Biotechnology Focus July/August 2013

INSIGHTS FOR THE LIFE SCIENCE INDUSTRY

JULY/AUGUST 2013 VOLUME 16, NUMBER 6

ALBERTA GETS SERIOUS ABOUT INNOVATION

INSIDE:

ABIC 2013

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contents

July/August 2013 – VOLUME 16 – NUMBER 6

gh es

FEATURES 6

8

Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology

16

How a new model for research and innovation is helping Alberta biotech thrive

BY DANIELA FISHER

BY DANIELA FISHER AND SHAWN LAWRENCE

Growing Alberta’s life sciences Q&A with Amanda Stadel, the acting president of BioAlberta

20

Investing in Alberta’s innovation ecosystem

BY MIKE SPEAR

24

AVAC: assisting Alberta’s early stage companies

11

Closing the funding GAPP Promoting genomics through partnerships

BY MANSEL W. GRIFFITHS

26

COMPOSED BY MATTHEW DOERING

28

Saskatchewan’s biosciences Agriculture and more at ABIC 2014

BY AG-WEST BIO

Alberta Innovates Technology Futures With its Microbial Fermentation unit, Tech Futures is helping companies grow their production

SHAWN LAWRENCE

14

Across Canada New trends in crop enhancement technology in bioagriculture

ABIC 2013 Calgary’s poised to host the world’s agro-biotech community for ABIC 2013

The changing face of food safety Is foodborne illness on the rise?

BY AMY NOEL AND ADRIANNA CLAPP

12

Spotlight The next generation of synthetic biology research

COMPILED BY SHAWN LAWRENCE

9

Alberta’s innovation system

Investigating and developing treatments for some of the world’s most threatening viruses

30

The Last Word Canadian agriculture: a driving force for the healthy bioeconomy MURRAY MCLAUGHLIN

www.biotechnologyfocus.ca

July/August 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 3

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

PUBLISHER/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF STAFF WRITERS

Terri Pavelic Shawn Lawrence Daniela Fisher

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Kayla Sippel Anan Rahman

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Amy Noel

Do we need stronger IP protection for our medicines?

The Fraser Institute, an independent public policy think-tank, has released a report recommending that Canada tighten its protection of innovation in the pharmaceutical sector – or else risk losing the benefits of key trade agreements.

The report, called The Trade and Economic Benefits of Enhanced Intellectual Property Protection for Pharmaceuticals in Canada, argues that Canada’s protection of IP in the pharmaceutical industry falls short of international standards and could hinder its ability to negotiate new free trade agreements with the European Union and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

“Pharmaceutical innovators face shorter effective periods of patent protection in Canada, fewer years of data exclusivity, and an unequal court appeal process compared to the property protections available in the United States and European Union,” said Dr. Kristina Lybecker, Fraser Institute senior fellow and associate professor of economics at Colorado College. “By strengthening IP protection, Canada has a greater chance of increasing trade, gaining access to foreign markets, and reducing tariffs and trade barriers.”

The report consists of essays by Lybecker and Dr. Laura Dawson, an international trade specialist and former senior advisor to the U.S. government. In the report, they look at whether the higher costs of medicines that would result from stronger IP protection are outweighed by potential gains from trade and economic growth.

Lybecker argues that enhanced IP protection will strengthen the pharmaceutical industry, and facilitate Canada’s accession to the international trade agreements under negotiation, specifically the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the EU, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).

By increasing Canada’s levels of IP protection for medicines to align with those in other developed nations, Canadians would be provided with non-trade benefits, including reduced legal ambiguity and litigation, greater R&D expenditures, more jobs in the pharma industry, greater pharmaceutical self-sufficiency, improved access to medical innovations, and additional innovation in cutting-edge treatments and therapies.

Dawson calculates that having access to the TPP, for example, could increase Canadian exports by nearly $16 billion, with TPP countries representing a prospective free-trade zone of more than 785 million people and GDP in excess of $26.4 trillion.

“When it comes to CETA and TPP negotiations, the benefits of trade — including annual estimated benefits of nearly $22 billion for Canada — far exceed any increase in health expenditures that might result from bringing Canada’s IP protection regime in line with those in other developed nations,” said Dawson.

“Additionally, strengthening Canadian IP protection for pharmaceutical innovators may also improve Canadian access to future free trade and preferential market access agreements in other regions including Asia and Latin America.”

For the full report, go to www.fraserinstitute.org.

Adrianna Clapp Mansel W. Griffiths Matthew Doering Mike Spear Murray McLaughlin

NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER GRAPHIC DESIGNER CONTROLLER MARKETING MANAGER CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Marcello Sukhdeo Elena Pankova John R. Jones Mary Malofy James Watson circulation@promotive.net Tel: 705-812-0611

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Celine Bak, Analytica Advisors; Rob Henderson, BioTalent Canada; Najla Guthrie, KGK Synergize; Pierre Bourassa, IRAP, Montréal; Murray McLaughlin, Sustainable Chemistry Alliance; Carol Reynolds, Wordmark Consulting Group Inc.; Ulli Krull, UTM; John Kelly, Erie Innovation and Commercialization; Peter Pekos, Dalton Pharma Services; Brad Thompson, Oncolytics; Darrell Ethell, CanReg; John Hylton, John H. Hylton & Associates; Robert Foldes, Cognovie Inc.; Randal R.Goodfellow, P.Ag., Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations, Ensyn; Bob H. Sotiriadis, Robic LLP; Dale Patterson, Genome Canada; Darcy Pawlik, Syngenta Seeds Canada Inc; Gail Garland, OBIO; Barry Gee, CDRD; Bonnie Kuehl, Scientific Insights Consulting Group Inc.; Raphael Hofstein, MaRS Innovation Biotechnology Focus is published 10 times per year by Promotive Communications Inc. 24-4 Vata Court, Aurora, Ontario L4G 4B6 Phone 905-727-3875 Fax 905-727-4428 www.biotechnologyfocus.ca E-mail: biotechnology_focus@promotive.net Subscription rate in Canada $35/year; USA $60/year; other countries $100/year. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Publications Mail Registration Number: 40052410 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: circulation dept – 24-4 Vata Court, Aurora, Ontario L4G 4B6 National Library of Canada ISSN 1486-3138 \ All opinions expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or any person or organization associated with the magazine.

If you would like to order hard copy or electronic reprints of articles, contact Sandra Service 905-727-3875 x221 reprints@promotive.net

4 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

FOOD, WATER and ENERGY for a HUNGRY WORLD

The world’s agricultural biotechnology leaders are gathering in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from September 15 -18, 2013. Join them as they give a glimpse into what the future of this technology might hold.

Hear international producers, industry leaders and researchers discuss the current and future impact of agricultural biotechnology on grain, fertilizer, seed, energy and human and animal health. It is 3 days of insightful discussion. Don’t miss a minute!

Register today at abic.ca/abic2013. Call 403-686-8407 for more information.

By Daniela Fisher

VIRAL RESEARCH

Li Ka Shing Institute

R

OF VIROLOGY

esearchers at the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, located at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, AB, tackle some of the world’s most threatening viruses on a daily basis.

Their work into viral diseases such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C has earned the Institute international acclaim, and has established Alberta as a powerhouse for virology research.

The Li Ka Shing Institute emerged three years ago from a confluence of major funding. This included donations of $25 million from the Li Ka Shing (Canada) Foundation and $52.5 million from the Government of Alberta, as well as federal and provincial funding in the form of a Knowledge Infrastructure Program grant, two large infrastructure awards, and an investment from GlaxoSmithKline Inc. The infrastructure awards, grants from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, allowed for top-notch equipment to be installed in the facility.

With this infrastructure in place, Alberta’s virologists and immunologists had a physical space to bring their community together for discovery-based research. The Institute was also able to incorporate researchers from the Alberta Institute for Viral Immunology, the Centre of Excellence for Viral Hepatitis Research and several departments in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

“There had been a good core of virologists here,” says Dr. Lorne Tyrrell, Director of the Li Ka Shing Institute. “But before Mr. Li’s gift, they often worked as individuals. Now, I see more and more teamwork, and people thinking about the possibility of translating and commercialization.”

With over 40 years of experience in virology, Dr. Tyrrell is someone who understands the importance of being able to bring a product to commercialization. His work in the 1980s led to the development and use of lamivudine (3TC) as a treatment for hepatitis B infections.

With two other colleagues (Dr. N. Kneteman and Dr. D. Mercer), he developed the KMT mouse, a transgenic mouse model with a humanized liver that can be infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C or malaria for drug testing and development.

As one of Canada’s most significant contributors to virology research, he is an authority on the global impact viruses have, especially when they become epidemics. One such example is 6 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

influenza: “We’ve seen the epidemics of influenza as they become worldwide pandemics.

There are strains of influenza that continue to worry us if they become easily transmissible, as they have much higher mortality rates and that could have huge impact on the world.”

At the Li Ka Shing Institute, researchers take a broader approach to working on viruses. Not only do they look at how a virus works, they also look at the immune system’s response to the virus and how the virus might be controlled.

“We have to have research programs on viruses and be prepared always to find ways to a) discover new viruses that are causing disease and b) find new ways to control viruses that can spread rapidly around the world,” explains Dr. Tyrrell. Prime examples are HIV-AIDS discovered in the early ‘80s and hepatitis C virus in the late ‘80s.

Their goal is to produce treatments that can be commercialized and brought forward to benefit the public, a meaningful if sometimes slow endeavor. The Institute is also focused on designing drugs for viruses in areas of unmet medical needs.

“We filed eight patents last year in different areas and we’re working on how we bring those forward for commercialization,” says Dr. Tyrrell.

Dr. Tyrrell in the lab with students.

Photo: Karin Fodor Professional Photography.

L to R: Dr. Lorne Tyrrell and Dr. Michael Houghton at the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology. Photo: Karin Fodor Professional Photography.

VIRAL RESEARCH Currently, some of the main research projects include developing a vaccine for hepatitis C, as well as a hepatitis B therapeutic vaccine. Some of the viruses that the Institute’s researchers work on include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, West Nile Virus and influenza, as well as pox and herpes viruses.

In addition, the Li Ka Shing Institute has become a beacon for Alberta’s life sciences sector, attracting internationally-recognized researchers to the province. It boasts an A-team of highly-qualified personnel from across the globe.

One such researcher is Dr. Michael Houghton, who was part of a team that made one of the most significant biomedical discoveries in the past 30 years: the identification of the hepatitis C virus. The discovery dramatically improved the safety of blood transfusions worldwide and paved the way for future advances in treating this viral disease.

