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Emergence Incubator partners with Keiretsu Forum Canada

Emergence companies gain access to a range of education, training and investment capital opportunities

Charlottetown, PE – Emergence, Atlantic Canada’s bioscience business incubator and Keiretsu Forum Canada (Keiretsu) have entered into an agreement, making Emergence an official Network Partner of Keiretsu.

Under this agreement, Keiretsu will provide access and support from their global investor network as well as a range of education and training opportunities to both Emergence companies and the Emergence mentor team. Keiretsu will also provide Emergence companies with a potential source of investment capital, should they be accepted, while Emergence will provide Keiretsu with access to the latest high potential bioscience companies.

Emergence is Atlantic Canada’s bioscience business incubator dedicated to assisting start-ups and growth-stage companies in efficiently bringing their products and services to market. Emergence provides companies with business incubation services including mentorship and advisory services, team mentorship program as well as access to networks and resources. Emergence has more than 50 client companies from across the region in the incubator program and in 2019, these companies raised more than $200 million in capital.

“We are very pleased to partner with Keiretsu to offer this added benefit to both the companies in the incubator as well as our mentors,” said Jason Cleaversmith, Executive Director, Incubation and Infrastructure, PEI BioAlliance. “This partnership will elevate our service offering and continue to support bioscience companies in the region to thrive.”

Established in 2012, Keiretsu Forum brings together its investor members with the best investment opportunities in emerging companies from around the globe. Keiretsu Forum is the fastest growing, largest, and most active angel community in the world. It is the largest global investment network with over 50+ chapters and over 3,000 accredited private equity investors, venture capitalists, family offices and corporate/institutional investors.

“What makes Keiretsu Forum unique are partnerships such as these with the PEI-based Emergence Incubator,” said Ozan Isinak, President, Keiretsu Forum Canada. “This will clear the path for bioscience companies in Atlantic Canada to access a globally competitive early-stage eco-system while allowing our active investor base and our portfolio companies to diversify into new geographies. We look forward to building a deep relationship with the regional community.”

PEI companies well-represented as semi-finalists at BioInnovation Challenge pitch event

PEI companies will represent three out of the eight semi-finalists slots at the 2021 BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) pitch event. Hosted by BioNova, the BioInnovation Challenge is one of the longest-running business competitions in Atlantic Canada, celebrating and propelling the region’s next top innovators.

This year’s BIC will be held virtually during BioNova’s annual BioPort conference, Nov. 2-5, 2021. The finalists from PEI, who are also all Emergence clients, are: Au Naturel Solutions, Bactana Canada, and Remidose Aerosols. Two additional Emergence clients were also selected: Pivotal Health Sciences and Takaya Technology.

Both a pitch competition and business accelerator, BIC has supported the creation of over 70 new companies in the sector and distributed $465,000 in prize value since 2011. Last year’s eight BIC semi-finalists raised over $1 million in 2020, despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The eight semi-finalists will present their business ideas on November 3rd to an experienced panel of judges who represent industry and investment organizations knowledgeable about health and life sciences. Three finalists will then be selected to pitch in the finals on November 5th, with a winner to be announced that afternoon at the closing of BioPort. This year’s winner will be awarded a grand prize valued at $55,000, comprised of $25,000 in seed funding to develop their business idea and an advisory services package exceeding $30,000.

These eight semi-finalists were selected from a group of high-caliber applicants developing medical technologies, bioproducts, and natural health products with a shared focus on better health outcomes and environmental sustainability. Learn more about the entrepreneurs who will be pitching virtually on Nov. 3 during BioPort 2021:

Au Naturel Solutions Inc. — PEI (Emergence)
Simone Cormier, Founder
Specializes in the manufacturing of an all-natural materials breast prosthesis made of sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials and an innovative attaching system which does not require purchase of a specialty bra.

Bactana Canada Corp. — PEI (Emergence)
John Kallassy, CEO
Bactana Canada Corp. uses a microbiome discovery platform to develop innovative products through use of cutting-edge molecular and DNA sequencing methods to improve animal productivity and ultimately animal protein production. Their initial product is a patented feed additive for poultry and potentially swine.

Remidose Aerosols Inc. — PEI (Emergence)
Dr. Michael Mayne, President
Manufactures medical grade devices that deliver accurate dosing of purified cannabis oil. Their three primary products are an inhaler, an oral spray, and a topical aerosol device, each of which enable rapid onset of premium bioactive cannabinoids to avoid over consumption.

