New multidisciplinary projects in Winnipeg will prepare Canada for future health emergencies and build capacity
Growing a robust, competitive, domestic biomanufacturing and life sciences sector ensures that Canada has access to critical vaccines, therapeutics and other life-saving medicines. The Government of Canada has been doing just that since the launch of Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy in 2021 with a $2.2 billion commitment to develop cutting edge biomanufacturing capabilities.
Today, Parliamentary Secretary Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, announced over $56-million in funding, through Stage 2 of the integrated Canada Biomedical Research Fund (CBRF) and Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund (BRIF) competition today at the University of Manitoba.
Director Dr. Peter Pelka, professor in the Department of Microbiology in the Faculty of Science at the University of Manitoba, received the funding through CBRF and BRIF for viral vaccine platforms for rapid response to future pandemics.
This support is part of a nearly $574 million investment announced by the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health earlier in May.
Through these investments in research, talent and infrastructure projects, Canadians will have access to made-in-Canada vaccines, therapeutics and other life-saving medicines and innovations. This will help strengthen the resilience of Canada’s life sciences sector by supporting leading Canadian research in innovative technologies that keep us safe and boost our economy.
Each of the 19 projects funded as part of stage 2 is endorsed by one of the five research hubs which were established in Stage 1 of the CBRF-BRIF competition. These hubs combine the strengths of Canada’s post-secondary institutions, research hospitals, industry and the not-for-profit sector to jointly improve health emergency preparedness and the overall health and well-being of Canadians. In addition, the hubs will help accelerate the translation of promising research into commercially viable products and processes. By strengthening research capacity and leveraging collaborations across the entire biomanufacturing ecosystem, Canada will be better prepared to face future pandemics.
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