Honourable Murray Coell and BC Biotech Lead British Columbia Delegation to Eastern Canada

From October 23-24^th, the Honourable Murray Coell, Minister of Advanced Education and Minister Responsible for Research and Technology, with BC Biotech led a delegation to Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto to meet with Federal Government Ministers and Canada's Research Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D).  Karimah Es Sabar, Executive Director of BC Biotech was a part of this delegation and was pleased to see government engaging in conversation with the pharmaceutical industry.

The purpose of this visit was to better understand and gain support for Rx&D as partners with advanced education, research, technology, innovation systems and health science initiatives in British Columbia.  The meetings were focused on identifying collaborative approaches between industry and the province, reviewing opportunities for investment of Rx&D companies into British Columbia and gaining insight into the issues and decision making process undertaken by Rx&D member companies in determining investment priorities and health care initiatives.

During the visit, the delegation participants met with the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minster of Industy and the Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue & Minister Responsible for Western Economic Diversification.  The delegation also had the opportunity to do site tours of Pfizer Canada, Merck Frosst Canada and the MaRS - Discovery District Center.

The visit was particulary successful in furthering dialogue between government, academia and industry.  Discussion on building a sustainable health sciences industry and economy helped nurture possible future collaborations with Canadian and global pharmaceutical companies and prioritized British Columbia for future investment opportunities.  

Dr. Gary O'Neill, Executive Director, Basic Research, Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research providing site tours of Merck Frosst facilities in Quebec

The British Columbia Participants included...

• Honourable Murray Coell, Minister of Advanced Education and Minister Responsible for Research and Technology
• Moura Quayle, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Advanced Education and Ministry Responsible for Research and Technology
• Martina Kapac, Executive Assistant to the Honourable Murray Coell, Minister of Advanced Education and Minister Responsible for Research and Technology
• David Dolphin, CEO, BC Innovation Council
• Don Avison, President, The University Presidents’ Council of British Columbia
• Natalie Dakers, President and CEO, DDI Drug Developments Inc, Centre for Drug Research and Development
• Karimah Es Sabar, Executive Director, BC Biotech
• Robert Sindelar, Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia
• Patrick Lauzon, Manager, Policy, Merck Frosst Canada Ltd