June 4, 2015 – Charlottetown – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The Prince Edward Island BioAlliance will host the VetHealth Global 2015 Conference in Charlottetown
June 8-10. The International Animal Health and Nutrition Business Conference will be the 5th biennial event of its kind on PEI and is expected to attract over 150 international businesses and scientific leaders in animal health and nutrition.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and the Honourable J. Heath MacDonald, PEI Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, today announced government contributions totaling $100,000 to support this premier event. This theme of this year’s conference is ‘Innovation, Partnering and Commercialization,’ and it offers companies a unique opportunity to promote business and research interests to a key international audience in an intimate setting that is conducive to networking and business building.
Quick Facts:
- The Government of Canada is contributing $60,000 to the PEI BioAlliance through ACOA’s Business Development Program.
- The Government of Prince Edward Island is supporting the conference with a $40,000 contribution.
- Formed in 2005, the PEI BioAlliance coordinates the partnership of businesses, research and academic centres, and government agencies dedicated to building the bioscience sector on Prince Edward Island. Within the decade, the BioAlliance has been a driver of PEI’s bioscience growth strategy, and has helped give PEI a reputation nationally and internationally as a leading centre for bioscience business development.
- VetHealth Global 2015 will feature top industry presenters, a business partnering program, emerging company presentations, a Venture Development Seminar, and networking opportunities with senior executives, investors, and contract research organizations.
- The bioscience sector in PEI employs approximately 1300 people and generates more than $150 million in private sector revenue annually.
Quotes:
“The success of the bioscience sector on Prince Edward Island continues to make important contributions to a diversified and globally competitive Atlantic Canada economy. Our Government is pleased to support the PEI BioAlliance as they take a leadership role in organizing VetHealth Global 2015.”
- The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“Prince Edward Island has developed a vibrant bioscience industry that encompasses multinational corporations, locally developed successes and emerging new companies. VetHealth Global 2015 is a great venue to continue building on the success of an industry that combines cutting edge research technologies with the Island’s traditions of farming and fishing.”
- The Honourable J. Heath MacDonald, PEI Minister of Economic Development and Tourism
“Our mission is to provide an innovation ecosystem that helps companies bring bioscience-based technologies to commercial success. Animal health and nutrition is a core market area for our Cluster. By hosting international meetings such as VetHealth Global, our Cluster is attracting exciting companies and technologies from all over the world.”
- Mr. Rory Francis, Executive Director, PEI BioAlliance
Associated Links:
• VetHealth Global 2015
• PEI BioAlliance
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Jana Parker
ACOA PEI and Tourism
jana.parker@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
902-314-0874
Andrew Sprague
Senior Communications Officer
Prince Edward Island Department of Economic Development and Tourism
902-368-5535
asgsprague@gov.pe.ca
Rose FitzPatrick
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Prince Edward Island BioAlliance
902-367-4403
rose@peibioalliance.com
