SEIZING THE MOMENT: a joint call to action for Canada’s life sciences future

SEIZING THE MOMENT: a joint call to action for Canada’s life sciences future

Positioning Canada as a Global Leader in Biotechnology Innovation and Access 

Canada’s life sciences sector is experiencing historic momentum—powered by cutting-edge research, a growing biotech pipeline, and expanding biomanufacturing capabilities. But global competitors are moving fast to capture the economic and health care system benefits for themselves. 

Biotechnology holds the solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges: human health, animal health and food security, and climate change mitigation. As organizations from across Canada with mandates to grow the full spectrum of biotechnology innovation economic assets, including the companies, products and highly skilled jobs driving recent success, we have agreed now is the time for a pan-Canadian, multi-government action plan to advance Canadian self-sufficiency and accelerate the economic impact of the sector for Canada. 

The recently elected federal government has recognized the urgent need to attract investment into Canada’s life sciences sector with policy commitments to grow the sector —such as enhancements to SR&ED, flow-through shares, the Canada Patent Box, and gaps in access to adequate levels of risk capital including the $1 billion recapitalization of Venture Capital Catalyst Incentive (VCCI)—that directly respond to the sector’s call for a more competitive, investor-ready policy environment. 

These signal a clear commitment to creating the conditions required to scale innovation, retain IP, and position Canada as a global destination for biotech investment. We look forward to the timely implementation of these proposals to capture the momentum of the sector throughout Canada. 

Many provincial governments have established life science strategies aimed at securing investment, providing access to new products and promoting the value and opportunities for regional economic growth. There are also dozens of regional and municipal economic development leaders doing the same. 

This is a unique point in time where all orders of government can align and present a globally competitive environment for biotechnology discovery and innovation to thrive in Canada. 

To secure long-term advantage, attract investment, and deliver better economic and health outcomes for Canadians, we must act now to strengthen the full life sciences ecosystem—from discovery and development to approval, commercialization, and manufacturing. 

We must ensure Canadians have access to the latest life sciences innovations to bolster public health and productivity.  Canadian life sciences companies must have access to the capital they need to innovate, commercialize and go global while remaining in Canada. This is more than an innovation agenda—it is a nation-building opportunity. Life sciences are essential to both Canada’s economic prosperity and its health security. 

A globally competitive life sciences sector strengthens the foundation of Canada’s public health system, delivers economic diversification, and provides resilience in the face of future global shocks. By reinforcing this sector, Canada can reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, respond rapidly to emerging health threats, and anchor high-value jobs and IP domestically. Investing in biotech is investing in the future security, wellbeing, and sovereignty of the country. 

We urge the Governments of Canada to take bold, coordinated action across two key policy pillars: 

1. Unlock Capital Across the Entire Life Sciences Pipeline 

Canada must position its life sciences sector—from discovery labs to commercial biomanufacturing—as a cornerstone of national economic strategy. Long-standing capital constraints remain a barrier to growth across all stages of the value chain. Solutions have been clearly identified:  

• Improve access to capital  
• Enable intellectual property to thrive within Canada 

Anticipated Value: 

• Strengthens domestic capital markets across research, development, and production 
• Increases success rate of Canadian biotech firms in scaling innovation 
• Grow job opportunities and highly skilled workforce 
• Reduces reliance on foreign capital and protects Canadian IP and talent 
• Anchors the entire life sciences value chain in Canada 

Sharpen Canada’s Tools to Compete and Grow 

Countries with strong life sciences sectors are winning on tax competitiveness. Canada must modernize its tax tools to drive investment at every stage—basic research, translational science, product development, and domestic manufacturing. 

Anticipated Value: 

• Attracts and retains top talent in research and emerging companies 
• Encourages reinvestment of returns into Canadian innovation and infrastructure 
• Increases Canada’s appeal to biotech founders, funders, and manufacturers 
• Keeps high-value IP and production in Canada 

Secure Innovation, Manufacturing Readiness and Access 

Sustainable therapeutic and vaccine innovation is vital not only for the health of Canadians, but also for the long-term viability of Canada’s life sciences and biomanufacturing ecosystem. Federal and provincial coordinated leadership is needed to ensure we are prepared across the full continuum—from research to domestic production, to public access. The life sciences industry is an integral part of the national defence capability and must be treated accordingly.

Anticipated Value:

• Ensures Canada can rapidly respond to health crises and threats with locally manufactured solutions 
• Stimulates private-sector vaccine R&D and infrastructure investment 
• Strengthens domestic advanced biomanufacturing capacity and biosecurity infrastructures
• Enhances resilience in both public health and economic security 

2. Regulatory Modernization: Make Canada a Best-in-Class Global Regulator 

An effective clinical trial and regulatory system is the backbone of a thriving life sciences sector. It ensures timely access to safe, effective treatments while enabling the development, testing, and approval of next-generation innovations. Canada’s ability to lead in biotech—across research, clinical development, commercialization, and manufacturing—depends on a predictable, aligned and high-performing regulatory environment. 

Anticipated Value: 

• Attract global clinical trials and R&D investments 
• Accelerates patient access to innovations 
• Builds Canadian healthcare capacity to deliver improved standards of care 
• Facilitates commercialization and production of new products within Canada 
• Builds global confidence in Canada’s regulatory leadership  

The Ask 

We call on leaders from all orders of government, industry, academic institutions, and other key stakeholders across the country to work together to build the life sciences enterprise in Canada.  

Together, we can build a globally competitive life sciences sector that supports Canadian innovation from the lab bench to the production line—delivering life-changing solutions to patients and sustained growth to the national economy. 

This is our moment. Let’s act together.