4 July 2011

BiopolisQuébec, the alliance of leading life sciences regions in the province of Québec (Greater Montréal, Québec and Sherbrooke) dedicated to promoting the expertise of this major sector internationally, is happy to announce that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Life Sciences Ontario, the organization that represents and promotes the life sciences in Ontario.

Under the terms of the memorandum, the two partners have agreed to work together to discuss best business practices, issue joint position statements, and identify collaborative projects in the short term.

“We are happy that one of the Québec-Ontario corridor’s first achievements is in the life sciences,” said together Michelle Savoie, Montréal InVivo’s General Manager, Carl Viel, President and CEO of Québec International, and Pierre Bélanger, Director General of Sherbrooke Innopole. “By drawing closer to our colleagues in Ontario, we will be able to position Eastern Canada as one of North America’s key growth areas in the life sciences. What’s more, it will provide more visibility for and strengthen our respective regional expertise”.

“Formalizing our relationship with BiopolisQuébec strengthens the ability of our organizations to help build and promote a world-class life sciences corridor between Ontario and Quebec,” said Jason Locklin, president and chair of Life Sciences Ontario. “Working closely with BiopolisQuébec on programs and policy issues will benefit the sector in both provinces, and will help the Ontario and Quebec governments achieve their goal of greater economic cooperation.”

BiopolisQuébec and Life Sciences Ontario held their first work meeting at BIO2011 in Washington. We can expect the first projects to emerge soon.

About BiopolisQuébec

BiopolisQuébec is the alliance of three life sciences and health technology powerhouses, namely, Montréal InVivo, Québec International and Sherbrooke Innopole. By pooling the regions’ respective strengths and by generating synergy, BiopolisQuébec showcases Québec’s creativity and capability as a world-class cluster. From basic research to marketing, BiopolisQuébec displays its excellence all along the value-creation chain. The cluster provides a productive environment for organizations in the field of health sciences and health technology.

About Life Sciences Ontario

Life Sciences Ontario is a member-driven organization that represents and promotes the province’s vibrant life sciences sector.  LSO collaborates with governments, academia, industry and other life science organizations in Ontario and across Canada to promote and encourage commercial success throughout this diverse sector.

Membership in Life Sciences Ontario includes individuals, students, emerging companies, biotech investors, service providers and companies with marketed products. The organization provides a wide range of networking and educational events, and operates a vibrant mentorship program that is helping develop skilled biotech workers and build new business opportunities.  LSO is an effective conduit for delivering policy options to governments, and is dedicated to promoting the province’s potential internationally.

Sources:

Frank Béraud
Montréal InVivo 
514-987-9389

François Paquet
Québec International
418-681-9700, ext. 277

Daniel Nadeau
Sherbrooke Innopole
819-821-5577