Archive for 2024

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 was featured in the most recent edition of BIOTECanada’s Insights Magazine. Read the full article here.

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

jenny@peibioalliance.com

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.

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.

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.

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.

www.peibioalliance.com

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.

www.biovectra.com

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 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.