The Health Biotech sector consists of companies developing and commercializing innovations that allow for the early identification, prevention and/or treatment of illness and disease. The Health Biotech sector traditionally focuses on treatments, diagnostics, and therapeutics. It now includes functional (healthier for you) foods and ingredients, and natural health products.
Health Biotech companies work in the areas of healthy food and ingredients, medicaments, medical technology and digital health.
On June 6,2023 the Manitoba government and Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM) announced the first-ever Manitoba Life Sciences Strategy, marking a significant milestone for the province’s bioscience sector. This groundbreaking strategy is set to reshape the industry’s landscape, unlocking unprecedented growth opportunities, fostering transformative collaborations, and attracting increased investments.
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You can download a copy of the Manitoba Life Sciences Strategy HERE.
Manitoba has been witnessing growth in its health biotech sector, which involves the applications of biotechnology to develop medical products and solutions. This includes areas such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and therapies.
Canada wide, between 2021 and 2029, there will be a shortage of about 37,700 individuals to fill jobs in the health biotech sector. Some of the most severe shortages are expected in bio-manufacturing and processing.
For the Prairie region, Health Biotech grew substantially in 2020, largely due to increased pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing as well as greater demand for R&D services. For this sector, we will continue to see annual employment growth of approximately 1.4% or 6,700 workers by 2029. (Source: BioTalent Canada)
eHealth, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, datafication, extended reality are some related innovative technologies to improve patient health and promote precision medicine.
The growing of the health biotech industry in Manitoba leads to a wide range of job opportunities. These span various roles, including Biostatistician, Biomedical Engineer, Medical Software Developer, Laboratory Technologist, Food Scientist and more. There are a wide range of jobs in Health Biotech industries.
Supporting roles
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Are you starting your career, or looking to upgrade your knowledge and skills? Here is a list of courses and programs available at colleges and universities in Manitoba.
Explore diverse program offerings at Assiniboine Community College, including Medical Administration and Power Engineering courses.
Two-Year Diploma Programs
Financial Aid & Awards | Registrar's Office
Click HERE for information on scholarships and bursaries.
Whether you like to work with animals, people, molecules, or minerals. RRC Polytech has the right program to help you launch a successful career in Health Biotech.
Health Sciences
Full-Time Programs
Pharmaceutical and Food Manufacturing
Part-Time Programs
Health Services Leadership and Management
Occupational Health and Safety
Explore the full list of full-time and part-time Health Sciences programs offered by RRC Polytech HERE.
The Prairie Research Kitchen brings together a unique blend of food science and culinary arts to support food processors and food service providers through research and development, technical services, and training.
RRC Polytech - Prairie Research Kitchen's expertise in food science blended with culinary arts provides student with a powerful approach to challenges from the food industry. The scientific stream of Prairie Research Kitchen also focuses on clinical trials, plant bioactive research, and plant protein research.
Financial Aid
Throughout the academic year, Red River Polytech assists students by administering awards, bursaries and scholarships that have been donated by concerned corporations, community organizations and individuals. LEARN MORE
Financial Aid is available for future students. Click HERE for more information.
From research science to engineering to data and statistics, there are many aspects to Health Biotech at the University of Manitoba.
Faculty of Science
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
Food and Human Nutritional Science
Faculty of Engineering
Click HERE for a link to all Natural and Applied Science programs, many of which can be applicable within the Health Biotech sector.
Awards and Financial Aid
There are multiple scholarships, fellowships, prizes, and bursaries available to students in the Faculty of Science each year. Check out the research funding and awards available at the Faculty of Science HERE.
The University of Manitoba – General financial aid and awards, click HERE.
The University of Winnipeg, Faculty of Science offers unique and diverse programs that give you the opportunity to work in the area of Health biosciences.
Faculty of Science
Radiation Therapy (This is a joint program between the University of Winnipeg and CancerCareManitoba.)
Awards and Financial Aid
The Awards & Financial Aid Office supports the access and excellence mandate of The University of Winnipeg with a comprehensive range of funding options. Click HERE for more information.
With a small class setting, Brandon University offers the opportunity to interact with professionals, both in the classroom and outside, for an unsurpassed educational experience.
Faculty of Science
Environmental and Life Sciences
Mathematics and Computer Science
Financial Aid
Click HERE for more information on financial aid for students.
Wage subsidy programs are available to assist with hiring co-op students. Click HERE for more details.
As part of the Global Biotech Week 2023 celebrations, BAM is not only celebrating the success stories within Manitoba's thriving $9.9 billion biotech industry but also taking a significant step towards securing its future.
Newly launched MY Sleep Scoring API provides free access to leading sleep analysis metric, accelerating research into the clinical management of disrupted sleep.
Provinces and territories will have access to updated COVID-19 vaccines for their respective fall vaccination campaigns
Sign up for one of BAM's newsletter to learn more about bioscience, happenings in Manitoba's bioeconomy, industry conferences, and BAM training events.