Author: Mark Henderson

Muted release raises questions

A high-level advisory panel to Health Canada is recommending the creation of a new agency and associated fund with a $1-billion annual budget to move healthcare innovations into practice.

First step in combining RTO expertise

Two of Canada’s largest research and technology organizations (RTOs) have joined forces in an unprecedented collaboration to assist companies in developing bio-manufacturing processes and moving niche bioproducts into the marketplace.

Expanding IRAP’s toolbox of programs

The National Research Council (NRC) has renewed its associate membership in EUREKA for another three years at a formal ceremony on Canada Day in Lugano Switzerland.

Genome Canada has announced the winners of its latest Large-Scale Applied Research Project (LSARP) with 11 projects receiving $93 million including $30.8 million from Genome Canada. The Genomics and Feeding the Future competition targeted projects in agriculture, agri-food, fisheries and aquaculture.

The federal government has completed the lengthy roll-out of its Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) with the announcement of $9.7 million over five years to Waterloo ON-based Communitech and its partners.

Programming under development

The National Research Council (NRC) is building the foundation for the biggest program under its restructuring with new investments in Winnipeg and its London facility.

New Canadian funding under discussion

The Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) has expanded to the US, Brazil, Germany and Sweden as it ramps up its open source identification of 3D protein structures to assist in the discovery of new medicines.

Canada’s productivity and innovation performance can be significantly improved if dramatic changes are made to the incentives and funding models for university-based researchers who work with companies to commercialize their research.

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) is urging the government to catch up with the rest of the world’s wealthiest nations and establish a chief scientific advisor (CSA). The recommendation is one of several contained in a position paper designed to unlock the full value of science in the Canadian economy and society.

Canadian National Energy Alliance (CNEA) has been selected as the manager and operator of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL — the massive nuclear facility in Chalk River spun off last year from Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.