June 29, 2021 [OTTAWA] BIOTECanada is supportive of the implementation delay of the
changes to the PMPRB announced today by the Government of Canada. The industry
recommends using the implementation delay to work with the government towards providing
a more holistic policy approach for the sector which recognizes the interconnectivity of the
ecosystem which includes early-stage biotech companies and large multinational
pharmaceutical companies. Moreover, a more competitive policy approach for the sector will
greatly enhance the significant investments governments have already directed into the
sector over the past twelve months.
Recognizing the importance of the sector in delivering solutions for the current pandemic,
preparing for future pandemics and supporting the post-pandemic economic rebuild, the
government’s recent budget provided significant new program commitments and
investments aimed at building a robust and globally competitive Canadian biotech sector
and biomanufacturing capacity. These commitments are greatly welcomed by the industry
as they will make Canada more competitive in attracting investment, commercializing
science, and creating the highly skilled jobs of today and tomorrow. Another important
legacy of the Canadian government’s pandemic response has been the constructive working
relationship the government has established with the industry to identify key Canadian
assets and areas for investment. The recent Sanofi and Resilience Biotechnologies
investment-partnership deals will be significant strategic assets for Canada going forward.
Canada now has an opportunity to build on the constructive relationship established during
the pandemic to leverage the government’s significant investments and successfully meet
its preparedness and economic rebuild objectives.
The industry looks forward to collaborating with the government, building on recent
investments to develop a more sustainable path forward supporting access to emerging
technologies, an affordable healthcare system and the growth of Canada’s biotech
ecosystem more broadly.
About BIOTECanada
BIOTECanada is the national association for Canada’s biotech industry. The Association’s
over 240 member companies represent the diverse Canadian biotech industry ecosystem
which extends across the country with unique hubs in every province. BIOTECanada’s
membership reflects the Canadian biotech ecosystem, which is a mix of large multinational
pharmaceutical companies, early-stage biotech companies of varying sizes, drug discovery
and accelerator organizations, research centers, universities, and investors.