Archive for 2024
You’re Invited: BioNetworking Session with Keiretsu Forum
Please join us for a Bio Networking Session, presented by Emergence. This session will feature a presentation by Keiretsu Forum Canada, followed by a short Q&A.
What trumps what in the world of investing?
A prospective view on the investment climate ahead
Presentation by: Kevin Sterling, President – Toronto, Keiretsu Forum Canada
Date: December 13, 2024
Time:
- 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. – Presentation
- 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Networking Lunch
Location: Bedeque Room, Delta Prince Edward, Charlottetown, PE
A zoom link will follow for anyone who wishes to join virtually.
Emergence continues to be an official Network Partner of Keiretsu Forum. 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 Emergence companies.
Onda to Advance Research on Sustainable Feed Alternatives for Aquaculture
Onda, the largest contract research organization in Canada specializing in aquaculture research, is working with the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) on a new Canola AgriScience Cluster research project examining the use of canola-based feed meal for sustainable aquaculture production, to expand the market for Canadian canola and provide a sustainable alternative for aquafeed.
The Canola AgriScience Cluster is a five-year research program funded under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership with contributions from the CCC, Alberta Canola, SaskOilseeds, Manitoba Canola Growers and the Ontario Canola Growers Association. Under this funding partnership, a total of 17 projects will be carried out in collaboration with public research institutions across Canada.
Aquaculture has become an essential source of global protein, but concerns about the environmental impact of fish feed ingredients have prompted the industry to seek more sustainable alternatives.
Onda CEO, Myrna Gillis stated, “As global demand for seafood continues to rise, the need for sustainable practices in aquaculture has become more pressing than ever. By advancing research into alternative feed sources, Onda and the canola sector are helping the industry meet these challenges head-on while working to unlock new markets for Canadian canola.”
The 18-month research project will evaluate the use of Canadian canola meal in fish feed and its impact on growth, disease resistance and the environment. Objectives of this study are to update nutrient digestibility values and provide new data on its use in aquaculture, as well as a life cycle analysis on canola meal in salmon feed. The research will involve Onda’s Nutrition, Health, FeedTech and LabTech business units and will culminate in shared research and dissemination of the findings.
“This research will enhance our understanding of canola meal’s nutritional value in aquaculture, helping to build market opportunities and further canola’s value-added contributions to our food and feed systems,” says Chris Manchur, CCC agronomy specialist and research lead.
Canola meal is a promising plant protein source for fish feed due to its sustainability, market availability, cost-effectiveness and balanced amino acid profile. With the drive towards ingredients with lower environmental impact, there is increasing attention and interest in canola meal in the aquaculture industry. Additionally, the long salmon production cycle of 1.5 to 3 years provides a significant opportunity for the utilization of canola meal in cost-effective feed formulations.
Onda is no stranger to alternative protein sources, having worked on numerous studies evaluating feed formulations that include plant-based ingredients in feed. The research collaboration leverages Onda’s expertise in aquaculture health and nutrition and the CCC’s knowledge of canola production and its uses in livestock and animal feed to gain a broader understanding of canola as a key ingredient in high-performance aquaculture feed formulations.
“This project provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate canola meal in a new light,” said Ivan Tankovski, Director of Nutrition for Onda. “The digestibility and benchtop studies showed promising results, and we are now eagerly anticipating the results from the next trial to complete the picture.”
The findings from this research are expected to contribute to more sustainable aquaculture production methods and support the industry’s commitment to reducing its reliance on marine-based ingredients.
The PEI BioAlliance: How Canada’s smallest province is leading bioscience innovation
The PEI BioAlliance was featured in the most recent edition of BIOTECanada’s Insights Magazine. Read the full article here.
Government-Industry Partnership breaks ground on $50 million BioAccelerator
The BioAccelerator will support Canada’s rapidly expanding bioscience industry
Charlottetown, PE – Today, the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island broke ground on the BioAccelerator, a unique multi-function facility with 60,000 sq. ft. of biomanufacturing space that will provide facilities and services to researchers, entrepreneurs, and bioscience-based companies. The BioAccelerator is the largest single investment in economic development infrastructure in PEI history.
