3 minute read
Cementing Canada’s leadership
B.C. investment, innovation part of national sector strategy
FRANÇOIS-PHILLIPPE CHAMPAGNE
Canada’s life sciences sector has a long and impressive history of international leadership. From the invention of the world’s first pacemaker, to discovering insulin, to first identifying stem cells – the list goes on. We have world-leading health institutions and incubators, recognized leadership in pharmaceuticals and medical devices and thriving expertise clusters – especially here in B.C.
However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our biopharmaceutical industry was not equipped to provide the large-scale and flexible capacity Canada needed to produce vaccines domestically. As such, our focus was on procuring shots and getting them into Canadian arms. Since that time, thanks to coordinated efforts among so many committed partners, Canada can boast one of the most diverse COVID-19 vaccine portfolios in the world. Not only that, we are leading the world in vaccination rates.
The contributions of B.C.’s life sciences community to these achievements were monumental, like AbCellera Biologics’ research on antibodies, and I am most grateful to all our partners here who have helped make this possible.
But the pandemic isn’t over yet; in fact, it is anticipated that the frequency of pandemics involving novel pathogens may increase over time. So we know we have more work to do to ensure Canadians remain protected from future health threats.
At the same time, there will likely be an increased global demand for vaccines and therapeutics. There is a real and immediate opportunity here to establish Canada’s leadership in the global biopharmaceutical industry and we are seizing it – not only to protect the long-term health and safety of Canadians, but also to create good jobs, and help people around the world. It’s a win-win… win!
That’s why our government introduced a national Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy during the summer of 2021. Developed in partnership with stakeholders, the strategy is actively supporting the growth of a strong, competitive Canadian life sciences sector with cutting-edge biomanufacturing capabilities. We are investing across technology platforms all over the country and ensuring our investments secure access to vaccines, therapies and other innovative medicines for Canadians, but also connect us to global market opportunities.
Only one year in, and we are already seeing fantastic results. We have successfully supported projects that are adding capacity across a range of vaccine platforms and production processes – like RNA vaccine development and production, protein-based vaccines, viral vector manufacturing capacity and new fill-and-finish capabilities.
In all, our government has invested $1.8 billion in dozens of projects across the country, many of which are in B.C. Just this past March, for example, we provided more than $90 million to adMare Bioinnovations – a Vancouver non-profit that will use the money to advance new health and pharmaceutical research and development projects, create and scale-up Canadian life sciences companies, support post-doctoral fellowship and undergrad training programs and more.
Because it is crucial to find short-term solutions that also have long-lasting positive impacts, we are ensuring Canada is prepared for future health emergencies, but also going beyond: By supporting cutting-edge research, building critical infrastructure and fostering a lasting talent pipeline, we are establishing a life sciences sector in this country that is strong, growing and world leading.
Brick-by-brick, we are putting foundations back in place that will help Canada remain open to the world during pandemic and non-pandemic times. Together, we are creating a future in which Canada leads in preventing, treating and curing all kinds of illness and disease.
Given how far we have progressed in such a short time, I am confident that made-in-Canada ingenuity and innovation will cement lasting global leadership – with B.C.’s life sciences community helping us lead the way. ç
François-Philippe Champagne is the federal minister of innovation, science and industry.
