Media Release from BIOTECanada

BusinessWire · Jan. 14, 2013

BIOTECanada, the national industry association representing biotechnology companies congratulates the Government of Canada on their commitment to make available $400 million for venture capital activities. By encouraging the private sector to invest, the Government is keeping Canada competitive in attracting investment dollars.

“This strategic initiative will provide significant opportunities for Canadian companies to attract capital” commented Andrew Casey, President and CEO of BIOTECanada. “In light of the highly competitive global capital market this provides Canada with a strong competitive advantage to leverage the capital it needs to innovate.”

Access to capital remains central to the biotechnology sector’s ability to grow operations in Canada, undertake research, and bring new products and processes to commercial development. Casey continued, “Canada now joins a number of countries where aggressive investment strategies have been implemented and are providing their respective biotechnology sectors with competitive advantages.”

The Canadian life sciences sector continues to show determination and resiliency throughout economic uncertainty. The industry is seeking in excess of $1 billion of capital to help Canadian companies grow and develop. Through diverse products and process developments, Canadian biotechnology companies are boosting commercial productivity in agriculture, healthcare, energy, and advanced manufacturing.

BIOTECanada is the national industry association representing nearly 250 biotechnology member companies nation wide, reflecting the diverse nature of Canada’s health, industrial and agricultural biotechnology sectors.

Biotechnology News

Heads up on the upcoming National Biotechnology Week (September 14 – 21, 2012). Bio-economy business leaders, and public officials will share stories of Canadian biotechnology excellence.

Biotechnology companies are unleashing an array of invented, developed and commercialized Canadian products for the world to covet. BIOTECanada and national organization partners are focussed on ensuring Canada is recognized as a defined global leader.

For more click here.

Biotechnology News

Congratulations to the 2011 Gold Leaf Awards Winners

BIOTECanada’s Gold Leaf Awards program recognizes both companies and individuals who have made significant achievements to our industry. This year’s winners include:

Company of the Year:
Cardiome Pharma Corp.

Industry Leadership Award:
Yves Rosconi

Early Stage Company of the Year: Health
Allon Therapeutics Inc.

Early Stage Company of the Year: Industrial and Agriculture
EnWave Corporation

Contribution to Canadian Communities :
Sanofi Pasteur Limited

Contribution to the Association:
Gordon Jans, PwC

CLINK: http://www.biotech.ca/en/what-we-do/goldleafawards.aspx

Canadian Biotechnology News

Biotech sector seeking to go with the flow – Asking for same opportunities as energy companies

The legislation setting up flow-through shares is more than 50 years old and those securities have been a constant source of capital for the resources industry, whether for oil and gas, mining or renewable energy. The country’s biotechnology industry would like a similar arrangement and has made submissions to Ottawa to back its campaign.

BioteCanada the expansion of the federal government’s flow-through shares program to Canada’s biotechnology sector. More details are to be released over the coming weeks.

Question: It this the answer for our underfunded sector?

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Biotech+sector+seeking+with+flow/3921479/story.html

Biotechnology News

Peter Benders is the President and CEO of BIOTECanada, Canada’s national association representing the biotechnology sector. He recently posted this piece on the state of the sector in Canada and introduced a new report from his organization.

Clink: http://biotuesday.ca/2010/07/13/biotecanadas-peter-benders-on-the-state-of-the-sector/

The Report:
The Canadian Blueprint
Beyond Moose and Mountains
How we can build the world’s leading bio-based economy

Clink for the report: http://www.biotech.ca/uploads/pdf/beyondmm_english_final.pdf

Biotechnology News

Canadian Biotech Bench Strength Devoted to Taking Canada Beyond Moose and Mountains, andinto the Economy of the Future

At its 2010 annual general meeting in Montreal this week, the national biotechnology association, BIOTECanada, confirmed a national team of industry leaders, whose expertise will ensure Canada keeps growing what today is an $84 billion bio-economy.

Clink for more: http://www.financialpost.com/markets/news_releases/Canadian+Biotech+Bench+Strength+Devoted+Taking+Canada+Beyond+Moose+Mountains+andinto+Economy+Future/3171684/story.html#ixzz0rEZNWRnh
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Read more: http://www.financialpost.com/markets/news_releases/Canadian+Biotech+Bench+Strength+Devoted+Taking+Canada+Beyond+Moose+Mountains+andinto+Economy+Future/3171684/story.html#ixzz0rEYzXIBS The Financial Post is now on Facebook. Join our fan community today.

The Role of Science Innovation in Agriculture

As biotechnologists we are well aware of the role that biotechnology plays in the improvement of our daily lives including medical progress, social benefits and agricultural advancement. The 2009 World Food Prize was awarded to Dr. Gebisa Ejeta of Ethiopia, whose sorghum hybrids resistant to drought and the devastating Striga weed have dramatically increased the production and availability of one of the worlds five principal grains and enhanced the food supply of hundreds of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. BIOTECanada recently interviewed World Prize Winner, Dr. Gebisa Ejeta about agricultural innovation and development and how the private sector can help in agricultural development.