Manitoba’s bioscience sector becomes economic driver BY LINDSEY WARD
Photo courtesy of BAM
T he fact that the bioscience industry plays a vital role in Manitoba’s economy isn’t exactly a breakthrough. As Canada’s second largest hub for pharmaceutical and medicine manu- facturing, bioscience has long been a massive economic driver in the prov- ince, ranking as its fourth largest sector. It’s no wonder medicine manufac- turing in Manitoba is 2.5 times more important to the economy than in any other province and it’s poised to become even more valuable, experts say. “Annually, $3-billion worth of Manitoba-made medicine moves to patients around the world,” says Andrea Ladouceur, president and CEO of Bioscience Association Manitoba, which supports the bioscience and biotech- nology sector and represents more than 200 member companies across health
shipping out medication and medical ingredients. “We don't really need to reinvent the solution. To have con- trolled inventory largely touching down in one place, we have all the things that a sovereign supply of medicine needs.” With CentrePort Canada’s current cold storage facility in Rosser and the Winnipeg Airports Authority set to open a secure cold chain cargo facil- ity by the end of this year, solutions to support global supply chains are already in place. Quick access in and out of the prov- ince is available not only east to west but also much further north through the rapidly growing Port of Churchill on Hudson Bay. That connectivity is reinforced by Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
biotechnology, agricultural biotechnol- ogy and clean biotechnology. “Manitoba is positioned to be home to other logistical plans for the safe, secure supply of medicine,” she says. “Canada imports over 80 per cent of medicines used in Canada. Canada's Surgeon General recently noted ‘secure and sovereign health care is key for Canada.’ That includes medicine.” Bioscience Association Manitoba has spent the past two years learning where the province can fulfil this call to action. What competitive advantage, or advantages, does Manitoba have when it comes to bioscience, anyway? First, there are three words (or one word, times three): Location, location, location. “We’re in the centre of the country,” says Ladouceur, explaining geography plays a key role in bringing in and
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