TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The BIOTECanada Board of Directors is pleased to announce the election of Paul Petrelli, Biogen Inc., as Chairman of BIOTECanada at the Annual General Meeting held in Toronto. Mr. Petrelli replaces David Main, President and CEO, Aquinox, whose three-year term as Chair comes to an end.
“This is an exciting time for Canada’s biotechnology industry as it develops and brings forward game changing products and technologies in the healthcare, agricultural and industrial spaces to address global challenges,” commented Paul Petrelli, Chairman BIOTECanada. “The industry is an important and growing component of Canada’s economy. The over two hundred member companies of BIOTECanada are representative of Canada’s ecosystem which has vibrant hubs in every province across the country. With the federal government developing a National Innovation Strategy, the period ahead will be an important one for BIOTECanada on behalf of its members. In this context, I very much look forward to working with the Board and the BIOTECanada team on helping to shape the policy environment for the industry.”
“Canada’s biotech industry ecosystem encompasses companies of all sizes, researchers, and investors, bringing together an incredible breadth of experience and connections," commented Roberto Bellini, Vice Chair BIOTECanada. “In this context, I am very much looking forward to working with the Board in showcasing the industry’s economic and social value that brings treatments and solutions to both Canadians and the global population.”
Following the Annual General Meeting of BIOTECanada, the BIOTECanada Board of Directors is pleased to announce the election of four Directors to the Board. The new Directors include:
- Roberto Bellini, President & CEO, Bellus Health (Vice Chair)
- Neal Carter, President & Founder, Okanagan Specialty Fruits
- Brian Hilberdink, President, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.
- Oliver Technow, CEO, BioVectra Inc.
“On behalf of the BIOTECanada team and the member companies, I extend appreciation to the outgoing Directors for their time and commitment to the Association. In particular, I thank outgoing Chair, David Main (CEO, Aquinox) for his outstanding leadership, counsel and dedication to the Association throughout his three-year term, commented Andrew Casey President and CEO BIOTECanada. “The Board recognizes the commitment to the Association and the industry more broadly of the retiring Board members: Michel Fortin (Prevtec Microbia), Mark Lievonen (Sanofi Pasteur), Gregory Penner (NeoVentures), Ron Keefe (BioVectra) and Brad Thompson (Oncolytics). I very much look forward to working with the entire Board in promoting key public policy initiatives to make Canada’s biotechnology industry a global leader.”
The new Board is reflective of the intricate ecosystem found in the Canadian biotech sector. The Board members and the organizations they represent are a microcosm of an industry where large, medium and small corporate entities, research institutions, academia, and individuals all work together towards bringing forward biotech solutions to address global health, environmental and economic challenges.
