Health & Biosciences

St. Catharines' industry will play a critical role in developing the health and bioscience sector emerging in the region. The region has been identified as having all the attributes needed to support and grow this sector, including innovation and research excellence founded upon outstanding collaboration within an effective business environment. 

St. Catharines' network of businesses, research organizations, academic institutions and government agencies have established an environment that is responsive to the challenges of bioscience business development and attractive in mitigating the risks associated with research, product and process development and commercialization. Our research institutions and businesses work together to turn research excellence into product opportunities for the global marketplace.

The biosciences are defined by the branches of science that involve living organisms, the relationships they have with each other and their environment. The sector includes medical device manufacturing, environmental sciences, biomaterials, bio-products, bio manufacturing, alternative energy and convergent technologies, such as nanotechnologies, information technology, and biotechnology.

Biotechnology is also diverse, comprised of a number of related but distinct disciplines that include pharmaceuticals and vaccines, medical diagnostics, agriculture and food, animal health, environmental management, industrial applications and forensic testing.

Both the federal and provincial governments have identified the bio-economy as a strategic sector for investment. The market for bio-products is expected to reach $150 billion by 2050, with 30 per cent of the world's needs for fuel and chemicals being met from biomass.