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Life Sciences sector programs BC Innovation Council 
BC Innovation Council (BCIC) has been identified by our provincial government as the lead organization charged with advancing innovation and commercialization in the province. BCIC’s work is specifically geared towards three critical areas: human resources talent, innovation and commercialization. Human resources talent: There is growing demand for people that have the skills that will grow the knowledge economy. The drive to find the best people in our own education system, as well as abroad, is of paramount importance to the growth and success of the k nowledge economy in BC. BCIC has a long list of programs and collaboration initiatives that will help to grow t he talent cont inuum from high school through colleges and universities to the work place. Innovation: BCIC works with the UILOs across BC to further enhance the model to allow for a greater number of ideas to qualify for commercial success. Further, through the network of nine regional science and technology organizations (BCRSTN), BCIC can reach into every corner of the province to maximize opportunity and access. Finally, cross-pollination between the applied sciences and business programs in the province’s institutions as well as BCIC’s Innovators’ Network will provide easier access to prototype innovative ideas resulting in a greater number of ideas reaching the market place. Commercialization: BCIC is working with industry, institutions and other partners, both in and outside government to maximize awareness and access to innovation that is ready to commercialize. This includes all aspects of preparing an innovator or young company to acquire the strength needed to grow through strong planning, vetting and the raising of awareness among interested parties that may want to participate in a project’s commercial success. BCIC’s focus is on delivering programs that tackle the three areas identified above. Effectively, the sector focus delivers critical support to areas where bottlenecks or gaps have been identified. This includes scholarships at various levels and cross pollination between business and applied science streams. It also includes sector focus in the Life Sciences Sector and areas where the province either has the beginnings of critical mass and core competency or has already achieved this and is looking to grow in significance on the domestic and international stage. Life Sciences: Initiated in July 2007, BCIC’s Life Science Sector Development Program has adopted a broad definition of Life Sciences that includes the biopharma, bioproducts, health, agriculture, food and marine areas. While embracing genomics and biotechnology in these areas, there will be an extended initial focus in biopharma, biorefining, food safety, and clean technologies. Our current focus: 1. Biopharma: Biopharma is the development of innovative therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and immune system regulations. BCIC’s current focal point of Biopharma health is directed at cancer and infectious diseases. 2. Biorefining: Biorefining is the conversion of biological feedstocks (grain, oilseeds, manure, milk and wood) into valuable bioproducts (bioenergy, biofuels, biomaterials, biocontrols and biochemicals). 3. Food safety: Food safety is the science of ensuring that the food supply is free of disease causing microbial and abiotic contamination from the farm to the plate. Food safety is a critical issue and BC has a unique opportunity to become a leader in it for imports from the Pacific Rim. 4. Clean technologies: Clean Technologies are advanced technologies that result in green sustainable solutions to issues and opportunities. The primary BCIC initiative in Clean Technologies is to establish a major event for the Agriculture and Food Sectors in June 2008. The CleanTech Exchange 20 08 will include these key streams: • Energy – Production and Conservation • Water – Usage, Protection and Cleaning • Waste – Reduction and Waste into Marketable Product Contact: Richard Hallman Email: rhallman@bcinnovationcouncil.com Tel: 604-438-2752 |
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