Protein Industries Canada announced a new project to grow the plant-based foods ecosystem in Atlantic Canada. The project will see the Eastern Canada Oilseed Development Alliance (ECODA) work with Dalhousie University and the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) to explore and quantify the value of plant-protein food and ingredients in the Atlantic Region, while also increasing awareness about the sector.

“The government firmly believes in Canada’s plant-based food and ingredient ecosystem,” said the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “Through the Protein Industries Supercluster, we are supporting projects from coast to coast to coast, and by partnering with ECODA, Dalhousie University and UPEI for this project, we will help the industry grow and prosper in Atlantic Canada for years to come.”

“As Canadians and people around the world start eating more plant-based foods and ingredients, our Government is supporting this fast-growing industry in the Atlantic region to harness the global potential. With this project, we will see expansion of opportunities for plant-based crops and ingredients while helping to create a strong industry across Canada,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Plant-based food and ingredients is one of the largest growth sectors that global agriculture has experienced in the last decade. The global market demand is projected to reach $250 billion CDN by 2035. Protein Industries Canada, along with the national ecosystem, have developed a plan for Canada to have the sector valued at $25 billion by 2035. This project is key to developing a strong national sector by developing regional ecosystems and connecting them to the larger industry.

“When people think about plant protein, their first thoughts is usually the Prairies – with images of fields of canola, wheat, peas and lentils,” CEO of Protein Industries Canada Bill Greuel said. “But Canada’s agrifood sector is truly national in scope from the farmers and ingredient processors in the Prairies, to the food manufacturers in British Columbia, Ontario and Québec. Now with this project, we are strengthening the plant-based ecosystem of Atlantic Canada connecting the value chain from coast-to-coast, and further strengthening Canada’s position as a global leader in plant-based food and ingredients.”

The $350,000 project will lay the groundwork for the future development of the Atlantic sector, by focusing on opportunities to increase economic return, improve diversity and sustainability, and increase the production of plant-based crops and ingredient processing in Atlantic Canada. The project partners will work with communities and businesses, including Indigenous-led, to determine challenges in the plant-protein sector and build networks in the supply chain, leading to an increased understanding of value-added opportunities for the plant-protein ecosystem coast-to-coast. The project will do this through three main areas of work: asset mapping, value chain analysis and food system literacy and awareness about careers in agri-food. This foundational work will lead to increased production, processing, and adding value to pulses, oilseeds, and grains in the Atlantic region, and further exploration into plant-protein value chain opportunities.

“Over the past decade, ECODA has served an important role in convening partnerships among academic institutions, researchers, and industry to enhance innovation in agricultural crop supply chains,” said Rory Francis, ECODA President. “This project will identify and align regional partners that are essential to accelerating economic impact for plant protein production and added-value in Atlantic Canada.”

“We will need all our bright minds working together to drive success in addressing the global demand for food security and plant-based proteins,” said David Gray, Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University’s Dean and Campus Principal. “This collaboration with Protein Industries Canada, ECODA and with our colleagues at UPEI will go a long way to fortify our plant-based ecosystem in Atlantic Canada.”

“The University of Prince Edward Island is pleased to contribute to the development of the plant-based protein sector in Atlantic Canada,” said Dr. Kathy Gottschall-Pass, University of Prince Edward Island’s Interim Vice-President Academic and Research. “With the ongoing growth in the world’s population, access to sustainable sources of high-quality protein is essential, and expansion of the sector in this region will further strengthen that access.”

Protein Industries Canada is one of Canada’s five innovation Superclusters. As an industry-led organization, Protein Industries Canada works to position Canada as a global source of high-quality plant-based food, feed and ingredients. Over the past three years, Protein Industries Canada has co-invested into 40 projects with more than $451 million committed to advancing Canada’s plant-based foods sector through investment into projects focused on research and development of new plant-based ingredients and food and to build capacity within the ecosystem. This is Protein Industries Canada’s first co-investment into Atlantic Canada.