Pivotal Health Sciences Inc. — NB (Emergence)
Craig Jackson, CEO
Uses sustainable extraction and encapsulation technologies without the use of high energy or chemical additives to reduce the number of steps required to transform raw feedstock to high-value nano encapsulated bioactives.

Takaya Technology Inc. — NS (Emergence)
Erin MacKean, Co-founder & COO; Jennifer McFarland, Partner Development
Takaya Technology Inc. has developed a novel, medical grade N95 mask with advanced respirator seals to provide healthcare workers greater protection against COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens.

Axtion Independence Mobility Inc. — NS 
Tracey McGillivray, CEO; Liam Maaskant, CPO
Created a mobility device that combines a four-wheeled rollator walker with an elevating seat to prevent falls and enable independent recovery from a fall should one occur.

MycoFutures North Atlantic — NL 
Stephanie Lipp, Co-founder
MycoFutures North Atlantic is developing a highly-durable mycelium-based leather alternative using the root system of fungi. This product will reduce the environmental impact of apparel and footwear manufacturing.

Picketa Systems Inc. — NB 
Dominic Levesque, Co-founder & CTO
Picketa Systems Inc. created a soil and plant scanning technology and software platform to log and manage user data to optimize crop fertilization.

Natural Products Canada and Government of Canada partner to help Canadian companies seize $1 trillion opportunity

PEI BioAlliance partner Natural Products Canada (NPC) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership that will support its unique natural product innovation network of advice, connections, programs and investment to advance Canadian natural product innovation.

With $20 million in new support from the Government of Canada, NPC and its partners will help 500 Canadian companies developing natural products and technologies as diverse as nutrition supplements and feed ingredients to compostable packaging and environmental remediation.

Read full story.

Honibe facility expansion a win for PEI, Canadian health

On August 9, Island Abbey Foods, owners of the Honibe brand, hosted local, provincial and federal officials, members of the media, representatives from the business community and other invited guests for a milestone groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the expansion of their local Island Abbey Foods facility.

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CASTL supports federal strategy for biomanufacturing and life sciences

Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) programming will strengthen the national life sciences talent pipeline

Charlottetown, PE – The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences supports the Government of Canada’s announcement of a Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. The strategy aims to grow a strong, competitive domestic life sciences sector, with cutting-edge biomanufacturing capabilities, while creating good jobs for Canadians, and to make sure Canada is prepared for pandemics and other health emergencies in the future.

“CASTL welcomes the commitment and investment from the federal government to help power a talent engine for Canada’s biomanufacturing industry,” said Penny Walsh-McGuire, Executive Director, CASTL. “Collaboration between industry academia and government stakeholders will be crucial for the development of our talent pipeline and for realizing the full potential of Canada’s biomanufacturing industry.”

The Government of Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy includes a commitment of $2.2 billion over seven years from Budget 2021 to continue growing a strong and competitive sector and to ensure Canada is prepared for future pandemics. The strategy consists of five pillars:

  1. Strong and Coordinated Governance
  2. Laying a Solid Foundation by Strengthening Research Systems and the Talent Pipeline
  3. Growing Businesses by Doubling Down on Existing and Emerging Areas of Strength
  4. Building Public Capacity
  5. Enabling Innovation by Ensuring World Class Regulation

CASTL offers New Skilling, Reskilling and Upskilling programming for individuals to acquire the academic knowledge, and technical and professional skills to have a successful career in life sciences. CASTL is a Canadian centre-of-excellence dedicated to providing world-class training for bioscience talent creation specializing in biopharmaceutical processing. CASTL’s work will provide an ongoing, rich talent pool for biopharmaceutical manufacturing in Canada.

In support of developing a skills and talent pipeline for Canada, CASTL recently announced the signing of a commercial agreement with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) in Ireland to be the exclusive provider of NIBRT licensed training programs in Canada. This formal partnership will support Canada’s need for skilled and trained individuals to continue the growth of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. CASTL will be NIBRT’s fifth global partner and received letters of support from adMare BioInnovations, BioTalent Canada, BIOTECanada and Innovative Medicines Canada, as part of this initiative.

“Through state-of-the-art training and education programs and by leveraging our national networks and partnerships with industry and academia, CASTL will support the economic demand for individuals who are work-read to enter, thrive and meet the needs of Canada’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry,” said Walsh-McGuire.

