Life sciences incubator opens at Halifax NRC institute

Halifax, NS – September 13, 2004 – The National Research Council (NRC) Institute for Marine Biosciences (NRC-IMB) Industry Partnership Facility (IPF) in Halifax was opened today. The facility is housed in a wing attached to the existing NRC institute, ready to house 10 to 12 life sciences firms. <br>
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“This high-calibre research infrastructure will allow NRC to attract new firms to the region and will help us to build a world-class life sciences cluster in Atlantic Canada.” said Geoff Regan, federal minister of fisheries and oceans. <br>
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The 9,000 square-metre facility is intended to enable entrepreneurs and business to work side-by-side with NRC researchers while gaining access to an array of advanced research technology platforms which includes one of the most comprehensive public mass spectrometry centres in North America as well as one of the most active high through-put DNA sequencing facilities and extensive selections of analytical instrumentations in Canada. <br>
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“We hope this will be a cornerstone in the development of a sustainable and competitive life sciences cluster in Atlantic Canada,” says Dr Michael Raymont, acting president of the NRC. “NRC is committed to expanding research capabilities, engaging communities, and augmenting the knowledge industry in Atlantic Canada.” <br>
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In communities across Canada, NRC says it is already incubating more than 70 companies. At NRC-IMB, start-ups and small-to-medium sized enterprises can tailor lab and office space to meet their research needs. With an industry partner, Genome Atlantic, already on site and others interested in the versatile IPF research space, the four-floor IPF gives firms room to grow, while providing access to NRC expertise. <br>
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NRC-IMB is an integrated systems biology institute with the capability to investigate life from the level of the genome to the whole organism. NRC-IMB’s comprehensive suite of advanced research technologies coupled with a range of scientific expertise, allows for a flexible and multidisciplinary research approach. With more than 150 professionals, NRC-IMB life sciences research targets three core areas: aquaculture, natural toxins, and advanced research technologies which include specialized bioscience know-how in bioinformatics, genomics, metabolomics, and proteomics. <br>