Canada’s government is investing CAN$67 million across five life sciences projects.
Made through the government’s Life Science Fund, the investments will “drive economic growth, strengthen health resilience and advance Canada’s dual use industrial capacity.” The fund aims to advance Canada's scientific, technological and industrial capabilities, and grow and sustain an innovative, robust, competitive and responsive life sciences ecosystem.
This latest investment is supporting five projects, with Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API), located in Alberta, receiving up to CAN$21.9 million to go toward the launch of the Canadian Allied Antimicrobial Supply Resilience Initiative. The project, which costs a total of $23.5 million will help secure a wide variety of broad-spectrum antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs, with applications in the treatment of priority pathogens, and antimicrobial-resistant threats.
API said that the project will provide end-to-end domestic manufacturing of antimicrobial products including petrochemical-based small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients. This will create more dependable access to critical medicine during supply chain disruptions or public health emergencies, API added.
Funding will also go to Avivo Biomedical, with up to CAN$10.9 million going towards a CAN$33.9 million project to advance its technology platform which converts different blood types into Type O, making more transfusion and transplant options available to more patients.
Northern RNA will receive up to CAN$6 million towards a CAN$9.5 million project which will establish manufacturing capacity for oligonucleotides and self-amplifying RNA, vital technologies for vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
To support an initiative to finalise the design of Oidni Labs’ portable and nearly waterless heamodialysis systems, the company will receive up to CA$12.5 million towards its CAN$25 million project. The project will establish pilot-scale manufacturing in Ontario, perform clinical studies and collect real-world data.
With up to CAN$2.8 million going toward its CAN$2.9 million project, Stemcell Technologies will establish domestic manufacturing capacity for custom cell culture media. The project will support biomanufacturing resilience and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
Mélanie Joly, minister of industry and minister responsible for Canada economic development for Quebec regions said: “A strong life sciences sector is essential to protecting the health and security of Canadians while supporting economic growth, jobs and innovation. We are investing in the research, industrial capacity and cutting-edge solutions that will improve the lives of Canadians, respond to emerging threats and strengthen Canada’s resilience and competitiveness for future generations.”
Several grants are also supporting research, collaboration and capacity building. These projects include CAN$2.2 million to establish the Canadian Drug Supply Observatory, a national hub to monitor, analyse and respond to drug shortages. The Canadian Biobank Alliance will receive CAN$1.2 million to upgrade a Canadian biobank data platform connecting academia, government and industry. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Boreal Biomanufacturing will receive CAN$880 000 to expand adenovirus manufacturing capacity and capabilities, enable larger-scale production and commercialisation of vaccines and therapies. A CAN$780 00 grant will support the development of an inhaled vaccine platform, including improving its flexibility and adaptability for new and different pathogens.
Further reading:
- AstraZeneca plans $570m Canada investment
- Life sciences: Why execs are cautiously optimistic about 2026
- Life sciences and pharma priorities in 2025: M&A, AI and China
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