Organization: Health Canada

B.C. researchers testing software solution to chronic under-reporting of dangerous drug events

Most Canadian doctors don’t comply with the Protecting Canadians from Unsafe Drugs Act, also known as Vanessa’s Law, which requires hospitals and clinics to report adverse drug events to Health Canada. Two researchers are attempting to create a software platform to solve the problem — but establishing a national network requires overcoming extremely thorny policy issues.

The Short Report – March 31, 2021: Canadian government invests $925 million in biomanufacturing, funding for variants research, a new digitalization centre, and more

Ottawa announces major funding to expand Sanofi Pasteur’s Ontario facility for domestic biomanufacturing and vaccine preparedness; there’s new funding support for COVID-19 variants research and a new national network, and Siemens launches its first centre to accelerate the digitalization of energy and infrastructure in Canada.

Calgary vaccine developer reaches deal with Manitoba government after hearing no response from Ottawa

Providence Therapeutics, a Calgary biotechnology company in human trials with its COVID-19 vaccine, struck a supply deal with the Government of Manitoba after sending the federal government a proposal and receiving no response. In a video, Providence founder and CEO Brad Sorenson criticized Ottawa’s “apathetic response” as “unacceptable” and he implored the government to take initiative to establish a secure domestic vaccine supply.

NGen joins $10-million effort to bolster manufacturing capacity for a COVID-19 vaccine

The NGen supercluster has awarded $27 million in funding for 12 advanced manufacturing projects that can supply critical health care products to combat COVID-19. The funding includes $5 million for Providence Therapeutics and partner Northern RNA to establish manufacturing capacity in Calgary for Providence’s made-in-Canada vaccine.

The Short Report – Jan 27, 2021: Clinical trials for first made-in-Canada vaccine begin; a first-of-its-kind carbon capture cement study launches in Edmonton, and more.

The federal government invests in protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale; a Canadian-led social media movement aims to stop the spread of misinformation around COVID-19; University Health Network study shows full dose blood thinners decrease need for life support in COVID-19 patients, and a new report says Canada’s PhD students face persistent barriers applying skill sets.

The Short Report – Jan 13, 2021: Vivek Goel and Gina Cody receive Order of Canada appointments, VIDO’s COVID clinical trials to start in Halifax, a new Canada Research Chair, and more

Joanne Weber has been named the first Canada Research Chair in Deaf Education, François-Philippe Champagne replaces Navdeep Bains as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Canadian Space Agency opens a competition to foster innovative food technology production, and Vancouver is the latest city to benefit from the federal government’s LC3 initiative.