The Sanofi-Aventis Biotech Challenge (SABC) to Commence This Week

LONDON ON (November 18, 2005) - This winter, a select group of London high schoolers will set to work using biotechnology to solve some of the world’s most important environmental, social and health-related challenges. The Sanofi-Aventis Biotech Challenge (SABC) partners high school students with local researchers in the laboratory environment to work on biotech-related research, of interest to and chosen by, the students. TechAlliance is the proud host of the London region SABC, which is taking place in 12 regions across Canada and with more than 100 partners nationally. Past projects have included the use of biotechnology to clean up ocean oil spills; investigate an oral vaccine for SARS; take the smell out of pig manure; explore the role of folic acid in cancer treatment; and develop environmentally-friendly approaches to waste disposal. Much like London Biotechnology Week, TechAlliance’s goals in hosting the SABC include raising awareness about the benefits and applications of biotechnology and encouraging increasing numbers of high school students to pursue studies and careers in the biological sciences. “We see SABC as critical to promoting London’s excellent post-secondary institutions and research institutes, which are globally recognized, in terms of educational and career opportunities in this industry for our future leaders,” says TechAlliance General Manager Marilyn Sinclair. This year, as an added bonus, participating schools will also be offered cash and in-kind incentives, which will directly benefit science-related learning activities. In addition to potential Western scholarships and prize money shared between team members and their schools, teachers who support and mentor student projects will be given an extra $300 per completed project to support science-related activities (which may include new lab equipment and field trips.) Participating teachers will also qualify for the “Beakers for Teachers” program, sponsored by the Stiller Centre and unique to the London region SABC, which will donate much-needed lab equipment to participating classes. “The Biotech Challenge continues to be a fantastic opportunity for our high school students to engage with leading researchers and produce results applicable in the real world. The learning experience is invaluable and it’s a program the Thames Valley District School Board is excited to be a part of,” confirms Mike Newnham, Learning Coordinator (Science) for TVDSB. “This year’s incentive program only underscores the critical importance of participating.” For more information, please visit www.techalliance.ca or contact: Lindsay Zajac Director, Programs and Services TechAlliance 519.858.5101 lindsay.zajac@techalliance.ca BACKGROUNDER About the Sanofi-Aventis Biotech Challenge (London region) SABC has been running in London for over 15 years and has been coordinated by TechAlliance since 2002. TechAlliance’s local partners in this effort include Robarts Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario and The Stiller Centre for Biotechnology Commercialization. Students are required to develop a project proposal for review by a Western-based scientific advisory committee. Upon acceptance of the proposal, the teams (made up of one to four students) are partnered with a scientist for approximately three months. Each spring, the students compete locally for scholarships to The University of Western Ontario and as well prize money, which is shared with their high schools. The local winner then proceeds to the National competition, the winner of which proceeds to an international competition, held at the annual BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization) conference. Last year’s winners were Carina Remy and Nathaniel Penhearow of Centennial CVI in Guelph who examined water bears (or Tardigrades), which are found in oceans, on mountain tops and inside the Arctic ice, and their ability to be frozen for long periods of time and then come back to life when the temperature warms. Their aim was to find out if whatever protected them during freezing could help them withstand other stresses. Other participating schools included John Paul II; Central; Lucas; RMC; and Mother Teresa. Local success factors and statistics: Eighty percent of competing students have a desire to pursue a major in science with a minor in the arts (music or visual) One team returned for a second year of competition using a different mentor One team had successfully won several scientific competitions and is only in Grade 10 A potential collaboration between a team and a local company has been revealed Several students will be participating in further laboratory studies as summer students SABC programs are held in 12 regions across Canada by local biotech and educational organizations in partnership with universities, colleges, government and industry. TechAlliance joins more than 100 organizations nationally, and London joins Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto, London, Montreal, Moncton, Halifax, and St. John's in hosting the program. National sponsors include the Aventis Pasteur and Aventis Pharma, Human Resources Skills Development Canada, the National Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Genome Canada, VWR International and the Biotechnology Human Resource Council. About TechAlliance TechAlliance is a member-driven organization that represents, supports and accelerates the growth of knowledge-based businesses in London and region. TechAlliance focuses on networking, knowledge-sharing, capitalization, and member marketing for well over 100 regional IT, life sciences and advanced manufacturing companies, and is committed to helping develop the region’s emerging knowledge-based industries into a collective economic powerhouse.