The rapid expansion of PEI’s bioscience cluster brings an increased need for facilities to support the growing sector. With a call for construction tenders earlier this month, the new Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator (BMI) will be a 20,000 sq/ft facility comprised of six fully serviced, self-contained units to support pilot-scale manufacturing of bio-based products.

As mentioned in the recent Economic Impact Assessment, the bioscience industry is now one of the most important sectors of the PEI economy, in terms of GDP contribution, employment and direct economic output.

“The Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator is essential to allow companies moving from R&D stage to commercial manufacturing to do so here in PEI,” says Rory Francis, CEO, PEI BioAlliance. “It’s the first significant public sector infrastructure investment since 2012 in providing the facilities necessary for continued growth.”

The BMI is specially designed and will be built to meet the strict regulatory standards required for the production of health and nutrition products. This includes food and feed ingredients, probiotics, aquatic health products, veterinary products, and natural health products. The majority of occupants will be early stage bioscience companies and companies looking to set up operations in PEI.

The new facility will be located in the BioCommons Industrial Park, and will be owned by the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation (CADC) and operated by the PEI BioAlliance. The construction tender will be awarded in July 2020. Construction is expected to be completed in 2021.