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Keeping pace with a world-class community
As more than 100 health-related companies reside in Manitoba, Winnipeg is a natural location as one of Canada's fastest growing communities of biomedical technology firms. Over 20 years, entrepreneurs within Winnipeg's technology cluster have created more than 25 globally successful companies, including Biovail Corporation, IMRIS Inc., Intelligent Hospital Systems, Medicure Inc. and Cangene Corporation.
This innovative and active cluster employs 4,200 highly skilled personnel and is growing at a rapid pace. The cluster's research into world-leading ideas leads to tremendous product development and has poised the community for significant wealth generation.
Part of the cluster's success stems from the dedicated efforts of scientists and firms who work within NRC's Institute for Biodiagnostics (NRC-IBD) and the newer Centre for Commercialization of Biomedical Technology (NRC-CCBT).
Commercialization and technology transfer
In 2005, in response to the needs of Winnipeg's energetic technology cluster, NRC opened NRC-CCBT. The purpose of the Centre is to support the needs of emerging entrepreneurs and their start-up companies as they work to succeed in a global marketplace. On behalf of the Centre, a not-for-profit organization called Biomedical Commercialization Canada delivers a unique mentorship program for start-up companies. The program guides them through a business development program and helps ensure their commercial success.
The cluster has also benefited from the leadership and services provided by NRC-IBD, NRC's Industrial Research Assistance Program and other cluster partners.
Partnerships and collaborations
The Winnipeg cluster has become internationally recognized partly as a result of productive partnerships that include the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Medicine, the St. Boniface Hospital & Research Foundation, CancerCare, the new Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine and scientists within NRC-IBD.
Cluster members have performed groundbreaking research at the Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory into infectious diseases-research for which they have become famous at home and abroad.
International networks and linkages
The cluster's success has attracted the attention of many international players and led to some significant collaborations. For example, Siemens Healthcare has established partnerships with NRC-IBD, IMRIS Inc., and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
Cluster players have also made connections across the US border with Life Science Alley, the biomedical cluster industry association in Minneapolis that promises to serve as a natural gateway for Winnipeg companies seeking access to the US market. This relationship-building initiative will integrate Winnipeg cluster companies into the Minneapolis supply chain and likely also offer Winnipeg companies valuable commercialization resources.
Learn more about Winnipeg's biomedical technologies cluster
Fact sheet available in HTML or PDF version.
Related Information
Centre for Commercialization of Biomedical Technology (NRC-CCBT)
NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics (NRC-IBD)
