Ottawa-based industry leaders include MDS Nordion, Iogen Corporation, Abbott Point of Care, Variation Biotechnologies and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Emerging companies such as Stempath, Ionalytics Corporation, Coley Pharmaceuticals, Epocal Inc. and Liponex Inc. are adding to Ottawa's impressive mix of life sciences talent. World-class research, skillful management, increased capital investment and a growing list of new companies has elevated Ottawa's life sciences community to the global state of discovery, development and commercialization.

Ottawa is among the first regions in Canada to capitalize on the vast potential of biotechnology as a new focus for economic activity. There are 20 life sciences-related research institutes in the Ottawa region, investing an estimated $350 million annually in R&D. One such institute is the Ottawa Health Research Institute (OHRI), the research arm of the Ottawa Hospital. With more than 200 scientists, 225 students and 400 support staff, and $42 million in external funding, the OHRI is one of the fastest growing, and most respected hospital-based research institutes in Canada.

The OCRI Life Sciences is the dominant source of leadership in this cluster. OLSC is a not-for-profit development corporation promoting excellence in the cluster by providing networking activities, consortia building, technology development, company financing assistance, and cluster marketing programs.

Local universities and university-affiliated hospital research centre further contribute to the strength of the cluster. The University of Ottawa, with its highly-ranked medical program, along with Carleton University, offer excellent undergraduate and graduate training in health sciences, engineering, business administration, information technology and other fields related to the life sciences cluster. Algonquin College and La Cité collégiale also offer certification and job skill training programs.

 Download Life Sciences Brochure

To search local life sciences and life sciences-related companies visit the Ottawa Technology Industry Database Online.

Life Sciences Related Links

• Bioportal
  The Government of Canada’s biotechnology resource for consumers, industry, scientists, and educators.
  
• BIOTECanada
  BIOTECanada represents Canadian health care, agricultural, food, research, and other organizations that are involved in biotechnology.