Now at the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, he continues his research. Earlier this year, he made significant progress towards a potential vaccine for hepatitis C. Recruiting Dr. Houghton, through the Canada Excellence Research Chair program, was a major coup for the Institute, says Dr. Tyrrell.

“This was a program designed by the federal government to try to bring super stars to facilitate an area where Canada was very good, to make it excellent or world-class,” explains Dr. Tyrrell. “This is exactly what happened with the recruitment of Michael Houghton. He is recognized internationally as one of the very best leaders in viral hepatitis research, and that has brought tremendous profile to the Institute.”

Being able to attract highly-acclaimed researchers and students has helped re-spark Alberta’s life sciences. The allure of working at a world-class facility is bringing students from all around the world. The Institute is also collaborating with other institutions internationally, as viral research is in essence a global activity.

“I think that it’s been very important that we recognize from the very beginning that working together on viral illnesses with other major sites that are working on viruses would be an advantage,” says Dr. Tyrrell. “Viruses are international. I’ve been in the practice of infectious disease a long time, about 40 years, and what I do today is totally different to what I was trained to do

40 years ago, because of the new viruses and new diseases that have been discovered over the last 40 years.”

The Institute has formed international collaborations with leading institutions in China, Germany and the U.S., as well as national collaborations with the University of Calgary, University of Toronto, Memorial University, and UBC. In the future, as the Li Ka Shing Institute continues to attract high-quality personnel to the province, Dr. Tyrrell has high hopes for

Alberta’s biotech sector.

“My vision is that the Institute will be a model of diversification of Alberta’s economy. I really want to see the Li Ka Shing Institute successfully translate and commercialize some products. I think that would help build the biotech industry here.”

To see this story online visit http://biotechnologyfocus. ca/?p=7373

Gowlings scores in life sciences Gowlings is pleased to welcome Brian Kingwell as a partner in the Vancouver office and a member of the firm’s highly respected national life sciences team.

For more than 20 years, Brian has focused his practice on patent prosecution and strategic patent portfolio counseling in the areas of molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering and medical devices. An inventor himself, Brian also advises clients on inventions and designs in industries including technology, biotechnology, and oil and gas.

Brian has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and was selected to appear in IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners 2013. He was also named Best Lawyers’ 2012 Vancouver Biotechnology Law Lawyer of the Year.

Great talent chooses Gowlings.

gowlings.com

montréal • ottawa • toronto • hamilton • waterloo region • calgary • vancouver • beijing • moscow • london

July/August 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 7

Compiled by Shawn Lawrence

BIOALBERTA

As part of our special issue spotlighting biotechnology in Alberta, Biotechnology Focus recently sat down with Amanda Stadel, acting president BioAlberta, to discuss the state of the local industry and where it ranks as a priority sector for investment and industry growth in Alberta.

& QA

Biotechnology Focus: Can you tell us a bit about BioAlberta, how it has evolved and some of its current activities?

It all adds up to a growing sector that has gone from 20 or so companies to more than 200 companies in just over a decade.

Amanda Stadel: In 1998, BioAlberta was created to act as the central voice and organizing hub for the biotech industry in Alberta. We have about 130 plus members and member companies within a broad range of sectors and subsectors. This includes the health technology, biopharmaceutical, medical device, agriculture, industrial biotechnology and environmental sectors. BioAlberta has three pillars of activity: one is advocacy, where we gather input from industry regarding challenges they face and present it to government. The goal here is to make sure our companies are represented in policy decision-making. The second pillar is industry development and this includes the funding programs that we offer. One example of the types of funding that we administer is the Medical Product Development Program (MPDP). The MPDP is jointly funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Government of Alberta through the Canada-Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement. The MPDP helps Alberta companies develop and commercialize new medical devices and applications, and is focused exclusively on the medical device and technology arena. That’s had some great successes, funding 20 projects between 2010 and 2012, and almost 80 per cent have resulted in new patents with several products poised to enter the market. Other activities that fall under industry development include partnerships that expose members to the financial community.

We’ve also been a provincial partner for a long time now with Sanofi for the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada, a high school competition that encourages student’s involvement in the industry and with the potential to create the next generation of researchers in Alberta. Then we have our marketing and promotion pillar which includes educational workshops, conferences, events and marketing pieces like our annual BioZine magazine where we highlight the different sub sectors of the industry and up-and-coming companies with innovative technologies.

8 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

BF: What is the state of the industry in Alberta?

AS: As of our last Life Sciences in Alberta: State of the Industry Report launched in conjunction with Deloitte in 2011, the Medical technology and devices, health biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sectors accounted for almost two-thirds of the life sciences industry in Alberta. On the health and bio pharmaceutical side, there are many companies making their mark. One company of note is Oncolytics Biotech Inc., who recently had success in two clinical trials in the oncology field with their product Reolysin®. In terms of academia, when you look at the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary, the leading research that comes out of those facilities particularly in areas such as oncology, diabetes and cardiology have certainly been impactful. These efforts have led to a number of spin-off companies. Moreover, the science has garnered further worldwide interest and support from global pharma companies who are interested in these areas. The province has had its share of pioneers in this space, such as the late Dr. Tony Noujaim who was the founder of Biomira Inc. and provided the roots for a number of companies in the provincial life sciences industry, Dr. Lorne Tyrrell who’s very well-known for his ground breaking work on antiviral drugs for Hepatitis B and his work with the Li Ka Shing Institute for Virology and Dr. Raymond Lemieux who’s probably the most influential and most respected in regards to carbohydrate chemistry in the last 50 or so years. On the Agricultural biotech side, Alberta’s landscape naturally lends itself to CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

AVAC

Investing in Alberta’s

innovation ecosystem AVAC helps early stage companies get off the ground

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or early-stage companies, amassing enough capital to bridge the funding gap between innovative ideas and commercial success can be a challenge.

With its hands-on approach to investing in start-ups, AVAC Ltd. has been helping these early-stage companies navigate Alberta’s innovation and commercialization ecosystem to become successful businesses.

Since opening its doors 16 years ago, the private Alberta-based investment company has partnered with governments to invest in the province’s early-stage companies.

Along with investment capital, AVAC also offers support and guidance, to help turn innovative ideas into business successes. It invests in promising commercial ventures in value-added agri-business, information and communications technologies, life sciences, and other industrial technology sectors.

As Alberta’s most active early-stage investment company, AVAC works with an array of partners, investees and sponsors to fuel successful technology commercialization. It has invested in over 120 promising early-stage tech companies and 50 commercially-relevant agricultural research projects.

AVAC also manages an active early-stage venture capital fund-of-funds investment pool. To date, the investment company has helped 61 of its early-stage portfolio companies to reach commercial revenue.

In 2013, AVAC’s portfolio of 46 companies also reported an annual payroll of $50 million.

In addition, AVAC has committed $32 million to four national venture capital funds who are actively investing in the province’s companies. With the help of AVAC, the future is bright for early-stage companies in Alberta.

15 years 200+ investments 4 Fund-oF-Funds investments $135m invested There’s no subsTiTuTe for experience.

AVAC’s diverse and extensive experience has helped grow more than 110 Alberta companies. The result has been numerous successes for the companies we support as well as those who partner with us.

For information or partnership opportunities call 403-274-2774

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seed/early-stage investing angel co-investment funds fund-of-funds

July/August 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 9

BIOALBERTA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

As part of our advocacy activities, we are continuing to work collectively with stakeholders in government and industry on new ideas and improvements to Alberta’s technology development and commercialization ecosystem.

technologies that are focused on solving some of the world’s most pressing dilemmas, including feeding an expanding global population. On the industrial biotechnology side, the availability of access to large renewable biomass resources in the province has sparked early stage interest from the oil and gas industries in considering biomass as an alternative fuel source. Additionally, one of the new exciting trends starting to emerge in the industrial biotechnology space is the emergence of opportunities for our specialty chemicals industry, as we are starting to see a cluster of such companies, like Radiant Technologies, Ceapro and Taiga BioActives Inc., propelled forward by a growing consumer demand for natural cosmetics and products. For example, replacing petrochemical based ingredients with bio chemicals that have natural ingredients. It all adds up to a growing sector that has gone from 60 or so companies to more than 200 companies in just over a decade.

BF: One weakness in the industry across the country is a poor track record in taking great ideas and turning them into commercialized products.

Does Alberta face these challenges?

AS: I think if you were to talk to industry, R&D activities in Alberata are well supported, which is great, and I don’t think we want to detract from that. Likewise the industry and government are both aware that there is a weakness on getting products to market in our sector and they are doing their best to rectify that. The establishment of Alberta Innovates in 2010 was a significant step in

that direction. As part of BioAlberta’s advocacy activities, we are continuing to work collectively with stakeholders in government and industry on new ideas and improvements to Alberta’s technology development and commercialization ecosystem. Of course, capital creation for SMEs is always priority, and some ideas that BioAlberta has pitched include consolidating some of the funding avenues that are out there and making it easier for SMEs to figure out where they need to go to get the funds. That’s not to say the funding bodies that come to the forefront in Alberta aren’t doing a good job, but there are always ways to improve the process.

BF: One trend in getting products to market includes connecting companies with downstream opportunities and you mentioned biopharma’s interest in technologies coming out of Alberta’s research and academic institutes. There’s also the example of the Alberta-Pfizer Translational Research Collaboration. Generally speaking, do you think industry has taken notice of what Alberta has to offer?

AS: I think big industry has taken notice, and by big industry I refer to mainly large pharma, however, some of the other industries such as the medical device sector are looking at Alberta for opportunities. In terms of pharma, the Pfizer Translational Research Fund is one example of a number of funding opportunities that have come into the province, demonstrating the interest that industry outside of the province has in Alberta.

As the province considers how to position itself globally with regard to the life sciences industry, the concept of Alberta as a “Living Lab” is being used to describe the advantages that the province brings to the industry, including a diverse population of close to four million people a single payer and health delivery system through AHS, and the potential to be able to access historical health data, all key elements as we look to innovation through research and collaboration with groups outside the province. I think that large pharma is very aware of what these advantages are and the potential opportunities that exist as a result, and I look forward to seeing more of these types of collaborations in the future. While much of the activity to date has been within the health space of the life sciences industry, I must also mention that there is growing interest from companies in the industrial biotechnology subsector, including the oil and gas industry. These companies are also becoming increasingly aware of what Alberta has to offer, and understand the potential for partnerships that, if successful could lead to new technologies and products that contribute to the diversification of Alberta’s economy.

