Ottawa’s life sciences ecosystem to expand and strengthen
Ottawa – Ottawa’s life sciences sector is home to world-class research institutions, renowned hospitals and a growing tech industry. It is important that businesses and organizations in this critical sector are able to access the support they need to continue to find innovative solutions to better the lives of Canadians.
Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, visited Virica Biotech Inc. (Virica), an Ottawa-based biotechnology company, which pioneered a new viral sensitizer that boosts the efficacy of using viruses to help treat cancer, removing the barriers to manufacturing effective viral medicines at scale. Virica Biotech is receiving a $1.5-million investment to support new advanced manufacturing of its viral sensitizers at its expanded facility at Carleton University. This investment will help the company to scale to meet the increasing demand for its products.
While at Virica, Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi also met with the teams from Genvira Biosciences Inc. and Capital BioVentures to learn about their growth in the sector. Genvira builds innovative biotherapeutics, examining how human cells change and mutate to help create vaccines, supporting advancements in gene therapy and cancer immunotherapy. The company is enhancing biomaterials manufacturing capabilities, with support from an investment of $1.75 million, to better serve clinicians as they undertake clinical trials and continue their important work developing tools to help create vital medicines and treatments.
Capital BioVentures, is a not-for-profit wet-lab accelerator that provides Canadian biotech companies with early-stage funding and access to dedicated drug and corporate development biotech professionals, and access to high-quality equipment and lab space. The organization is addressing the critical need for wet lab space in the region, by establishing and launching an Ottawa-based wet-lab accelerator program. With a $5.5-million investment, this program will allow small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to utilize wet lab space in locations across the city, as well as access support services including training and mentorship as they develop their products and grow their businesses.
Canadian life sciences companies and the organizations that support them have the potential to address complex health challenges impacting people around the globe. The Government of Canada is committed to working together with organizations and businesses to support the health of Canadians and a strong and thriving life sciences ecosystem into the future.
“Across southern Ontario, entrepreneurs are developing creative solutions to address a variety of complex health issues. Our government is pleased to support companies like Virica Biotech Inc. and Genvira Biosciences Inc. that are working to increase production of vital medicines, and Capital BioVentures that is addressing a critical need for wet lab space that will help companies to innovate and grow.” – Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Our life sciences companies and organizations continue to innovate medical technologies that play a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes and the long-term health of Canadians. The Ottawa life sciences ecosystem is instrumental in driving innovation and creating a healthier future for individuals across the country and globally.” – Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre