December 5, 2003
Province Announces $2 Million For New Biomedical Research Centre
Province Announces $2 Million For New Biomedical Research Centre- - -
Initiative to Strengthen Manitoba's Reputation As Leader in Life Sciences, Biomedical Research: Sale
Manitoba's life sciences sector will continue to grow with $2 million in funding to help create a new commercialization centre that will advance biomedical research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the province.
"This will be a unique and innovative national centre for the commercial development of biomedical technology," said Energy, Science and Technology Minister Tim Sale. "It's part of a bold new plan that adds to our commitment to make Manitoba a national centre for innovation in medical technologies and keep the commercialization of innovations in this province."
The Centre for the Commercialization of Biomedical Technology (CCBT) at the National Research Council's Institute for Biodiagnostics will help create enterprises by assisting new entrepreneurs in bringing their scientific products and services into the marketplace. It will help develop research, technology and management skills, and support sustained growth in biomedical technology.
The minister noted that this is the first time that the province and the National Research Council (NRC) have partnered to advance life sciences technologies in Manitoba.
The funding will help meet the Innovation Framework target to increase the number of biotechnology companies by 50 per cent by 2007 and establish two business commercialization centres by 2005. It will also strengthen research capacity in Manitoba and build innovation through infrastructure development.
"This NRC centre extends our commitment to research and innovation in Manitoba. We want to enhance the likelihood that Manitoba entrepreneurs and startup firms will have the tools, resources and expertise to achieve sustained growth for the decades ahead," said Ian Smith, director general of the NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics. "Moreover, we see this as a national centre for innovation and commercialization, attracting biomedical entrepreneurs and firms to Manitoba from across Canada and around the world."
The new NRC facility will create and advance programs that support technology mentoring, investment opportunities and market development for medical diagnostics. The CCBT will be built adjacent to the NRC's Institute for Biodiagnostics. Construction will begin in 2004.
The NRC's Institute for Biodiagnostics performs research in medical diagnostics, focusing on technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and infrared spectroscopic imaging (IRI) for the early, non-invasive diagnosis of a variety of diseases including cancer, arthritis, heart disease, neurological conditions and osteoporosis. Research is carried out in collaboration with physicians, hospitals and other research groups in Canada and around the world.
Sale noted that expenditures in research and development currently account for approximately 1.2 per cent of the province's GDP, the fourth highest among the provinces. He said that this year the province will invest over $22 million in research funding in Manitoba universities and institutes. Other research and development initiatives supported by the province include :
- $ 9 million for the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals;
- an $8 million contribution for the renovation and expansion of the Portage la Prairie Food Development Centre; and
- $5 million for the I.H. Asper Clinical Research Institute in St. Boniface.
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