To see this story online visit http://biotechnologyfocus. ca/?p=7391

10 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

By Amy Noel and Adrianna Clapp

closIng

the funding gAPP

I

n June 2013, Genome Canada launched the Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP). Through 2012, Genome Canada and the Genome Centres consulted with experts to identify challenges that are faced in ‘real world’ industry settings. The goal of GAPP is to build partnerships between industry and Canadian academics to promote the use of genomics to solve these challenges. The program lessens the risk of industry investment and should provide incentives for follow-on investment from other partners. Ultimately, completed projects are expected to result in socioeconomic benefits to Canadians.

An important consideration for potential applicants is the term ‘genomics.’ Here it refers not only to the study and use of DNA,

but also includes the RNA, proteins, and metabolites of organisms.

In past funding competitions, specific sectors were targeted, but this time around all sectors are being addressed and include agriculture, energy, mining, forestry, fisheries and health. Genome Canada is hoping to receive a variety of project topics ranging from tailings pond remediation, to metabolomics-based testing methods, to forest pest infestation prevention. A notable difference between this program and traditional Genome Canada funding programs is that the focus is on later stage research, with the potential for the research to bring to market a product, process or policy change.

There is $30 million available nationally for projects as small as $300,000 and as large

GENOMICS as $6 million. Genome Canada’s contribution must be leveraged by at least two parts industry and partner funding to one part Genome Canada dollars. One noteworthy benefit for industry contributions is that most in-kind expenses are eligible such as salaries, equipment and consumables.

Like the popular television show Dragon’s Den, applicants will have to pitch their idea and provide a proposal modelled after a business plan. Expert reviewers will decide which projects would provide the highest return on investment not only in terms of revenues but also in social benefits to Canada.

More information on the application process and timelines is available on the Genome Alberta website: www.genomealberta.ca

Amy Noel and Adrianna Clapp,Genome Alberta Master of Biomedical Technology students

Visit us at genomealberta.ca or get the latest life science news at GenOmicsNews.ca

POWERING GENOMICS RESEARCH FOR ALBERTANS July/August 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 11

By: Shawn Lawrence

ABIC 2013

CALGARY POISED TO HOST

THE WORLD’S AGRO-BIOTECH COMMUNITY It’s the biggest conference of its kind in the world and after six years, it’s making its return to Calgary, AB.

T

aking place September 15 to 18 at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC) will feature a heavy lineup of speakers covering an array of topics from across the agro-bio spectrum.

Devoted to science and business development in agro-biotech, ABIC brings the top people in agricultural biotechnology from around the world together to talk about the challenges, issues and problems the sector faces as well as focuses on the inter-relationship agriculture has with other aspects of our lives.

Hosting the event has brought excitement not just to the agro community in Alberta, but also to other industries in the province. And there’s no denying that the success of 2007 also had an impact on the decision to bring the conference back. Last time around, delegates were very impressed with the accommodations, the venue, and the relative easiness of getting to and from Calgary. Even more so, they were impressed with what they saw from the agro-biotech community in the province.

“It was a very simple decision to bring the world back to Alberta as the agro industry here is very strong and has a long history. Both Calgary and Alberta are major players not just in Canada, but globally and it’s been established that Western Canada is developing a reputation as being a significant global centre for agro-biotech, especially in the crop biosciences,” says Art Froehlich, chair of the Steering Committee for ABIC 2013.

“Bringing the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference to Alberta in 2013 is recognition of Alberta’s dynamic life sciences community, internationally recognized talent and world class infrastructure and local industry is excited to showcase what’s happening here,” adds Amanda Stadel, acting president at BioAlberta. “To have local access to a conference with this kind of global reach and have the world come to us is definitely something that the local biotechnology industry embraces.”

What makes hosting ABIC in Calgary even more special, explains Froehlich, is that the event originated in Canada, with the first ABIC held in Saskatoon in 1996. Coming back to Canada is always special for those organizing the event.

“The event while international has always remained intrinsically tied to its Canadian roots. I think in every industry there are locations that tend to be centres of excellence. In Canada, Saskatoon has long been established as such a centre for agro-bio dating back 20 years, with the National Research Council’s Prairie Region Laboratories, the strengths of the University of Saskatchewan and Innovation Place. The latter is home to a number of start-ups in the agro-bio space, and a number of international companies like Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto. It’s also home to the ABIC Foundation itself. Alberta, like Saskatchewan, is home to a strong industry presence when it comes to agro-bio, with company head offices for companies such as Bayer CropScience and Dow AgroSciences and phenomenal research going on in our universities and research centres.”

Froehlich and other event organizers say they are quite pleased with the diversity of the registration and organizations that will attend. He adds that it 12 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

ABIC 2013 cially in the province of Alberta itself. is very reflective of how the event, as well as the “There’s great opportunity for the life sciences ABIC Foundation itself, has become more global industry here to be able to assist with things over the years. Almost two decades since the first such as biological remediation of the oil sands, ABIC was held in Saskatoon, the event has been to harvest local biomass and use it as biofuel. to other parts of the world, including Germany, There are so many possible synergies that can South Africa, Australia, Thailand, and Ireland, and be shared between these two sides, and having has attracted delegates from 68 countries. them in the same room could lead to many new This year’s conference will focus on the role and exciting initiatives,” she said. of agro biotechnology in agriculture, energy, As such, one of the key presenters at ABIC preventative health (both human and animal) Perhaps the most 2013 is Gwyn Morgan, former chairman of the and investment. While issues such as meeting unique aspect of the board of SNC-Lavalin and a past director on the the growing demand for food and green prodboards of several other large corporations in ucts, as well as the development of sustainable conference is that it Canada, including EnCana Corporation. He will biofuels, is always at the top of the agenda, ABIC will also include the be part of the Impact of Biotechnology on the has always been more than just a showcase. First Global Energy Industry Stream. and foremost it is a forum for dialogue aimed end-user of all these “He’s a very prominent former executive in at enhancing science and business intelligence, innovative products and the oil and gas industry. What we’re hoping to ensuring identification of opportunities. do with this session is bring major international “I think one of the biggest reasons ABIC technologies into the players in oil and gas, many that are in fact based resonates for the delegates is the opportunity to discussion, the farmers in Alberta, to show them the opportunities network in a casual setting. If you’re a large multhemselves. ag-biotech has to offer and establish dialogue tinational, the ABIC is an opportunity for you to between us and them, and hopefully encourage give the delegates your view of the world, where — Art Froehlich collaboration,” says Rennie. you’re going and what are some of the technoloThe investment forum on day three is also gies and areas of interest you have. If you’re a smaller company or a government regulator, you get a chance to unique to this year’s ABIC program, where the hope is to link venture hear from both small and large firms about what some of the chal- capitalists and private equity firms with start-up companies. As both lenges are in operating in this space, to learn lessons, and how to Rennie and Froehlich explain, most investors haven’t been exposed enough to this sector, so the conference will give the industry a best overcome these challenges,” says Froehlich.

He explains what sets this year’s ABIC apart is that it has a very chance to showcase what they have in the pipeline to the investor community. Likewise, and perhaps more importantly, the forum itself commercial focus.

“That’s not to say the science itself is to be ignored, but rather that will help inform the industry what it needs to do to attract investor many of the sessions are focused on helping the scienitific commu- interest.

“One of the challenges in biotech in Canada in general is you have nity to go beyond just understanding discovery, and to show them how they can match their scientific endeavours to what the market good science, but translating this good science into marketable products is a challenge. It requires investment that is not readily available. and the public needs.”

In all, there will be four streams: 1. The Impact of Biotechnology Likewise, the agro-bio entrepreneur may be very good at the science, on Water and Nutrient Uptake by Plants; 2. Impact of Biotechnology but the role of financing a company is totally new to them. So this on the Global Energy Industry; 3. Ag Biotechnology in Bio-Derived will be a forum to educate agro-bio entrepreneurs, to tell them what investors are looking for in terms of new technologies. Conversely, Products and; 4. Feeding a Hungry World.

“On display will be a unique combination of not only the hardcore the venture capital and private equity guys aren’t exposed very often ideas of where agricultural biotechnology is going in the coming to the agro-biotechnology industry. They know what companies like years, but also how advancements will impact other industries,” says Monsanto and Syngenta are doing with genetically engineered seed, event co-chair Rob Rennie. Rennie believes it is on this last point but they don’t know all the other opportunities that are out there and that the true benefit of hosting the ABIC in Calgary will be realized. what they’re doing,” says Rennie.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of the conference, Froehlich adds, “Quite frankly, if anyone thinks of Alberta, industries such as oil, gas and real estate typically come to mind. For this reason, we’ve is that it will also include the end-user of all these innovative products devoted an entire session on the provincial impacts of ag-biotech and technologies in the discussion, the farmers themselves.

“That’s the idea really, and what pushes advancements in our secon the oil and gas industry. These industries have always been chemical by nature, but presently, not all advancements for these tor forward,” says Froehlich. “At the end of the day we want to ask industries are chemical, more and more it’s becoming biological. As them after hearing the presenters, ‘You’re the famers, you’re the end examples, there are advancements being made in CO2 capture bio- users, what’s the value to you in terms of these innovative products?’ remediation, we’re now in the third generation of biofuels, and we’re There is a huge benefit to hearing what it is they have to say.” seeing new technologies for biomass degradation and bio-derived petrochemicals starting to emerge. In each of these the traditional For more information on the conference, visit www.abic.ca/abic2013 chemistry-based energy industry is starting to understand the potential of biotechnology and we’re starting to see a cross-pollination of innovative ideas.”

To see this story online visit Amanda Stadel agrees, citing the huge potential agro-biotech has http://biotechnologyfocus.ca/?p=7378 in taking sectors such as oil, gas and energy to new heights, espeJuly/August 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 13

ABIC 2014

sAsKAtcHeWAn bIoscIences:

Agriculture and more

Every day we hear stories about extreme weather, poverty and wars. There is no longer a debate that the climate is changing; today the question is how to adapt to unpredictable weather patterns. Added to the mix is a global population that is growing rapidly and predicted to reach nine billion by 2050, an increase of about 40 per cent. More mouths to feed, along with economic shifts and climate change, will result in added pressure on our food production systems.

But there is good news. The world’s brightest minds are at work, searching for solutions to some of these problems through agricultural biotechnology. The Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC) gathers those bright minds together each year for an important meeting that explores the use of biotech tools to develop hardier, more nutritious crops, while conserving the planet’s limited resources.

ABIC returns to Saskatoon, SK October 5 to 8, 2014. Since 2010, when the conference 14 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

was last held here, the realization of the effect that climate change and population growth could have on the world has led to new initiatives that will affect the agbiotech industry in Saskatchewan and beyond.

