The Manitoba government is investing in biotechnology through the creation of a working group tasked with assessing the needs and gaps within the clinical trials ecosystem and informing government on opportunities to support the sector.
“Growing Manitoba’s clinical trial capacity will grow the provincial economy and ensure that Manitoba becomes a major international player in the life sciences sector,” said Manitoba, Economic Development Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses. “We listened to the many partners who told us that the province could be doing more to capitalize on investments in the life sciences sector. That’s why we are acting quickly to create this working group and ensure that our government continues to maintain a collaborative approach that grows this important sector of our economy.”
Developing this sector would further enable national and international companies to come to Manitoba to conduct clinical trials, which are research studies involving human participants that evaluate the safety and effects of interventions on health outcomes, said Moses.
“Manitoba’s bioscience sector provides leading innovations in health, agriculture and clean technologies,” said Andrea Ladouceur, president, Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM). “BAM has long advocated for improvements in the Manitoba clinical trial ecosystem on behalf of our members. Today’s announcement is a signal that Manitoba is invested in supporting the development of new treatments and keeping and attracting companies to our province. When we make investments like the one today, it supports advancements in how we heal, feed and fuel our world.”
The province is providing $200,000 to support the working group in its mandate to provide government with comprehensive analysis and recommendations to help inform decision-making and potential future investments in the life sciences industry. The success of the working group will acknowledge and understand Manitoba’s commitment to support cultural sensitivities, be inclusive of Indigenous researchers and take a collaborative approach that reflects the province’s diverse ecosystem, noted the minister.
“Research Manitoba welcomes today’s announcement from the Manitoba government on the creation of a clinical trials working group and are honoured to be part of this important initiative,” said Jennifer Cleary, chief executive officer, Research Manitoba. “Bringing together key partners to address the complex challenges facing the clinical trials environment in Manitoba is essential to driving economic development in the life sciences sector. By collaboratively assessing needs, identifying barriers and opportunities and informing strategic infrastructure investments, we can strengthen our research capacity, enhance our clinical trial capabilities and better support patients.”
Manitoba’s life sciences sector has seen substantial investment activity over the past five years, with the sector directly contributing $5.2 billion to the provincial GDP in 2021. Life sciences in Manitoba’s fourth-largest industry sector and the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry is Manitoba’s largest exporting industry and the second largest in Canada, said Moses.
For more information on research and development priorities and incentives in Manitoba, visit gov.mb.ca.
