About Us
Headquartered in Toronto and embedded within Unity Health Toronto and the Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN), SPHERE brings sponsors direct access to one of North America's most productive clinical research ecosystems — with established investigator relationships across every major academic health centre in the city and a regulatory team fluent in Health Canada requirements and Canadian data infrastructure.
Our roots in academic medicine are not our pitch — they are our standard. Founded as the Applied Health Research Centre (AHRC) at St. Michael's Hospital in 2009 and designated an Ontario SPOR Support Unit Research Centre, we have built a track record of over 650 peer-reviewed publications, including original articles in the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and JAMA.
Our Vision
Transforming healthcare through integrated, full spectrum research services.
Our Mission
Deliver world-class, comprehensive and customized research services to the global health science community to accelerate improvements in health outcomes, through scientific excellence, meaningful partnerships, and evidence-based inclusive approaches, across the full continuum of health research.
Provide health researchers with expertise in diverse and innovative, evidence-based research methodologies, patient engagement, and technological solutions across all stages of the research process, from protocol development to knowledge mobilization.
Our Values
Scientific integrity
Uphold the highest standards of scientific rigour, quality, and ethical practices in all aspects of the research process.
Operational excellence
Continuously evaluate and enhance research processes, models, and workflows to respond to the evolving needs of the health research community and ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and viability.
Reach
Foster deep partnerships and integrated collaboration across the health research sector locally, nationally, and internationally.
Access and partnership
Advance equitable access to research participation, resources, and benefits, ensuring authentic partnerships across all communities we support.
Innovation
Offer cutting-edge research tools, technologies, processes, methodologies and evidence-based solutions to clients.
Belonging
Promote an inclusive, respectful, and empowered environment where all staff feel valued, supported, and inspired to thrive.
