Burnaby – The Government of Canada continues to strengthen Canada’s dynamic industrial capabilities in the life sciences sector. We are expanding domestic biomanufacturing capacity, creating jobs and growing the economy, while also improving our ability to address future health needs and producing the next generation of medicines in our country.
Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced a $49.9 million investment through the Strategic Innovation Fund in STEMCELL Technologies Canada Inc. This investment will support the company’s $222 million project to establish large-scale production of essential inputs used to develop and manufacture vaccines, therapies and diagnostic technologies. It will also help create 460 jobs and 900 four-month co-op positions for students.
With this investment, STEMCELL will establish two new biomanufacturing facilities. This will enable the company to onshore the production of specialized inputs that are critical to the development and manufacturing of vaccines, therapies and diagnostics, as well as other innovative technologies, like tissue engineering, immunotherapy, and cell and gene therapies. These products are used by researchers and industrial partners here in Canada and around the globe, integrating Canada into global supply chains. With this funding, STEMCELL will build on the company’s status as a foundational part of British Columbia’s biomanufacturing and life sciences ecosystem.
“British Columbia continues to rapidly grow its presence in the life sciences industry. With this investment, our government is bolstering Canada’s life sciences industry, increasing domestic capacity for key inputs for vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic technologies, which are needed to keep Canadians safe and healthy and to export around the world. This partnership with STEMCELL will help grow our economy and create good, high-paying jobs for Canadians.” – Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry