TechAlliance hosts first ever London Biotechnology Week

September 26-30, TechAlliance, along with partners: Fanshawe College, Lawson Health Research Institute, the London Economic Development Corporation, Robarts Research Institute, the Richard Ivey School of Business, the Stiller Centre for Biotechnology Commercialization, and The University of Western Ontario, will host the local component of National Biotechnology Week. London and TechAlliance join 14 other Canadian cities and over 40 national partners in this effort. ”Biotech Week in London is very much an awareness campaign,” said Marilyn Sinclair, General Manager of TechAlliance. “TechAlliance has developed a range of activities that will both raise the profile of London’s emerging biotech industry in the city and celebrate the outstanding capacity this community has for research and innovation in this area.” Biotechnology is broadly defined as the use of living organisms (plants, animals and microorganisms) to develop and improve products. Applications of biotechnology include new treatments for modern life’s most devastating diseases (including cancer, AIDS, diabetes), the development of more nutritional and disease-resistant food breeds, the development of bio-fuels, and the pioneering of new environmental reclamation techniques. Globally, Canada ranks second to the US in terms of the number of biotech companies – nearly 500. These companies employ roughly 12,000 people and in 2003, had revenues of over $3.8 billion. According to a national Pollara research poll conducted during the first week of September, an overwhelming majority of Canadians (81%) expect to see the benefits of biotechnology positively impact the environment, their health in general, and the Canadian economy. While Canadians generally feel good about biotechnology, almost one-third of them do not regard Canada as a biotechnology leader, or able to keep pace with the rest of the world. The results of the poll conducted this month indicate Canadians want to see the biotechnology industry grow and produce results. London itself boasts significant contributions to the biotechnology industry and the larger life sciences spectrum. The discovery of insulin, the pioneering of human blood transfusions, Canada's first human MRI and the world's first successful liver-small bowel transplant are just some of the many milestones credited to this community. London hospitals, research institutions and life sciences-related companies employ over 20,000 people, including an estimated 2,000 researchers. Annually, more than $145 million is granted to research activities at The University of Western Ontario, $50 million at Lawson Health Research Institute and nearly $40 million at the Robarts Research Institute. London Biotech Week events range from an education day for high school students to a power networking breakfast for business leaders, featuring Dr. Tony Cruz, renowned Canadian scientist and biotech entrepreneur. An overview of activities: Success in biotechnology: an entrepreneurial AND community affair! A Power Breakfast featuring Dr. Tony Cruz Thursday, September 29, 7am-9am Dr. Tony Cruz, renowned Canadian scientist and entrepreneur, will address the necessary ingredients for success in biotechnology – for entrepreneurs and for their communities, including issues and challenges, and critical community resources such as talent, investors, technology transfer processes and incubation centres. ‘Bet on Biotech’ Education Day Wednesday, September 28, 9am-11am This event, geared toward senior high school students, teachers and guidance counselors will include: “why bacteria could be important to your career”, “a day in the life of a biotech brain”, and “I’m interested, what’s next?” The Science Olympics Friday, September 30, 10am-12pm This event, in celebration of Biotech Week, features London’s leaders heading teams of senior elementary school students in fun science challenges like a SLOW Balloon Race! Teams include the “Dendrites”, with students from Jack Chambers Public School and led by Robarts’ President Dr. Mark Poznansky! Biotech ‘Jam’ Open House and BBQ Friday, September 30, 12pm-2pm All are welcome at this biotech celebration and networking event! Event will include tours, a complimentary BBQ and entertainment. More information on London Biotech Week events can be found www.techalliance.ca. London Biotech Week is made possible by generous community sponsors: -Research Western and The University of Western Ontario -Fanshawe College -Lawson Health Research Institute -The Stiller Centre for Biotechnology Commercialization -London Economic Development Corporation -Fisher Scientific -Gowling Lafleur Henderson -Royal Bank -Custom House Global Foreign Exchange -National Research Council Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute (NRC-IMTI) ABOUT TECHALLIANCE TechAlliance is a member-driven organization that represents, supports and accelerates the growth of the tech sector 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.