For more information:
Celeen George
Protein Industries Canada
Winnipeg, Man.
204-295-7925
celeen@proteinsupercluster.ca

About Eastern Canada Oilseed Development Alliance (ECODA)

Established in 2009, the Eastern Canada Oilseeds Development Alliance (ECODA) is a private, non-profit based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. By facilitating oilseed supply chain partnerships to drive innovation, manage risk, and capitalize on economic value, ECODA benefits oilseed growers, processors, and exporters in Eastern Canada. This work contributes to Canada’s ability to maintain and strengthen our global market share for soybeans, canola, other oilseeds and related plant protein, oils, and value-added products.

About Dalhousie University

At the core of Dalhousie’s research and innovation are world-leading researchers working in labs, studios and in the field. Building on our legacy of ground-breaking research and outstanding scholarship, we are focused on providing a unique, interactive and collaborative environment that supports our researchers to achieve excellence.

About the University of Prince Edward Island

The University of Prince Edward Island is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With an excellent reputation for academic excellence and research innovation, UPEI offers a wide range of programs and degrees to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Home to Canada Research Chairs, a UNESCO Chair, endowed and sponsored research chairs, and 3M National Teaching Fellows, UPEI offers its students access to exceptional faculty, researchers, and staff. Students come from local, regional, national, and international locations to study and learn at UPEI, the only degree-granting institution in the province. UPEI is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

Charlottetown, PEI – Prince Edward Island’s Biomanufacturing Strategy took an important step forward today with the opening of a new $6.5 million Biomanufacturing Incubator (BMI).

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister responsible for ACOA, and the Honourable Matthew Mackay, Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture joined PEI BioAlliance CEO, Rory Francis, and PEI BioCluster members to officially announce the opening. The new BMI is a 20,000 sq/ft facility comprised of six fully serviced, self-contained units to support pilot-scale manufacturing of bio-based products.

“The Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator is essential infrastructure supporting companies to accelerate from the R&D stage to commercial manufacturing,” said Oliver Technow, Chair of the Board of Directors, PEI BioAlliance, and CEO of BIOVECTRA. “To have this ability here is crucial for PEI and Atlantic Canada to continue developing its centre of expertise in biomanufacturing.”

The BMI was made possible by a $1.5 million contribution by ACOA and a $500,000 contribution by the Province of PEI. The remainder of the financing was the responsibility of the BioAlliance through Finance PEI and the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation who served as project manager.

“The success story of Prince Edward Island’s bioscience cluster is recognized across Canada and internationally. Strategic investments like those announced today will ensure a continued path of growth for the industry by attracting industry-leading companies and building a highly skilled workforce”, said the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.

“The bioscience industry is one of the most important sectors of the PEI economy, in terms of export sales, employment and investment,” said Premier King. “I’m thrilled to see this partnership of industry and governments invest in infrastructure that will continue this growth.”

The new facility begins to address the gap in pilot-scale manufacturing infrastructure that exists in eastern Canada and creates greater opportunity for early stage Canadian biomanufacturers to advance to commercial viability.

The facility was over-subscribed before completion, highlighting the need for further infrastructure investments. Tenants of the building will include Chinova Bioworks, the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), the National Research Council (NRC), and BIOVECTRA.

At the event, federal and provincial representatives also announced $3.1 million in funding for training equipment to establish the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences’ (CASTL) new biopharmaceutical manufacturing skills and training centre at the BMI.

Over the past several years, BioAlliance public and private sector partners have made a series of strategic investments to take a leadership position in providing biomanufacturing infrastructure, skilled human resources, and services for Canadian and international businesses.

In November of 2021, BIOVECTRA with the federal and provincial governments announced a $79.6 million investment to build one of Canada’s first mRNA vaccine production and biomanufacturing facility, creating 125 new jobs in both Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

For more information on the PEI BioAlliance and the local bioscience cluster, visit peibioalliance.com.

