Hamilton – Canada’s health sciences innovation sector continues to lead on developing innovative ideas and products that will lead to a better and healthier future. The Government of Canada is supporting businesses and organizations in this vital sector with the support they need to drive impactful health solutions for Canadians.
Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), attended the 14th annual LiONS LAIR hosted by Innovation Factory. More than 400 members of the Hamilton Life Sciences ecosystem gathered to celebrate innovation in the Hamilton-Halton region.
While at the event, Minister Tassi announced a Government of Canada investment of over $5 million for Innovation Factory in collaboration with the Synapse Life Sciences Consortium to support the continued delivery of the Southern Ontario Pharmaceutical and Health Innovation Ecosystem (SOPHIE) program, which opened for applications yesterday. The program will assist up to 75 health sciences SMEs in southern Ontario as they commercialize their products and scale their businesses. Participating businesses will have access to mentorship and advisory services, seed funding, and new partnerships. This critical work will help accelerate their product development, and anchor health sciences companies here in southern Ontario.
This project aligns with the Government of Canada’s priority to support emerging growth opportunities in this important sector. Innovators and organizations that create healthcare technologies are helping to keep Canadians healthy while strengthening Canada’s health sciences sector and creating new job opportunities for Canadians.
“Innovation Factory is undertaking critical work that will support 75 SMEs expand and grow their businesses, all while helping to anchor health sciences companies here in Canada. The investment made today demonstrates the Government of Canada’s dedication to supporting innovators in health sciences and moving towards a healthier future for Canadians.” – Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario