New multidisciplinary projects across the country will prepare Canada for future health emergencies and build capacity
MONTRÉAL, May 6, 2024 /CNW/ - Growing a robust, competitive, domestic biomanufacturing and life sciences sector ensures that Canada has access to critical vaccines, therapeutics and other life-saving medicines. The Government of Canada has been doing just that since the launch of Canada's Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy in 2021 with a $2.2 billion commitment to develop cutting-edge biomanufacturing capabilities.
Today, the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced nearly $574 million in funding for 19 projects at 14 research institutions across Canada, through Stage 2 of the integrated Canada Biomedical Research Fund (CBRF) and Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund (BRIF) competition.
Through these investments in research, talent and infrastructure projects, Canadians will have access to made-in-Canada vaccines, therapeutics and other life-saving medicines and innovations. This will help strengthen the resilience of Canada's life sciences sector by supporting leading Canadian research in innovative technologies that keep us safe and boost our economy.
Projects receiving funding aim at:
Each of the 19 projects is endorsed by one of the five research hubs that were established in Stage 1 of the CBRF-BRIF competition. These hubs combine the strengths of Canada's postsecondary institutions and research hospitals, industry and the not-for-profit sector to jointly improve health emergency preparedness and the overall health and well-being of Canadians. In addition, the hubs will help accelerate the translation of promising research into commercially viable products and processes. By strengthening research capacity and leveraging collaborations across the entire biomanufacturing ecosystem, Canada will be better prepared to face future pandemics.
"With world-leading scientists and researchers established across Canadian leading research institutions, Canada is home to a competitive and robust biomanufacturing and life sciences sector. We made a promise to Canadians that we would rebuild the domestic sector. With this investment, our government is delivering on this promise by supporting the excellent innovations, collaborations and infrastructures necessary to rapidly respond to future public health threats and keep Canadians safe."
?The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
"Today's announcement marks another important milestone in our work to improve health outcomes for Canadians and strengthen our domestic biomanufacturing capacity. This investment will support innovative and world-leading research and science in the areas of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and surveillance to help prepare Canada for future health emergencies."
?The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health
"The projects that we're supporting today will strengthen our ability to supply medicines, vaccines and therapeutics for the benefit of Canadians. These collaborations between research hubs, postsecondary institutions and research hospitals will foster innovation across the country. Thanks to the work of experienced scientists in institutions at the cutting edge of innovation, Canada will be ready to respond to future health priorities."
?The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
"The research funded through the CBRF will position Canada as a global leader in the biomanufacturing and life sciences sector. Most importantly, today's investment will ensure that our nation's brightest researchers and scientists are at the forefront of vaccine and therapeutic discoveries that will drive Canadian industry and equip Canada with the capacity to respond quickly and effectively to future pandemics."
?Ted Hewitt, Chair, Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat; President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
"Having access to state-of-the-art research facilities is critical for Canadians to respond to public health emergencies. Investments through the?Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund are helping equip researchers with the tools they need to speed the discovery and development of new vaccines and antibiotics, innovative diagnostics, and work with the country's biomanufacturing sector."
?Roseann O'Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation
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SOURCE Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat
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