BIOTECanada’s Biotechnology Timeline
Beginning in 8,000 BC with the domestication of plant crops and livestock, the Biotechnology Timeline will take you through the decades of biotechnology development worldwide, and in Canada.
From Quebec City and Jean Talon’s brewery using yeast and fermentation technology in the 1660s, to the first reference of biotechnology in print in 1919, to Canada’s role in agriculture, industrial and health care developments to 2006, the Biotechnology Timeline illustrates how biotech research and discovery has taken off.
The timeline is available from BIOTECanada’s website. http://www.imagenenation.ca/pdfs/e-biotimeline.pdf
Biotechnology Partnering Initiative – BioWindhover’s Therapeutics Area Partnering Conference
BIOTECanada and the Consulate General of Canada in Boston would like to invite you to participate in the upcoming Biotechnology Partnering Initiative, which is open to Canadian biotechnology companies and takes place in partnership with BioWindhover’s Therapeutics Area Partnering Conference http://www.tapartnerships.com/content/Main.aspx in Boston, November 17-19, 2009. The Initiative is limited to 10 Canadian biotechnology companies with therapeutic compounds in the preclinical or clinical phase of development in one or more of the following areas:
- oncology
- cardiovascular
- metabolic
- neuroscience
- inflammation/auto-immune
Canadian companies who apply to participate and are accepted will be entitled to the following benefits:
- reduced registration to the BioWindhover Conference of US$1395 (a $400 savings). This well attended Conference offers workshops, networking opportunities, panel sessions on Therapeutic Alliances and Dealmaking, and presentations by top companies in the therapeutic areas who have been chosen by BioWindhover; attendees include executives from Merck, Biogen Idec, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Genzyme.
- one-on-one coaching in preparation for the event and for partnering meetings from professional consultants experienced in running companies, funding companies and advising biotechnology companies, and making pitches to global investors and companies;
- the arrangement of a minimum of three one-on-one meetings with venture capitalists, angels, or technology partners from Pharma, the biotechnology or medical device industry, who are based in the Boston area or attending the BioWindhover Conference. The consultant will work with you to identify the best meetings to meet your needs. If you have identified organizations of interest, the consultant can work to get you connected. Also, the consultant will make recommendations. Local venture capital firms that invest in life sciences include: MPM Healthcare, Oxford Bioscience, VIMAC, Clarus Ventures, Seaflower, among others. The Boston area is also home to corporate venture funds, including those at Novartis, Genzyme and Biogen Idec. The well connected local consulting firm has been engaged by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada through the Consulate General in Boston.
- participation in an invitation-only dinner on Tuesday, November 17, with venture capitalists, angels, biotechnology and pharma industry executives who would be of interest to the Canadian companies participating in the Initiative;
There is no additional charge for participation in this program; however, you must send your profile to Christine Sarkisian, Business Development Officer at the Consulate General of Canada in Boston via email by October 5, 2009. If accepted, companies must designate a specific executive from the firm who will participate in the Initiative and will communicate with the Consultant in order to ensure a productive program.
This program is being organized by the Consulate General of Canada in Boston in cooperation with BIOTECanada. It is funded by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Technology Partnering Program and BIOTECanada.
If connecting with potential R&D partners or raising capital would benefit your company and you would like to participate in this mission, please reply promptly with your profile. You will be notified as to the status of your acceptance by October 9, 2009.
If you have any questions on this Initiative, please contact:
Christine Sarkisian
Business Development Officer
Consulate General of Canada
3 Copley Place, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02116 U.S.A.
Cell: 617-794-3197
Tel: 617-262-3760 x3360
Fax: 617-262-3415
christine.sarkisian@international.gc.ca
Exhibition Opporunity at LifeScience Alley in Minneapolis, Minnesota, December 9, 2009
Dear Company Representative:
I am writing to advise you of an important conference and trade show in Minneapolis, Minnesota, December 9, 2009, hosted by LifeScience Alley. LifeScience Alley is a non profit trade association of life science industry professionals, located in Minneapolis. The 8th Annual Conference and Expo is expected to attract over 1,600 attendees from over 600 organizations, 30 US states and 10 countries. The object of this event is to convene the life science industry under one umbrella and to share new insights of emerging trends, technologies and practices. The conference and expo will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on December 9, 2009. The trade show will feature over 150 exhibitors. If you are interested in exhibiting, space is still available.
