LIFE SCIENCES ONTARIO
ONTARIO By Daniela Fisher & LSO
When it comes to the life sciences industry, Ontario is a powerhouse. Its innovations in stem cell development, insulin-creation and key gene discoveries for cystic fibrosis and epilepsy are just a few examples of how the sector has put Ontario on the map as a global leader in the industry.
GIVING VOICE TO
ONTARIO’S LIFE SCIENCES Ontario’s life sciences cluster also has great diversity, ranging from pharma and biotechnology to agriculture, food processing, forestry and the environment. This diversity of disciplines allows Ontario to excel in multiple fields, including emerging areas of convergent technologies, but at the same time it creates a challenge for all the various stakeholders – from small pre-commercial technology companies to multinational enterprises to provide consistent messages to policy makers and other senior decision makers. Enter Life Sciences Ontario (LSO), the member-driven organization that provides a unified voice for Ontario’s life sciences sector. With its fundamental principle of “diversity of members, unity of voice,” the organization has become the cohesive voice of life sciences in Ontario, focusing on addressing key issues within public policy development, commercialization and talent development; while encouraging a collaborative approach to innovation and promoting the industry nationally and internationally.
A UNITING PRESENCE LSO’s mission is to represent and promote the benefits of life science technologies and encourage their commercial success. This makes the organization a useful conduit
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Biotechnology Focus / June 2012
between research, development, commercialization, support, manufacturing and services sectors. They work with government, academia and industry stakeholders to develop recommendations on key policies for improving Ontario’s life sciences ecosystem and business environment. Along with hosting many networking and educational events, LSO helps the life sciences sector grow through advocacy, facilitation of economic development and industry promotion locally, nationally and internationally, as is seen in the upcoming Boston BIO 2012. LSO also runs a vibrant mentorship and professional development program to help develop talent within the life sciences sector.
SETTING A NEW DIRECTION FOR ONTARIO LIFE SCIENCES In October 2011, LSO hired Dr. Jason Field as the new executive director for the organization. In December that year, Dr. Field presented a strategic plan for the organization to accelerate its evolution as the voice of Ontario’s life sciences industry. The strategic plan focused on building on the past successes of LSO’s well-known networking events and mentorship program; while renewing and elevating the priorities of stakeholder engagement and advocacy through a unified voice.
Just recently, the organization’s board of directors elected a new president and chair, Paul Lucas, former CEO of GlaxoSmithKline Canada and continuing advocate for the entire life sciences sector. Lucas has also worked on numerous boards and committees, including co-chairing the Coalition for Action on Innovation with John Manley, president and CEO of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE). The pair took the lead in developing the Action Plan for Prosperity, a report with policy recommendations designed to help support Canada as a global leader in innovation. Lucas will work in partnership with LSO’s board of directors, which is made up of leaders from all areas of life sciences, including pharma, biotechnology, animal health, agriculture and food, investment firms, research and commercialization institutions and many more. LSO is also working with the government of Ontario on several strategic initiatives, including being selected to represent the life sciences sector as part of the Ontario Government’s Business Sector Strategy under the Open For Business (OFB) initiative. Working through the OFB initiative, LSO will have the opportunity to provide the government with its top five priorities that affect business in the life sciences industry