CASTL was developed by the PEI BioAlliance, with support from the Government of Canada, the Future Skills Centre, and the Government of Prince Edward Island. Current partners include Acadia University, BioTalent Canada, Holland College, National Research Council, PEI BioAlliance, Université de Moncton, University of Prince Edward Island, as well as numerous industry partners.

PEI BioAlliance welcomes federal commitment to biomanufacturing and life sciences

Government of Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy will support the growth of a strong, competitive sector

Charlottetown, PE – The Prince Edward Island BioAlliance welcomes the Government of Canada’s announcement of a Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. This strategy includes a commitment of $2.2 billion over seven years from Budget 2021 to continue growing a strong and competitive sector and to ensure Canada is prepared for future pandemics.

“Establishing a Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy for Canada demonstrates the Government of Canada’s support for strengthening bioscience and biotechnology capacity,” said Oliver Technow, Chair, PEI BioAlliance Board of Directors, and CEO, BIOVECTRA. “This strategy will ensure Canada has the resources in place, including the knowhow and infrastructure, to be more self-reliant in manufacturing and vital drug development. The bioscience sector will be a major contributor to economic recovery and growth.”

In parallel to the federal strategy, the BioAlliance recently launched their 2021-25 Strategic Plan, that will guide the work and planning needed to achieve the PEI cluster’s vision to be a leading force in Canada’s bio-revolution. BioAlliance goals for 2021-25 are to aggressively increase private sector revenue, employment, investment attraction, capital expenditures as well as spending on research and development, including $500 million in revenue by 2025 and $1 billion by 2030. The federal government’s strategy will enable regional leaders like the BioAlliance, including industry and academic partners, to execute on key priorities to grow the PEI cluster.

One of the key imperatives of the Strategic Plan is to establish the PEI cluster as a national biomanufacturing centre of excellence. Over the past several years, BioAlliance public and private sector partners have made a series of strategic investments valued at over $200 million to take a leadership position in providing bioprocessing infrastructure, expertise, and services to Canadian and international businesses. These initiatives have included major investments in bioprocessing equipment and infrastructure, including construction of the first Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator in the region, expansion of manufacturing facilities and expertise, establishment of the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) and the expansion of Emergence, Atlantic Canada’s Bioscience Business Incubator.

The Government of Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy aims to grow a strong, competitive domestic life sciences sector, with cutting-edge biomanufacturing capabilities, while creating good jobs for Canadians, and to make sure Canada is prepared for pandemics and other health emergencies in the future. The strategy consists of five pillars:

  1. Strong and Coordinated Governance
  2. Laying a Solid Foundation by Strengthening Research Systems and the Talent Pipeline
  3. Growing Businesses by Doubling Down on Existing and Emerging Areas of Strength
  4. Building Public Capacity
  5. Enabling Innovation by Ensuring World Class Regulation

“The PEI cluster has implemented an ecosystem approach, through the partnership of governments, academic researchers, and private sector partners, who by working together are able to achieve more,” said Rory Francis, CEO, PEI BioAlliance.

The PEI bioscience cluster is growing at a rate that outpaces any other industry in the province. Now with 60 companies, seven research organizations, and employing 2,200 highly skilled individuals, the PEI BioAlliance has created an innovation ecosystem that has doubled its economic impact since 2016. In 2019, private sector companies earned over $260 million in revenue, attracted $38 million in new investment, and spent more than $100 million on new equipment and facilities.

PEI BioAlliance appoints new board member at 2021 AGM

On July 7, the PEI BioAlliance held its 2021 Annual General Meeting, where it confirmed new and returning executives and members. On the agenda were past highlights from the quarter, including the appointment of two new executive directors, updates on the progress of the Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator, and the signing of a commercial agreement between the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) and the National Institute for Bioscience Research and Training (NIBRT).

Board members noted the continued strong pace of revenue growth and job creation in the sector, even during the pandemic, as well as the importance of the infrastructure and skills and training initiatives now underway to support that growth.

Appointed to the board for a two-year term was Katelyn Godfrey, Senior Account Manager at Business Development Canada. Katelyn provides financing and advisory solutions for entrepreneurs in PEI. She is an experienced banking professional with a demonstrated history of business development and has worked in the world of commercial banking for more than 10 years. Katelyn is highly skilled in finance, commercial banking, relationship management and is passionate about helping businesses succeed.

Three members of the Board of Directors were also re-confirmed for new two-year terms: Ron Keefe (Regis Duffy Bioscience Fund), Oliver Technow (BIOVECTRA) and Melanie Wildman (Nutracelle). The following individuals will serve the second year of two-year terms: Brian Stewart (Elanco), Cheryl Stewart-Walsh (Innovative Medicines Canada), Mohammed Moin (Somru Bioscience), Russ Kerr (Nautilus Biosciences Croda) and Steve Howatt (Atlantic Agritech).

