CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Canada’s global biotech success is founded in its ability to advance scientific innovation by leveraging a diverse and vibrant ecosystem comprised of individuals, companies and institutions located in every province across the country. It is this strength that establishes Canada’s biotech industry as a leader in developing the solutions to address global social and economic challenges emerging from population growth and a changing climate. BIOTECanada, Canada’s national biotechnology industry association announces the following Gold Leaf Awards were presented during the BioAlliance kick off to Global Biotech Week in Charlottetown.
Gold Leaf Award Emerging Agriculture Company – AquaBounty
Gold Leaf Award Contribution to the Association – Ron Keefe
“The Canadian biotech industry is linked from coast to coast by regional expertise comprised of universities, incubators, individual entrepreneurs; pre-commercial companies, multinationals, and investors all working to drive biotech solutions forward,” commented Andrew Casey, President and CEO BIOTECanada. “Both AquaBounty and Ron Keefe highlight the particular strengths of the Canadian ecosystem where game-changing innovations are being developed and supported by a community of entrepreneurs and leaders in all parts of the country.”
“Being recognized by our industry peers with this Gold Leaf Award for ‘Emerging Company – Agriculture’ is very welcome and much appreciated. As many of you know, AquaBounty is a small company with a long history. Our efforts in Canada have been greatly aided by the supportive business development environment, the support of national and provincial governments, and in particular the support of BIOTECanada and the PEI BioAlliance,” commented Ronald Stotish, CEO AquaBounty. “We hope to be able to give back by growing our business, increasing our workforce, and contributing substantially to the economy of the region and the country. These are exciting times for our company, and we look forward to working with you all in the future. My sincere thanks and appreciation to BIOTECanada for this wonderful recognition.”
“Canada is well positioned to lead the world in the growth of biotechnology. The economic benefits from this growth are well documented and have had and will continue to have a significant impact on many parts of our country. BIOTECanada is the national voice of biotechnology and I am pleased to accept this award as contributing to this association,” commented Ron Keefe. “Prince Edward Island has been particularly successful in expanding its economic base through investment in biotechnology but much more can be accomplished with investment in infrastructure by both the public and private sector.”
Global Biotech Week running September 20 – 27, 2017 together with domestic and international biotechnology associations will experience more than 130 events across 20 countries. With thousands of participants each year, Global Biotech Week provides an opportunity to collaborate and showcase the impact biotechnology is having on economies celebrating science, innovation, and solutions.
Background
Emerging Agriculture Company - AquaBounty
With depleted wild fish stocks, aquaculture production is meeting an increasing demand for nutritious food and animal protein, with the increasing production of salmon, tilapia and catfish, among other species. The future rising demand for fish as food will have to be met by increasing aquaculture production. Like the revolution in the application of new technologies to land-based food production over the past century, technology innovation is fueling the growth of the global aquaculture industry.
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. is a publicly traded aquaculture company focused on improving productivity in commercial aquaculture. The Company’s objective is the application of biotechnology to ensure the availability of high quality seafood to meet global consumer demand - addressing critical production constraints in the most popular farmed species, including salmon, trout, and tilapia.
Its AquAdvantage® fish program is based upon a single, specific molecular modification in fish that results in more rapid growth in early development. The aquaculture facility is located in eastern Prince Edward Island, AquaBounty is raising its disease-free, antibiotic-free salmon away from the ocean, thus eliminating the risk of escapes impacting native fish populations and the risk of pollutants or contaminants harming marine ecosystems.
In November 2015, AquaBounty announced that the U.S. FDA approved the Company’s New Animal Drug Application for the production, sale, and consumption of its AquAdvantage® Salmon - a game-changer that will bring healthy and nutritious food to consumers in an environmentally responsible manner without damaging the ocean and other marine habitats.
Contribution to the Association – Ron Keefe
Ron Keefe is a dynamic and innovative player in the global biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, he led BioVectra as CEO for 11 years. The company has received numerous awards over the years including being named as one of the Top 101 Companies in Atlantic Canada.
Keefe is also the CEO of the Regis Duffy BioScience Fund Inc., a private venture fund targeting science based businesses. He is a past Director and Chairman of the Maritime Electric Company Limited, a subsidiary of Fortis Inc. and a current member and past Chairman of the Board of the PEI BioAlliance Inc., the organization dedicated to the advancement of the bioscience sector of Prince Edward Island’s economy. He is also a past Chairman of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, an independent think-tank dedicated to economic progress in Atlantic Canada. He is a member of the BIOTECanada Board of Directors and a member of the board of governors of UPEI. He is a member of the council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (PEI). He was recently named one of the Top 50 CEO’s in Atlantic Canada.
Keefe is President of Communities 13 Inc., a non-profit organization which owns and operates a multipurpose recreational complex serving the needs of 12,000 residents in 13 communities. He is Past-President of the United Way of Prince Edward Island, a former Director of the Bank of Canada and a volunteer with Canada Games 2009.