Experience, Science & Survivorship) is a federally and philanthropically funded non-profit research network established in 2022 and headquartered at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, Canada. ACCESS serves as Canada's national coordination mechanism for pediatric cancer research, linking all 16 Canadian pediatric cancer centres (including BC Children's, Alberta Children's, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal Children's, and CHEO), more than 30 academic and research institutions, patient advocacy organizations, and a Persons With Lived Experience (PWLE) Network that embeds patients, survivors, and families into governance and decision-making. The network's stated beneficiaries are the approximately 1,500 children and adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer each year in Canada and the estimated 10,000 children currently living with cancer, with a particular focus on the under-15% survival rate for refractory/relapsed/metastatic disease and the over-80% of adult survivors who experience long-term detrimental effects.

ACCESS operates seven interconnected research themes and a portfolio of programs: PROFYLE (PRecision Oncology For Young peopLE), a national precision oncology initiative performing molecular profiling via next-generation sequencing (DNA/RNA, matched germline, proteomics) on tumors from patients aged 0–29 years, with disclosed impact on management decisions for roughly one in four profiled patients; Driver Projects (network-led initiatives spanning at least three research themes); the STEP-1 Program supporting national access to academic clinical trials; the PWLE Subsidy Program funding lived-experience representatives to attend conferences and learning opportunities; the ACCESS Presents educational series; and the Patient and Family Engagement programs. The network is led by Co-Chairs Drs. David Malkin and James Whitlock (pediatric oncology leaders at SickKids) and parent advocate Adrienne Co-Dyre, with a distributed Senior Leadership Committee providing regional representation across all Canadian provinces plus a member-at-large and PWLE seats, and an External Advisory Board including international pediatric oncology leaders Dr. Gilles Vassal (Chair of ITCC and ACCELERATE), Dr. Pamela Kearns, Dr. Elaine Mardis, Dr. Stephen Robbins, and Ms. Nicole Scobie.

ACCESS does not sell products or services and runs on grant and philanthropic inflows rather than commercial revenue. The funding base is anchored by a CAD $30 million federal government commitment announced in 2021 (described as the largest pediatric cancer investment in Canadian history) and a CAD $23 million Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) team-grant awarded in 2022 to establish the consortium, supplemented by multi-foundation philanthropic support (Sarah's Fund for Cedars, Kindred Foundation, Charles-Bruneau Foundation, Childhood Cancer Canada) and corporate philanthropy (Hyundai Hope on Wheels announced over $4.1 million commitment in 2026). Day-to-day operations are run from a small secretariat of approximately six staff at SickKids, with research and program execution distributed across the partner institutions. Governance and GTM motion are community-led, with the Persons With Lived Experience Network providing advocacy development, learning opportunities, and ongoing communication, and subsidized participation in workshops, seminars, conferences, and educational opportunities.

Name

ACCESS-ACCES

Legal name

ACCESS

Website

https://accessforkidscancer.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ACCESS-ACCES is a Toronto-based, federally funded pan-Canadian pediatric cancer research network coordinating all 16 Canadian pediatric cancer centres, researchers, clinicians, and a Persons With Lived Experience Network to advance precision oncology (via the PROFYLE program), clinical-trial access, and survivorship care for children and families affected by cancer.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cancer Research Network

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAMABAL

Health & Support Communities

Business & Public Services/Web, Mobile & Digital Platforms/Social Networks & Online Communities

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer research
• Childhood cancer network
• Precision oncology
• Clinical trial infrastructure
• Cancer survivorship research

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Primary funding from Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and federal government. In 2021, federal government committed $30 million for pediatric cancer research. In 2022, CIHR launched a $23 million team-grant opportunity supporting the national pediatric cancer consortium.
2. Foundation and Philanthropic Funding: Funding from charitable foundations including Sarah's Fund for Cedars and other pediatric cancer research foundations across Canada.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Hyundai Hope on Wheels announced over $4.1 million commitment in 2026 with dedicated funds to clinical trials and access programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ACCESS is a national pan-Canadian research network that coordinates pediatric cancer research, precision oncology, clinical trial access, and survivorship programs across all 16 Canadian pediatric cancer centres. The network integrates persons with lived experience with researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, and partner organizations to advance pediatric cancer experience, science and survivorship. Core activities include molecular profiling (PROFYLE), clinical trial support (STEP-1), educational programming, and patient advocacy initiatives, all delivered free of charge.

