The University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) are joining forces to establish the Ottawa region as a Canadian leader in biotherapeutics manufacturing, clinical trials and biodefence during a transformative period of growth in these critical sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through this partnership, the planned expansion of TOH\u2019s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre<\/a> (BMC) will now be located at the University of Ottawa\u2019s Advanced Medical Research Centre<\/a> (AMRC), which is set to open later this year. The BMC will continue to be governed and operated by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n TOH\u2019s BMC is one of the most experienced and successful biomanufacturing facilities in Canada, having manufactured more than 20 different therapies that incorporate biological materials such as cell, genes and viruses to treat and prevent disease. These therapies have been used in human clinical trials in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BMC expansion and strengthened partnership between TOH and uOttawa comes at a critical time, as Canadian leaders continue to focus on bolstering Canada\u2019s economy and capacity for innovation, manufacturing and defence, including biodefence and pandemic preparedness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n OHRI and uOttawa were recently awarded more than $78 M in grants for a major BMC expansion, funded through Canada\u2019s Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund and the Ontario Research Fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Located on the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine campus adjacent to TOH\u2019s General Campus and CHEO, the AMRC will serve as a dynamic hub for collaboration between Faculty of Medicine researchers, clinicians and industry partners. The seven-storey, 350,000 square foot facility will also house the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub, a signature initiative designed to incubate startups, develop novel therapies and accelerate the translation of research into real-world health-care solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStrengthening the University of Ottawa\u2019s research and innovation ecosystem, this new partnership with TOH will play a critical role in advancing Canada\u2019s biomanufacturing capabilities,\u201d said uOttawa Vice-President, Research and Innovation Julie St-Pierre. \u201cBy connecting world-class biomedical research with advanced manufacturing infrastructure, TOH\u2019s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre will support the AMRC\u2019s goal of providing researchers and industry partners with a unique, end-to-end launchpad for Canadian health innovations, all under one roof.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Ottawa Hospital is reshaping the future of health care, and our Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre will continue to play a critical role in this goal,\u201d said Dr. Rebecca Auer, Executive Vice-President of Research and Innovation at TOH, CEO and Scientific Director of OHRI and professor at uOttawa. \u201cOur expanded Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre will bring life-changing clinical trials and therapies to Canadians while also promoting the development of made-in-Canada products and solutions for global health challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ottawa Hospital\u2019s BMC and uOttawa\u2019s AMRC will continue to play leading roles in the Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub and Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative, both funded through Canada’s Biomanufacturing Life Sciences Strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n uOttawa and TOH are proud members of the Ottawa Academic Health Network (OAHN).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada\u2019s top learning and research hospitals, where excellent care is inspired by research and driven by compassion. As the third-largest employer in Ottawa, our support staff, researchers, nurses, physicians, and volunteers never stop seeking solutions to the most complex health-care challenges. Our multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, attracts some of the most influential scientific minds from around the world. Backed by generous support from the community, we are committed to providing the world-class, compassionate care we would want for our loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The University of Ottawa is powered by research. Located in Canada\u2019s capital, we bring together energetic and creative scholars to tackle urgent global challenges and to respond to emerging opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As one of Canada\u2019s most innovative universities, we generate breakthroughs and discoveries that make a real difference in communities across Ontario, Canada and the world. Our thought leaders provide evidence-based insights that inform policy and support industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our influence keeps growing due to our vast range of international partnerships, including our membership in the U7+ Alliance. As the world\u2019s largest French-English university, we are a driving force in the Francophonie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jennifer GantonAbout The Ottawa Hospital<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
About\u00a0the\u00a0University of Ottawa\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Media contacts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Director, Communications and Public Relations
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
jganton@ohri.ca<\/a>
613-614-5253<\/p>\n\n\n\n