PEI celebrates Global Biotechnology Week September 24 – 30th
The Prince Edward Island Bioscience Cluster will celebrate Global Biotechnology Week 2018 from September 24 – 30th, with activities focused on recognizing the many partners that work together to support the growth and development of bioscience-based businesses in the province.
Since 2006, the Province of Prince Edward Island has marked biotechnology week each year with an official declaration and by participating in industry activities. Since that time, the number of biotech companies in PEI has grown from a dozen to more than 55, with the number of employees more than tripling to over 1600.
Providing incubation and accelerator services to attract and support emerging companies is a priority for the BioAlliance. So too, is growing the industry’s local talent pool, attracting more high-quality business opportunities for PEI, and increasing national and international recognition of the province’s bioscience sector.
“We are expanding our networks within the global biotech sector, while continuing to build our capacity here in PEI,“ says Dr. Russ Kerr, Chair of the BioAlliance and Research Fellow, Nautilus Biosciences Croda.
“From hosting International events, attracting new businesses, and planning for key infrastructure, to operating the Emergence Business Incubator, we are working to build an outstanding ecosystem for bio-businesses. We really have a dedicated team of business, academic, research, and government partners working to build the bio-economy in Prince Edward Island,” said Dr. Kerr.
On September 24th, the BioAlliance, through its Emergence Business Incubator will host a founders and mentors mash-up event to inspire current and future entrepreneurs – highlighting four local companies who will share their lessons of technology development, raising capital, managing growth, and creating value within the biotech industry. Participants will also have a chance to hear insights from Emergence mentors. Keynote speaker Ken Rotondo, CEO of Mind Genomics, will discuss applying machine learning to deliver effective and personalized messaging to clients within the healthcare industry.
More information on this event can be found here. The Prince Edward Island BioAlliance is a member of Canadian BioAccord, led by national industry organization BIOTECanada, dedicated to the advancement of a globally competitive Canadian biotechnology ecosystem.
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Biotech week backgrounder
Global Biotech Week serves to recognize industry’s past success and to highlight the significant opportunity Canadian biotechnology innovation presents for the Canadian economy in the context of the emerging bio-economy and the opportunities presented by global population growth and demographic shifts.
Canada was the first country to originate a national Biotech Week back in 2003. What began as a modest advocacy and awareness string of events involving provincial partners, grew into a national success story, gaining traction and snowballed into encouraging the European Union and Australia to establish their own annual week of events in 2016.
By joining in on the Global Biotech Week festivities, organizations and companies will be raising awareness of the industry and its global potential amongst policymakers, policy influencers, and the general public.
For more information, contact: Rose FitzPatrick rose@peibioalliance.com (902) 367-4403/ (902) 393-0306
PEI company lands $470K federal contract
P.E.I.’s Island Water Technologies has secured a $470,000 federal government contract to monitor the quality of wastewater at a number of Canadian municipalities. The contract under the Build in Canada Innovation Program is to install nine bio-electrode sensor systems at wastewater facilities and will provide facility operators with a “real-time visual interpretation of the health of the biology of the wastewater” through signals from bacteria. Read the full article posted in the Charlottetown Guardian Newspaper here. 
Sekisui Diagnostics plans steady International growth from PEI plant
Biotech manufacturer, Sekisui Diagnostics sees its Prince Edward Island location as a plus – saying it is strategically located in PEI to serve both the North American market and the European marketplace. The company plans steady international growth from its Atlantic plant as it moves toward more automated assembly of its medical testing kits. Read more from this recent article published in the Globe and Mail.
New human probiotic receives its first registration in Canada
MicroSintesis, Inc., the Canadian-based life sciences company developing a novel platform of anti-infective and health products using patented probiotic metabolites, has received registration of its new probiotic strain, La-21, in humans. 
State of the art Science and Discovery Facility Planned for PEI
The Homburg family of companies has pledged a $9 Million gift to launch a 15,000 square foot science and discovery facility within The Confederation Court Mall in downtown Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Over the past eighteen months, the group has held consultations with leaders from the political, academic and business communities. The creation of the PEI Science + Discovery (PEI S+D) facility will bring a spotlight to innovation, agriculture, and energy our Island creates. The facility is set to launch in the summer of 2019. PEI S+D Media Release July 2018[2]
Provincial government investing in Island’s future leaders
More Prince Edward Island students than ever before participated in a nationwide young leaders program supported by the provincial government. SHAD – named for the Aurora, Ontario creek where the program began – is a summer enrichment program hosted by 16 different universities each July that attracts top Canadian high school students. The Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning is providing $150,000 over three years to the program to ensure more Island students are able to participate. Read full story here.
Premier Wade MacLauchlan and Minister Sonny Gallant with SHAD graduates, Zara Toupin Ramlal and John Zhou
Sekisui Diagnostics to add jobs with latest expansion
The second expansion in as many years at Sekisui Diagnostics will bring new jobs and help the company increase its production and develop new export markets that will boost the Island’s economy.
Premier Wade MacLauchlan and His Excellency Kimihiro Ishikane, Japan’s ambassador to Canada, cut the ribbon on the expanded facility today in Charlottetown along with Sekisui representatives from Japan and Canada. Sekisui Diagnostics PEI manufactures invitro diagnostic kits for the medical field.
“Sekisui Diagnostics is a tremendous example of the strength of the bioscience industry on Prince Edward Island today,” Premier MacLauchlan said. “It also demonstrates the huge potential of foreign direct investment in Island companies. With its strong backing from Japan, Sekisui Diagnostics has been very successful in Charlottetown as it continues to grow, add jobs and identify new export markets for its products.”