Spearheaded by the PEI BioAlliance, the BioAccelerator will provide essential biomanufacturing infrastructure to advance the bioscience and life sciences ecosystem regionally and nationally. The BioAccelerator will support the growth of the PEI bioscience cluster, enhance Canadian pandemic preparedness, and advance Atlantic Canada’s position as a national centre of expertise in bio-based product development and biomanufacturing.
“Prince Edward Island has become a real leader in Canada’s bioscience network,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, on behalf of Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “The new BioAccelerator facility will create much-needed capacity to help this important sector reach its full potential and I’m so pleased that our government is supporting the next phase of growth.”
Located in the BioCommons Research Park in Charlottetown, the BioAccelerator builds upon recent public and private sector investments such as BIOVECTRA’s first-in-Canada mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility, the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), and the Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator.
Tenants in the BioAccelerator will include early-stage and small and medium-sized enterprises from Atlantic Canada and international locations. The BioAccelerator will host the facilities and expertise of the National Research Council of Canada’s atypical fermentation labs, CASTL’s national headquarters, and an expanded lead training facility. CASTL provides hands-on biopharmaceutical manufacturing training for the talent pipeline essential to Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy, including pandemic response.
“The BioAccelerator speaks to the strength of collaboration between government and industry, and to what we can achieve when we share a vision of PEI as a place of possibility and prosperity,” said Hon. Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island. “It is a proud moment to see the progress being made to get this state-of-the-art facility off the ground.”
PEI’s bioscience community is recognized nationally and internationally for its collaborative economic cluster model that drives innovation and sector growth. Through the aligned efforts of business, academia, research, and government partners, the sector now includes 60 bioscience companies earning over $600 million annually in sales, making bioscience the second-largest industry in Prince Edward Island. The PEI Bioscience Cluster has surpassed 2025 growth targets and is well on its way to becoming a billion-dollar industry by 2030.
“Prince Edward Island companies and research organizations have put our province on the map for our expertise in bio-manufacturing, from mRNA vaccines, to natural health products, to fish health and nutrition. The BioAccelerator will be an incredible addition to that capability,” said Charmaine Noonan, Board Chair, PEI BioAlliance and Senior Director, Merck Animal Health PEI.
“It is gratifying to see the outstanding support of our federal and provincial partners for the bioscience sector and today more specifically for this BioAccelerator project,” said Rory Francis, CEO of the PEI BioAlliance. “Our goal is to provide a positive return on this investment for PEI, for the Atlantic Region, and for all of Canada.”
The BioAccelerator will be operated by the PEI BioAlliance. Construction of the BioAccelerator is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.
Media Contact
Jenny Dunne
Manager, Communications and Marketing
PEI BioAlliance
Nutracelle wins Product of the Year for Nutramin Vitamins
Nutracelle was recently awarded the prestigious Foodie’s Choice Product of the Year at the 2024 Food and Beverage Atlantic awards. This event celebrates innovation and excellence in the food and beverage industry, bringing together leading brands and products that are making a significant impact.
Read more about this exciting achievement in Nutracelle’s announcement.
Eastern Canada’s Oilseed Industry receives significant investment in crop research
The Eastern Canada Oilseeds Development Alliance (ECODA) is pleased to announce an investment from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) through the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to increase the profitability and sustainability of oilseed production and associated supply chains.
Oilseeds, including canola, soybeans, and mustard, are a vital component of Canadian agriculture and agri-food. Investing in research and innovation in this sector is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of supply chains and rotational systems that utilize these important crops.
Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, along with Rory Francis, President of ECODA, announced up to $4.3 million over five years to ECODA through the AgriScience Program – Projects Component, an initiative under the Sustainable CAP. This funding will be matched with $4.0 million from industry partners including Sevita Genetics, Semican, McCain Foods Ltd., CXC, Oxford Frozen Foods/Bragg Lumber Co., the PEI Potato Board, ResearchNS, and the provincial agriculture departments of PEI, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
“Oilseed crops are a vital part of farming here in Eastern Canada,” said Minister Lawrence MacAulay. “This support will help farmers stay ahead of challenges like climate change, while keeping their crops healthy and their farms productive. By working together, we’re ensuring a bright future for the oilseed industry and for Canadian agriculture.”
Established in 2009, ECODA brings together Eastern Canadian oilseed stakeholders to expand market opportunities throughout the value chain. ECODA facilitates innovation in oilseed supply chain partnerships that capture economic value for the Eastern Canada agrifood sector by coordinating integrated and innovative oilseeds research initiatives.
“ECODA is pleased to coordinate the work of researchers, growers, processors, and exporters, working together to increase the economic value of sustainable Canadian oilseed supply chains,” said Rory Francis, President of ECODA.
The ECODA research program announced today includes 12 multi-year research projects, focused on a range of crops including NON-GM IP soybeans, canola, camelina, mustard, and pulses along with research on crop rotation potential with potato and carrot production.
The research will be carried out at lab and field sites in the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, with outstanding research partners that include Sevita Genetics, Semican, Dalhousie University, McGill University, and several AAFC Research and Development centres across the country.
“Sevita Genetics benefits greatly from working with ECODA,” said David Hendrick, founder of Sevita Genetics, a funding and industry partner of ECODA. ”The research program to date has provided producers with yield-competitive and agronomically strong soybean varieties, helping us register Canada’s first high oleic soybean variety. Consumers and the marketplace are demanding more non-GMO plant protein, and we aim to commercialize the research results to the benefit of growers, processors, exporters and consumers.”
The projects included in ECODA’s research program under the Sustainable CAP program represent a concerted effort among scientists and industry partners to provide opportunities that balance the commercial needs of industry collaborators with national policies on climate change and environment, GHG emission reduction, increased carbon sequestration, economic growth and development, and sector resilience. This funding will allow ECODA to continue to provide quality research to meet industry challenges for long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
BCIT and CASTL celebrate the BC Biomanufacturing Training Facility – revolutionizing life sciences training in the province
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), in partnership with the Province of BC and the Government of Canada, are revolutionizing life sciences training in British Columbia (BC) with the first-of-its-kind BC Biomanufacturing Training Facility (BCBTF). Representatives from government, post-secondary and industry gathered to celebrate the development of the state-of-the-art training facility located at the BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus in Richmond. The new BC Biomanufacturing Training Facility will play a pivotal role in addressing talent and skills shortages in the biopharmaceutical industry while supporting life sciences businesses as the fastest growing sector in BC. The facility will provide training for more than 700 people annually by 2026.
Learn more about this exciting partnership in CASTL’s press release.
BIOVECTRA acquired by Agilent Technologies
Charlottetown, PE – An agreement was signed today for Agilent Technologies to acquire BIOVECTRA for $925 million (USD). This acquisition includes all BIOVECTRA facilities and employees in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, Canada.
BIOVECTRA is a North American CDMO, headquartered in PEI, that specializes in clinical-to-commercial scale production capabilities for biologics, synthetic small molecules, pDNA and mRNA, highly potent APIs, and bioreagents.
The acquisition will expand Agilent’s end-to-end biopharma solutions with BIOVECTRA’s biologics capabilities to accelerate drug development and manufacturing and is expected to close before 2025.
“Congratulations to BIOVECTRA and Agilent Technologies for achieving this milestone,” said Charmaine Noonan, Chair of the Board of Directors of the PEI BioAlliance. “This acquisition not only highlights the exceptional talent and innovation coming from our region but also underscores the global impact of our bioscience cluster. We look forward to continuing our partnership with BIOVECTRA as they embark on this exciting new chapter.”
