TBA The Biotechnology Initiative

The Voice of Bioscience in Ontario



Ontario and TBI Celebrate National Biotechnology Week

The growth of the Biotechnology Industry in Canada has surpassed expectations, and innovators, researchers, industry leaders, and government leaders will be celebrating this success when National Biotechnology Week commences on September 18.

In Canada alone, there are more than 2,500 Life Science organizations that have created more than 200,000 jobs across the country.

“National Biotechnology Week is our opportunity to showcase the importance of biotechnology not only to the community at large but also for employees of these companies to understand the bigger picture,” says Grant Tipler, TBI Chair. “The industry in Ontario and Canada is an important world player and with efforts we are taking now will make us the leading bioeconomy in the world. We have great research in many areas, and our biggest challenge is to commercialize more of the research to create many high quality jobs by creating companies and attracting the best talent and capital from around the world. ”

From September 18th to the 26th, every region of the country will be participating in this national program geared to inform Canadians about the Biotechnology Industry and highlight Canadian excellence. More than 30 partners are participating in the program, which will include career fairs, tours of biotechnology companies, discussions with industry leaders and federal and provincial decision makers.

TBI will be hosting several events over the course of National Biotechnology Week. On Wednesday, September 17th, AstraZeneca will be hosting a “Mix and Match Event”. This evening will provide individuals from various organizations and disciplines within the life sciences an opportunity to meet, connect and network. This event is sure to increase awareness and understanding of the activities within the Biotech Industry.

On Thursday, September 25th, TBI will be hosting the first in a series of Leadership Luncheons. The Honourable Peter Beattie, former Premier of Queensland, Australia, will present “The Queensland Life-Sciences Success Story”. Mr. Beattie was instrumental in the significant growth of the Biotech Industry in his state during his two terms and was awarded the first International Award for Leadership Excellence for his substantial contributions. At this luncheon, Mr. Beattie will discuss the strategies, successes and lessons learned from the development and evolution of Biotech Industry in Queensland. The event is taking place on September 25 from 12 to 2 p.m. at Le Meridian King Edward Hotel in Toronto. More information can be found at http://www.ontbi.org/sept25thpeterbeattie.

Also on Thursday, September 25th, TBI and MaRS will host a pub night at the MaRS Collaboration Centre for all MaRS Tenants and TBI members. Food will be served and beer and wine will be available for purchase.

To wrap up National Biotechnology Week, TBI, the Canadian Biotechnology Education Resource Centre (CBERC) and MaRS will present “Biotech 101” with Dr. Danielle Gauci. Dr. Gauci is an award-winning secondary school teacher. This program, which will primarily target secondary school students, will discuss the impact of Biotechnology and its applications. Topics to be covered include: human health care, the environment and agriculture. The discussion of controversial subjects, such as stem cell research and genetic testing will allow the audience to see where Biotechnology is headed in the future. This event will take place in the MaRS Auditorium on Friday, September 26th from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Click here for the full line-up of TBI activities related to National Biotechnology Week

Kristin M. Beard, BScH, MSc, PhD
Agro Health Associates Inc.
Phone: 905-335-3232 ext. 227
Fax: 905-335-6737
Email: kristin.beard@agrohealth.com
Web: www.agrohealth.com

Stephen Gardner
Executive Producer
Gardner Productions Inc.
phone: 416-921-4915 ext. 201
cell: 647-401-4915
fax: 416-921-5112
e: sgardner@gardnerproductions.ca
http://www.gardnerproductions.ca