One example is the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS), created in December 2012. Dr. Roger Beachy, an internationally recognized pioneer in plant biotechnology, was appointed as founding executive director and CEO of GIFS and is currently leading the organization through the start-up phase.

GIFS is a public-private partnership among PotashCorp, the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan.

According to Beachy, GIFS will use its resources to draw upon Saskatchewan’s strengths and capabilities to find solutions in the food and agriculture sector and use them to solve important challenges in global food security.

“GIFS will be a synergizing institute that will provide opportunity for more individuals and more groups to collaborate on new solutions to agriculture problems,” he says.

Beachy notes that the provincial govern-

ment wants to ensure that Saskatchewan’s economy remains strong as an agricultural community and maintain its position as a provider of food, feed and sufficient nutrition for the world market.

Agriculture has always been a major industry in this largely rural province. According to the province’s Ministry of Agriculture website, Saskatchewan contains about 40 per cent of the country’s arable land, but a short growing season and harsh conditions means that farmers have had to be creative and resourceful to grow enough to make a living. Agricultural science goes back to pioneer days: Established in 1907, the Agriculture College at the University of Saskatchewan is nearly as old as the province itself.

Once known as ‘Canada’s Breadbasket,’ for the vast wheat fields that graced the countryside, Saskatchewan agriculture has diversified thanks to agricultural research. Canola (Brassica napus), developed through joint efforts by scientists at Agriculture Canada in Saskatoon and the University of Manitoba, has become a multi-billion dollar industry, and is traded around the world. Research companies continue to improve the crop,

building in pest resistance, drought tolerance and increased nutritional qualities. For example, Dow AgroSciences has developed a line of canola called Nexera™ which produces Omega-9 Oil, a unique combination of high-oleic and low-linolenic fatty acids for improved functionality, taste and health.

Wheat is still a major crop in Saskatchewan, and the focus of new research initiative through the Canadian Wheat Flagship Strategic Alliance. Launched in May, the Alliance involves plant scientists from the University of Saskatchewan, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the National Research Council (NRC). With $97 million in funding, new tools and breeding technologies will be developed over the next five years. These tools will become available to help wheat breeders develop varieties that are more drought, cold, heat and disease resistant, and need less nitrogen fertilizer. According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the alliance is aiming for 20 to 30 per cent yield increases. Dr. Faouzi Bekkaoui, executive director of the Wheat Improvement Flagship Program, NRC’s contribution to the Alliance, says more than 100 researchers will be involved in the Canadian Wheat Alliance program. Work at NRC will include genomics assisted breeding; cell technologies to improve the efficiency of double haploid systems and allow breeders to cut development time; development of fusarium and rust-resistant varieties; improved plant performance, seed yield and abiotic stress tolerance; and research to understand and improve biotic interaction for improved plant health.

Pulse crops have become an important part of Saskatchewan’s agricultural portfolio, again thanks to modern research. According to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers website, Canada is the world’s number one exporter of pulse crops; 97 per cent of Canadian lentils, 83 per cent of chickpeas and 72 per cent of peas come from Saskatchewan. Crop breeders at the University of Saskatchewan have developed disease resistant varieties that grow well in our climate, while agronomists have determined the best crop rotations to optimize the benefits to the soil from these nitrogenfixing plants. Some Saskatchewan researchers are working to develop plants with increased nutritional value, while others are measuring the health benefits from eating pulses.

Beyond agriculture A number of companies whose technologies depend on crop development have set up shop in Saskatoon to take advantage of the expertise available here. For example, Agrisoma Biosciences is commercializing a feedstock from Brassica carinata to produce a non-food oil than can be used to make biojet and diesel fuel. The feasibility of the product depends on breeding plants with the right characteristics for the fuel and the agronomic traits to grow on land not suitable for food production. Linnaeus Plant Sciences is working on Camelina sativa to develop an ideal variety for use as an industrial oil feedstock.

Metabolix Oilseeds is developing Camelina to coproduce polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) with seed oil. PHB can be used in multiple appli-

ABIC 2014: Running back to Saskatoon For the fifth time, ABIC will be held in the ‘Paris of the Prairies,’ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (October 5-8, 2014), the heart of agricultural biotechnology in Canada, a province with 40 per cent of Canada’s arable land, and the birthplace of canola, one of the world’s most successful biotech crops. Saskatoon hosted the 10th ABIC in 2010 and drew over 500 participants from 60 countries.

In choosing the theme, “Global Leadership in a Changing World,” Saskatoon’s 2014 steering committee considered the need for leadership in dealing with the challenges of climate change and population growth, and the capacity for agricultural biotechnology industry to step up as a leader in finding solutions.

The agbiotech industry believes that privileged countries should share technologies with the under-privileged (developing) countries. According to Muriel Adams, ABIC Foundation’s managing director, at each of its international conferences held in the past 17 years, ABIC generated strategic alliances among key bioscience organizations, governments, and those concerned with the developing world, the kind of links that would not just happen by accident. “Hosting some of these conferences in the third-world shows just how committed ABIC is to its mission.”

ABIC 2014 program development can be followed at www. abic.ca/abic2014. ABIC 2015 will be held in Melbourne, Australia, while the 2016 conference has been awarded to a U.S. location to be announced.

ABIC 2014 cations, including bioplastics, chemicals, and enhanced feeds. Okanagan Specialty Fruits is currently seeking deregulation for two Arctic® apple varieties, in which the genes that produce polyphenol oxidase (the enzyme responsible for browning) are silenced.

Other important activities in Saskatchewan include bioremediation of industrial sites, and research and development of health-related technologies, such as plant-made pharmaceuticals, biodiagnostics and vaccines.

Collaboration between public and private research is a great asset to the companies that are working to develop and commercialize technologies. Saskatchewan has everything a bio-based start-up company needs to thrive: strong business support, world-class infrastructure and human resources expertise.

About Ag-West Bio: Ag-West Bio is Saskatchewan’s bioscience industry association. The not-for-profit, memberbased company is funded by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Federal Growing Forward II program. Ag-West Bio acts as an industry catalyst, hosting events and creating networking and learning opportunities; leading delegations to relevant industry conferences; supporting start-ups through business support and investments, and through communications and supports the development of a transparent, efficient policy and regulatory framework in Canada. www.agwest.sk.ca

ABIC: A product of Saskatchewan The Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC) is an important industry meeting that began in Saskatoon SK when, Murray McLaughlin, CEO and president of a not-for-profit company, then called Ag-West Biotech, realized that there was no industry conference that focused on agriculture biotechnology. The company partnered with the local bioscience community to create a meeting that would fill that gap.

ABIC 1996 was a huge success. Since then, both the founding company and the conference have evolved: In 2004 Ag-West Biotech merged with two other organizations to become Ag-West Bio; and the ABIC Foundation was created to ensure the international events are of the highest quality.

Directors are drawn from several countries. The Foundation’s mission is dedicated to “linking the global business, science, government, and development communities to enable the application of sustainable agricultural technologies for the good of all.”

The conference addresses tough issues, from genetically modified crops, like Golden Rice with higher levels of beta-carotene, to questions surrounding food vs. fuel, to environmental and economic development aspects of biotechnology. ABIC has been hosted in Canada, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Thailand, South Africa and New Zealand.

Wilf Keller, president and CEO of Ag-West Bio, and the Foundation Chair, says ABIC continues to be an important industry meeting. “If anything, the conference is more relevant than ever, considering the global changes that we see coming, including climate change and population growth,” he says. “Agricultural biotechnology will be increasingly important to develop solutions to feeding more people with less land available for agriculture.”

July/August 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 15

By Daniela Fisher and Shawn Lawrence

ALBERTA BIOTECH

Alberta’s

Innovation System

Five years ago, the Alberta government undertook the task of reviewing all of its agencies related to innovation in the province.

It was an ambitious plan driven by the hope of adding more rigour to a system where Albertan businesses, government, and universities could collaborate, share resources, experts, and ideas across sectors. A further focus was enhancing efficiency, targeting research in areas of strategic importance to the province, and going beyond traditional industries (such as oil and gas ) and

expanding capacity to commercialize new technologies. From this review, a new government funded body, Alberta Innovates, was born.

Today, Alberta Innovates is a globally competitive research and innovation system focused on the key areas of agriculture, forestry and life sciences; health and medical research; energy, water and the environ-

ment. Four corporations make up the Alberta Innovates family, they are: Bio Solutions, Health Solutions, Energy and Environment Solutions and lastly Technology Futures.

In a short period of time, each organization has taken on a leading role in creating and funding projects within the province in their selected areas, while at the same time, they maintain a highly integrated relationship.

Alberta Innovates Technology Futures Good working partnerships and timely support can be key to a company’s ability to quickly translate research into the meaningful products, processes and services that new and existing businesses can confidently and successfully take to market.

Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures helps entrepreneurs, innovators, businesses and industries find solutions, develop products and move technologies to market.

“We’re building on Alberta’s already established advantages in platform technologies like nanotechnology, information communications technologies, and genomics. Our focus is on enhancing the technical capacity of Alberta’s high-tech sector,” says 16 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

Don Back, vice president Health Technologies, Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures.

“As a key player in Alberta’s innovation system, we guide our clients to the supports and services available for innovation, commercialization and new venture growth. And we invest in and attract the research talent essential in the priority areas important to Alberta.”

Tech Futures is part of a system working to move research, into the innovations that create new products, new services and new businesses in the province. Alberta Innovates supports provincial research and innovation priorities in the industry sectors of: agriculture, food and forestry; energy and the

environment; health; and technology commercialization.

Four Alberta Innovates corporations – Bio Solutions, Health Solutions, Energy and Environment Solutions, and Technology Futures – coordinate research investments and activities across public, private and academic sectors. Through the corporations and a network of additional providers, services are delivered to entrepreneurs, established companies, and technology driven start-up businesses.

Tech Futures is unique within the Alberta Innovates system for the range of services it provides. Focusing on technology, it provides hands-on applied research services, business development services, and talent

ALBERTA BIOTECH

attraction initiatives encouraging a strong science, technology and entrepreneurial culture in Alberta.

More than 3,000 entrepreneurs, large and small businesses, industries and agencies in Alberta and beyond, access Tech Futures’ team of 600 world-class scientists, researchers, engineers, technicians and business experts, for support in commercialization services and applied research.

Clients have access to a range of commercialization expertise including: intellectual property management; technology deployment; technology transfer; channel development; financing; and investment readiness. A Regional Innovation Network links Alberta’s small and medium enterprises, innovators and entrepreneurs through Technology Development Advisors and partner agencies, to the services and resources they need.

