Canada celebrates successful collaboration with UK Biomanufacturing 

First round of funded projects demonstrates Canada and the UK’s shared commitment to innovation and pandemic preparedness   

London – Building on a long-standing partnership in science and innovation, Canada and the United Kingdom are continuing to strengthen their collaboration in critical sectors like biomanufacturing and pandemic preparedness. Together, Canada and the UK are demonstrating the power of international cooperation in addressing global challenges.

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, met with Peter Kyle, Member of Parliament, UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, and launched the first round of projects selected under the Canada-UK Biomanufacturing Collaboration.

Canada and the UK have established a collaborative fund, with £10 million from the UK and $16 million from Canada under its Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. This initiative, launched in 2023, aims to strengthen the biomanufacturing sector in both countries and enhance pandemic preparedness. In this first call for proposals, six innovative projects have been selected for funding, with Canada contributing approximately $3.4 million. Each successful project will be led by a consortium of companies from Canada and the UK and will focus on enabling technologies and innovations for the biomanufacturing of biologics and advanced therapeutics.

The selected projects address critical areas in biomanufacturing, including drug discovery, vaccine production and gene therapy. Notable examples include:

• the development of AI-driven peptide discovery platforms to accelerate and improve drug discovery processes
• the creation of automated biomanufacturing devices for the production of antibody drug conjugates, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs
• advancements in sustainable growth factors for cellular therapeutics, supporting the development of next-generation treatments.

These projects will enhance Canada’s biomanufacturing autonomy and readiness to address future public health challenges. The Canada-UK Biomanufacturing Collaboration is a testament to the power of international cooperation in advancing scientific innovation. The Government of Canada will continue to support the growth and development of the domestic biomanufacturing sector through initiatives like the Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy, ensuring Canada remains at the forefront of innovation in this critical field.