Here is the link to the official conference website: http://www.lifesciencealleyconference.org/index.html.
As you will see, there is a “Download Center” in the lower, middle section of the homepage with access to all pertinent documents for registration, exhibiting, etc. Also, please see the list of New Technology Showcase organizations, which can be found at: http://www.lifesciencealleyconference.org/new_technology_showcase.html.
I hope this will be of interest to you. Please contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached at: (416) 212-1030.
Patricia Cosgrove
Area Director, Health Industries
International Trade Branch
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
Ontario Government
900 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2E1
The University of Ottawa hosts important conference on Genetically Modified Organisms
OTTAWA, September 21, 2009 — The University of Ottawa will host an important conference on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), organized by the Royal Society of Canada and the Science Academy of the French Institute, on September 22 and 23, 2009.
During this conference, researchers from Canada and France will be discussing the use of genetically modified crops in the area of agricultural and forestry. Experts will address both the major scientific and social issues, and explore the differences between North America and the European Union with regards to the acceptance and use of GMOs.
For more information about the conference, visit the Royal Society of Canada website. http://www.rsc-src.ca/
University of Ottawa study identifies a potential new treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
OTTAWA, September 21, 2009 — A study led by Dr. Bernard Jasmin, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medecine of the University of Ottawa and his colleagues, identified a novel therapeutic approach that could potentially counteract the effects of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a severe and prevalent inherited genetic disorder.
In patients, DMD is caused by an absence of the protein dystrophin thereby resulting in the muscle wasting commonly associated with the disease.
http://www.media.uottawa.ca/mediaroom/news-details_1731.html
CANADIANS SEE BIOTECH AS CRUCIAL TO ECONOMIC FUTURE: EXPECT GOVERNMENT ACTION TO ASSIST COMPANIES
Annual opinion polling results shows overwhelming support for biotechnology as National Biotechnology Week celebrates the industry across Canada LONDON (September 18, 2009) –Nine out of ten Canadians believe biotechnology is important to Canada’s future prosperity and eight out of ten supported grants to emerging companies, according to BIOTECanada’s annual opinion poll, released at the launch of National Biotechnology Week. The poll, conducted by Nanos Research, found overwhelmingly support among Canadians for biotechnology’s contribution to our economy and global competitiveness, and support for government action to aid the industry:
• 9 out of 10 believed the biotechnology industry is important part of Canada’s future economic prosperity.
• 3 out of 4 were concerned about Canada’s global competitiveness in science and technology.
• 4 of every 5 would be concerned about the loss of emerging Canadian biotechnology firms.
• 8 out of 10 supported grants to companies for research and product development.
• 4 out of 10 believed the Government of Canada is doing a good job of supporting emerging companies seeking to commercialize products.
Read the full release at: http://www.imagenenation.ca/pdfs/BIOTECanada%20NBW%202009%20polling%20National.pdf
Access the report at: http://www.imagenenation.ca/pdfs/Nanos-BIOTECanada_NationalStudy.pdf
OGI Launches Program to Improve Researchers’ Access to Genomics Technologies
Toronto, September 17, 2009 – The Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) has announced the launch of a new program focused on genomics technology service platforms in Ontario, with six partnered service platforms already on board as inaugural affiliates. The Ontario Genomics Platform Affiliates (OGPA) program is open to genomics technology service platforms Ontario-wide, and seeks to increase research access to leading-edge technologies by providing support for both vendor-platform and user-platform access and transactions.
http://www.ontariogenomics.ca/media-centre/news/2009-9-17/401
National Biotech Week: Popular Biotechnology Misconceptions Explained
One of the biggest impediments to the growth and public acceptance of the biotechnology industry is fear. As a part of the public education campaign for National Biotechnology Week—September 18-25, 2009—a number of popular fears relating to the use of biotechnology were put to rest. Read on to learn what BIOTECanada has defined as the facts about biotechnology.