Active problem solving in a range of applied research areas is supported by Tech Futures’ world-class technical expertise and laboratory facilities on a fee-for-service basis.

Tech Futures’ Applied Research Centres occupy one million square feet of laboratory, pilot plant, scale-up, collaboration and office space in locations in Edmonton, Calgary, Vegreville and Devon.

Highly client-centric and industry-driven, services are designed to: de-risk technology development and investment; develop and commercialize leading-edge technologies;

and facilitate industry and government consortia collaborations in complex issue areas.

“Our highly experienced teams take a value-added approach to product development. We see ourselves as partners working closely with our customers to develop solutions that meet their individual needs,” says Back.

The Health Technologies division helps clients commercialize new health products.

They provide collaborative R&D, worldclass facilities, technical services and depth of expertise that can take clients’ products from discovery and development, through to scale-up, prototyping and regulatory stages, including pre- and post-clinical trials. Health Technologies primary areas are: chemistry (small molecule, process, pharma and drug development); fermentation (see page 28 of this issue to learn more); and non-clinical research for product development and for product safety in support of regulatory approval.

“Our regulatory program is designed to help companies develop the processes they need to demonstrate regulatory compliance,” says Back. “We have programs largely directed towards medical device technologies including assisted and diagnostic devices.

We also offer a suite of technology and product development funding to help companies move from one stage of development to the next. When companies reach the final prod-

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uct stage, we can support them with market introduction services as well.”

Orpyx is a good example of a young start-up company, run by bright individuals, looking to enter the Canadian market, says Back. “We’re helping them bridge the gap between research and market development.”

Half of all people with diabetes will lose sensation in their feet—a condition called “peripheral neuropathy”. Without proper sensory feedback in the feet, diabetic patients are not aware of the damage the lack of circulation and sensation causes. Serious complications can develop including foot ulcers, infection, and even amputation.

Orpyx developed a sensor-based shoe insole that lets people with diabetes know if and when they need to adjust their movement to increase their circulation.

Tech Futures is working with Orpyx to help the company develop the quality management system needed to meet the regulatory requirements applicable to medical devices. Tech Futures is also facilitating registration of the medical device with Health Canada. Through the course of its business development, Orpyx has received additional support from various members of the Alberta Innovates system.

There are many more stories like Orpyx at Tech Futures, as it bridges the gap between research and commercialization. Visit albertatechfutures.ca to learn more.

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July/August 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 17

ALBERTA BIOTECH

Alberta Innovates Health Solutions Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (AIHS) is helping put Alberta on the map as a global competitor in the realm of health research and innovation management.

Already, Alberta’s health research environment is perhaps one of the more enviable ones in Canada. With a history of strong funding for health research and innovation, and a government that’s made innovating healthcare a priority, the province has built up an attractive spot for researchers from around the world.

Alberta Innovates Health Solutions is responsible for providing support – including funding – for these researchers, enabling them to tackle some of the major health issues Alberta and Canada are facing.

The corporation emerged on Jan. 1, 2010, as the corporation responsible for health research and innovation management within the newly launched Alberta Innovates model. It took the place of the Alberta Health Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR), its predecessor for funding health research in Alberta. Since being brought into existence three years ago, AIHS has continued the commitment to funding made under AHFMR. It has also expanded into a much more proactive leadership role as the province’s leading agency for all-round strategic support of research and the innovations resulting from research investments.

“We’ve spent the last three years really revamping all of our funding programs, so that we invest in collaborations and partnerships that will help to get us towards the mandate of the organization, which is to improve the health and wellbeing of Albertans and contribute to innovative health service delivery within the province,” says Pam Valentine, COO of Alberta Innovates Health Solutions.

Although AIHS has new programs, it continues to focus on top-quality, internationally competitive health research and innovation, determined through peer review and global networks of experts.

18 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

AIHS sees the key to success is through collaboration, foundational in the development of new ventures with partners and in the relationships the corporation is forging with a much broader audience. It’s also the critical component in the new funding programs which invite groups of people to combine their talent and know-how to compete for project funding. This is a big change from the individual-focused, long term salary support funding of before.

“Before 2010, we focused mostly on capacity building, we funded individuals,” says Valentine. “Over the last three years, we’ve put in a portfolio of funding opportunities that are really targeted at getting at those outcomes, so that it’s more focused on addressing defined problems and developing solutions than it is on funding individuals. These are collaborations, often of individuals from different disciplines coming together to tackle some of the major health issues that we have in the province and more broadly in Canada and around the world.”

Some of the funding opportunities they currently offer include: • The inaugural Alberta Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System (PRIHS), a partnership between Alberta Health Services and AIHS that supports research and innovation aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the health care system; • The Collaborative Research and Innovation Opportunities (CRIO) Team, for investing in collaborative research activities that address priority issues in areas of health, wellness, and health services; • The Alberta/Pfizer Translational Research Fund Opportunity, a partnered funding opportunity focused on research activities that have potential for development into future healthcare tools, therapies and treatments.

These are just some examples of the mechanisms through which AIHS funds activity encompassing all pillars of health research: biomedical, clinical, health systems and services, and health of populations—all with the intent of moving evidence into policy

and practice and bringing products or treatments to fruition that can improve Alberta’s healthcare system and ultimately improve the health of Albertans.

AIHS is also driving collaborations on provincial and national levels that bring investment and expertise into the province.

It has taken a lead role in bringing together partners from the public and private sector to invest in the wealth of research potential in the province. The end goal is to transform the province into a health research and innovation node.

“Certainly everything that we take for granted in healthcare, things from eye tests and vaccinations, to heart transplants and MRIs, have all come without exception, from a research idea,” says Valentine. “And it’s not only new ways to improve health. Research will help us determine what we can replace and eliminate in the health system. That will result in system efficiencies, improved patient experience and money saved for taxpayers. Research is the genesis for improvements in every facet of health.”

One such genesis that AIHS has invested in is Smart-e-Pants. Created by Dr. Vivian Mushahwar and her colleagues at the University of Alberta, Smart-e-Pants is a custom-made disposable undergarment for individuals either in a bed or a wheelchair.

The underwear has embedded electrodes in it that run electrical currents for 10 seconds every 10 minutes. It stimulates the nerves and muscles, the equivalent to what we do when we fidget in our chairs. This prevents bedsores, a major problem for people confined to a bed or a wheelchair that can cause infection or even lead to death.

Another example is Linda Pilarski, a cancer researcher at the University of Alberta. Dr. Pilarski and a team of her colleagues created a ‘lab-on-a-chip’ technology. The small, inexpensive device can detect pathogens in the blood and test human genetic makeup.

About the size of a domino, the chip can carry out 20 genetic tests from a single drop of blood. The invention resulted in a spin out company called Aquila Diagnostics Systems Inc., which took the product to market. Visit www.aihealthsolutions.ca to learn more.

ALBERTA BIOTECH

Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions (AI Bio) invests in research in the fields of agriculture, food and forestry. Its core business is identifying, coordinating, and funding leading edge research initiatives that could transform these sectors.

“Our mandate is to work with these industries in all parts of the continuum, whether there’s basic research that is required, applied work and adaptive kind of activities,” explains Dr. Stan Blade, CEO of AI Bio. “Our primary concern is to make sure Alberta industries remain profitable and globally competitive.”

Some of the initiatives that AI Bio is currently involved in include improving canola vegetable oil quality, enhancing the health benefits and taste of meat products, developing new products derived from agriculture and forest fibre, as well as projects that ensure food safety.

“The combined economic activity of agriculture, food and forestry in this province is well over $25 billion. This includes substantial amounts of farm-gate receipts going back to agricultural producers, between eight to $12 billion a year, a food processing industry that is somewhere around $12 billion a year, and then a forest industry that falls in the $4.5 billion range. These are important industries for the province of Alberta, they are renewable industries, and they have just a remarkable fit, both for their rural development elements, but in the straight economic and diversification opportunities that they offer the province,” says Blade.

Working with the other Alberta Innovates corporations is part of day-to-day activity at AI Bio Solutions.

“The most interesting things happen at those interfaces. On a number of research calls we’ve collaborated with Alberta Innovates Health Solutions in food and nutrition, with Alberta Innovates Energy and Environment Solutions we’ve worked very closely on the bio-energy file and in the case of commercialization we’re very much in lockstep with Alberta Innovates Technology Futures. Another example is our support for the Alberta Biomaterials Development Centre in collaboration with Alberta Innovates Technology Futures. Really, it’s about working very closely together, sharing networks and making sure that things get done.”

As of this year, AI Bio is managing more than 160 active projects in an investment portfolio of more than $71 million over the lifetime of these projects. The agreements span a wide array of research in priority areas such as boreal reclamation, nanocrystalline cellulose, livestock genomics, prions, and dietary fibre from peas, beans or lentils.

In total, AI Bio has five priority areas of

science and innovation investments.

“The first is tied to sustainable production, so things to do with making sure that we can continue to produce high-quality products, whether it’s fibre from our forests or crops or livestock. This can encompass everything from genomics research, working on the most recent canola disease or even something as obscure as looking at issues around grizzly bear recovery. Our second focus area is food innovation. This is everything from working with industry, companies like Maple Leaf Foods and General Mills Canada, applying science in developing improved basic ingredients, whether it’s improving the quality of flour from pulse crops like peas, looking at the health benefits of things like canola oil and in fact improving the nutritious nature of some of those vegetable oils.”

AI Bio also has strong interest in bioeconomy activities, representing a third area of interest. This includes supporting projects such as using biomass in ways that go beyond traditional commodities. This has led to a wide array of research, including investments in the Biorefining Conversions Network based at the University of Alberta.

“The general principle behind this initiative is tearing biomass apart and combining it back in unique ways that will be of interest to buyers in the biomaterial, biochemical and bioenergy industries in Canada and around the world.”

The fourth area is AI Bio involvement in Prion research, which was one of the very first initiatives AI Bio took on.

“We inherited the work of the Alberta Prion Research Institute and subsequently had another re-investment from the government of Alberta of over $15 million to continue this work to understand prions, not just for BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or Mad Cow Disease) but to understand more about its relationship to human disease. There are a number of human dementias – Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, that seem to also have a basis in prion science. So some of the work Alberta has invested admittedly starting on the livestock side, there appears to be aspects that are also related to the human side.”

A fifth and final area is tied to ecosystem services. Focusing on environmental solutions and on enhancing those ecosystem services not currently rewarded through existing markets, by using economic or market-based instruments, is a strategic area of priority for AI Bio. In 2012-13 AI Bio invested more than $15 million in its five priority areas, says Blade.

