Opening of cutting-edge biomanufacturing facility creates
more than 1,000 Canadian jobs, boosting the domestic life sciences
sector
BURNABY,
BC, July 9, 2024 /CNW/ - The Government of
Canada is investing in a robust,
dynamic and resilient life sciences ecosystem capable of responding
to current and future health emergencies. Since March 2020, over $2.2
billion has been invested to strengthen our country's
domestic biomanufacturing and life sciences capabilities to ensure
Canadians have access to the most cutting-edge medical
technologies.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, is
pleased to announce the opening of STEMCELL Technologies'
state-of-the-art facility, in Burnaby,
British Columbia, which has been supported through a
$22.5 million investment by the
Government of Canada, matched by
the Government of British
Columbia. This investment has contributed to the
construction of a brand new good manufacturing practices (GMP)
biomanufacturing facility where STEMCELL Technologies can now
manufacture products at the higher regulatory compliance standard
required to support clinical trials for cell therapy, tissue
engineering, immunotherapy, gene therapy and regenerative medicine,
with the ultimate aim of curing cancer and other serious diseases.
With the completion of this project, STEMCELL Technologies created
more than 1,000 new full-time jobs in British Columbia, far exceeding the project's
target of 675.
The expansion of STEMCELL Technologies' presence in British Columbia strengthens the province's
status as a biomanufacturing and life sciences hub and will
generate more research and development (R&D) and more
collaboration with academia. It will also ensure new intellectual
property being developed remains in Canada.
This investment is made possible through the Strategic
Innovation Fund, a program to attract and support high-quality
business investments across all sectors of the economy by
encouraging R&D that will accelerate technology transfer and
commercialization of innovative products, processes and
services.
Quotes
"Our government is committed to supporting innovation in the
life sciences sector to ensure Canadians have access to the most
cutting-edge medical technologies to keep them safe. The opening of
STEMCELL Technologies' state-of-the-art facility is another
important milestone in achieving a robust domestic life sciences
sector in Canada. Through
investments such as this, we are securing domestic supply chains
and ensuring new intellectual property remains in Canada, while supporting the creation of
hundreds of great-paying jobs for Canadian workers."
– The Honourable François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
"Supporting research and development expansion, as well as job
growth in diverse and dynamic fields, all across Canada is essential to creating stronger local
economies. Leaps in progress often happen because of many smaller
steps, on many roads leading to the same destination."
– The Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens' Services
"B.C. is home to the fastest growing life sciences and
biomanufacturing sector in Canada.
Supporting companies like STEMCELL is helping the ecosystem in B.C.
continue to grow and thrive, meaning more good jobs for British
Columbians and better access to cutting edge research and
therapeutics."
– Brenda Bailey, Minister of
Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
"The opening of this new facility is the culmination of a
massive multi-year project unprecedented in STEMCELL's 31-year
history that enables us to meet the needs of scientists advancing
medical discoveries globally. This biomanufacturing facility
strengthens STEMCELL's positioning as a Canadian anchor company and
will allow us to contribute to the life sciences ecosystem for
decades to come."
– Dr. Allen Eaves, Founder,
President and CEO, STEMCELL Technologies
Quick facts
- Canada's Biomanufacturing and
Life Sciences Strategy presents a long-term vision to protect
Canadians against future pandemics and other health emergencies and
to grow an innovative, competitive domestic life sciences
sector.
- STEMCELL Technologies was founded in 1993 by CEO Dr.
Allen Eaves. The company has since
grown into a global biotechnology enterprise, producing
high-quality cell culture media, cell separation technologies,
instruments, accessory products, educational resources, and
contract assay services that are used by scientists performing
cancer, stem cell, immunology, regenerative medicine, and cellular
therapy research globally.
- Stem cells were discovered in the early 1960s through the work
of Canadian scientists Dr. James
Till and Dr. Ernest McCulloch
at the University of Toronto.
Associated links
- Biomanufacturing: Advancing health sciences industry in
Canada
- Strategic Innovation Fund
- STEMCELL Technologies
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