Founded in 1970 by PEI entrepreneur Dr. Regis Duffy and owned by H.I.G. Capital since 2019, BIOVECTRA is a leader in Atlantic Canada’s bioscience cluster. The company recently made $240 million of capital investments to expand its operational footprint in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia and was named Canada’s Top Employer in 2022 and 2023.
The BioAlliance has a collaborative relationship with BIOVECTRA, with CEO Oliver Technow serving as Board Chair from 2021-2024.
“The PEI BioAlliance celebrates this acquisition as a testament to the global recognition of BIOVECTRA’s exceptional achievements,” said Rory Francis, CEO of the BioAlliance. “We eagerly anticipate continuing our collaborative efforts with BIOVECTRA and now Agilent as an integral part of the PEI bioscience cluster.”
Media Contact
Jenny Dunne
Manager, Communications and Marketing
PEI BioAlliance
C: 902.388.0988
E: jenny@peibioalliance.com
About the PEI BioAlliance
Since 2005, the PEI BioAlliance has coordinated the development and growth of the province’s bioscience cluster and established the conditions for business success. The cluster creates high-quality jobs in human, animal, and fish health and nutrition. The PEI BioAlliance is a partnership of 60 businesses, academic and research institutions, and federal and provincial government agencies dedicated to establishing the bioscience sector as a pillar in the economic foundation of the province and Atlantic Canada.
About BIOVECTRA
BIOVECTRA is a global biotech and pharmaceutical CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) that specializes in clinical-to-commercial scale production capabilities for: biologics, small molecules, bioreagents, lipids, pDNA, mRNA and LNP manufacturing. Flexibility, creativity, process optimization and compliance are at the heart of our method. With close to 55 years of experience, and cGMP facilities in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, Canada, we assure our programs advance on time and with the highest quality outcomes.
PEI BioAlliance Welcomes New Chair of the Board of Directors
Charlottetown, PE – The Prince Edward Island BioAlliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Charmaine Noonan, Senior Director and Site Head PEI Merck Animal Health, as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. Charmaine has been an executive member of the PEI BioAlliance Board for two years and brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her new role.
As Chair, Charmaine guides the PEI BioAlliance Board in its role of developing and monitoring the strategy for growing the PEI Bioscience Cluster and its economic impact in Prince Edward Island.
“I am excited to step into the role of Chair of the Board,” said Noonan. “I look forward to the ongoing close collaboration with business, academia and research, investors, and government partners to drive innovation and growth in our bioscience sector, ensuring that Prince Edward Island remains a leader in bioscience-based human, animal, and fish health and nutrition.”
“Charmaine has been a leader in the PEI bioscience community, contributing significantly to our ecosystem’s growth and success in her role as Site Manager for Elanco’s Aqua business here in PEI, and now under the new ownership of Merck Animal Health,” said Rory Francis, CEO of the BioAlliance. “Charmaine will lead a knowledgeable and committed Board that will ensure Prince Edward Island continues to demonstrate outstanding results as a centre for bioscience business development in Canada.”
The PEI BioAlliance extends gratitude to Oliver Technow, CEO of BIOVECTRA, for his exceptional service and dedication as Chair of the Board of Directors since 2021. Under Oliver’s leadership, the PEI BioAlliance achieved significant milestones, including the development and construction of the Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator, announcement of the $50 million BioAccelerator, the launch of CASTL as Canada’s national leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing skills and training, being awarded the Gold Label of Cluster Management Excellence, and supporting PEI’s bioscience community in exceeding over $600 million in private sector revenue (2022).
The PEI BioAlliance also welcomes Heather Delage, CCO of BIOVECTRA, and Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI, to the Board of Directors.
Merck Animal Health Completes Acquisition of Elanco’s Aqua Business
Merck Animal Health announced the completion of its acquisition of the aqua business of Elanco Animal Health Incorporated. The completion of this acquisition bolsters Merck Animal Health’s position in the aqua industry with a comprehensive approach to promote fish health, welfare and sustainability in aquaculture, conservation, and fisheries.
