Emergence client, Oakville, Ontario- and Charlottetown, PEI-based MicroSintesis, was unveiled today as the first client of a new suite of fermentation and downstream processing equipment located at the BioFoodTech facilities in Charlottetown.
This equipment will allow regional and international companies in the intermediate phase of scaling up their production to engage the resources they need to optimize their manufacturing processes and prepare for commercial scale manufacturing.
MicroSintesis Inc. is a Canadian-based life sciences company creating a platform of novel anti-infectives from probiotics. The company has established its research and development labs in PEI. They will use the equipment for the production of the company’s new line of animal health products.
“Microsintesis is Canadian owned and operated, and proud to be a part of the bioscience community in PEI,” Hannah McIver, CEO of MicroSintesis told us.
“Our company will continue to innovate and push forward the bioscience category as we build new product platforms delivering solutions to global health problems.”
The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island recently announced an investment of nearly $1 million in funding for the new equipment to address a gap in the manufacturing infrastructure in the region.
Both Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, representing the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and PEI Minister of Economic Development and Honourable Heath MacDonald, were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Through its Business Development Program, ACOA provided a non-repayable contribution of $500,000 to the PEI BioAlliance that went towards the purchase of the advanced fermentation, filtration, and drying equipment.
Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
“Bioscience is one of the fastest-growing industries in PEI, thanks in part to the PEI BioAlliance,” said Casey on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.
“Our investments in the bioscience sector support Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan and the Atlantic Growth Strategy, and are contributing to the growth of this sector that is playing a key role in transforming our economy to one of innovation.”
The Government of Prince Edward Island has provided a $100,000 grant through Innovation PEI as well as a repayable contribution of $337,822.
PEI Economic Development and Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald
“This type of infrastructure investment further cements our province’s growing reputation as a leader in biotechnology,” MacDonald said. “By helping to grow the bioscience cluster on Prince Edward Island we are spurring innovation and creating jobs and prosperity for Islanders.”
Rory Francis, Executive Director of the Prince Edward Island BioAlliance, says the new manufacturing equipment which includes fermenters, centrifuge, a filtration unit and spray dryer, is much needed as PEI and Atlantic Canadian companies continue to expand operations.
Rory Francis, Executive Director of the Prince Edward Island BioAllianc
“We’re at the stage now where we are moving beyond R & D and have more manufacturing requirements within our region’s bioscience companies. Thanks to the federal and provincial governments and the expertise and technical support at BioFoodTech, the National Research Council, and other partners, we can provide access to the technology needed to scale-up manufacturing and help commercialize their products,” said Francis.