Saskatchewan positioned to be a world leader in the bio-economy
BYLINE: Special to The StarPhoenix
When it comes to the emerging bioeconomy in Canada, Saskatchewan is at the centre of it all. Our province is home to one of the world's top agricultural biotechnology clusters.
We have Canada's only synchrotron - a football-sized research tool that explores matter at the atomic level; a vaccine research centre that has produced several world-firsts in animal vaccines; and biotechnology companies that are leading the world in everything from essential fatty acid products to new microbial products that increase crop yields.
It's clear that Saskatchewan's rapidly growing biotechnology industry is vital to the province's sustained prosperity.
Saskatchewan is a key participant in generating innovation and opportunities in the global bio-economy. Several world renowned research institutes call Saskatchewan home. The province has a strong workforce known for its excellent work ethic. In fact, Saskatchewan people boast one of the highest levels of education and training in the world and exceed the national job tenure average by over 20 per cent.
Saskatchewan also has the competitive business environment to foster the industry's growth. According to a 2006 KPMG study of business costs in major cities across North America, Europe and Japan, Saskatoon had the lowest overall business costs and was the most cost competitive for research and development among 21 featured cities in the North American Midwest.
With 44 per cent of the nation's arable land (about 50 million acres), Saskatchewan's agricultural sector has dominated the economy for decades. Continuous research and development into new processes and products have been vital to the sector's increased productivity and growth. Bio-economy innovations in support of agriculture have led to a strong life sciences research community that now supports other important Saskatchewan industries like energy and mining.
Much of the research and business activity in the life science field is centered in Saskatoon. The University of Saskatchewan campus in Saskatoon is home to a large cluster of research facilities. The six life-science colleges, state-of-the art laboratories, as well as 3,200 hectares of farmland used for research and located on the campus, have made the university a world leader in agricultural biotechnology research. The Industry Liaison Office helps to commercialize promising new technology and works with the business community to raise awareness of research investment and partnership opportunities at the university.
Another important fixture in the Saskatoon research community is Innovation Place, one of North America's most successful technology parks. It is home to more than 130 tenants, many of them specializing in agricultural biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and environmental research. About 2,300 people work at Innovation Place, and it contributed about $260 million to the provincial economy in 2006.
Canada's only synchrotron and the largest science project in the nation in 30 years is a valuable asset to the province's research infrastructure. The Canadian Light Source is one of the most powerful research tools in North America and has potential to make significant breakthroughs in a host of areas including medicine and biotechnology.
Established in 1975, the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) is a world leader in animal vaccine research. VIDO has developed five world firsts in animal vaccines, and is now working on projects to develop human vaccines for influenza, SARS and hepatitis C. A new International Vaccine Centre, InterVac, is a $110 million research laboratory that will be one of the largest in North America when completed in 2010.
One of the biggest challenges for the research industry here and elsewhere is finding qualified staff. Saskatoon and Regina have the advantage of having access to universities, and to the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST). The University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan offer a full range of life science courses, including a MBA specialization in biotechnology management. SIAST also offers a number of diploma technology programs for students in Regina and Saskatoon.
The Conference Board of Canada recently interviewed 100 leaders in the province's life sciences sector to develop a strategy to position Saskatchewan's bio-economy as a national and global leader. The strategy will help to build on Saskatchewan's tremendous strengths in bio-fuels and bio-products, nutrition, health and wellness. One of the key strengths noted by the Conference Board is the excellent interaction and collaboration of private sector companies, industry associations, government, economic developers, and research organizations in the province.
"The Saskatoon region is highly diversified across many successful industries, and the tremendous life sciences organizations located here contribute significantly to Saskatoon being recognized by Foreign Direct Investment magazine as having the 'Best Economic Potential' of cities our size in North America", said Alan Migneault, Chief Executive Officer of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA). "SREDA is excited to be working in partnership with businesses, government, and organizations active in this dynamic industry."
"The potential within the bio-economy, along with several other knowledge-based economies, is now top of mind for Saskatchewan's business community as whole," stated Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce President Blair Knippel. "There is surprising agreement amongst business that with the raw materials, skills and infrastructure Saskatchewan has both accumulated and developed, our province is poised to take on almost any opportunity. Our province's ability and desire to be a leader is being heard loud and clear. There is a natural progression from being a leader in the production of agricultural products to being a leader in these new economies, as they are all based on knowledge, skill, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit."
Private sector involvement in Saskatchewan's bio-economy includes a number of successful companies involved with cutting-edge research in a broad range of specialties. Philom Bios Inc. is a leading inoculant company that has been working to help farmers all over the world for the past 20 years. An inoculent is a live micro-organism which, when added to the soil, or applied to the seed, helps plants access important nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen. In turn, this can reduce traditional reliance on fertilizers. Philom Bios was recognized as one of Canada's best managed companies last year.
Bioriginal Food and Service Corporation is the world's largest supplier of essential fatty acids - a necessary component to human health. The solutions developed by Bioriginal have been used for nutraceuticals, functional feed, skin care products, cosmetics, animal feed, veterinary products and over the counter pharmaceuticals. Bioriginal has operations in Canada, Europe, China and the United States. The company has recently expanded its portfolio to include flavoured omega oils in response to consumer demand for nutritional supplements.
Phenomenome Discoveries is a company that uses metabolomics technology to test genetic and environmental markers in living organisms. Phenomenome clients include the human health, agricultural, pharmaceutical and food industries. The organization has recently been working on the development of blood screening tests for colon cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and arthritis.
Saskatchewan has an opportunity to build on its leadership in the global bio-economy. Worldclass research facilities, professional expertise and workforce, vibrant companies, and the reputation as a leader in agricultural biotechnology and other areas are assets that will continue to attract more capital and more research to Saskatchewan.
- Contributed by Saskatchewan Industry and Resources