News & Media

LSAM Celebrates 10th National Biotechnology Week

LSAM in partnership with BIOTECanada has an exciting week of activities planned that will bring together business owners, researchers, community leaders, students and the public to celebrate advances made in biotechnology Sept. 20 – 27, 2013.

“Biotechnology impacts all of our lives,” says Tracey Maconachie, President, LSAM. “It’s everything from the development of minimally invasive devices to help detect cancers, medical robotic systems that automates filling of IV bags and syringes to keep patients safe, novel non-needle means to monitor blood sugar levels for individuals suffering from diabetes, fuels and products made from traditionally discarded materials found on farmers’ fields, and new and more nutritious food that is grown and tested in our province.”

It is estimated that Manitoba’s life science sector contributes over $1 billion to the Manitoba economy. The province has more than 220 life science companies that employ approximately 7,700 people. LSAM represents this growing industry, whose ultimate goal is to enhance the ability to heal, fuel and feed our world.

“Canada’s biotech industry has been a leader in innovation from its early accomplishments in the prevention of disease through vaccination to developing efficient and effective ways to grow foods and more recently in its role in supporting the transformation of traditional manufacturing sectors such as oil and gas, automotive, forest products, mining,” commented Andrew Casey, President and CEO BIOTECanada. “National Biotechnology Week serves to recognize not only the industry’s past success but also to highlight the significant opportunity Canadian biotechnology innovation presents for the Canadian economy in the context of the emerging bio-economy and the challenges presented by global population growth and demographic shifts.”

Business leaders from Cangene Corporation, XiteBio Technologies Inc., Intelligent Hospital Systems, Biovalco Innovative Products Inc., the University of Manitoba and Miraculins Inc. will share their thoughts on “The Value of Innovation” at a breakfast event being held at the Legislature on Tuesday Sept. 24th from 7:00am – 9:30am.

“LSAM recognizes that today’s students are tomorrow’s scientists and inventors,” says Tracey Maconachie, President, LSAM “so we are excited to be able to engage them in science at an early age through hands-on activities and learning opportunities at several different sites across the province.”

To learn more about biotechnology advances in Manitoba – please visit the Life Science Association of Manitoba channelon YouTube.

About LSAM

LSAM is the voice and organizational nucleus for the life science industry of Manitoba.

This innovative industry, which now accounts for nearly 7% of Manitoba’s GDP, is extremely diverse and wide-reaching. The industry’s core businesses can be grouped in three distinct categories: agriculture and food, health and industrial bioproducts.

LSAM focuses on attentive, proactive, and timely services and programs to over 100 member organizations. They constantly strive to understand which products, services, and support their members value most, and create partnerships and programs to deliver them.

LSAM’s activities are focused on four key areas:

To be a connector for people, information, and ideas;
To support the development of Manitoba’s human resource capacity;
To strengthen the business environment for members; and
To provide a strong voice for the life science industry in Manitoba.

For more information go to www.lsam.ca

About BIOTECanada

BIOTECanada is the national industry association with nearly 250 members located nationwide, reflecting the diverse nature of Canada’s health, industrial and agricultural biotechnology sectors. In addition to providing significant health benefits for Canadians, the biotechnology industry has quickly become an essential part of the transformation of many traditional cornerstones of the Canadian economy including manufacturing, automotive, energy, aerospace and forestry industries.

Contacts

Life Science Association of Manitoba
For more information:
Erika Bell, 204-997-6036
Training Manager
ebell@lsam.ca
or
Media inquiries:
Tracey Maconachie, 204-294-4042
President
tmaconachie@lsam.ca

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