“With the completion of this acquisition, we are well positioned within the aquaculture industry with a robust and comprehensive portfolio across warm water, cold water, vaccines, anti-parasitic treatments, water supplements and nutrition,” said Rick DeLuca, president, Merck Animal Health. “We are excited to welcome our new colleagues to Merck Animal Health and we look forward to working together, driven by our common purpose of the Science of Healthier Animals®.”
The increasing use of medicines and vaccines, nutritionals and supplements for aquatic species is driven by the growing demand for protein and food safety, ensuring a supply of quality food and protecting public health.
YOU’RE INVITED – BIONETWORKING JULY 2024
The PEI BioAlliance is hosting our next BioNetworking Session featuring informative presentations from organizations contributing to PEI’s prosperous fish health industry. This event will be held on Wednesday, July 10 in the Victorian Room at the Rodd Charlottetown and will feature: the Atlantic Veterinary College, ONDA, and WellFish Tech. Presentations will be followed by a networking lunch.
Presentations: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch: 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Oliver Technow named incoming Chair of the Board of BIOTECanada
Following BIOTECanada’s Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce Oliver Technow, CEO, BioVectra Inc. as the incoming Chair of the Board, succeeding Gordon McCauley, President and CEO of adMare BioInnovations whose term as Chair has concluded.
Technow brings over 30 years of experience in the global biosciences sector and a proven track record as CEO of BioVectra Inc., a Charlottetown-based, global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that serves pharmaceutical and biotech companies with full-service solutions for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and intermediates.
Embark on a Customer Discovery Journey with the Ocean Idea Challenge
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur driven to enhance ocean sustainability? The Ocean Idea Challenge invites you to begin your customer discovery journey, aimed at turning your innovative ideas into viable solutions for sustainable ocean industries. This competition not only challenges you to validate your market but also supports your journey with up to $7,000 in funding for teams that successfully demonstrate potential impact and innovation.
PEI bioscience sector achieves new heights with outstanding 2022 performance
PEI BioAlliance releases new survey data showing private sector revenue exceeds $600 million
The PEI BioAlliance released the results of a survey with feedback from over 50 bioscience sector companies based on 2022 business performance. In 2022, private sector company revenues reached over $600 million, a nearly $250 million increase over 2020, while investment attraction topped $64 million and capital expenditures exceeded $61 million. Currently, the bioscience sector employs 2,200 people and is one of the top three industry contributors to the provincial economy. The Prince Edward Island Bioscience Cluster is on its way to becoming a billion-dollar industry by 2030. Most Cluster companies are focused on human and animal health products.
“Sustained sector growth year-over-year is a direct result of PEI’s bioscience companies being competitive in the global market, growing and attracting business by continuously innovating and developing products and services that are in demand,” said Oliver Technow, Board Chair, PEI BioAlliance and CEO, BIOVECTRA. “BioAlliance partners form a cohesive business ecosystem that enables both established industry leaders and emerging companies to grow successful businesses.” BIOVECTRA completed one of Canada’s first biomanufacturing centres specialized in mRNA / pDNA vaccines in Charlottetown on November 2023.
The rapid growth of the Cluster has put pressure on two key enablers of continued success: the availability of skilled personnel and the availability of specialized R&D and manufacturing facilities.
To address these challenges, the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island announced a $50 million investment in the BioAccelerator in Charlottetown, PE, the largest single investment in economic development infrastructure in PEI history. Located in the BioCommons Research Park, the BioAccelerator will be a unique multi-function facility with 60,000 sq. ft. of laboratory and biomanufacturing space. The BioAccelerator will become a centrepiece for new technology development and biomanufacturing in Atlantic Canada and nationally. Detailed engineering design work is underway, and the project will break ground this summer.