Blade explains that the direction of AI Bio in

allocating its investments, like the other Alberta Innovates corporations, is guided by an independent board of industry experts.

“They identify certainly these five areas and we will put out calls for proposals in specific areas, whether it’s around food for health or green building activities, those kinds of things, because of the way we’re set up we can sometimes be proactive and go to what we determine to be the best science group and ask them to do some work for us, some of this work is on a recurring basis. As an example, we’ve had specific calls around using genomics as a diagnostic tool both for listeria and for e coli, and in this instance we partnered with Genome Canada and Genome Alberta.

In another case our partner was the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. So we engage the science community and come up with potential opportunities, usually around technologies that are going to help our industry both in the short and long term. This type of work is peerreviewed and of course we have a periodic reporting process of checking on the milestones of the project, making sure that groups are delivering on what they’ve committed to.”

There are already examples of success stories spinning out of AI Bio investments.

“In the area of bio-economy we’ve started to interact with groups that were not traditional partner stakeholders for us. There’s a company, BioComposites Group a subsidiary of TTS Inc, that’s working in one of the smaller forest-based towns in Alberta. They are doing really interesting things with fibre to produce different kinds of biomaterials like engineered fibre mats for autoparts and erosion control.

They have now set up a facility that’s going to be commissioned very soon. We also hope to support a joint project with Magna and with other companies that are very interested in developing high quality fibres for the autoparts industry and others. In the case of livestock genomics, we made an investment in Livestock Gentec, an Alberta Innovates Centre based at the University of Alberta, which has led to a spinoff company, Delta Genomics. They are in the process of developing high throughput processors that can use genomic information and give a sense to an animal’s important traits and how those traits might be passed on to the next generation.”

To read more about AI Bio, visit www.bio. albertainnovates.ca.

To see this story online visit http://biotechnologyfocus. ca/?p=7380 July/August 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 19

By Mike Spear

SPOTLIgHT

neXt generatIon

of SynthetIC bIology reSearCh

StartS here

International Genetically Engineered Machine. A name likely to raise the eyebrows The University of Calgary if not the anxiety level of the Collegiate iGEM team. general public. iGEM. Now that sounds much nicer, if not downright trendy in a culture that likes to stick that little ‘i’ in front of a range of products, events, and ideas.

When iGEM began in The International Geneti2003, it was a course that cally Engineered Machine was part of the month long competition, or iGEM, has Independent Activities Penot faced the anxiety of the riod at MIT in Boston, where public and is certainly not those kind of enthusiastic trendy in any big way. What it students were challenged has done though is invigorate with making a cell blink. The a new generation of scienfollowing year it became a tists, promote an open and Some of the University of Lethbridge Collegiate iGEM team. local competition among five community-minded attitude teams and by last year’s competition, it had grown to to research, and encourage the development of new “thIS IS probably 245 teams in three competitive divisions drawn from tools and ideas in the field of synthetic biology.

34 countries. Among the 3,000 participants, there was Anders Nygren is an associate professor in Electrical the fIrSt and a strong representation from Canada, and Alberta and Computer Engineering at the University of Calgary probably the only has had a strong showing including the University of (U of C) and co-director of the Centre for Bioengineering Research and Education. He’s also a faculty tIme they have goIng Calgary Collegiate team scooping up the Best Human advisor for the Calgary iGEM Collegiate team and sees through unIverSIty Practices Award in last year’s finals. iGEM is simple in concept, challenging in execution, the enthusiasm the students bring to the competition of maKIng mIStaKeS and both wide and deep in the science needed to pull every year. off a project that will get you past the Regional Jam“Often times I find my role is to get the students to optImIZe borees and into the International Jamboree in Boston together and then get out of their way and let them SomethIng.” in the late fall. At the start of the project each team do their work. It’s really amazing to see what happens when you get the students together in a room for the — hans-Joachin wieden is given a kit of ‘BioBricks’ or biological parts from iGEM’s Registry of Standard Biological Parts to work summer.”

20 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

SPOTLIgHT teams is Genome Alberta, along with government organizations such as Alberta Innovates, OCSS (O’Brien Centre for Summer Studentships), PURE (Program for Undergraduate Research Experience), and NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada). Supporters of iGEM get the usual acknowledgement that goes with a sponsorship, but the bigger win comes with engaging the students and pushing past some of the limitations often found in the usual funding research models says Genome Alberta’s chief scientific officer Gijs van Rooijen, “Within a traditional academic peer review system, out of the box research is often difficult to fund as it would be considered too risky or lacking the preliminary data.

However, this is exactly what is going to be required to address today’s societal challenges and this is where the iGEM program and BioBricks supplied by iGEM to teams around the world. its students shine.”

This opportunity to stretch the funding envelope has created a with for their project. The teams then use the standardized parts to unique funding and research collaboration between Genome Albuild their own novel biological systems.

The U of C team received five trays of 384 wells each with the berta and the University of Calgary iGEM team. Though some funding had already been set aside for iGEM sponsorships, an alignment option of searching for more in the Registry Catalog. The iGEM philosophy of “Get & Give (& Share)” requires the teams who develop in research goals resulted in close to $60,000 in funds going into new parts to give them to the registry and share their experiences in iGEM teams with the largest share going to the University of Calgary Collegiate iGEM team and their E.coli initiative. using and developing the parts through blogs and wikis.

In the ongoing scramble for funding and prestige among Alberta The Calgary Collegiate team has collected these biotech Lego universities and the more pointed head-to-head competition beblocks and has plans to create a novel synthetic biological system to rapidly detect harmful E. coli in beef. Just like an academic research tween Calgary and Edmonton this wasn’t a random decision by the not-for-profit genomics funding organization. In late 2012 Genome project or commercial lab, there are direct financial costs associated Alberta launched a competition for “Research and Innovation Leadwith the project along with time and energy on the part of the stuing to Rapid Detection of Pathogenic E.coli.” The initiative was dents and their faculty mentors. Budget items range from travel to the iGEM Jamborees, kits and reagents, sequencing services, poster widely publicized and the U of C iGEM team saw it as an inspiration for their own efforts. Once Genome Alberta had gone through the and presentation materials for the competition, and some modest competition funding applications and awarded fundsalaries for some of the team members to keep the ing for two projects under the research program there projects up and running full time for several months. was still co-investment funding available with spendTypically, universities don’t directly fund iGEM wIthIn a ing criteria that limited where it could be allocated. teams except for space and some materials. So to covThe U of C iGEM team fit the criteria. er the costs, the team has to search for funding. And tradItIonal Like the two major projects being funded under the these aren’t modest projects that can be covered with a aCademIC peer competition model, the U of C team wants to create a bake sale and bottle drive. Students aren’t there just for rapid detection tool that can be used in a commercial a summer job or to be a winner (though they certainly revIew SyStem, out don’t lack competitive drive). They are there to join an of the boX reSearCh setting to detect E.coli in the live animal stream.

In a recent blog post here is how they characterize iGEM team because they have developed a love for IS often dIffICult the project: research and a desire to keep pushing forward.

“Leveraging nanotechnology, protein engineering, Larry Zhang is a biochemistry graduate on the Uni- to fund aS It would and material science, we are building a cheap and versity of Alberta iGEM team and didn’t hesitate when be ConSIdered too rapid-acting portable device to identify cattle shedasked why he was giving up his summer to a life in the lab. “I think working with DNA is fun,” he said. rISKy or laCKIng the ding an abnormally large amount of harmful E. coli.

These cattle can then be isolated from the rest of the “Understanding DNA is to understand ourselves. I just prelImInary data. population, reducing overall bacterial contamination find research is fun and I like doing it.”

— gijs van rooijen amongst the herd. Our work has not been limited to This year one of the major iGEM sponsors of Alberta

University of Alberta Collegiate iGEM team members at work in their lab.

July/August 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 21

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SPOTLIgHT

beyond the science. “You actually get to go out and figure out what is going on in the industry side of things, on the policy side of things, and I think that dialogue between the different sectors is extremely important in coming up with something useful.”

With real world science comes real world concerns around the application of synthetic biology and teams have a component that iGEM calls Human Practices. The judging criteria for this part of the competition states: “Will the world be a safe place if we make biology easy to engineer? How do the lessons of the past inform the discussion going forward? Think beyond just convincing people that ‘synthetic biology is good.’ Find a new way to help human civilization consider, guide, and address the impacts of ongoing advances in biotechnology.”

Projects funded by Genome Alberta require that similar issues and other societal and ethical concerns be addressed by the applicants which made iGEM sponsorship an even better fit knowing that this part of the science equation is being addressed. Science is no longer enough and biotech researchers and business now look to corporate University of Alberta Collegiate iGEM team members at work in their lab. social responsibility and the social licence to operate.

Erin Kelly was on the Lethbridge high school iGEM team last year and this year is an advisor to the high the lab—conversations with ranchers, academics, “we’re tryIng to do school team and in her first year on the entrepremeat processors, and feedlot owners have informed neurial team. She said they wanted to make sure our system’s design. Ultimately, by reducing levels of that wIth a lot of that people who aren’t involved in iGEM or familiar harmful E. coli upstream of the slaughter process, we areaS In thIS with synthetic biology should know what the team hope to reduce bacterial contamination of beef and InduStry So that is doing and perhaps have some input. As the team improve human health.” is focused on a business application she noted that Not content to stick to the lab and literature we Can aCtually the focus is on “Looking at the ethics in science and searches, the students took a field trip to Cargill’s meat taIlor a SyStem business and particularly in biomedical science and processing facility in High River, AB. Lisa Oberding business. I think we will write up a summary of biois a Calgary iGEM veteran and acts as an advisor and to SomethIng that ethical practices in business – both positive and negalab technician for the team and says the trip was a would be uSeful tive – so we can make it available to other people.” valuable part of the project. “Cargill gave us a really Students committing time and effort to tackle a good chance to talk to the people in charge of food and would meet a synthetic biology project when they could be earning safety and see what they would envision as a useful need not Currently money for the next year’s tuition and spending time system for their purposes.” She also noted that field met In the InduStry.” enjoying the summer at the cottage or on the patio work won’t stop on the processing floor, “We’re trying must think that what they are doing has a pretty big to do that with a lot of areas in this industry so that we — lisa oberding payoff beyond a trip to Boston and the pride of a job can actually tailor a system to something that would done well. They see the bigger promise of synthetic be useful and would meet a need not currently met biology and a vision for the future. in the industry.”