The provincial government invested $400,000 in the $1.2 million expansion project. That investment will be recovered through the company’s lease agreement with the province. It also provided $200,000 in non-repayable support to assist with the fit up of the new space. In 2017 the provincial government funded a $3.5 million expansion to the facility which is also being recovered through the lease agreement.
“This ceremony is very significant because it is happening while Japan and Canada are celebrating their 90th year of diplomatic relations,” Ambassador Ishikane said. “The activities of Sekisui Diagnostics PEI are a strong demonstration of the level and quality of the economic relationship between Japan and Canada. With this new investment, I am optimistic that Sekisui Diagnostics can better meet the needs of the markets and strengthen the economic ties between Japan and PEI as well as Canada.”
“This marks our second straight year of major expansion at our Charlottetown facility, demonstrating the commitment to growth on PEI by our Japanese parent company,” Site Director for Sekisui Diagnostics PEI Brian Stewart said. “It is through the strength of our dedicated and talented employees that this expansion will be put to good use and drive our business forward. We are honoured to have such distinguished guests here with us today to celebrate this occasion as we look forward to the exciting future ahead on PEI.”
Somru bringing more affordable medicines to market
Innovation is not a buzzword. It is a way of life and a driving force in today’s economy. It is about making things better, whether that’s new technologies, ideas, or products and services. It’s about creating well-paying jobs across Canada and having the potential to improve the lives of men and women around the world.
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), along with Sean Casey, MP for Charlottetown and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the Honourable Chris Palmer, Prince Edward Island Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, today announced an investment of over $4.4 million to support Somru BioScience as they develop new analytical tools that can lead to more affordable medicines.
The Government of Canada is providing a provisionally repayable contribution of $3 million through ACOA’s Atlantic Innovation Fund, in addition to contributions totaling up to $257,752 from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program.
The Government of PEI will also contribute $975,000 in repayable financing, along with $172,000 in non-repayable support for labour and marketing.
Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan aims to position the country as a global centre for innovation—one that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians.
These investments also build on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy. This Strategy focuses on building a strong culture of innovation by supporting creative and entrepreneurial people, creating jobs, and investing in state-of-the-art technologies.
“The Government of Canada continues to make targeted investments that will create new opportunities in Atlantic Canada. I am pleased to join local success story, Somru BioScience, to announce an investment that will enable this company to continue its ground-breaking research. It is support for companies like this one that will help create sustainable, long-term economic growth with more secure, well-paying jobs for Atlantic Canadians.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
“Prince Edward Island has a progressive and fast-growing bioscience sector and Somru BioScience is a leading force in that community. Somru’s products have attracted interest and attention from around the work and their success – in research and development, economic growth and job creation, and exports – is PEI’s success. I am so proud this company chose to call PEI its home.”
– Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
“Prince Edward Island’s bioscience sector has grown exponentially over the last ten years and companies like Somru BioScience are leading the way. Somru’s expansion and move into a new facility will allow this company to hire more employees, research and produce innovative new products, and seek out new markets all while making an improved contribution to the overall provincial economy.”
– The Honourable Chris Palmer, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism
“The intelligent 3d fingerprint technology (Intelli.b™) currently under development by Somru will help our clients reduce significant cost in biosimilar drug development. We look forward to advancing Intelli.b thanks to support from ACOA, IPEI and IRAP.”
– Mohammed Moin, Co-founder & Vice President Strategic Partnership & Business Development, Somru BioScience Inc.
“Opening the new research laboratory facility is a major milestone for Somru. This accomplishment allows us to accelerate our R&D activities while continuing to provide comprehensive and innovative bioanalytical solutions to our clients.”
– Clarinda Islam, Co-founder & Vice President Project Management and Regulatory Affairs, Somru BioScience Inc.
Quick Facts
- Somru BioScience is a family-owned biotechnology company founded in 2012 by Mohammed Moin, his wife Dihan Ahsan, and Rafiq Islam and his wife Clarinda Islam.
- The company is focused on developing breakthrough antibody technology for research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
- Somru BioScience has continually grown its product and service portfolio. In October 2017, it expanded its operations to a new 5,000 square foot laboratory facility in the BioCommons Research Park in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
- The company currently has a client base of over 70 companies in 23 countries.
BioAlliance roundtable part of Governor General’s first official visit to PEI
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada visited Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia earlier this week and included a roundtable meeting with members of the PEI BioAlliance as part of her brief PEI itinerary. During her first official visit to PEI, the Governor General met with provincial officials including Her Honour the Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island and PEI Premier Wade MacLauchlan, following a visit to Government House, where she will received military honours. Her Excellency had a tour of the School of Sustainable Design Engineering at UPEI and the UPEI Climate Lab at the Regis and Joan Duffy Research Centre, before attending the round-table meeting with business, research and government partners from the Prince Edward Island BioAlliance on collaboration and innovation in the province’s bioscience sector.
Atlantic Canada’s BioIndustry attends North America’s largest biotechnology conference
Over twenty-five biotechnology companies and research organizations from Atlantic Canada attended the 2018 BIO International Convention and Trade Show in Boston, Massachusetts June 4 – 7th. The annual event brings together biotechnology industry leaders, researchers, and representatives from biotechnology and life science organizations from around the world. Atlantic Canada @ BIO 2018 Press Release June 8-18.