Los Angeles/Silicon ValleyA strong delegation from Québec took part in the 2014 Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Conference, which was held from June 23 to 27 in San Diego, California. Québec Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Exports Jacques Daoust headed the Québec delegation, comprising 25 companies, organizations and partners in the Québec life sciences industry.
Through its slogan “Partner to Prosper”, Québec made clear its objectives to promote its key assets such as a critical mass of businesses and researchers, world-class research infrastructure, and advantageous fiscal measures.
“Our participation in BIO 2014 has enabled us to develop partnerships in order to maintain ourselves among the world’s most innovative industries. I am concluding this mission by focusing optimistically on the future of Québec’s life sciences sector,” Minister Daoust noted.
A delegation of organizations in the innovation chain and Québec research centres also participated and was led by Québec’s Minister of Higher Education, Research and Science, Yves Bolduc, and by Québec’s Chief Scientist, Rémi Quirion. The team visited the Salk Institute of Biological Studies in order to consolidate research partnerships between Québec and California.
Investments
Among the announcements concerning Québec, mention should be made of the confirmation of investments by two Ontario partners, the Ontario Centres of Excellence and the Ontario Brain Institute, totalling $3 million in the EXPLORE and FOCUS programs of the Québec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM).
Moreover, Minister Daoust acknowledged the $25-million investment by Teralys Capital in the Versant Ventures venture capital fund, thereby facilitating the establishment of a pharmaceutical company incubator.
Networking and Awards
Among the key activities, mention should be made of “Rendez-vous Québec”, a networking event that gathered over 400 Québec and international representatives from the industrial and research sectors.
Lastly, two Québec firms, Medicago and Sanofi, received the Gold Leaf Award granted by BIOTECanada for their contribution to growth in the biotechnology sector in Canada.
About BIO
The International Convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organization is the biggest annual gathering in the sector, with 13 500 convention delegates and over 1 700 exhibitors from 62 countries.
This major event affords Québec an ideal showcase to promote its life sciences industry and multiply partnerships.
For more information
Québec’s Life Sciences Sector (Investissement Québec)
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