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.
Topic: COVID-19 pandemic
Analysis: Updated mandate for federal innovation minister shows a Prime Minister preoccupied with COVID-19
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is much more focused on his government’s response to COVID-19 than on science and innovation priorities, judging by the PM’s updated mandate letter to the minister of innovation. The letter mentions the world “innovation” once, compared with more than a half-dozen references to COVID-19 and the federal response to the pandemic
Biotechnology and engineering biology roadmap plus investment are key to Canada’s economic recovery
The federal government needs to support an inclusive engineering biology ecosystem that leverages Canadian-grown capacities across industry, academia and government, Bettina Hamelin, president and CEO of Ontario Genomics, says in an editorial. Canada needs a comprehensive and aligned roadmap for a public-private partnership and investment strategy to benefit from the increasing opportunities in this emerging sector, she says.
Federal government must improve “catastrophic” innovation performance, say innovation experts and business groups
Innovation experts and business groups are stepping up calls for the federal government to fix a “weak and out of balance” innovation ecosystem. Canada continues to lag other countries in innovation performance and productivity, according to international indexes.
Parliamentary Budget Officer’s pessimistic report on innovation superclusters used outdated data
According to a “preliminary assessment” report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the five federally funded innovation superclusters are unlikely to attain goals for job creation and GDP growth. But the superclusters’ CEOs told Research Money the report is based on outdated data and that it’s too early to assess the superclusters’ long-term outcomes.
CMC Microsystems and global partners team up to help stranded students continue research
CMC Microsystems and partner organizations in the Global MNT group have launched an initiative to help students stranded by the COVID-19 pandemic continue their research in advanced microelectronic and nanotechnologies.
Feds invest $887 million to ensure reliable vaccine supply for COVID-19, other pandemics
The federal government’s investment of $887 million make Canada self-sufficient in manufacturing vaccines against COVID-19 and future pandemics, say medical and other experts. Along with Canadian-led vaccine development, Ottawa is investing in a network of small-scale vaccine manufacturing facilities that together will be able to produce enough vaccine for Canada’s population during pandemics.
New collaboration platforms bring researchers together to fight COVID-19
Two national online platforms, CanCOVID and COVID-19 Resources Canada, have been launched in the span of a few weeks to help organize the research community’s unparalleled response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CIHR cancels flagship funding program to focus on COVID-19 response
While many efforts are being made to help the research community, one decision by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) has been widely condemned: the suspension of the Spring 2020 Project Grant competition.
VIDO-InterVac in Saskatchewan fielding massive demand for testing of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics
One of the largest “containment Level 3” facilities in the world, University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization – International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) in Saskatoon is receiving daily requests from researchers, companies and governments to test COVID-19 vaccines and therapies.
Applied PeR$pectives
Building with CCNB-INNOV… Relationships that go a Long Way! CCNB-INNOV, the applied research and development arm of CCNB has adapted its range of services to better meet the unique needs of the regional shipbuilding industry.
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Applied PeR$pectives is a new monthly blog dedicated to highlighting the innovative work being done in the college and institute community. |
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Fast Policy Facts
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December 12, 2018: Requiem for a National Network Program
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