From the Springboard Content Lab
Fifty years ago, University of Prince Edward Island Dean of Science Dr. Regis Duffy founded a small diagnostics company in a garage on the outskirts of Charlottetown.
From those humble beginnings, Diagnostic Chemicals Ltd. (DCL) innovated and grew, evolving into a global player in the pharmaceutical, biotech and contract manufacturing sectors.
This has given rise to the flourishing biotech industry in PEI, an industry that now employs 2200 skilled workers in 60 companies.
BIOVECTRA is the offspring of DCL, which sold in 2007. The innovation continued, and the company grew, providing economic benefits and rewarding STEM careers in both PEI and Nova Scotia.
Ushering in the next generation of patient care
BIOVECTRA, a contract development manufacturing organization which counts 19 of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies among its clients, is now a leader in the bioscience cluster both in the region and in Canada.
It supports the development and GMP manufacturing of both drug and drug products, including its’ latest foray into mRNA and pDNA based vaccines and therapeutics – considered by the industry to promise the next generation of patient care. used in the pharmaceutical industry.
BIOVECTRA employs more than 650 skilled workers in seven specialized laboratory and GMP manufacturing facilities in Atlantic Canada.
Bioscience sector expands through public-private collaborations
Headquartered in Charlottetown, BIOVECTRA is a success story in the burgeoning PEI biotechnology sector.
In November 2023, the company expanded its capabilities into mRNA/ pDNA vaccines and therapeutics with a $90-million investment which included a biomanufacturing facility in Charlottetown, specialized laboratories in Dartmouth, and enhanced single-use fermentation suite in Windsor, Nova Scotia.
A $200K Innovation PEI-supported Mitacs grant supported internships for four graduate students to gain on-the-job experience working on projects in the labs of UPEI and BIOVECTRA.
“Projects like these highlight the importance of academic-industry partnerships in driving R&D and showcase how combined resources and expertise can lead to significant advancements and real-world solutions. For UPEI students, these projects gave them valuable experience working in a lab and provided them with publishable research, and transferable skills in the biotech sector.” Marc Richard, PhD. Business Development Officer,OCII, UPEI
More about BIOVECTRA:
Founded in 1970 by Prince Edward Island entrepreneur Dr. Regis Duffy and owned by H.I.G. Capital since 2019.
Named Canada’s Top Employer in 2022 and 2023, and Top Atlantic Canadian Employer for nine consecutive years.
Recently made a total of $240 million of capital investments to expand its operational footprint in both Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
Earlier this year, the company completed a biologics expansion of capabilities specialized in mRNA, pDNA, lipid nanoparticles and sterile fill/finish work, from clinical to final sterile fill/finish drug product (read more here).
Read more on BIOVECTRA:
BIOVECTRA (www.biovectra.com) is a global biotech and pharmaceutical CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) that specializes in clinical-to-commercial scale production capabilities for: biologics, small molecules, bioreagents, lipids, pDNA, mRNA and LNP manufacturing. Flexibility, creativity, process optimization and compliance are at the heart of our method. With close to 55 years of experience, and cGMP facilities in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, Canada, we assure our programs advance on time and with the highest quality outcomes.
Springboard Atlantic is a network of 19 colleges and universities specializing in research commercialization and industry-led research in Atlantic Canada. It is supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency , Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and member institutions.
The AAU represents the interests of universities across the region, ensuring public visibility for the important role they play in preparing future leaders of our communities, in path-breaking research and innovation, and in contributing to the economic prosperity of life in Atlantic Canada.
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