COVID-19 NEWS Canadians’ trust in doctors, scientists and the government has increased since the cornovirus pandemic began, finds public opinion polls from January and repeated on May 1 and May 2. Conducted by Proof Strategies CanTrust Index of Ottawa, the survey found that 76% of Canadians trusted doctors and 70% trusted scientists. The follow up…
Organization: University of Saskatchewan
Feds invest $887 million to ensure reliable vaccine supply for COVID-19, other pandemics
The federal government’s investment of $887 million make Canada self-sufficient in manufacturing vaccines against COVID-19 and future pandemics, say medical and other experts. Along with Canadian-led vaccine development, Ottawa is investing in a network of small-scale vaccine manufacturing facilities that together will be able to produce enough vaccine for Canada’s population during pandemics.
VIDO-InterVac in Saskatchewan fielding massive demand for testing of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics
One of the largest “containment Level 3” facilities in the world, University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization – International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) in Saskatoon is receiving daily requests from researchers, companies and governments to test COVID-19 vaccines and therapies.
The Short Report, April 8, 2020: Mitacs steps up to help SMEs working on COVID-19 solutions; StatCan partners on ambitious business conditions survey; and more
Mitacs has launched a limited-time initiative to help SMEs working on COVID-19 solutions secure government funding, access research resources, and hire post-secondary interns. The non-profit’s 80 business development experts positioned across Canada will help SMEs complete funding applications and connect with researchers. College interns are also available to help with activities like coding, prototyping, monitoring cell cultures,…
Survey: Canadian universities are increasingly cutting fossil fuels from their investment portfolios
A growing number of Canadian universities, including some of the country’s largest, are significantly reducing the industrial carbon in their investment portfolios, a R$ survey shows. Less than a handful of universities are divesting specifically from fossil fuel holdings, but many schools also are using a “responsible investing” approach which considers environmental, social and governance factors.
New federal strategy aims to ensure Indigenous governance of research
Canada’s Tri-Council of major government funding agencies and Indigenous partners across the country have co-developed a new Indigenous research strategic plan. The plan, which proposes a new interdisciplinary research and research screening model, represents a significant new approach by the federal government and a contribution to reconciliation. With implementation starting this spring, the strategy aims to ensure Indigenous peoples lead and control any research involving them.
Social science research project aims to accelerate commercialization in agri-food sector
The Global Institute for Food Security is providing $675,000 to the University of Saskatchewan for interdisciplinary social science research aimed at accelerating innovation-to-commercialization in Canada’s agri-food sector. The research will look at why some innovative technologies don’t get implemented and used, and how to improve social acceptance of new technologies.
Canada needs small-scale vaccine manufacturing to support research, and help save human and animal lives
The lack of affordable small-scale manufacturing has been a persistent challenge for Canadian researchers, and a gap in the country’s biomedical landscape.
European experts share critical ingredients for supercluster success: Alberta conference
R&D funding is just one of several factors that have contributed to the success of innovation superclusters across Europe.
The Short Report – May 8, 2019: Cannabis R&D, fuel cell demo, accelerator funding
With the goal becoming a mainstream healthcare company, Smiths Falls, ON-based Canopy Growth Corp. has spun off a new division – Spectrum Therapeutics – to oversee the company’s commercial medical and clinical research operations including Spectrum Cannabis, Canopy Health Innovations, and recently acquired Germany-based C3Cannabinoid Compound Company, which develops cannabinoid-based medical therapies. – Canopy Growth…