The life sciences sector in B.C. includes companies active in biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and bioproducts & bioenergy. B.C. is fortunate to have leading researchers investigating and industry developing a wide array of life science products and technologies.
The B.C. biotechnology industry includes over 90 biopharmaceutical companies, representing the seventh largest biopharmaceutical cluster in North America, employing over 2,200 poeple and generating revenue in the range of $800 million per year.
There are approximately 90 medical devices and diagnostic companies in B.C., ranging from early-stage prototype developers to mature companies with sales to contract technology engineering firms. B.C. is developing not only better devices, but leading the shift towards new paradigms, examples include precisely activating a drug with light, applying a pharmaceutical coating to a coronary stent, detecting urinary obstruction without invasive catheters and using a gene profile to save the lives of sepsis patients.
B.C.'s strength in resource-based industries is now being leveraged to position us as a leading centre for bioproducts and bioenergy, which is an emerging field of industrial biotechnology. Whether it is the development of new innovative clean technologies to utilize new sources of bioenergy; effective forest breeding programs based on high-technology (i.e. genomics); innovative use for waste wood; or new methods to improve food safety and security; B.C.'s research is changing the world we live in.
A significant number of B.C.’s life sciences companies were spun-off from university research; consequently, B.C.’s research capabilities are paramount in fostering innovative young companies. B.C.’s universities, research institutions and centres of excellence play a key role in developing and applying science, including: BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver Prostate Centre, Centre for Drug Research and Development, Brain Research Centre, and Centre of Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
Source: LifeSciences BC