About Us
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Prince Edward Island
Bioresources
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Historically, Prince Edward Island’s economic strengths have been in resource industries such as potatoes, cattle, swine and seafood. Now, growing markets and technology advances in areas such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, functional foods and vaccines provide an excellent opportunity for PEI to build on its bioresources expertise and move into the knowledge-based economy.
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| COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT |
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June 2000 – NRC launches Atlantic Initiative
May 2001 – Formation of Bioresources Technology Cluster Roadmap (BTCRM) Steering Committee
Feb. 2002 – Charlottetown workshop validates roadmap exercise
May 2002 – Steering Committee releases BTCRM summary and
recommendations
June 2002 – Charlottetown Round Table of bioresources experts
June 2002 – Establishment of research task group and facility exploration committee
Sept. 2002 – Research area refined with recommendation for focus on nutritional genomics
Nov. 2002 – Facility exploration committee releases findings
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As part of its Atlantic Initiative, the National Resource Council (NRC) is working with federal and provincial agencies, local business, and the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) to investigate the possibility of a bioresources technology cluster. Activities will focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of high-value bioactive compounds for human and animal health and nutrition.
To support the process, the Bioresources Technology Cluster Roadmap (BTCRM) Steering Committee was launched in May 2001. The Committee included representatives from NRC, BioVectra of Charlottetown, UPEI, the Government of PEI, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Ocean Nutrition Canada and other private sector partners. Through an industry survey, community consultations, workshops and research studies, the Committee has recommended that the cluster focus on bioactive compounds from marine and other resources.
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A follow-up study has recommended that PEI build research capacity in ‘nutritional genomics’, an emerging discipline with the potential to create new markets for ‘personalized nutrition’. The next steps are to implement a cluster business plan, identify a community champion and establish an Atlantic Canada Bioactives Cluster Network.
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Launched in 1996 by Clearwater Fine Foods, Halifax-based Ocean Nutrition Canada was one of the first biotech firms to recognize the commercial potential of fisheries byproducts with therapeutic value, such as omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine. Today, Ocean Nutrition claims to be the “world’s leading researcher, manufacturer and marketer of marine natural products to the global marketplace”. |
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"Why PEI? Our primary markets are the eastern seaboard of the United States and Europe and the proximity (of PEI) to those locations was a positive. We have the infrastructure here to do some excellent (R&D). And the environment is absolutely fantastic."
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Alan Andreasen,
CEO, Fortius Canada |
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Follow-up activities are already underway. Reports have been commissioned on Atlantic Canada’s receptor capacity and PEI’s bioresource inventory. A local task force has been created to identify common research priorities. And the Government of PEI has established a facility exploration committee to identify general requirements for a future facility to house scientists from NRC, UPEI and other research organizations.
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Despite its small size, PEI has a solid R&D infrastructure with expertise in veterinary and human medicine, agriculture, fisheries, food quality and safety. Existing research organizations include: Atlantic Veterinary College of UPEI, Food Technology Centre, Centre for Animal and Plant Health, and Agriculture Research Station.
| FACTS AND FIGURES |
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Value of North American nutritional products market in 2000: $27 billion
Value of global nutritional products market in 2000: $130 billion
PEI research organizations with life sciences expertise: Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI, Food Technology Centre, Centre for Animal and Plant Health, Agriculture Research Station
Areas of expertise at NRC Institute for Marine Biosciences: aquaculture biotechnology, marine chemistry, cell and molecular biology, genomic technology |
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| NRC’S MAJOR PARTNERS |
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Government of PEI
University of PEI
BioVectra, Fortius Canada, Ocean Nutrition Canada, Polar Foods |
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Research strengths are also bolstered by the NRC Institute for Marine Biosciences (NRC-IMB) in Halifax. NRC-IMB offers expertise in aquaculture biotechnology, marine chemistry, cell and molecular biology, and genomic technology. To support further growth of innovation capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises in PEI, NRC has established an NRC Information Centre, which offers the services of the NRC Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information. NRC is also working towards expanding its NRC-IRAP and CTN presence. Negotiations were underway at the end of the year to lease long-term space in Charlottetown to house NRC's increased activities.
For more information, please contact:
NRC Institute for Marine Biosciences
IMB Web site
Dr. George Iwama
Director General
(902) 426-8278
Email Dr. George Iwama
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