The BioAcclerator will complement the existing BioManufacturing Incubator (BMI) in the BioCommons, a 20,000 sq. ft. facility comprised of six fully serviced, self-contained units to support pilot-scale manufacturing of bio-based products.
“The growing diversification of our bioscience sector as one of the economic powerhouses of our province is a clear signal that PEI is not only open for business, but the place to do business,” said the Honourable Gilles Arsenault, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Trade. “Our goal is to grow a healthy and sustainable Island economy, and the innovation and forward-thinking of emerging and existing businesses of this sector shows we are on the right path.”
The PEI BioAlliance established the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) to address a regional and national skills and workforce availability shortage in the life sciences sector by creating a national talent pipeline. CASTL opened its headquarters and biopharmaceutical manufacturing training facility in Charlottetown in 2022 with support from federal and provincial partners. Due to its success, CASTL opened a facility in Montreal last fall, with a Richmond, British Columbia centre opening in the fall of 2024.
Rory Francis, CEO of the PEI BioAlliance, shared that these initiatives are key elements in the BioAlliance’s plan to build the province’s capacity and reputation as a national centre of expertise in biomanufacturing.
“Collaboration and cooperation among businesses, academic and research partners, and governments at all levels continues to make PEI a great place to locate bioscience-based businesses,” said Francis. “These investments in infrastructure and skilled people allow us to continue growing our contribution to the province’s economy in health-related products and open the door for new opportunities in the application of biotechnology to other global challenges, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts.”
BIOVECTRA partners on Canadian solution to establish a domestic supply chain for immunotherapies
BIOVECTRA is pleased to be part of a Canadian solution with NGEN partners CCRM, Precision Nanosytems (Cytiva), Northern RNA, and OmniaBio to establish a Canadian supply chain network to accelerate and standardize lentiviral vector development from clinical to commercial manufacturing.
Elanco aqua business purchased by Merck Animal Health
PEI fish health assets a key part of the transaction
Charlottetown, PE – Elanco Animal Health has announced it has entered into an agreement to sell its aqua business to Merck Animal Health for approximately $1.3 billion in cash. Elanco’s aqua business includes products across both warm-water and cold-water species, generating an estimated $175 million in annual revenue. The divestiture includes the transfer of manufacturing sites in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Dong Nai, Vietnam, as well as approximately 280 commercial and manufacturing employees.
In Prince Edward Island, Elanco currently employs 140 skilled workers, producing some of the leading fish health vaccines in the world. The PEI business began in the late 1980’s as a startup called AquaHealth, a spinout of Connaught Labs, with support from the Province of PEI. AquaHeath was one of the founding companies of the PEI BioAlliance when the company employed only 20 people, and later went on to be purchased by Novartis Animal Health in 2000. As a result of solid global sales and investment, Novartis grew the business to over 120 employees and in 2015, Elanco purchased all Novartis Animal Health assets.
“Merck’s purchase of the Elanco aqua assets is a very positive sign for the growth and development of the fish health product business here in PEI and globally,” said Rory Francis, CEO, Prince Edward Island BioAlliance. “Elanco has been a great partner, and we look forward to working with the Merck team to ensure their investment in PEI is a benefit to all.”
The BioAlliance has an existing close relationship with Merck Animal Health, with CEO Rick DeLuca serving as Honourary Chair of the VetHealth Global Animal Health and Nutrition Conference in Charlottetown in 2017.
“We are excited for the acquisition of Elanco’s aqua products, solutions as well as the capabilities and expertise the team brings to our business,” said DeLuca. “We believe this acquisition, coupled with our commercial and scientific prowess, will deliver enhanced benefits for our aqua customers.”
Aquaculture is the fastest growing source of animal protein in the world. Prince Edward Island has established itself as a global centre of expertise in fish health product development and commercialization with nine companies involved in developing fish health technologies, as well as the Atlantic Veterinary College’s fish health programs.