The University of Alberta team draws a comparison to other game It is a tall order, but students and faculty connected with iGEM feel changing technologies. “Things that have completely shifted parathat the projects and the competition are important. digms like the microprocessor or the internal combustion engine, the “In an iGEM team you can make mistakes and nobody is gradkind of thing that after it is first developed the potential is not quite ing you,” says Hans-Joachin Wieden, the faculty advisor for the realized but all technology for the next 30 or 40 years is driven by Lethbridge iGEM teams. He noted that in an iGEM team, you’re not worried about that 4.0 grade point and that for the students, “this that one technological advance.”

The teams first have to get past the regional Jamboree in Toronto is probably the first and probably the only time they have going this October and if they qualify, there is the final International Jamthrough university of making mistakes to optimize something.”

Another important part for these researchers who are likely to find boree in Boston this November.

After that, influencing technology for the coming decades is up to themselves in an industry, government, or academic research setting is the opportunity to choose their own research project and design this new crop of researchers. their own experiments. Rai Chaudhuri is studying Biomedical Science at U of C. He returned for a second year of iGEM: “You actually come up with your own project and have more say in what you are To see this story online visit doing.” In keeping with the Calgary team’s efforts to make their E.coli http://biotechnologyfocus.ca/?p=7383 detection method practical she was equally enthusiastic about getting 22 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

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By: Mansel W. Griffiths

FOOD SAFETY

The changing face of

food safety

According to the latest estimates from the CDC, about 48 million Americans succumb to foodborne infections each year and of these, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die.

24 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

As well as the impact on health, foodborne illness has significant economic impact.

When the full costs associated with this burden of illness are taken into account, the estimated annual cost to the U.S. economy is about $78 billion. The estimates for Canada suggest that the number of cases of foodborne illness each year amount to about 4 million with an associated cost approaching $10 billion. Canada has witnessed a number of significant outbreaks of foodborne illness in the past five years, including the listeriosis outbreak linked to the consumption of ready-to-eat meat produced by Maple Leaf Foods, which resulted in 23 deaths and, more recently, the contamination of beef with E. coli O157:H7 produced by XL Foods.

The increase in high profile outbreaks both here and in the U.S. have led to significant changes in the laws governing food safety and has prompted the Canadian government to re-think the way in which the food industry is inspected.

There has been a shift away from foods of animal origin being the major vehicles for foodborne infection and it is now generally accepted that, at least in North America, fresh fruits and vegetables account for the majority of outbreaks. Some recent examples of large outbreaks attributable to fruits and vegetables are the outbreak of listeriosis linked to cantaloupe melon produced on one farm in Colorado, which resulted in at least 147 people in 28 states becoming ill and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed at least 32 deaths and 1 miscarriage were also associated with the outbreak.

It is also now recognized that viruses, particularly norovirus, are the leading cause of foodborne illness. Indeed, in a study of milk borne cases of illness in the U.S. between 1993 and 2008, 44 per cent of outbreaks associated with pasteurized dairy products were the result of contamination with norovirus. More recently, frozen berries sold at Costco stores across several U.S. states have been linked to 143 cases of hepatitis A, with 63 individuals requiring hospitalization.

But the question is often asked: is foodborne illness on the increase? With more than 250 known causes of foodborne illness and surveillance being performed on only a small fraction of those, the question is almost impossible to answer. What is obvious is that food safety is going to be a primary concern of the food industry for many years to come. The reasons for this are many and include changes to the way food is produced and distributed. We are seeing the emergence of larger distribution networks, which means that if something goes wrong a lot of people will be affected.

Does that mean locally sourced or organic food is safer? Probably not, it just means that the impact of the infection will be smaller and it may be more difficult to attribute a source. In fact a large outbreak caused by E. coli O157:H7 resulted from contamination of organically produced spinach in the Salinas Valley of California. We also have yet to determine how climate change will impact food safety. We have seen the migration of animal diseases further northward as evidenced by the emergence of blue-tongue disease in cattle in the UK. and even in Scandinavia. The virus that causes the illness is usually associated with warm climates as it is killed by frost.

Consumers are also demanding “healthier foods” and the move to reduce salt in foods reflects this demand. Other constituents of food that have antimicrobial effects, such as fat, sugar and preservatives, are also on the hit list. Thus, we must be careful that these changes do not result in riskier foods for the consumer. Not only are the appetites of

FOOD SAFETY made them into more harmful pathogens.

The STEC also seem to be more resistant to acidic environments, which means they survive better in fermented foods and it is easier for them to transverse the stomach. coli O104, caused a large outbreak new card:Layout 1 1/31/2013 E. 9:09 AM Pagewhich 1 in Germany linked to fenugreek sprouts in 2011 that killed nearly 50 people, landed over 800 in hospital with hemolytic uremic syndrome, and sickened 4,000. This serovar of E. coli has the properties of two types of pathogenic E. coli and is an enteroaggregative strain that has acquired the ability to produce shiga-toxins; making it particularly

virulent. As well as acquiring virulence factors, many foodborne bacterial pathogens are now resistant to several antibiotics.

Despite the doom and gloom, the majority of the time the food industry produces food that is safe to eat. However, we need to be cognisant of the changing nature of the factors and agents that cause illness so that the industry can continue to produce safe and nutritious foods.

To see this story online visit http://biotechnologyfocus. ca/?p=7387

SRC101

consumers changing, but so are their demographics. The average age of the population in most developed countries is increasing and with that increase in age comes a decrease in the ability of our immune system to combat infection. So populations in general are becoming more susceptible to foodborne disease. Other sectors of society vulnerable to foodborne illness are the young, the pregnant, and the immunocompromised (through illnesses such as cancer and HIV AIDS as well as individuals who have undergone organ transplant). It is also worth noting that antacids can increase the likelihood that foodborne pathogens will evade the acidity in the stomach and make it easier for them to make it to the sites where they cause problems. Other population factors that make foodborne illness more likely are travel and, possibly eating out. Although many cases of foodborne illness occur through improper handling of food in the home, many studies have confirmed that eating in restaurants or at social gatherings are among the leading routes of transmission of foodborne pathogens.

Not only is society changing, but the organisms that make us sick are also adapting to new niches and acquiring genetic information that increase their virulence and/or propensity to survive in harsh environments.

A good example of this is the emergence of the shiga-toxin producing E. coli STEC (of which E. coli O157:H7 is a member). These E. coli have gained genetic material from a closely related bacterium, Shigella, through transmission by bacteriophage (bacterial viruses). This new genetic material has enabled them to produce shiga-toxins that have

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Across canada

Composed by: Matthew Doering, Communication Team, XiteBio Technologies Inc.

New TRENDS in Crop Enhancement Technology in

Bioagriculture The Canadian Food Inspection Agency defines ‘biotechnology’ as “the application of science and engineering in the direct or indirect use of living organisms, or parts or products of living organisms, in their natural or modified forms.”1 This definition emphasizes the diversity of biotechnology, from traditional plant breeding through to genetic engineering and across agriculture from soils and crops to animals, biofuels and biomaterials.

G

reen and environmentally friendly technology is of growing importance in all industries including agriculture, in for example microbial products or products based on live microorganisms.

Crop producers have known for millennia that legume crops play an important role in maintaining soil fertility, even before the ancient Romans wrote about incorporating legumes in crop rotations. Eventually this led to the first biological applications, which were really nothing more than soil taken from locations where legumes were observed to better rejuvenate the soil and applied to other areas. Today, microbial products represent a $265 million USD market with a much larger diversity of products for more crops and applications than its humble beginnings would suggest. Three turning points were critical to this transformation:

Discovery Although growths on the roots of legume plants had been described and documented for hundreds of years, it was not until 1888 that bacteria were first isolated from these growths (or nodules). These first species of Rhizobium were found to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a plant-usable form.

Less than 10 years later the first pure culture bacterial inoculant had been developed.

Peat-based carrier and rhizobium bacteriabased seed inoculants for legume crops remained the norm for nearly a century.

Renewed Interest

Experimental field trial of soybean inoculants, shorter, lighter green plot in front right is untreated control.

Front left plot was treated with XiteBio SoyRhizo.

Nodules on the roots of legumes contain rhizobia bacteria that fix nitrogen for the plants (pink).

26 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

No fundamental changes occurred in the agriculture biologicals market until 1990 when the first liquid crop inoculant was available in Canada. This renewed interest in crop inoculants stimulated a flurry of research diversifying the ways in which inoculants could be more successful and in the ways they could be applied. In 1994 the first

The number of registered biological products available in Canada from 1990 to present has skyrocketed. (data as of June 2013)

ACROSS CAnADA legume inoculant combining biological approaches (fungi + bacteria) was available. It had been known since before the 1950s2 that the pre-existing native bacteria sometimes outcompete those in the inoculant, rendering it ineffective. This combined biological product was the first to work towards improving the success of the crop inoculant by boosting plant growth and the competitive ability of the introduced inoculant bacteria.

Then in 1995 the first granular inoculant was introduced to the Canadian market offering more options for the convenient application of inoculants. This emphasised the value that producers were beginning to place on this aspect of the microbial products. There were over 30 biological products available in Canada in 1999, more than twice as many as a decade earlier.

“Up until now inoculants have been a commodity just like seed used to be a commodity. Then it was differentiated by variety and sold on a brand name basis. That is where we are headed with inoculants,” said Sanford Gleddie, then head of marketing at former Philom Bios company. He predicted the trend of increasing products from more companies quite correctly, as currently there are 210 biological products available in Canada from 21 companies as compared to 15 products from two companies in 1990. Gleddie further predicted that “companies will eventually have strains of rhizobia bacteria they will market as superior to the competition’s bacteria”.3 He was correct in this regard as well, as many products promote unique blends of nitrogen fixing rhizobia as well as combinations of rhizobia and other microbes.

The reason for the increase in the number of types of inoculant products goes back to the concept of competition between the introduced and native soil microbes. Dr. Manas Banerjee, president and CEO of XiteBio Technologies, a Winnipeg-based bioresearch company explains: “With billions of bacteria in every spoonful of soil and limited food and space on roots for bacterial colonisation, inoculants are not always able to successfully compete their way to nodule formation in legumes.”

Changing Trends The past few years have seen an explosion in the number of biological products registered for the Canadian market. This is due to an emerging shift in the industry towards biological products that promote positive interactions with the native soil microflora and products that are applicable to a wider range

that there will be more exciting developments in the future,” says Dr. Banerjee.

Future of the Biological Market

of crops. “Throughout most of the first century of the inoculant industry, fundamental assumptions were made about the role of bacteria in promoting plant growth. Two of the best examples were that there are only soil bacteria that can boost legume growth and that the inoculant bacteria must compete against the pre-existing soil microbes for an inoculant to be successful. But now those assumptions are being questioned and there are new alternatives emerging,” says Dr. Banerjee.

