HALIFAX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The way in which the local life sciences community rallied to keep its bio-imaging capacity was announced as BioNova’s Good News Story of the Year at a gathering to celebrate success over the past year held this evening.
In late October 2012, the National Research Council (NRC) announced it was closing its medical devices lab in Halifax, which meant the loss of not only the specialized imaging equipment that had become an integral part of life sciences research in the province, but also the specialized technicians and scientists who are recognized as leaders in their field.
"Once word of the impending closure got out, it seemed like the entire community came together to find a solution," says Dr. Patrick McGrath, VP Research and Innovation for Capital Health and the IWK. "Local and international industry, several departments and faculties at Dalhousie, clinicians at both hospitals and government agencies worked on a plan to keep this valued resource in Halifax."
Encouraged by the way people were coming together to support a ‘made in Halifax’ solution, Dr. McGrath formed a small committee, and representatives travelled to Ottawa to tell NRC officials that Halifax was ready to assume leadership of the imaging centre.
"The Deputy Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, Simon d’Entremont, BioNova CEO Marli MacNeil and I met with the NRC which agreed on the importance of preserving our imaging capacity. Although NRC was not able to carry on with the partnership, our meeting resulted in agreements on transferring contracts and equipment that allowed us to move our plans forward.”
As of April 2, the Biomedical Translational Imaging Centre (BIOTIC) has been in operation under the leadership of Dr. McGrath. With labs in both the IWK and the QEII Health Sciences Centre, BIOTIC will be working with researchers and companies to support investigations and the commercialization of new life sciences products, and creating its own innovative medical technologies. BIOTIC employs 13 bio-imaging specialists and is overseen jointly by a Business Development Manager and a Scientific Manager.
“Nova Scotia’s innovative biotechnology industry is growing steadily, and local companies are helping advance medicine, improve agriculture, and develop new technologies,” said Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris. “The province is pleased to be one of many partners helping to ensure Halifax’s bio-imaging centre continues to support Nova Scotia’s life sciences and biotechnology companies, researchers, and the industry in the future.”
The Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation is also a partner in the new centre. CEO Krista Connell says supporting a local organization to conduct research and move innovation to commercialization is something her organization is happy to support.
“Although the closure of the NRC’s medical device lab was unfortunate, the reaction from the Nova Scotia health research community speaks volumes of its resilience. As an organization that supports innovative solutions, the NSHRF is a proud partner in BIOTIC."
According to BioNova CEO Marli MacNeil, 2012-13 was marked by a number of compelling stories for the life sciences community, including:
- The sale of Ocean Nutrition Canada for more than half a billion dollars, rewarding local investors for their faith in the Dartmouth-based company;
- Glowingly positive results from Immunovaccine’s clinical trials with its therapeutic cancer vaccine;
- Mindful Scientific’s inclusion as part of the first group to take up residence at the Canadian Technology Accelerator in Boston;
- Significant investments in DeNovaMed, Thorasys, ABK Biomedical, and Novawise;
- Manufacturing plant expansion for BioMedica Diagnostics.
MacNeil adds, however, the community coming together to save its imaging capacity is special.
“This story spoke to everyone on BioNova’s board of directors because it was based on satisfying customer need," she says. “That the academic, provincial government, healthcare and industry partners in the new imaging centre worked together to find a way to continue to serve customers, regardless of NRC’s plans, represents really good news for the future of the life sciences industry in the province.”
The announcement was made at BioNova’s Good News & Blues networking reception, held at the Life Sciences Research Institute. In addition to highlighting achievements in the past year, the event featured three bands made up of members of the life sciences community: Dal Biomedical Engineering’s No Longer Hip, The Replayables, made up of ACOA employees, and the BioNova Blues Band featuring staff members from several local life sciences organizations.
About BioNova
BioNova is Nova Scotia’s life sciences organization, representing
companies working in pharmaceuticals/vaccines, medical technologies,
natural health products/ nutraceuticals, digital health and bioproducts,
as well as research organizations, service providers and other
suppliers. By promoting the industry and its successes, building
relationships both inside and outside the province, and creating
networking and educational opportunities, BioNova supports and leads its
members as they create Nova Scotia’s bio-economy.
www.bionova.ca
