Life Sciences
Québec: Companies connecting with talent

Québec is a major North American centre for the life sciences industry. Companies will find everything they need to design and test innovative products and technologies—including in tomorrow’s key fields.

More than 450 companies are engaged in basic research, manufacturing, biotechnology, contract research and medical technology. They employ over 25,400 skilled workers.
International giants such as Pfizer, Sanofi and Merck have chosen Québec as the site for their Canadian headquarters.
Over 160 IT companies employ 5,400 workers.
Over 10,000 researchers work in our biomedical research centres, many of which are gaining international recognition for their major scientific breakthroughs.
Each year, 10,000 students graduate from health-related programs.

DalCor and the Montréal Heart Institute join forces

DalCor Pharmaceuticals Canada and the Montréal Heart Institute have announced that they are jointly working on a phase III international clinical trial that might result in a major breakthrough in cardiovascular personalized medicine. Based on their genetic profile, 5,000 of 30,000 patients screened across 30 countries will be recruited into this study, which, according to DalCor, is estimated to cost $250 million.
Nestlé Skin Health to invest $46 million in Québec

The world leader in skin products is set to expand the Québec plant of its medical division Galderma and increase its production capacity as part of a $46-million expansion for which Investissement Québec is providing $418,000 in financing.
Pharmascience to invest $55.7 million in Montréal

Generic pharmaceutical manufacturer Pharmascience has launched a major project aimed at modernizing its Montréal facilities and increasing its production capacity. The company will invest $8.2 million to upgrade its current R&D facilities in order to spur development of new products for international markets. Another $47.5 million will be used to support new production, packaging and quality management technologies. Through these initiatives, Pharmascience intends to improve its competiveness and meet growing global demand.
Creation of an oncology research facility in Montréal

The French biotechnology company Oncodesign has established a joint venture with Mispro Biotech Services to set up a research facility in Montréal. This facility will allow Oncodesign to expand its experimentation operations and respond more effectively to the needs of its North American customers by performing its pre-clinical pharmacology research directly on site.