Additionally six ex officio members and observers on the Board of Directors were re-confirmed: Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz (President, University of Prince Edward Island); Patrick Dorsey (Vice President, ACOA PEI and Tourism); Chris Kirby (A/ Associate Director, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada); Denise LeBlanc (Director General, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada); Erin McGrath-Gaudet (Deputy Minister, Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture, Government of PEI); and Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald (President, Holland College).

Stepping down this year was Debbie Plouffe, Vice President, Research at the Center for Aquaculture Technologies. The Board of Directors thanked Debbie for her six years of service as a board member and advocate for the PEI bioscience cluster.

PEI BioAlliance Board Executive Committee

Chair: Oliver Technow, President, BIOVECTRA
Vice Chair: Brian Stewart, General Manager, Elanco PEI
Treasurer: Ron Keefe, President, Regis Duffy Bioscience Fund
Secretary: Cheryl Stewart-Walsh, Director, Atlantic Canada, Innovative Medicines Canada
Past Chair: Russ Kerr, Research Fellow, Nautilus Biosciences Croda

Webinar: Empowering Start-ups with World-Class Market Research

Emergence and MaRS are pleased to present Empowering Start-ups with World-Class Market Research, a webinar focused on learning more about MaRS’ market intelligence services and how they can help companies shape their growth strategies with world-class market research.

This webinar will feature a presentation by Poonam Patel and Richard Li, Market Research Analysts at MaRS, followed by a short Q&A. MaRS will cover a number of their service offerings that are supported through Emergence:

  • Research Report Service: Curation of market research resources geared towards addressing knowledge gaps
  • MaRS LeadGen: Accelerate a company’s go-to-market efforts by identifying targets and prospects in North America who align with their ideal customer profile
  • Capital Insights: Access a tailored dataset that serves to inform and strengthen their fundraising strategy

Date: Tuesday, July 20
Time: 12 – 1 p.m. ADT

Register

CASTL named exclusive provider of global organization’s biopharmaceutical training program for Canada

Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences becomes National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training’s fifth global partner

Charlottetown, PE – The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) has signed a commercial agreement with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) in Ireland to be the exclusive provider of NIBRT licensed training programs in Canada. This formal partnership will support Canada’s need for skilled and trained individuals to continue the growth of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. CASTL will be NIBRT’s fifth global partner.

CASTL delivers on the economic demand for individuals who are work-ready to enter, thrive and meet the needs of the Canadian bioscience industry. Since COVID-19, Canada and the world have re-awakened to the importance of having the needed skills, training and infrastructure to be more self-reliant in the manufacturing of vital drugs and vaccines to protect population health.

A global centre of excellence for training and research in bioprocessing, NIBRT develops state-of-the-art training and education programs for academic institutions and the world’s leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing companies. With world-class facilities in Ireland, NIBRT programs offers a unique combination of in-class and hands-on training, customized to meet the needs of industry. They also offer comprehensive digital training through their NIBRT Online Academy (NOA).

“We are thrilled to be the exclusive provider of NIBRT’s best-in-class training in Canada to support our growing bioscience industry,” said Penny Walsh-McGuire, Executive Director, CASTL. “CASTL is committed to implementing skills and training solutions for Canada that are relevant and responsive to the needs of industry across the country. NIBRT’s leading-edge programs and curriculum will help power a talent engine for Canada’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry.”

Remarking on the agreement, NIBRT CEO Darrin Morrissey commented, “Having worked with the PEI BioAlliance since 2019, we are delighted that they are joining the NIBRT Global Partnership Programme. The exciting plans for CASTL will help Canada address the shortage of a skilled workforce, which is a key bottleneck in global biopharma manufacturing. We are very much looking forward to helping CASTL support Canadian biopharma students and industry”.

CASTL will deliver NIBRT’s training designed specifically for the biopharmaceutical sector in Canada within CASTL’s three learning streams: New Skilling, Reskilling and Upskilling. As part of this partnership, CASTL will have access to NIBRT curriculum, collaborate on curriculum design, access new courses, and partner on the development of a new Canadian biopharmaceutical skills and training centre.

In addition to Canada, NIBRT has global partnerships with organizations in the US, Korea, China and Australia. NIBRT’s Global Partner Programme supports an international alliance of leading training and education organizations to help address the global shortage of a skilled biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce.

