The University of Calgary is receiving $8.5 million for the city’s Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund for programming to turn advanced research into commercial ventures at the post-secondary institution’s new Life Sciences Innovation Hub.
“Life sciences is a critical component of our economic strategy and we already have a great university doing ground-breaking work,” said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, in a statement. “This funding will help us bring that ground-breaking work to market, creating jobs and a more resilient economy.”
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund was launched by The City of Calgary in April 2018 to support investments within the city that spur growth and create jobs in strategic sectors. Life sciences is one of the sectors identified for growth in the economic strategy Calgary in the New Economy.
The Life Sciences Innovation Hub was unveiled last November and is scheduled to formally open in July 2019.
Naheed Nenshi
“This funding is critical to the development of our new Life Sciences Innovation Hub at the University Research Park, a place that accelerates cross-disciplinary projects in discovery and innovation,” said Dr. Ed McCauley, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calgary, in a statement.
“The university leads the way in advancing the emerging life sciences sector and diversifying Calgary’s economy. Whether we are investigating the human microbiome or supporting best practices in production animal health, we are driving innovation based on discoveries for the benefit of Calgary and Alberta.”
The Hub is expected to incubate 20 to 40 life sciences companies per year. Officials said a key element of the Hub is supporting research with a commercialization focus for both early-stage incubator companies as well as growing and developing companies occupying their own space in the building.
“Some of the most advanced research in the world is being done at the University of Calgary. There is a tremendous opportunity to leverage that research and create the next great life sciences companies in Calgary,” said Barry Munro, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. “That is what we plan to achieve with the OCIF investment; fund the programs to build the skills to transition to the business world – and to help attract global capital to support these companies and entrepreneurs.”
– Mario Toneguzzi for Calgary’s Business
The views, opinions and positions expressed by columnists and contributors are the author’s alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of our publication.