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About the PEI BioAlliance
The Prince Edward Island BioAlliance is the private sector-led not-for-profit organization that is responsible for developing and coordinating the strategy for the growth of the Prince Edward Island Bioscience Cluster. Since 2005, the BioAlliance has facilitated the work of businesses, academic and research institutions, and federal and provincial government agencies in establishing the bioscience sector as a key pillar in the economic foundation of the province and Atlantic Canada.

About the Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator
The new Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator (BMI) is a 20,000 sq/ft facility comprised of six fully serviced, self-contained units to support pilot-scale manufacturing of bio-based products. The facility has been specially designed and built to meet the strict regulatory standards required for the production of health and nutrition products. It is located in the BioCommons Industrial Park and is owned by the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation (CADC) and operated by the PEI BioAlliance.

Media Contact
Chelsey Rogerson
Director of Communications and Marketing
PEI BioAlliance
C: 902.213.7351
E: chelsey@peibioalliance.com

BIOVECTRA today announced plans for the development of a state-of-the-art facility specializing in the production and manufacturing of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics – one of the first of its kind in Canada. This exciting new capability will result from a joint private-public investment made by BIOVECTRA and the federal and provincial governments who are contributing $39.8 million and $10 million respectively to the total project cost of $79.6 million in support of the BIOVECTRA mRNA Vaccine and Bio-manufacturing facility.

BIOVECTRA CEO Oliver Technow, was joined earlier today at the company’s Charlottetown headquarters by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and the Honourable Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island to announce support for this new domestic capability.

“BIOVECTRA is well poised to make the production of mRNA therapeutics in our country a reality. As a leading Canadian CDMO, with more than 50 years of expertise, we have a proven record of pushing the boundaries of our capabilities to meet our global customers’ challenges. This expansion is a significant yet natural evolution for us,” said Oliver Technow, CEO, BIOVECTRA.

“Vaccines save lives, and COVID-19 vaccines are helping us start getting back to normal. BIOVECTRA’s plan to establish a state-of-the-art vaccine facility here in Prince Edward Island, and upgrade their existing facilities in Nova Scotia, is a key move that supports our strategy to grow a strong, competitive domestic life sciences sector with cutting-edge biomanufacturing capabilities. This will make sure Canada is prepared for future pandemics and other health emergencies, strengthen our economy and create good jobs here in Atlantic Canada,” said the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

“BIOVECTRA is a true leader in bioscience, with strong relationships in the pharmaceutical industry, and we’re proud they call the East Coast home. A new state-of-the-art facility right here in Prince Edward Island means so many great things for our province. It means good jobs for Islanders, readiness for future health emergencies and an enhanced reputation for our province as a leader in bioscience research and innovation. Investing in this new facility is a step in the right direction as we move forward in strengthening our provincial economy and growing our sectors,” said the Honourable Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island.

Project Recap:

• capability to develop and manufacture nucleic acids, recombinant proteins, and other therapeutics expressed via microbial fermentation
• production of up to 160 million doses of a mRNA vaccine per year
• capacity to prepare and package 70 million fill finish doses per year for commercial distribution
• creation of research partnerships and new development opportunities for professionals in the Life Sciences and bio-manufacturing sector, including the addition of 125 new positions in PEI and NS and up to 225 co-op terms.

Over the past several years, BIOVECTRA has expanded its business to develop and produce commercial scale biotherapeutics, at its accredited facility in Windsor, Nova Scotia.  It is one of five BIOVECTRA sites, located in Atlantic Canada. As part of this most recent investment, the Windsor site will also see an expansion to support the development and production of plasmid DNA, the key ingredient to manufacture mRNA therapeutics and vaccines. The PEI bio-manufacturing facility will include fill finish capabilities.

“At BIOVECTRA, we aim to be a global leader, bringing Canadian innovation to the center stage of biopharmaceutical manufacturing,” said Technow. “We understand our obligation to not just manufacture mRNA, pDNA, and provide an end-to-end manufacturing solution domestically, but to also demonstrate to the world that innovation and talent lives here in Atlantic Canada.”