Letters of support for this CASTL initiative provided by adMare BioInnovations, BioTalent Canada, BIOTECanada and Innovative Medicines Canada were important in demonstrating the national scope of the partnership with NIBRT. They reinforce the need for a national skills and training solution to support greater self-sufficiency for Canada regarding its capacity to manufacture biopharmaceuticals at home.

CASTL was developed by the PEI BioAlliance, with support from the Government of Canada, the Future Skills Centre, and the Government of Prince Edward Island. Current partners include Acadia University, BioTalent Canada, Holland College, National Research Council, PEI BioAlliance, Université de Moncton, University of Prince Edward Island, as well as numerous industry partners.

PEI bioscience cluster a leading force in Canada’s bio-revolution

BioAlliance Strategic Plan targets $1 billion in private sector revenue by 2030

Charlottetown, PE – The Prince Edward Island BioAlliance has announced the launch of their 2021-25 Strategic Plan, that will guide the work and planning needed to achieve the PEI Cluster’s vision to be a leading force in Canada’s bio-revolution. Development of the Strategic Plan was led by the BioAlliance Board of Directors and informed by broad consultation with other industry, research, and government partners.

The PEI bioscience cluster is growing at a rate that outpaces any other industry in the province. Now with 60 companies, seven research organizations, and employing 2,200 highly skilled individuals, the PEI BioAlliance has created an innovation ecosystem that has doubled its economic impact since 2016. In 2019, private sector companies earned over $260 million in revenue, attracted $38 million in new investment, and spent more than $100 million on new equipment and facilities.

BioAlliance goals for 2021-25 are to aggressively increase private sector revenue, employment, investment attraction, capital expenditures as well as spending on research and development. Oliver Technow, Board Chair of the BioAlliance, said that the vision of the Board is for cluster companies to achieve $500 million in revenue by 2025 and $1 billion by 2030.

“We see no reason why we can’t continue to double the economic impact of our bio sector every five years,” said Technow. “The global market opportunities that our businesses see in specific areas of human health, animal and fish health, and diagnostics are really incredible. Through our BioAlliance partnership with governments, academic and research organizations, together we are putting the talent pipeline and physical infrastructure in place to support business and investment growth and attraction.”

This sector strategy aligns with the commitments to opportunity building and economic growth outlined by the Partnership for Growth Action Plan. The sector has received solid support from both the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on the vital role biotech research, development, and manufacturing plays in our society and in countries and communities around the world,” said Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA. “The Government of Canada, through continued collaboration and support, is committed to strengthening this important sector, and empowering an ecosystem to ensure Canadians’ health and economic wellbeing. This 2021-2025 strategic plan reinforces PEI’s position as a biotech leader in this country.”

“Our bioscience sector has been a true success story here in Prince Edward Island and in the Atlantic region over the past 15 years,” said Premier Dennis King. “Throughout the pandemic, the sector was resilient and actually experienced growth in our province at a time when there was a lot of uncertainty. The Government of Prince Edward Island is excited to work within the BioAlliance’s cluster model in the years ahead to implement this exciting plan and continue to grow the sector into the future.”

One of the key imperatives of the Strategic Plan is to establish the PEI cluster as a national biomanufacturing centre of excellence. Over the past several years, BioAlliance public and private sector partners have made a series of strategic investments valued at over $200 million to take a leadership position in providing bioprocessing infrastructure, expertise, and services to Canadian and international businesses. These initiatives have included major investments in bioprocessing equipment and infrastructure, including construction of the first Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator in the region, expansion of manufacturing facilities and expertise, establishment of the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) and the expansion of Emergence, Atlantic Canada’s Bioscience Business Incubator.

Technow, who is also CEO of BIOVECTRA, suggested that since COVID-19, Canada and the world are re-awakening to the importance of having the knowhow and infrastructure to be more self-reliant in manufacturing vital drugs and vaccines to protect population health.

“Governments, academic researchers, and private sector partners must work together to ensure all the elements are in place for success. PEI has done an excellent job of implementing an ecosystem approach that has created significant competitive advantage for research and manufacturing businesses, and facilitated a ‘can do’ culture,” said Technow.

For more information on the PEI BioAlliance and the Strategic Plan 2021-25, visit peibioalliance.com/strategicplan.

Media Contact
Clara Deacon
Director of Communications and Marketing
PEI BioAlliance
C: 403.701.2815
E: clara@peibioalliance.com

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