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In 1992, we were a start-up institute with a staff of 25. Today, NRC’s Institute for Biodiagnostics (NRC-IBD) has more than 200 staff, visiting scientists, students and collaborators at its locations in Winnipeg, Halifax and Calgary.
Ian Smith,
Director General
We believe three factors stand behind our ongoing growth. First, our multidisciplinary approach to research and development generates new ideas and spurs the translation of research into successful medical devices and processes. Second is our focus on work that is directly relevant to improving patient care, enhancing medical capabilities and generating economic growth. Third is our ongoing commitment to building collaborations and partnerships close to home and worldwide.
This approach stands behind the nine spinoff companies and commercialization support entities NRC-IBD has launched. In 2007, for instance, our two largest spinoff companies Novadaq Technologies Inc. and IMRIS Inc. raised $30 million in private placement and $40 million through an initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange, respectively.The medical devices of both companies are making a difference to the lives of people in Winnipeg and many other hospitals around the world. Together, these enterprises employ over 200 people. We continue to work with Novadaq and IMRIS in developing new solutions for medical diagnosis and treatment. They are just two examples of the Canadian companies that NRC-IBD is either creating, or helping to advance. We are delighted that Canadians are seeing a return on their investment and more.
In a world filled with its share of uncertainties, we think “seeing is believing” and that is why we invite you to see for yourself the progress underway at NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics.
We continue to value the capabilities of two other strong NRC partners: The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), which nurtures and grows small- to medium-sized high tech firms, and the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI), Canada’s leading source of scientific and technical information. The results of our partnership with IRAP and CISTI, for example, are reflected in our neighbouring facility, the NRC Centre for the Commercialization of Biomedical Technology. The Centre is a successful focal point for start-up companies and related organizations, all of which are part of Manitoba’s growing biomedical community.
In addition, we are very fortunate to have outstanding staff who have created our strong track record and who will shape our future. It is their individual talents as well as their combined energy and dedication that drive this Institute.
