Frontiers of Life Sciences and Health Innovation

PEI's BioAccelerator Facility: Unlocking the Future of Biomanufacturing

In the heart of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, stands The BioAccelerator: a groundbreaking facility set to transform the landscape of bioscience in Atlantic Canada.

A Hub for Innovation

The BioAccelerator, operated by the PEI BioAlliance, is not just another building. It represents a significant investment in infrastructure that promises to drive growth and development for the next decade within the region's burgeoning bioscience cluster. From initial research and product development to process optimization and manufacturing scale-up, this facility offers comprehensive resources tailored to meet diverse needs and support researchers, entrepreneurs, and bioscience companies at every stage of their journey.

The BioAccelerator is testament to the dedication and vision of leaders from our cluster's business, research, and government sectors, highlighting their commitment to sustainable economic development.

By providing essential biomanufacturing facilities and services to businesses across the region and beyond, the BioAccelerator plays a crucial role in fostering business growth and helping Canada achieve biomanufacturing self-sufficiency. Some of its key features include:

• Incubation and Acceleration Space: The facility provides dedicated space for bio-based startups to grow and thrive. This nurturing environment is crucial for fostering innovation and bringing new ideas to market.
• Product Development Facilities: With state-of-the-art equipment available for product development and manufacturing scale-up, companies can efficiently transition from concept to commercialization.
• Pilot Plant Suites: Spanning 15,000 square feet, these suites are equipped for process development and optimization in areas such as fermentation and natural product chemistry.
• Wet Lab Suites: Another 15,000 square feet are dedicated to wet lab spaces that facilitate cutting-edge research activities.

A National Asset

BioAccelerator will serve as a centerpiece not only for Atlantic Canada's biomanufacturing sector but also Canada's, as it is also home to expertise from the National Research Council's Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre – a centre dedicated to enabling the sustainable transformation of Canadian bio-based resources into food and higher-value products. This collaboration brings together technical prowess with business expertise under one roof, creating a powerful partnership that aims to boost both local economic growth and scientific bioresource advancements across the country.

In our world today, biomanufacturing plays an increasingly vital role across industries, from healthcare solutions combating global health threats like antibiotic resistance through innovative agricultural practices ensuring food security. PEI's BioAccelerator helps pave pathways toward sustainable futures.

The New Brunswick Center for Precision Medicine

The New Brunswick Center for Precision Medicine (NBCPM) is the first purpose-built precision medicine center in Canada. Born from a partnership between the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute, the Vitalité Health Network and Université de Moncton, NBCPM is a beacon of innovation and collaboration, set to transform healthcare and drive economic growth in the region. 

Since it’s opening in 2019, the NBCPM has been transforming healthcare and driving economic growth in the region. 

Empowering Startups

Precision medicine represents an approach where doctors tailor treatment plans based on genetic and molecular analyses, and understanding an individual patient’s disease. Over recent decades, this capability has grown significantly, enabling treatments customized according to genetic changes in conditions like cancer or chronic diseases - a long-standing goal among biomedical researchers worldwide. 

The NBCPM provides invaluable resources needed by bio-medical startups undertaking experimental projects, like well-equipped laboratories, analytical resources and clinical research space. 

“Our specialized laboratories allow for molecular analyses of genes, proteins and metabolites.” Said Marc Surette, PhD, Senior researcher at NBCPM. “Access to incubation space equipped with wet laboratories, provided by centers like NBCPM, is crucial for growing the life sciences and health innovation landscape throughout our province, and the rest of Canada.” 

Driving Regional Success

With increased access now available through state-of-the-art facilities like those found at NBPCM, researchers have unprecedented opportunities not only to test theories but develop their findings into tangible outcomes benefiting patients locally and across Canada. 

Transforming Health Innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador: Bounce Health Innovation

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, innovation is not just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Recognizing this, Bounce Health Innovation (Bounce) emerged with a goal to accelerate the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s (NL) health innovation sector.

Bounce aims to position the province as a leader in Digital Health and MedTech innovation across North America. By fostering an environment where medical innovators and entrepreneurs can thrive, their goal is to help transform Newfoundland and Labrador into a hub for cutting-edge medical technology.

Supporting Innovators

Bounce works to provide robust support to medical innovators and entrepreneurs by connecting them with essential resources within a dynamic health innovation ecosystem. This ecosystem is rich with opportunities for collaboration and growth, ensuring that innovative ideas can be nurtured from concept to reality. Currently, Bounce works with a collaborative network throughout the region, including key organizations such as:

• NL Health Services: Integrated health authority of Newfoundland and Labrador, providing quality health care to all residents of the province.
• Memorial University: In partnership with the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship, and the Faculty of Medicine.
• Genesis: Newfoundland and Labrador’s innovation hub, creating opportunity for the province by developing and supporting technology entrepreneurs.
• The Provincial Government: Offering policy support and funding opportunities.
• Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries Incorporated (TechNL): Connecting tech industries with healthcare innovations.

Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI): Facilitating data-driven decision-making through comprehensive health information systems.

The Verschuren Centre’s Path to a Healthy Future

In an era where sustainability is no longer optional but essential, The Verschuren Centre Inc. (VC) stands at the forefront of clean technology development and deployment. As an independent facility located in Cape Breton Nova Scotia, The Verschuren Centre works to develop sustainable solutions that meet industry needs, by collaborating with a highly qualified team within the state-of-the-art shared-use facility, so small to medium sized enterprises can develop their ideas from the initial concept all the way to commercial production.

Connection to Life Sciences and Health Innovation

The Verschuren Centre provides technicians with the latest technology they need to succeed. The facility alone boasts one of only three 1,000L bioreactors in all of Canada, and it also exists as the nation’s first 10,000L facility.

The unique bioprocess production model is complemented by the RapidFermTech program, which provides Fermentation Technicians with advanced, industry-relevant skills essential for success in the rapidly expanding industrial fermentation sector. 

The VC aspires to see Canada leading the charge towards a low-carbon, circular economy characterized by net-zero smart manufacturing and clean energy solutions.

Mission-Driven Impact

Their mission is threefold:

1. Improve Food Security: By developing technologies that enhance agricultural efficiency and sustainability.

2. Foster Economic Development: Through measurable contributions that stimulate growth within green industries.

3. Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: In alignment with transition goals set for 2050.

By focusing on these areas, The VC aims not only to meet but exceed expectations in driving forward Canada’s transition towards a net-zero future