Calgary, Alberta - November 25, 2011 - The Government of Canada is supporting the growth of Alberta’s health and medical technology sector by helping local companies to more quickly and efficiently meet regulatory requirements while transforming their ideas into marketable products.
A federal investment of over $1.2 million will support Clinexus, a branch of Alberta Innovates–Technology Futures (AITF), to implement the Health Product Demonstration Pilot Program.
The funding was announced today by Michelle Rempel, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre-North and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
“Our Government’s investment towards the Health Product Demonstration Pilot Program means that Alberta’s health technology companies now have enhanced access to the testing and evaluation services they need to take their ideas to the next level and bring new products to market,
” said Michelle Rempel, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre-North and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
The initiative provides small- and medium-sized firms with services geared towards meeting the evaluation requirements for commercializing medical technologies. Technical evaluations, for example, will enable firms to determine the suitability of their products for testing in a clinical environment, while clinical evaluations will allow firms to test and demonstrate their products in a real healthcare setting. Companies will also receive market assessments to determine the business value of their technologies.
“Today’s announcement underscores the value of partnerships among our world-renowned research community, various levels of government and forward-thinking entrepreneurs,
” said Advanced Education Minister Greg Weadick. “At Clinexus, we are already seeing the benefits of that collaboration in the broad range of health and medical technologies being developed and brought to market.
”
In addition, the initiative will also help health technology companies in Alberta to acquire ISO (International Organization of Standardization) certification. This certification is needed to fulfill Health Canada and European regulatory requirements for bringing new medical products to market.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For Additional Information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Sho Sengupta
Corporate Communications
Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures
Tel: (403) 606-7284
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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