BIONATION 2024 Recap: A Celebration of Canada’s Biotech Ecosystem
Canada’s biotech community came out in full force for BIONATION 2024 in Ottawa from September 24th – 25th, marking a milestone in showcasing the sector’s strategic economic and social significance. Over two days, BIONATION brought together leaders in science, innovation, and entrepreneurship, along with researchers, investors, policymakers, and the next generation of the biotech workforce. The momentum and energy throughout the ecosystem were incredible, proving that Canada not only has what it takes, but also the collective ambition to build world-leading biotech companies right here in Canada.
BIONATION 2024 featured four dynamic panels that tackled key themes at the forefront of Canada’s biotech ecosystem
Embracing & Accelerating Biotech Innovation, featuring: Colleen Coxson (Alnylam Pharmaceuticals), Peter Zandstra (University of British Columbia), Clarissa Desjardins (Congruence Therapeutics), Tamer Mohamed (Aspect Biosystems), Rami Fayed (AbbVie Canada)
Anchoring Canadian Excellence, featuring: Gordon McCauley (adMare BioInnovations), Roberto Bellini (BSQUARED Capital), JP Devereaux (McMaster University), Anne Stevens (AbCellera) Ed Morgan (Health Canada)
Investment Attraction, featuring: Elizabeth Douville (Genome Canada), Maxime Pesant (Fonds de solidarité FTQ), Anne Woods (RBCx), Chuck Lafleche (Viotika Life Sciences), Jamie Stiff (Genesys Capital)
People Powering the Ecosystem, featuring: Penny Walsh-McGuire (Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences, CASTL), Rob Henderson (BioTalent Canada), François Ravenelle (Tarock Capital), Geoff Evans (Eurofins)
At BIONATION in September 2024, CASTL was pleased to present results from their recent market research, completed in partnership with BioTalent Canada, that provides insights into hiring outlooks and skills required by Canadian Biomanufacturing companies. The project, Knowledge and Insights for Future Proofing Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Training, is funded by the Future Skills Centre (FSC). The Future Skills Centre has contracted Malatest, an external and independent research firm, to conduct a project evaluation for CASTL.
BIONATION attendees are invited to complete a short five-minute feedback survey to share input on CASTL, CASTL’s presentation, panel, and Mentimeter discussion. To participate, please visit this link.
An out-of-this-world keynote was delivered from the legendary astronaut, business leader, tech entrepreneur, and bestselling author, Chris Hadfield. His inspiring message emphasized the importance of having a clear purpose, communicating effectively, and celebrating successes often—offering valuable advice to help our biotech sector reach new heights.
One of the many highlights of BIONATION were the one-on-one fireside chats led by BIOTECanada President & CEO Andrew Casey with the Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, and the Hon. Mark Holland, Minister of Health. Both federal Ministers reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to creating favourable conditions for entrepreneurs, researchers, and experts. In a pivotal announcement exclusive to BIONATION 2024, Minister Champagne announced the creation of the Health Emergency Readiness Canada agency, a crucial step in bolstering the country’s pandemic preparedness and enhancing collaboration between healthcare and innovation sectors. This announcement emphasized the need for health and economic policy to work together to fully leverage Canada’s advances in science and innovation.
An insightful “Ottawa Behind the Headlines” political panel with Susan Smith, Kathleen Monk, and Tim Powers, set the tone for strategic dialogues about the future of Canada’s biotech sector and the pathways to continued success.
Closing remarks at BIONATION were delivered by Ritu Banerjee, Assistant Deputy Minister at ISED.
The BIONATION Takeaway
Building on recent successes in biotech and life sciences, it’s evident that Canada has the tools, expertise, and drive needed to establish anchor companies. Together, this vibrant biotech ecosystem is shaping a collaborative and ambitious future for Canada.
Special mention to Tim O’Loan, Military & Indigenous Survivor & First Nations Expert, who shared his valuable insights on land recognition as a vital aspect of long-term reconciliation.
Thank you to our BIOTECanada Members and the many industry stakeholders, including Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Health Canada, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), National Research Council Canada (NRC), Global Affairs Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and Research Canada, who joined us at BIONATION.
Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to the BIONATION Builders who helped make BIONATION a resounding success: AbbVie Canada, adMare BioInnovations, AstraZeneca Canada, BioTalent Canada, CASTL, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Genome Canada, Novartis Canada, StemCell Network.
Meet our 2024 BIONATION Builders:
Check back often as we feature videos of the incredible work of our BIONATION Builders.
Publications
Anchor Companies
Canadian life sciences can lead the world. The adMare Institute seeks to provide balanced and data-based analysis. Watch this video summarizing adMare first report: Canada’s Evolving Life Sciences Industry: Exploring Ecosystems, Clusters, and the Need for Anchor Companies.
adMare Institute’s first white paper, Canada’s Evolving Life Sciences Industry: Exploring Ecosystems, Clusters, and the Need for Anchor Companies considers the role of innovation ecosystems, advantages of industrial clusters, and impact of anchor companies on the life sciences industry. The paper highlights how innovation ecosystems differ from clusters, and explores the symbiosis that exists among the component parts. We also propose a definition of research-based anchor companies in the Canadian context and explore the critical roles they play in leading internationally prominent life science clusters – a role that is absent in Canada.
BIONATION 2023 Highlights
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What is BIONATION
The BIONATION program was created in 2020 by BIOTECanada as a platform for a national dialogue on the achievements and developments of the biotechnology ecosystem in Canada. BIONATION hosts events, develops policy papers and resources, and ultimately connects Canada’s biotechnology entrepreneurs and research and development leaders with the government. BIONATION has helped to make Canada a biomanufacturing and life sciences powerhouse. Today, more than 900 innovative Canadian biotechnology companies anchor our national discovery and development network. The ecosystem driving the network is an economic catalyst present in every Canadian region and is driving the unprecedented opportunities that lay ahead.
Investing in BIONATION
Beginning with the 2021 federal budget, the Government of Canada has made significant investments to build out the domestic life sciences ecosystem and enhance Canada’s biomanufacturing capacity: The $350 million Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI) included a Life sciences stream of up to $50 million In 2023, The $2.6 billion Canada Innovation Corporation (CIC) was created to drive Canadian business investment in research and development (R&D). The Council of Expert Advisors (CEA) will advise the Government of Canada on the long-term, sustainable growth of Canada’s biomanufacturing and life sciences sector, and how to enhance our ability to protect the health and safety of Canadians. Canada’s first-ever National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases makes available up to $1.4 billion over three years to provinces and territories to improve access to new and emerging drugs for Canadians with rare diseases.
Our Moment is Now
We have made incredible progress over the past few years, but we must not take our foot off the gas. Every other leading economic jurisdiction in the world is also investing heavily in their domestic life sciences sectors as they too understand the vital role biotechnology innovation plays in the global economy.
Now through BIONATION we are focusing on the next set of policy reforms and programs to build a more globally competitive Canada.