Media Contact
Clara Deacon
Director of Communications and Marketing
PEI BioAlliance
C: 403.701.2815
E: clara@peibioalliance.com
About the PEI BioAlliance
Since 2005, the PEI BioAlliance has coordinated the development and growth of the province’s bioscience cluster and established the conditions for business success. The cluster creates high-quality, Island-based jobs in the areas of human, animal, and fish health and nutrition. The PEI BioAlliance is a partnership of 60 businesses, academic and research institutions, and federal and provincial government agencies, dedicated to establishing the bioscience sector as a key pillar in the economic foundation of the province and Atlantic Canada.
About Elanco
Elanco Animal Health is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, they are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on local and global communities. At Elanco, they are driven by their vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and Elanco Healthy Purpose™ Sustainability Initiatives – all to advance the health of animals, people, and the planet.
About Merck
Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business of Merck. Through their commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, they offer a wide range of veterinary medicines, vaccines and health management solutions and services, as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products.
You’re Invited – First BioNetworking Session of 2024
Join us February 14 for the first BioNetworking Session of 2024! This session will feature informative presentations from Auxly, Retro Cannabis and FIGR (the PEI cannabis corner) about the growth of the cannabis industry in the province. We will host a networking lunch following the presentations.
📆 Wednesday, February 14, 2024
⏰ 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
📍 Charlottetown Library Learning Centre, Rotary Auditorium
🔗 Register now!
Schedule:
1 1 – 12:00 p.m. – Presentations
1 2 – 12:30 p.m. – Lunch and Networking
With presentations from:
Auxly Charlottetown is a world-class developer of innovative cannabis products for the wellness-focused consumer, wholly owned by Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. Proudly processed at our 52,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility in Charlottetown, PEI, Auxly’s products are developed and manufactured on-site by a world-class team of scientists and experts, ensuring high-quality, precision and consistency. Auxly’s wellness products, available at licensed cannabis retailers across Canada, consist of non-GMO capsules and oils. Built on the pillars of quality, safety and efficacy, Auxly is cannabis, down to a science.
RETRO Cannabis is a new craft micro producer in Charlottetown, PEI. Retro is focused on producing top-quality cannabis products with attention to detail in every step of their process.
FIGR is PEI’s only licensed cannabis producer located in the Charlottetown BioCommons Research Park. FIGR produces, processes and distributes cannabis-based products for the adult-recreational and medicinal cannabis markets. The facility is comprised of over 300,000 sq. ft. with two floors dedicated to growing and processing recreational and medical cannabis.
CASTL Exective Director Penny Walsh-McGuire recognized as distinguished alumni
CASTL Executive Director Penny Walsh-McGuire has been named one of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Awards from Holland College.
BioTalent Canada releases new National Compensation Guide 2023-24
Republished from BioTalent Canada:
With the release of their National Compensation Guide, BioTalent Canada is helping health and biosciences employers develop a robust talent management strategy to improve their recruitment and retention capabilities.
The national compensation guide includes:
- National Occupational Standards (NOS), outlining the education, skills, and experience needed for specific roles
- Base salary information
- Benefits data
“Compensation benchmarking is an essential piece of any organization’s talent strategy,” says Rob Henderson, President and CEO of BioTalent Canada. “Regardless of size, organizations that put time and energy into attracting and retaining the best and brightest the industry has to offer will stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Our National Compensation Guide is a vital piece of that puzzle.”
As the voice for talent development in Canada’s bio-economy, BioTalent Canada supports small and medium-sized organizations with tools and strategies to attract, train, and retain talent in a sector that is critical to the Canadian economy.
“BioTalent Canada will continue to work with the industry and their stakeholders to provide employers with products and services to help them grow,” says Henderson.
Partner organizations of BioTalent Canada in the National Compensation Guide include BioAlberta, Bioscience Association Manitoba, Life Sciences Ontario, BIOQuébec, Research NB, Life Sciences Nova Scotia, PEI BioAlliance, and, MMGI.
To order your copy of the National Compensation Guide, visit biotalent.ca/compensationguide