Fiction: Biotech companies are patenting life forms – genes.
Fact: Genes cannot be patented. The inventor who seeks a patent must show new, useful and non-obvious uses for the gene. The specific use is patented.
Fiction: Biotech companies are patenting the genes they discover.
Fact: A discovery is the finding of something that already exists. Discoveries are not patentable.
Fiction: Biotech foods are unsafe to eat.
Fact: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada have determined that biotech foods and crops are as safe as non-biotech foods and crops.
Fiction: Biotech crops increase food allergies.
Fact: There is no evidence that biotech crops increase food allergies. In fact, researchers are working to develop biotech foods that are free of known allergens, such as peanuts.
Fiction: The government’s testing for the safety of biotech foods is inadequate.
Fact: Before any genetically engineered (GE) crop or food product is permitted for sale, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada subject it to a number of rigorous safety assessments. These assessments ensure the product is safe for humans, animals and the environment. As a result, it takes 7 to 10 years to develop, test and assess a new product.
Fiction: The government’s tests do not include field trials.
Fact: More than 5,000 field trials for genetically modified crops have been completed in Canada since 1988.
Fiction: The government does not monitor the long-term impacts of genetically modified crops.
Fact: Today’s field trials and follow-up monitoring are based on the research knowledge of over 5,000 field trials and research being done since the 1970s.
Fiction: Using biotechnology to improve plants is unnatural.
Fact: Since the Stone Age, farmers have used breeding techniques like selective breeding, hybridization and crossbreeding to genetically modify crops. Today’s biotechnology is the latest, most efficient & effective way to do so.
Fiction: Biotech crops harm the environment.
Fact: Biotech crops are not approved if there is evidence of environmental harm. Biotech crops have environmental benefits: they are bred to be better able to ward off diseases and pests. This means farmers can use fewer pesticides and herbicides. Biotech crops can also reduce the need for plowing to control weeds, which leads to better conservation of soil and water and less soil erosion.
Fiction: Farmers do not accept biotech crops.
Facts: Farmers in many countries accept and grow biotech crops. In 2003, farmers in 18 countries grew biotech crops on more than 167 million acres; their use of these crops has increased 40-fold since 1996. In 2003, Canada and Argentina each grew more than 10 million acres. In 2003, China and Brazil each grew more than 5 million acres.
Fiction: Biotech companies do not support the labeling of GE crops.
Facts: The top three crop producers, the U.S., Argentina and Canada, all have a voluntary labeling standard. A voluntary standard in Canada will allow for standardized, accurate information, and consumer choice when selecting products for purchase.
For more information about Canada’s biotechnology industry, National Biotechnology Week, or events in your region, visit http://www.imagenenation.ca.
Eighth Annual Canadian Health Research Awards
November 17, 2009
Mark this date in your calendar!
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Prix Galien Canada are proud to present the eighth annual Canadian Health Research Awards – A Celebration of Excellence, in recognition of Canada’s best and brightest health researchers. This special evening will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009, from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m., at the National Gallery of Canada – 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa.
Please save this date in your calendar. An official invitation and more information will follow in October. For more information about the Canadian Health Research Awards – A Celebration of Excellence, please visit
http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/excellence.html.
If you have any questions about this important event, please contact us at excellence@cihr-irsc.gc.ca or 613-612-6975.
Report: Intelligence on Japanese pharmaceutical companies 2009
The Canadian Embassy in Japan spoke with the 13 leading Japanese pharma companies on their business interests and compiled the attached report. In these times where our companies are looking for potential partners with money, Japan presents an opportunity. The embassy staff will be pleased for help make the business connections – especially during the upcoming BioJapan meeting and their Canada-Japan Bio Innovation week (Oct 7-9th).
ib_tokyo-127322-v1-intelligence_on_japanese_pharmaceutica