Click here for more details on the BIOVECTRA mRNA Vaccine and Bio-manufacturing Facility

BIOVECTRA is proud to be selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2022 and considered amongst some of the country’s leading workplaces.

As one of four Atlantic Canadian companies selected, BIOVECTRA is a fast growing, forward-thinking, global pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) solving complex challenges to meet patient needs. From modest beginnings as a Startup company designed to give local science talent opportunities, BIOVECTRA has grown into a diverse workplace of more than 550 employees with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

Read full story here

Vancouver, BC and Charlottetown, PE (November 9th, 2021) – adMare BioInnovations and the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) are pleased to announce their new partnership to train industry-ready talent for Canada’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

Headquartered in Prince Edward Island, CASTL is a first-of-its-kind Canadian skills and training initiative established to increase talent for Canada’s bioeconomy. Specializing in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, CASTL has brought to Canada world-class technical training curriculum from the globally recognized National institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT). Working with industry, academia and government, CASTL will offer multiple applied learning streams and pathways for individuals to acquire hands-on technical training and theoretical knowledge.

Under this new collaboration, the adMare Academy will become the Lead National Partner for CASTL; and the two organizations will work together to facilitate the development, delivery, and growth of CASTL’s training programs across the country.

“Building talent is a key piece of the adMare mission,” said Gordon C. McCauley, President and CEO of adMare. “We know that the greatest competitive advantage and most valuable resource of the Canadian life sciences industry is our people. We also know however, that the enormous growth our industry is experiencing has created significant skills gaps – so we are very excited to partner with CASTL to help address these gaps to facilitate continued growth.”

Penny Walsh-McGuire, CASTL’s Executive Director added, “By working together under the auspices of the adMare Academy, we will accelerate the building and implementation of CASTL’s pre-eminent biopharma manufacturing training, and amplify our impact on the sector from coast to coast to coast.”

Private industry and public policy makers across the country are aggressively adding the biomanufacturing capacity that the pandemic showed is critical to Canadian self-reliance. With this partnership, adMare and CASTL will build the domestic talent to enable effective scale-up of biomanufacturing facilities. Together, CASTL and adMare are offering gold-standard training programs that provide the theoretical, hands-on, and professional competencies to ensure graduates are work-ready. These personnel will power the growth and success of Canada’s biomanufacturing and broader life sciences sectors.

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About adMare BioInnovations
With a wealth of scientific discovery, Canada is primed to be a global leader in life sciences. To make this a reality, adMare uses its scientific and commercial expertise, specialized infrastructure, and investment capital to build new companies, robust ecosystems and industry-ready talent – and re-invests its returns back into the Canadian industry to ensure it is sustained and thrives for the long-term. Our 25+ portfolio companies have attracted more than $1.4 billion of investment, have a combined value of over $3 billion, and employ more than 900 Canadians. The adMare Academy has trained more than 300 alumni – 95% of whom are employed in the life sciences industry.

About CASTL
The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) provides world-class technical training in life sciences specializing in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Established to address the future skills needs of the fast-growing bioscience sector, CASTL is a first-of-its-kind Canadian partnership among industry, academia, and government. As the exclusive Canadian provider of the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) licensed training programs, CASTL will offer multiple applied learning streams and pathways for individuals to acquire the industry informed hands-on technical training and theoretical knowledge, to have a successful career in Canada’s bioeconomy.

Contacts:

Barry Gee
Senior Director, Communications and External Affairs
adMare BioInnovations
604-619-4805
bgee@admarebio.com

Chelsey Rogerson
Director of Marketing and Communications
CASTL/Prince Edward Island BioAlliance
902-213-7351
chelsey@peibioalliance.com

VetHealth Global Pitch & Partner is a dynamic event showcasing the latest innovative and emerging animal health and nutrition companies! Join us from November 22 – 24 for interactive virtual pitch presentations, as well as a robust one-to-one partnering program that will allow attendees to connect and network with investors, early-stage companies, animal health and nutrition business executives and supply chain partners.

VetHealth Global Pitch & Partner was established to provide a platform for innovative early-stage companies to connect with key investors and strategic partners.

Register Now
View Program

Since 2007, VetHealth Global, North America’s premier animal health and nutrition industry conference has been recognized for its outstanding list of presenters, innovative emerging company sessions, professional business partnering programming, and top-rated networking events. The in-person conference that is held every two years, will be hosted in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, June 28-30, 2022.

For questions, please contact jennifer@peibioalliance.com.

Charlottetown, PE – The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Daoust as Director of Technical Training, effective October 25, 2021.

CASTL provides world-class technical skills development and training in life sciences specializing in biopharmaceutical manufacturing for Canada.​ It is a first-of-its-kind partnership between academia, industry, and government to address the future skills needs of Canada’s fast-growing bioscience sector. CASTL is the exclusive provider of National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) licensed training programs in Canada. Based in Ireland, NIBRT develops and delivers state-of-the-art training and education programs for the world’s leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing companies and partner academic institutions.

As Director of Technical Training, Patrick will be responsible for leading and directing the various innovative training programs through CASTL’s exclusive partnership with NIBRT. He will also take a leadership role in CASTL’s training facility design, and management, engage with industry on training needs and lead training program implementation. Working with a team of trainers, Patrick will ensure that CASTL offers a best-in-class training experience to both academic and industry partners.

“We are thrilled to have Patrick join the CASTL team, bringing his extensive industry experience and knowledge as our lead on technical training,” said Penny Walsh-McGuire, Executive Director, CASTL. “This is an important step forward as CASTL further develops our national skills and training network for Canada’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector.”

A seasoned industry professional, Patrick has 20 years of experience in life sciences process development and manufacturing. He has led multidisciplinary teams in both manufacturing process development and production of clinical material. His technical experience covers Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) process development and clinical manufacturing for monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins and all aspects of antibody drug conjugate development and manufacturing as well as process re-development for Phase 3/Commercial readiness. He has also overseen aseptic drug product fills for multiple clinical lots.

After acquiring expertise in the development of biosimilars, Patrick founded and ran a company dedicated to the development and out-licensing of cell lines and manufacturing processes for various biotherapeutics. He later provided consulting services and then managed various aspects of development and manufacturing for a successful biotech company. Most recently as the Director of Manufacturing at Immune Biosolutions, Patrick led the set-up and successful first production of a clinical lot of a novel antibody treatment for COVID-19. In these roles, Patrick was responsible for developing highly skilled teams by providing complex training to colleagues and employees to ensure success.

Patrick grew up in the Maritimes and completed a BSc in Biotechnology from Sherbrooke University as well as an MSc from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at University of Montreal.

New Brunswick-based Pivotal Health Sciences (Pivotal) is a biotechnology company with disruptive proprietary clean technologies for the extraction, encapsulation and formulation of bioactive compounds.

Operating out of Moncton, NB, Pivotal’s two patent pending technologies extract bioactives from any plant, fungi and marine source and selectively encapsulates compounds for the food, nutraceutical, cosmetics and agro-chemical sectors. Additionally, Pivotal’s sustainable green process technology will increase the effectiveness and absorption of high-value molecules for human and animal health without the addition of chemical emulsifiers, surfactants and carrier oils.

Pivotal is the latest company to join Emergence, a bioscience incubator that accelerates the growth of Atlantic Canadian startups and early-stage companies moving from ideation to commercialization. Emergence will be helping Pivotal to develop their North American regulatory and intellectual property strategy and assisting the experienced Pivotal team with protocol design for their future studies.

“The Emergence incubator, its mentors and the partner organizations that support member companies have been foundational to Pivotal’s rapid growth during our first year of operation,” said Craig Jackson, CEO, Pivotal Health Sciences. “Our organization is grateful for the opportunity to continue to receive guidance and support that will continue to accelerate our technology and products towards commercialization.”

As a client of Emergence, Pivotal will have access to business incubation services including mentorship and advisory services, team mentorship program as well as access to networks and resources.

For more information on Emergence, visit emergencebioincubator.com.