Canadian Biotech Talent at the Forefront of the COVID-19 Crisis

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioTalent Canada is highlighting and supporting the efforts of the Canadian biotech sector in the wake of COVID-19. While people around the world and in Canada remain in physical isolation to flatten the curve, Canadian biotech companies are working tirelessly to mitigate the impact of the current pandemic.

“What is happening to the world is unprecedented, with many concerns of where we go from here,” says Rob Henderson, President and CEO of BioTalent Canada. “We should be encouraged by the people in Canada’s health and life sciences sector as well as the national and provincial associations working diligently to find the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Among the organizations working to support global efforts to fight COVID-19 are several of BioTalent Canada’s partners and wage subsidy employers:

• Innovative Medicines Canada
  • Working with their members to track resources available and provide industry with donations of personal protective equipment – including a recent donation of 100,000 N95 masks
• LifeSciences BC
  • Helping member organizations connect with healthcare services working to fight COVID-19
• STEMCELL Technologies
  • Developing advanced cell culture systems to isolate and identify the novel coronavirus
• Spartan Bioscience
  • Highlighted by Prime Minister Trudeau regarding their production of portable rapid testing kit – recently approved by Health Canada
• IMV-Inc.
  • Advancing the development of a DPX-based vaccine candidate
• AbCellera
  • Creating antibody therapeutics for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19
• Precision Biomonitoring
  • Production of their point-of-need SARS-CoV-2 Go-Strips test and battery-operated instrument in response to COVID-19.

“The Canadian bio-economy exemplifies the mantra that without people, there can be no science,” adds Henderson. “Now more than ever does this holds true. We thank all the people on the front lines who are bringing hope to a country in isolation.”

As a resource to the bio-economy, BioTalent Canada is fully continuing its operations including its wage subsidy programs to help these companies hire the talent the require, and developing new resources so the industry has access to the skills is needs to find solutions during this difficult time.

BioTalent Canada will continue to monitor the situation and provide industry updates as they arise. For more information on how BioTalent Canada’s programs are supporting these efforts, please contact [e-mail] or visit biotalent.ca/wagesubsidies.

About BioTalent Canada

BioTalent Canada™ is the HR partner and catalyst for growth in Canada’s bio-economy. Our engagement with employers, associations, post-secondary institutions, immigrant serving agencies and service providers has built a dynamic network that is identifying labour market needs, strengthening skills, connecting job-ready talent to industry and creating opportunities. Recently awarded a Great Place to Work® Certification, BioTalent Canada practices the same industry standards they recommend to their stakeholders. For more information visit biotalent.ca.