PRESS RELEASE Three-Party OBIO® MPP Life Sciences Panel Shares Ideas on Building Ontario’s Bioscience Industry
Toronto, Ontario, December 10, 2014 – Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®) hosted MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris (Halton), MPP Monte McNaughton (Lambton-Kent Middlesex) and MPP Catherine Fife (Kitchener-Waterloo) at its December 2 Annual Public Meeting as guests on a panel moderated by Jason Markwell, Partner Norton Rose Fulbright. The three MPPs, members of the multi-party OBIO MPP Life Sciences Caucus, spoke to an audience of industry leaders and academics about the importance of building partnerships between the healthcare system and industry so research that will improve health around the globe and reduce health care costs can be developed and commercialized in Ontario. The OBIO MPP Life Sciences Caucus brings industry and government together in a non-partisan environment and provides a chance for education, idea generation, and friendly debate around issues facing the human health bioscience industry.
Also at the Annual Public Meeting, OBIO CEO Gail Garland provided meeting attendees with an update on OBIO’s accomplishments in 2014 and a preview of priorities for 2015. “Feedback from industry tells us how our Capital Access Advisory Program is unique and filling a critical role in developing high-potential companies for financing, while our interconnectivity workshops and executive exchanges are addressing the right questions for senior management,” she said. “OBIO’s 2013 Innovation Adoption report was instrumental in getting the ball rolling on a “pull strategy” for the province to drive successful health technology commercialization, and we continue to engage with government to move the next phase forward. Sharing OBIO’s results with such a large group of attendees is confirmation of our ability to engage the life sciences community and government in a meaningful discussion about policies that support industry and the importance of a robust, fully integrated human health ecosystem.”
“Ontario needs to address rising healthcare costs and implement profound policy reforms that support innovation and enable the growth of Ontario’s life sciences industry,” said Dr. David Young, Chair, OBIO Board of Directors. “We can no longer rely on commodities and an extraction economy to fund our healthcare system and ensure that it is sustainable. Our ability to be globally competitive will require real commitment to a knowledge economy and support for new business. OBIO is engaging with thought leaders to address these challenges and ensure Ontario will take our place as leaders in technology advancement and commercialization. Thank you to OBIO’s sponsors, collaborators and volunteers who support our work financially and with their own time and efforts. This is an exciting time for the growth of our industry.”
About OBIO® The Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®) is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization engaged in the development of an integrated health innovation economy for Ontario that will become a leader in providing health technology to the international marketplace. OBIO advances this goal through advocacy, promotion and strategic leadership and via collaborative partnerships with industry, academia, patients and government.
OBIO Contact Gail Garland President and Chief Executive Officer gailgarland@obio.ca 416-673-6619
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