12 May 2009
Moncton, New Brunswick
A delegation of eight Atlantic Canadian companies and four organizations from the biotechnology and life science industry will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to participate in BIO International, from May 18-21, 2009. The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), announced today, an investment of $122,160 in support of this mission.
“The Government of Canada is committed to helping Atlantic Canada’s companies capitalize on their export potential,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Canada). “Atlantic Canada has a dynamic and innovative biotechnology and life science industry that features some of the top new biotech companies in the country. Our government’s investment in this mission helps these firms pursue new market opportunities, build their businesses, create jobs and generate new revenue for our region’s economy.”
ACOA helps Atlantic Canadian businesses in different sectors prepare to enter international markets, strengthen their international marketing capabilities and improve their international business performance.
Biotechnology innovation in Atlantic Canada has spurred development in key industries including aquaculture, forestry, fisheries, marine sciences, agriculture, health care and environmental.
BIO International is one of the largest life sciences conferences in the world. It brings together international decision makers from the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and financial sectors, offering networking opportunities, workshop participation, and one-on-one, business-to- business matchmaking sessions.
The BIO International conference is organized by BIO, an organization formed in 1993. BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, public biotechnology centres and related organizations in more than 30 countries around the world.
Financial assistance for this trade mission is provided by ACOA through its Business Development Program. The program supports projects that promote entrepreneurship development, training and marketing and export development. This trade mission is being organized in partnership with the Prince Edward Island BioAlliance Inc.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is leading a delegation to BIO International, one of the world’s leading biotechnology and life sciences conferences. The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (ACOA) announced today more than $122,000 to support this trade mission.
The conference is scheduled from May 18-21, and will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlantic Canadian companies attending the conference will explore new market opportunities, through various networking events, including one-on-one meetings with key decision makers.
Funding for this program was provided through ACOA’s Business Development Program which supports projects that promote entrepreneurship development, training and marketing.
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INFORMATION:
Robert Bourgeois
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-6394
Robert.bourgeois@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
MEDIA BACKGROUNDER
Following is the list of the Atlantic Canadian companies
and organizations taking part in the ACOA-led trade mission
to the 2009 BIO International in Atlanta, Georgia:
New Brunswick
BioAtlantech (Fredericton)
Nova Scotia
Innovascreen (Halifax)
Springboard Atlantic (Halifax)
ImmunoVaccine Technologies (Halifax)
Dalhousie Industry Liaison and Innovation (Halifax)
BioNova (Halifax)
Prince Edward Island
Neurodyn (Charlottetown)
Chemaphor (Charlottetown)
BioVectra (Charlottetown)
PEI BioAlliance (Charlottetown)
Newfoundland and Labrador
New Lab Clinical Research (St. John’s)
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology
Industries (St. John’s)
