Dr. Paul Keown of Delta awarded for decades of pioneering work in clinical trials and transplant medicine, setting new standards in patient care and research.
Recognizing a Lifelong Advocate in Clinical Trials
Dr. Paul Anthony Keown, a distinguished physician from Delta, B.C., has been named the recipient of the 2025 Clinical Trials BC Leadership and Advocacy Award. Presented by Clinical Trials BC, a division of Health Research BC, the award honours individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing clinical trial research, mentorship, and innovation across British Columbia and Canada.
Breakthrough Work in Organ Transplantation
Keown has dedicated over four decades to research in immunology, precision medicine, and organ transplant compatibility. His work has focused on improving the success rates of transplant surgeries by using genetic and immunologic data to more accurately match organs with recipients. His leadership has contributed to a significant decline in organ rejection rates in B.C.
From Global Training to B.C. Leadership
After completing medical and scientific training in the U.K., France, and Ontario, Keown moved to Vancouver where he played a pivotal role in developing B.C.’s multi-organ transplant programs. His early positions included executive director of BC Transplant and president of the Canadian Society of Transplantation, roles that established him as a national leader in the field.
Advancing Trial Standards and Safety
Keown led one of B.C.’s first proteomics-based clinical trials in Victoria, examining protein indicators of transplant rejection. The trial unit became the province’s first to be certified under Good Clinical, Laboratory, and Manufacturing Practices—essential standards that safeguard trial quality and patient safety.
Strengthening Research Through Industry Partnerships
In 1995, Keown founded Syreon Corporation, a Vancouver-based clinical research organization. The company, launched from UBC’s Discovery Parks Program, bridges academic and industry-led research and continues to employ B.C.-based researchers and clinicians. Under his guidance, it has supported dozens of groundbreaking studies with global reach.
Launching a World-First in Epitope Matching
This summer, Keown will lead the world’s first clinical trial using “epitope matching”—a method that identifies ultra-precise protein matches between donor organs and recipients. The goal: to eliminate the need for lifelong immunosuppressive drugs in transplant patients. Backed by Genome BC, Genome Canada, and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, the trial marks a new era in transplant science.
A Legacy of Mentorship and Innovation
Keown is celebrated not only for his research but for mentoring emerging talent in medicine and biostatistics. He remains active on numerous international boards and continues to advocate for evidence-based practices. “This award is a great honour,” he said. “To have it conferred by colleagues and friends of many years is wonderful. I’m delighted.”
