Research Landscape

From 1999 to 2007: Canadian Biotechnology Strategy

Before the change of government in 2006, biotechnology was the subject of great political efforts to push it forward. For example, in 1999, the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy (CBS), equipped with a budget of approximately 450 million dollars to take it up to 2007, was brought into being. There were three major initiatives within this strategy: the CBS fund, which coordinated the strategic management of all involved agencies and ministries, was responsible for the Internet presence and financed the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CABC), which advised the Canadian government and organises biotechnology-relevant studies. As the second initiative, the Canadian Regulatory System for Biotechnology (CRSB) dealt with all regulatory issues. Research funding was undertaken mainly under the roof of the Genome Canada funding program, in which six different agencies participated.  

Anteil der Biotechnologie (grau) an den Ausgaben für Technologie,Forschung und Entwicklung in Kanada. Source: Statistics Canada für das Jahr 2003-2004, aus "Canadian Trends in Biotechnology" (2005)

That biotechnology receives a large portion of government funding for technology, research and development is shown by the figures from a  report from 2003-2004 (see the "Canadian trend for Biotechnology” study). In that time, around 750 million dollars was invested in biotechnology, twice the figure for 1997-1998. Thereby, the lion's share flowed into the Canadian Institute of Health (2004: 271 million dollars), the National Research Council (2004: 121 million dollars) as well as the Genome Canada program (2004: 81 million dollars) and the Canada Foundation of Innovation (2004: 78 million dollars).
In 2007, the Canadian government that had won power a year previously adopted a new strategy for the promotion of science and technology (Science and Technology Strategy), the framework of which defined the emphases of the coming years. Thereby, the life sciences continued to be one of the most important fields in the centre. This is also shown in recent announcements of investments of over 100 million euros into equipment for scientific chairs, which will profit biomedical research above all. However, some structural changes are also involved: among other changes, the CABC advisory body was abolished in favour of a general board for science, technology and innovation, whose last report, however, called for a strengthened sustainability in Canadian environmental activism and a contribution from the life sciences in this area.

More information here.

Network of research establishments for the life sciences

Canadian research establishments are particularly strong in the field of medicine and have built up a solid reputation at renowned institutes in genomics, proteomics, cancer and infection research. Not least for this reason, a range of pharma companies has made Canada their home for research. Alongside the Canadian Institute of Health, the majority of biomedical research is organised under the roof of the National Research Council, which is made up of over 20 different mechanisms. Thereby, the life sciences form one of five topic areas and is implemented across six mechanisms, the largest of which, the Biotechnology Research Institute, has its headquarters in Montréal. Here, scientists are focusing not only on the medical aspects of biotechnology, but also on bioprocessing and environmentally relevant topics. The other mechanisms are occupied with biomarkers, diagnostics, marine biosciences as well as molecular plant research and nutrition science.
Click here for more information about the NRC life science network
In view of the strong agricultural focus of the country, agrobiotechnology is also a highly relevant field. Over a quarter of research and technology funding in this area flows into biotechnology. This can be seen both in the large areas of commercially cultivated GM plants and in the research taking place. This authority is also being exploited by German scientists, for example in the framework of the "YelLowSin Rapeseed" group project from the GABI plant genome program, funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). In this program, scientists and seeds manufacturers are attempting to manufacture GM rapeseed without bitter suppressors. The outdoor exposure tests will be taking place in Canada.
Click here for more information about GABI Canada