Products based on microbial biotechnology are generally plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR - bacteria that inhabit in the rhizosphere or root adhering soils).

“The first PGPR based product for a nonlegume crop was registered in Canada in 2005, and in just eight years there has been nearly a three-fold increase in the number of PGPR and biological products coming to the Canadian market,” says Dr. Banerjee.

There are now biological products available for many crops, including corn, wheat, and canola. He continues “just as the discovery and commercialization of PGPR for many crops is changing the inoculant, well really it is the biologicals industry these days, so too did the recent commercialization of AGPTTM (Advanced Growth Promoting Technology) could present a fundamental change to the inoculant industry.”

AGPTTM is the technology that challenges the assumption that inoculant bacteria must compete against those already present. The philosophy behind AGPTTM is really one of co-operative interactions. “There are many beneficial bacteria in soil that stimulate plants and these are the ones that inoculants must suppress in order to be successful. At XiteBio our whole philosophy is of using naturally-occurring microbes to boost the existing properties of plants and soils and so these competitive interactions seemed unnecessary.” Instead of competing, inoculants powered by AGPTTM not only introduce nitrogen-fixing rhizobia but also invigorate the native microflora, and create synergy between them. “AGPTTM may be the first technology to really modernize legume production in Canada, but I’m confident

With eight acquisitions of biological companies in just the last three years, the worldwide focus on biological products is increasing.

“When the biggest players in the agri-inputs industry invest billions of dollars into beginning and diversifying their biological research divisions, you know there will be new applications emerging in an expanding marketplace,” says Dr. Banerjee. Those new applications could include further expanding the applications of inoculants beyond the traditional usage on legumes and using biologicals to target specific aspects of crop development such as the oil content and quality of oilseeds or the protein content of wheat. Developing biopesticide products to target noxious weeds, insects, bacterial, and fungal pathogens is already an area that has the potential for massive expansion in the coming decades.

Biological products have matured over the past century from their humble beginnings to the diversity of products available today.

Based on the worldwide activity and interest in biological and microbial actives, as well as many still under explored applications, the coming years promise exciting developments in the microbial inoculant and agriinput industry.

References 1. Canadian Food Inspecition Agency h t t p : / / w w w. i n s p e c t i o n . g c . c a / plants/plants-with-novel-traits/general-public/fact-sheets/overview/ eng/1337827503752/1337827590597 Accessed 20 June 2013.

2. JM Vincent. 1954. The root nodules bacteria as factors in clover establishment in the red basaltic soils of the Lismore district. N.S.W.I. A survey of native strains.

Aust. J. Agric. Res. 5:55-60.

3. B Duckwork. 4 March 1999. Brand names come knocking at plant inoculants’ door.

The Western Producer. http://www. producer.com/1999/03/brand-namescome-knocking-at-plant-inoculantsdoor/ Accessed 20 June 2013.

To see this story online visit http://biotechnologyfocus. ca/?p=7387 July/August 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 27

ALBERTA BIOTECH

ALBERTA INNOVATES – Technology Futures helps companies grow their production

T

o attract investors or start production, scaling up can be a significant challenge for companies. Without the necessary equipment or skills, this step can be difficult. With its Microbial Fermentation unit, Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures (Tech Futures) can help.

“We scale up many different fermentation products for our clients: enzymes, proteins expressed in recombinant systems, pharmaceutical intermediates, agricultural products such as pesticides and soil inoculants, speciality chemicals, exocellular polymers and advanced biomaterials. Our clients have great products, but need to be able to produce larger quantities,” says Rod Szarka, business development manager at Tech Futures.

Research technologists Indira Draper and Brent Mikaelsen, at work in the Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures’ fermentation plant.

Company & Advertiser Index COMPANY

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ABIC 2014..............................................................................................................5......................................................................................www.abic.ca/abic2014 ABIC 2013.............................................................................................................31.....................................................................................www.abic.ca/abic2013 Ag-West Bio.........................................................................................................13............................................................................................www.agwest.sk.ca Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions................................................................... 19............................................................................... bio.albertainnovates.ca Alberta Innovates Health Solutions.............................................................. 18............................................................................www.aihealthsolutions.ca Alberta Innovates Tech Futures......................................................................29........................................................................... www.albertatechfutures.ca Aurora Biomed ..................................................................................................2.................................................................................www.aurorabiomed.com AVAC......................................................................................................................9..............................................................................................www.avacltd.com BioAlberta..................................................................................................... 8.....................................................................................www.bioalberta.com Caledon Labs......................................................................................................17.................................................................................... www.caledonlabs.com Genome Alberta.................................................................................................11.................................................................................... www.genomalberta.ca Genome Canada.......................................................................................... 11...............................................................................www.genomecanada.ca GlaxoSmithKline Inc...................................................................................... 6...................................................................................................www.gsk.ca Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP.......................................................................7.........................................................................................................gowlings.ca Eppendorf...........................................................................................................32.......................................................................................www.eppendorf.com Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology.................................................................... 6................................................................likashingvirology.med.ualberta.ca VIDO-InterVac.....................................................................................................23....................................................................................................www.vido.org VWR.......................................................................................................................2.................................................................................................... www.vwr.com XiteBio Technologies Inc.............................................................................. 26............................................................................................ www.xitebio.ca 28 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

ALBERTA BIOTECH

“We work collaboratively with companies to develop their production process. Typically, we start with the small-scale fermentation process.

We optimize conditions to see what’s required for optimal growth of bacteria, yeast, fungal, algae and recombinant or insect cell culture expression systems. Then, we bring the production to larger quantities, until we produce the volume that is needed.“

with the technology transfer as well. “Our mandate is to help businesses graduate into larger manufacturing facilities. We do that by providing our clients with what they need to succeed. During the transition period, they can use our facility to manufacture their product. We even have clients who need smaller volumes and use our equipment to produce the quantity they need,” says Szarka.

Tech Futures offers a wide range of services to biotechnology companies, including microbial fermentation, chemical synthesis, non-clinical services and regulatory assistance. Funding support is also available through a variety of programs. More information can be found on albertainnovatestechfutures.ca.

— Rod Szarka

“We work collaboratively with companies to develop their production process.

Typically, we start with the small-scale fermentation process. We optimize conditions to see what’s required for optimal growth of bacteria, yeast, fungal, algae and recombinant or insect cell culture expression systems. Then, we bring the production to larger quantities, until we produce the volume that is needed. Our goal is to help our clients develop their product, and save time and money—so they can get to market faster,” adds Szarka.

Tech Futures’ expertise and equipment make it possible for companies to advance their product from lab to commercial production scale. The process development plant houses 20 vessels, ranging in size from 20 litres to 15,000 litres. All fermenters can monitor standard parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, off-gas analysis and agitation rate. Some of them can monitor vessel pressure, power input and aeration rate. Tech Futures can also perform oxygen-enriched processes up to a 1,500-litre scale.

Downstream processing equipment compliments the fermenters, making it possible to isolate an end product. Final product can be shipped as frozen biomass, lyophilized powder or spray dried material.

The collaboration doesn’t end with the completion of the scale-up process. Tech Futures’ experienced staff can assist clients

Big dreams.

Hard work.

Great business.

Seeking to bring your innovation to market?

Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures can help.

Our experts and facilities can help you develop your product, scale up your production or meet regulatory requirements. So the world benefits from your product, faster. albertainnovatestechfutures.ca

July/August 2013 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS 29

THE LAST WORD

By Murray McLaughlin

Canadian Agriculture,

a driving force for the healthy bioeconomy

Murray McLaughlin, Bioindustrial Innovation Centre

Canada is blessed with abundant biomass when we look at forestry and agriculture. Farmers, being an entrepreneurial lot, are constantly looking at how they can create more value at the farm gate. In the past this has been done with improved varieties, agronomic practices and marketing, where as in the future the efficiencies will be based on improved management, innovation and new market opportunities, such as biomass.

A few things that agriculture will need to consider as we move forward in this 21st century: • FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) projects that a 70 per cent increase in food production will be needed by 2050.

• In 1995, about 1.8 million people were living in areas experiencing severe water stress. By 2025, it is projected that 5.5 billion people (about two-thirds of the global population) will live in areas facing severe to moderate water stress.

• In 2005, approximately 1.5 billion adults were overweight, 400 million were considered obese. By 2015, the World Health Organization projects that the numbers will be 2.3 billion overweight and 700 million obese.

• Greenhouse gas emissions are the largest and fastest growing component of the global economy’s ‘ecological footprint’ - something agriculture can help get under control by better overall use of our cropping practises. The challenge, reducing GHG’s (greenhouse) while the global economy is set to triple by 2050.

All of these things lead to a need for an innovation group - farmers - to step up and show they are up to the challenge of creating a better future through a consistent vision for the sector. A vision developed in 2004 for agriculture, is still on tract today. It is: “In the year 2018 Canada is a world leader in the enhancement of human, animal and environment health through the application of research, technology, and social innovation in agriculture and the bioscience industry. As a solution provider to society, we reduce the burgeoning health deficit, improve quality of life, and embrace environmental sustainability. We are the trusted standard against which others measure themselves.”

To bring it down to one line, “Agriculture is the

30 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS July/August 2013

fundamental pillar for a healthy Canada and world.”

When we look at the challenge, it is nutrition; it is water; it is maximizing use of our crops (both food and biomass); it is keeping our environment healthy; and it is about managing the carbon molecule to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by building a biobased products sector. All this and more will lead to a healthy future on a global scale.

At the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre we work closely with the chemical industry, biomaterials sector and farmers to build a strong bioeconomy in Canada.

Essentially, building a partnership from biomass production to the end product, and creating a hybrid ecosystem.

Over the past year I have attended conferences in Europe, South America, U.S., Malaysia and Canada all focused on utilization of biomass to build a future with a “Hybrid Ecosystem,” and the convergence of traditional chemistry industries with the bio-based chemistry from agriculture and forestry. This creates a strong need for agriculture to step forward and here in Canada this means a strong focus on innovation - biomass to chemicals, specialty crops for biofuels, biomaterials and nutrition.

ABIC is a conference designed to focus attention on the issues and future opportunities in global agriculture.

As a founder of ABIC (Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference) in 1995, a conference focused on new science and its commercial benefits. I look forward to seeing ABIC continue its focus on science to commercialization in Calgary, Sept 15 to 18, 2013 with the theme “Food, Water and Energy for a Hungry World.”

It’s a theme that fits well with agriculture becoming a fundamental pillar for a healthy world.

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