Focus on BC: Provincial biotechnology sector on the verge of rapid growth as research expertise drives commercial expansion

British Columbia's burgeoning biotechnology sector is on the cusp of achieving global stature and Genome BC may be just the catalyst it requires to push it over the top. Armed with a wealth of academic and private sector expertise, the province is ranked as the third largest concentration of biotechnology in Canada and the twentieth in North America. Nearly 100 firms and a diversified base of research is beginning to attract serious attention from the international community, and once Genome BC is up and running, the cluster effect of such a critical mass could lead to extraordinary growth.

That's the hope of the BC Biotechnology Alliance (BCBA), the province's lobbying group representing more than 200 biotech interests. With the necessary legal, academic and financial players already in place, a major stimulus like Genome BC and the success of firms set to bring products to market in a wide variety of industries could earn BC a prominent place on the global biotech map. In the coming year, the BCBA plans to focus its attention on improving the regulatory climate for biotechnology, but its ultimate goal is to broaden the scope of the sector and lever the synergies the international biotech sector can provide.

"We want to internationalize the business here so we are actually seen as a major player on the biotechnology scene," says Ian McBeath, BCBA chair and president/CEO of Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Inc. "I want to see Vancouver become one of the hot biotech cities like Seattle, San Diego or San Francisco."

As one of the five regional centres making up Genome Canada, Genome BC is fast approaching its operational launch date. With temporary quarters in the National Research Council's Innovation Centre, Genome BC is hoping to get a big slice of the $160 million Genome Canada will provide to projects that can demonstrate potential for significant scientific, social and economic benefit. All are in the advanced stages of preparing major project applications for funding from the mother organization. Projects proposed for the competition range from regional initiatives to ones that are national and international in scope, and all are levering BC's considerable research muscle in genomics.

"British Columbia has a potentially very powerful combination of universities, research centres and companies, but we need to chose the areas we want to be in very carefully and that relate to our strengths and potential," says Roger Foxall, Genome BC's president and CEO. "We're getting a cadre here of incredibly bright, young people trained in some of the great genomics centres throughout the world and many of our centres here are truly world-class."

The BC government is also aware of the potential both Genome BC and biotechnology in general hold for the province. Although the majority of BC's biotech activity is focused on human health, there are also potentially explosive applications in other areas such as forestry, agriculture, aquaculture, environmental industries and even wine making.

"(Genome BC) opens up a much broader perspective on biotechnology and could have an impact across many other sectors of the province's economy," says Calvin Shantz a Genome BC board member and executive director of the provincial Information, Science and Technology Agency's science, technology and telecommunications division. "So much of the sector is dependent on the research phase that it will really bolster the research potential in the area of genomics."

But for Genome BC to become the catalyst many are hoping, the provincial government must step up to the plate with matching funding. Matching funds are a requirement for each genome centres and many other provinces have already expressed their commitment to provide the necessary money if projects within their jurisdictions are approved. While the funding can come from provincial governments, foundations and the private sector, the long-term nature of genomics research precludes industry from providing all that's required. Genomics requires enormous intellectual and financial resources, or as Foxall observes, "Genomics isn't for anyone who thinks a million dollars is a lot of money."

Applications for major projects must be delivered to Genome Canada by January 26 and Foxall says it would help Genome BC's cause if the provincial funding commitment was in place.

"After our board of directors meeting on December 8th, our discussions with the province will get very meaty," he says. "When our centre proposals go to a Genome Canada panel for consideration, financing will be a factor. The enthusiasm and attitude and way in which the province chooses to support Genome BC is important."

But Shantz says a decision by government is unlikely before then and likely won't be determined until the next provincial budget. He adds the province hasn't received a formal funding request from Genome BC and that his understanding is a commitment by the deadline is not critical. "Genome Canada is holding a board meeting in Vancouver in February and we'll use that as an opportunity to promote the whole area."

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