Attracting pharma investment to Ontario's 'Pill Hill'
Bonnie Crombie gives insights into the second largest life sciences sector in Canada, biotech programs in Mississauga, and balancing economic development and sustainability (1,000 words, 4.5 minutes)
Bonnie Crombie, the Mayor of Mississauga, Ont. who was just elected leader of the provincial Liberal party, describes her city as driven by innovation and diversity.
Speaking on a recent edition of the NPC Podcast, she said these factors make the city an optimal place to become an innovation hub for different industries. “My vision revolves around building a smart and connected community that fosters economic growth, enhances the quality of life for our residents, and positions us as a leader in the global marketplace,” she said. “We’re very proud to be the country’s leading hub for life sciences and the second largest in the country as an employer of individuals in the life sciences sector.”
Crombie [pictured below] noted that more than 500 companies have chosen to invest in Mississauga in the life sciences and are building the city’s ecosystem. “We’re the only city I’m aware of with a strategy to attract more investment from life sciences,” she said. The sector employs more than 26,000 people employed in Mississauga. “We continue to attract investment, and we create an environment conducive to the success of businesses, including and in particular for the pharmaceutical companies.”
Crombie worked on various programs that she believes have helped transform the city during her time as mayor. One particular project she mentioned is the establishment of an innovation corridor [an area with resources to support the growth of technology companies and, at the same time, attract a talented and diverse workforce], which will serve as a hub for technology, research, and development. She noted they also have significant investments in improving transportation infrastructure, such as the light-rail transit, which is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.
Crombie also mentioned her administration works closely with colleges and universities in Mississauga to ensure they’re training students for the “jobs of tomorrow” and the jobs available in the marketplace today. “We have an Academy of Medicine, and specific training and undergraduate programs at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus that relate directly to the life sciences sector, and specialized training programs with other local institutions,” she said.
Crombie said that, in her opinion, it is important to balance the need for economic development with environmental sustainability. She said the city is taking action toward becoming more sustainable and reducing its carbon footprint. They are electrifying their corporate fleet, installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure, building lower carbon buildings such as a net zero fire station, and designing a home energy retrofit program for the city’s residents.
“Earlier this year, we launched the Mississauga Climate Leaders Program, which aims at industries to support local, private and public sector leaders committed to measuring and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions,” she added. We’re actively engaged with companies to develop and enforce environmental regulations and standards to ensure they can comply with best practices.”
THIS WEEK 12/05/23
Health Canada granted Notice of Compliance to Pfizer’s ritlecitinib (Litfulo) for treating severe alopecia areata in patients 12 or older.
The U.S. FDA approved SpringWorks Therapeutics’ nirogacestat (Ogsiveo), an oral gamma-secretase inhibitor, for Tx of adult patients with progressing desmoid tumours requiring systemic treatment.
Sun Pharma launched isotretinoin capsules (Absorica LD) to treat severe acne in patients 12 years of age and older in Canada.
Incyte Biosciences Canada announced that Quebec’s Institut national d’excellence en santé et services sociaux issued a positive recommendation to list pemigatinib (Pemazyre) on the public formulary. Pemazyre is recommended for treating cholangiocarcinoma in patients previously treated with systemic therapy, with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 fusion or other genetic rearrangements.
LISTEN UP
In season 11 of the NPC Podcast, Dimitris Polygenis, President of Biopharma and Payer Solutions at McKesson Canada, gives insights using technology and AI to decrease prescribing and distribution times, virtual and real-time care, and targeted gene therapies. Hear him in conversation with podcast hosts Mitch Shannon, Jim Shea and Mark McElwain.
HEALTHBIZ REWIND
This feature of NPC Healthbiz Weekly looks back at some of the most insightful moments from previous NPC Podcast episodes. In Healthbiz Rewind, you’ll read bold life sci predictions made during the renowned “Prognostication Korner” segment of the NPC Podcast.
Brigitte Sonier-Ferguson
Acting CEO
Atlantic Cancer Research Institute (ACRI)
Moncton, N.B.
Season 04, episode 06
Listen to this episode here
Any words that you’d like to put out to the community? (This episode was recorded in June of 2021)
I want to say that we’re on the cusp of something amazing here in our province. I think the pandemic has put the importance of research at the forefront of the health system, and it can’t be viewed as a separate culture anymore. The ACRI’s story, and from its beginnings, is an example of what is possible when research is done in a clinical setting and integrated with the clinical setting, where the clinical practice informs research questions. There’s a paradigm shift in health research toward learning health systems and patient-oriented research. I think it’s great that we’re finally going to see that. We talk about evidence-based quality care, and it can only be achieved if we implement best practices that are evidence-based and that come from clinical research. And that research needs to be informed by the users of the system and the workers in the health system.
NEXT WEEK
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