Genome Quebec endorses agreement fusing science and economic policy

Genome Quebec’s endorsement of an economic development agreement between the provincial government and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region is a telling demonstration of how the Quebec S&T policy is beginning to marry scientific research with regional economic development.

The agreement includes a platform agreement for the promotion of innovation in genomic and biomedical research at the Univ of Montreal’s Centre for Genetic Community Medicine (CMGC). More specifically, the pact will allow initiatives to be undertaken in the areas of genetic and community medicine, translation medicine, technological development and community pharmacogenetics and pharamcogenomics.

The platform agreement will provide assessment and incubation services for intellectual property arising from CMGC activity. The intent to to disseminate research results throughout the region, to benefit population health in general but also foster participation in projects such as Cartagène, an initiative related to population genomics.

A key goal of the Quebec S&T policy is to improve the well being of the population through economic development, social progress and culture. The policy is aimed at both researchers and users of the S&T applications. Montreal has been the a main focus, but efforts are now focused on developing regional capacity.

R$