Product overview

ACCESS is a national pediatric cancer research network, not a product company. The organization operates as a coordinated network offering multiple programs including PROFYLE (a precision oncology program for molecular profiling), Driver Projects (network-led research initiatives), ACCESS Presents (educational sessions), the Persons With Lived Experience Network (patient community), PWLE Subsidy Program (grants for patient education), and STEP-1 Program Support (clinical trial access). These offerings collectively form a community-driven, networked approach to advancing childhood cancer research and care in Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PRecision Oncology For Young peopLE (PROFYLE) National precision oncology program that conducts molecular profiling using next-generation sequencing on tumors from children, adolescents, and young adults (0-29 years) to identify individualized treatment options. Results and recommendations have directly impacted patient management decisions for almost 1 in 4 patients.
• Driver Projects Network-led research initiatives that address broader pediatric cancer community needs, support at least three ACCESS research themes, include knowledge mobilization activities, and adhere to Social Justice, Indigenization & Inclusion Committee best practices.
• ACCESS Presents Free educational sessions hosted throughout the year featuring experts in pediatric cancer research, innovation, and care. Sessions are recorded and made available publicly online.
• Persons With Lived Experience (PWLE) Network A community network connecting individuals directly affected by pediatric cancer to drive improvements through research, policies, practices, and programs. Offers advocacy development, learning opportunities, and ongoing communication, with subsidies to attend workshops, seminars, conferences, and educational opportunities.
• STEP-1 Program Support National expansion initiative supporting pediatric patients and families to access academic clinical trials across Canada.
• PWLE Subsidy Program Subsidies offered to Persons With Lived Experience to offset costs for attending workshops, seminars, conferences, and single courses related to childhood cancer learning opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Results and recommendations from PROFYLE have directly impacted patient management decisions for almost 1 in 4 patients
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• AC2ORN (Advocacy for Canadian Childhood Oncology Research Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy organization co-founded by ACCESS leadership. Partners on patient advocacy initiatives and childhood cancer research policy.
• POGO (Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOntario-based non-profit working to ensure children affected by cancer have access to best care through programs, services, and advocacy.
• BioCanRxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network supporting development and translation of cancer biotherapies, including immunotherapies and cellular therapies.
• Terry Fox Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided catalytic funding for PROFYLE program in 2017. Partners on precision oncology initiatives and Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network.
• Childhood Cancer CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational foundation creating victories for children with cancer through research investment, education, and community programs.
• AYA CanmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on adolescents and young adults with cancer, providing advocacy and support.
• Helena's HopemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient advocacy organization focused on access to innovative treatments and pediatric cancer policy. Key partner in federal funding advocacy.
• C17 CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPan-Canadian non-profit representing pediatric hematology-oncology centres across Canada. ACCESS works with C17 on clinical trials and care standardization.
• The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACCESS secretariat is hosted at SickKids. Major PROFYLE partner and one of Canada's leading pediatric cancer research institutions.
• Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research institute supporting ACCESS through Executive Director's role as Head of Implementation Science.
• McGill University and Centre of Genomics & PolicymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research expertise in genomics, policy, and ethics through faculty members leading key research themes.
• University of British ColumbiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with strong pediatric cancer research program at BC Children's Hospital, including PROFYLE activities.
• ITCC (Innovative Therapies for Childhood Cancer)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network co-founded by ACCESS Co-Lead Dr. Gilles Vassal, driving innovative cancer therapies for children internationally.
• ACCELERATEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational platform chaired by Dr. Gilles Vassal driving innovative cancer therapies, with membership including ACCESS leadership.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Major US pediatric cancer research charity funding grants, clinical trials, and researcher training. Comparable as a national pediatric cancer research funding organization with similar mission and beneficiary population.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: Non-profit that accelerates pediatric cancer research through funding, advocacy, and clinical trial support. Comparable mission and operating model to ACCESS's research-coordination role.
• Children's Oncology Group: The world's largest pediatric cancer research network, running cooperative-group clinical trials across North America (including Canadian sites). Directly comparable to ACCESS in mission and model: multi-institution coordination, clinical trials, and pediatric oncology research.
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Non-profit that funds childhood cancer research through grants to researchers and institutions. Comparable in mission, funder-network model, and beneficiary population.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: US-based non-profit that funds pediatric cancer research and supports the Children's Oncology Group. Directly comparable in role as a research funder/convener for the pediatric cancer community, analogous to ACCESS's funding-brokerage function.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: US non-profit funding pediatric cancer research through collaborative institutional partnerships. Comparable as a multi-institution research funding/coordination entity focused exclusively on pediatric oncology.
• Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation: Foundation funding pediatric cancer research at leading institutions and supporting emerging investigators. Comparable in scale and operating model as a research-grant-making body.
• American Childhood Cancer Organization: US national grassroots organization supporting children with cancer and survivors, including research advocacy and family support. Comparable community-advocacy and family-support role to ACCESS's PWLE Network.

Emerging players

• Hyundai Hope on Wheels: Corporate philanthropic program funding pediatric cancer research; committed $4.1M to ACCESS in 2026. Adjacent/comparable as a major funder of pediatric cancer research in North America, though not itself a research network.

Broad incumbents

• Stand Up To Cancer: Large-scale cancer research funding collaborative supporting multi-institution 'Dream Teams.' Comparable as a high-profile research-funding consortium, though broader in scope (all cancers, all ages) than ACCESS's pediatric focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0SYgen8vfGlXtikQ8xtQ6A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/access-acces
• Instagraminstagram.com/access_acces

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACCESS-ACCES