Positioning B.C. life-sciences companies for global markets through new wet lab

VANCOUVER -

Summary

• A state-of-the-art wet-lab facility opens in Vancouver to help early-stage life-sciences companies grow
• The Province invested $10 million in ready-to-use wet-lab space
• It creates an opportunity for more good-paying jobs in B.C.'s life-sciences sector as part of the Look West strategy

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More early-stage companies have access to the space they need to help them grow, solve health-care challenges and create jobs for people with the opening of a new, state-of-the-art wet lab facility.

In 2023, the Province invested $10 million in adMare BioInnovations' facility in Vancouver that was announced alongside B.C.'s Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy. The M4 Innovation Centre is a ready-to-use, 30,000-square-foot facility providing wet-lab space designed for early-stage and growing life-sciences companies.

"By investing in world-class infrastructure, we're helping local companies scale, create good jobs and bring made-in-B.C. innovations to patients and markets around the world," said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. "These wet labs provide the space and equipment companies need to move from research to commercialization, helping to propel them forward and cement B.C. 's position as a hub and leader in life sciences, and that's exactly what our Look West strategy is built to do."

Helping B.C. biotech companies scale and commercialize

A wet lab is a specific type of facility adapted for biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies for the safe handling of chemicals and contaminants.

Access to specialized wet-lab space has long been one of the most significant barriers facing biotech companies, as these facilities are expensive, highly technical and in short supply.

The new adMare facility is a step forward, helping local companies save money by providing scientific spaces with advanced equipment, along with office and meeting spaces that support collaboration, investment attraction and quicker commercialization.

"The ability to scale and retain companies in B.C. is a key driver of job creation and global competitiveness," said Wendy Hurlburt, president and CEO, Life Sciences BC. "The adMare BioInnovations wet-lab facility addresses a long-standing gap for B.C.'s biotech startups as they work to achieve this. We are thrilled to see this facility open and congratulate the B.C. government on this strategic investment, one that is foundational to the sector and will enable companies to better navigate early-stage risk and scale, creating jobs here in B.C."

Local life-science companies will be able to use this facility to expand scientific research into biomanufacturing, mRNA and lipid nanoparticle capabilities, and strengthen clinical trials and health-data access.

Delivering jobs, global competitiveness with the Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy

B.C.'s 2023 Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy aims to position the province as a global hub for life sciences by strengthening the innovation pipeline, from discovery and clinical trials to commercial-scale manufacturing.

Through targeted investments, the Province is strengthening innovation in B.C. by supporting local company growth and attracting global investors. The strategy supports high-quality jobs, improved patient access to innovation, and a more resilient, globally competitive economy.

Since launching the strategy, B.C. has invested nearly $824 million, leveraging more than $1.8 billion in federal funding and private investment to accelerate growth throughout the life-sciences sector.

Recent implementation highlights include new workforce training to prepare young people for biomanufacturing careers through CASTL Elevate BC and the opening of B.C.'s first non-oncology Phase 1 clinical trials unit, addressing critical gaps that help companies grow, keep intellectual property in the province and move innovations to market quicker.

This work supports the Province's Look West strategy, which aims to double life-sciences employment to 40,000 and grow the sector's economic impact by 75%. The strategy focuses on delivering major projects more quickly, diversifying markets and growing targeted sectors, such as life sciences, technology, aerospace, marine, artificial intelligence and quantum, agriculture and construction innovation.

Quotes:

Premier David Eby, MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey -

"This new wet-lab facility is a huge win for our life-sciences ecosystem here in Vancouver. By building state-of-the-art infrastructure, we're giving early-stage companies the tools they need to grow, attract investment and create good local jobs. It means more made-in-B.C. discoveries can stay, grow and succeed right here, strengthening our economy and our neighbourhoods."

Matthew Carlyle, president and CEO, adMare BioInnovations -

"This project reflects a shared understanding by the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada of what life-sciences companies need to succeed. Through this partnership, the adMare M4 Innovation Centre provides the wet-lab infrastructure that enables companies to move faster, achieve scientific milestones and develop into strong, scalable businesses that contribute to British Columbia's life-sciences sector."

Dr. Claudia Chavez-Munoz, founder and chief science officer, Conexeu Sciences -

"Lab facility infrastructure is one of the most overlooked variables in life-science startup success. The adMare M4 Innovation Centre allowed us to move in immediately and stay focused on advancing our tissue regeneration platform. For a company at our stage, access to this kind of turnkey lab space helps accelerate our transition from research to clinical applications."

Bianca Iulianella Phillips, co-founder, Discovery Genomics -

"Specialized lab infrastructure plays a critical role in the success of growing life-sciences companies. Being based at the adMare M4 Innovation Centre has allowed us to get established quickly and focus our efforts on genomics innovation, while continuing to build our company here in British Columbia."

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