Life Sciences

Life Sciences in Alberta: A Growing Industry

Alberta has long been a powerhouse of life sciences research and development, and it is home to more than 200 life sciences companies.

The majority of companies are located in the Edmonton and Calgary regions and operate in the health biotechnology and medical devices & equipment sectors.

Alberta life sciences industry revenues for 2010 totaled more than CDN $1.24 billion. More than 6,000 workers are to be directly employed by life sciences companies in Alberta by 2012.

Total R&D spending for 2010 was more than $128 million and projected to reach $184 million in 2012.

Areas of strength are:

  • Health Biotechnologies & Pharmaceuticals 
  • Medical Technology & Devices
  • Agricultural and Forestry Biotechnology    

Alberta Innovates Health Solutions and Bio Solutions

The Alberta Innovates Health Solutions and Bio Solutions are two of the new Alberta Innovates agencies and act as the Alberta Government’s industry and research collaboration organizations.  The organizations will be catalysts for innovation, are well networked, and will increase accessibility and nurture partnerships.

Visit the Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions website or the Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions website for all details and to learn about programs, services, and linkages.

Cost Advantages for Business in Alberta

  • The Competitive Alternatives: A Comparison of Business Costs
    Generic cost advantage to the United States due to the exchange rate and low business costs.
  • Alberta Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Credit
    The Alberta SR&ED tax credit benefits business of all sizes and in all sectors that conduct research and development that will lead to new, improved, or technologically advanced products or processes.
  • Federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program
    The Federal SR&ED program, administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), encourages Canadian businesses of all sizes, and in all sectors to conduct research and development (R&D) in Canada.  It is the largest single source of federal government support for industrial R&D.
  • Biotech Land Lease Program
    Designed to promote the growth of Edmonton’s Biotechnology sector, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation offers an innovative program that allows companies in the early stages of product development to invest in product development rather than investing on the purchase of land. 

Contact

For more information about the Life Sciences Industries Branch or to make use of our services, please contact us:

Phone: 780-427-6602
Email: lsi@gov.ab.ca


Comments from Alberta’s Life Sciences Industry

“SemBioSys has reaped the benefits of being a part of the dynamic and growing province of Alberta.  As a biotech company which originally started at the University of Calgary, SemBioSys has prospered with the development of our technology, funding from the Alberta government (AVAC) and access to world-class employees...”  
Andrew Baum
President and CEO
SemBioSys Genetics Inc.

“The support provided by Alberta Life Sciences Industries for the Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre (ATAGC) has helped to position us as the leading Centre in applying molecular diagnostics to organ biopsies.  This is a unique resource for Alberta and has led to the creation of a spin-out company – Transcriptome Sciences Incorporated – that provides a means to apply transcriptomics to clinical medicine, as well as to attract industry investment in Alberta”. 
Dr. Deborah James, BSc (Pharm), RPEBC, PhD
Executive Director
Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre

“Life sciences industries has served as a catalyst and supporting framework to help support and launch the Biorefining Conversions Network.  Contributions have supported the purchase of key scale-up and commercialization equipment.  This will enable the commercialization of two Alberta-based and developed bioindustrial technologies in the areas of advanced biofuels and chemicals from biomass and have attracted several companies and collaborators to partner and invest in Alberta research and business including Sanimax Ltd. and Syngenta.”
Dr. David Bressler, PhD
Associate Professor - Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science
University of Alberta

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