Good morning! Welcome back to Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news in biotech, pharmaceutical manufacturing, drug distribution and pricing, the life sciences and medical research.

Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-03-09
End Date: 2025-03-15

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Canada Supports Biomanufacturing Expansion

The Government of Canada announced a $62 million contribution to Entos Pharmaceuticals' $198.5 million project to build a 103,000-square-foot biomanufacturing facility in Edmonton. This facility will focus on producing genetic medicines aimed at treating infections, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. The investment is expected to create 90 jobs and provide 69 co-op positions, enhancing domestic biomanufacturing capacity.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Yukon Signs Agreement for Rare Disease Drugs

Health Canada announced a $8.5 million bilateral agreement with Yukon to improve access to drugs for rare diseases. This funding is part of the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases, providing medications such as Yescarta, a CAR T-cell therapy for certain lymphomas. The agreement also supports early diagnosis and screening enhancements.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Nunavut Joins National Strategy for Rare Diseases

A new $7.3 million agreement between Health Canada and Nunavut aims to make drugs for rare diseases more accessible. Key medications include Poteligeo and Yescarta, with a focus on early diagnosis and improved screening. This partnership is part of Canada's broader initiative to enhance healthcare access nationwide.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Canada's Bioscience Incubator Expansion

The Government of Canada is investing $2.569 million in the Emergence Bioscience Business Incubator in Atlantic Canada. This initiative, led by MP Sean Casey, aims to support bioscience firms by enhancing mentorship, commercialization, and investment opportunities, thereby fostering regional innovation and economic growth.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Regulations on Fentanyl Precursors Updated

The Canada Gazette, Part II published new regulations under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to manage precursors for fentanyl production. The changes aim to mitigate illegal activities associated with these substances while providing exemptions for legitimate research purposes. Businesses involved will incur administrative costs related to compliance.

Sources: Canada Gazette, Part II: www.gazette.gc.ca

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

Canada Invests in Emerging Tech Networks

The Strategic Innovation Fund will extend additional funding to five networks, including the Canadian Food Innovation Network and Clean Resource Innovation Network, to boost emerging technology sectors like cleantech and life sciences.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Funds National Research Initiatives

Canada is investing over $308 million in research projects across the country, supporting interdisciplinary projects and Canada Research Chairs to enhance global competitiveness.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

BC Laboratory Services Dataset Released

The Government of British Columbia updated a dataset on laboratory services, providing insights into analytical services for body fluids and tissues.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

Canada Harmonizes Research Support

A new Canada Research Training Awards Suite consolidates 11 scholarship and fellowship programs, aiming to streamline support for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Northwest Territories Agreement on Rare Diseases

An agreement with the Northwest Territories involves a $7.8 million investment to improve access to rare disease drugs like Poteligeo, enhancing early diagnosis and screening.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Streamlining Cannabis Regulations

Amendments to cannabis regulations aim to reduce administrative burdens, potentially saving the industry $295.5 million over ten years by removing certain reporting requirements.

Sources: Canada Gazette, Part II: www.gazette.gc.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

Sean Casey Highlights Bioscience Funding

MP Sean Casey announced on Twitter a $2.5 million investment in Emergence 4.0 to support bioscience startups, ensuring Atlantic Canada's continued leadership in biotech.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Tony Van Bynen on Pharmacare Agreements

MP Tony Van Bynen tweeted about pharmacare agreements with PEI, Manitoba, and BC, providing free coverage for contraceptives and diabetes medications.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Jagmeet Singh Praises BC Pharmacare Plan

MP Jagmeet Singh commended BC's participation in the national pharmacare plan, offering free diabetes medication and birth control.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Mark Holland on Pharmacare Progress

MP Mark Holland tweeted about ongoing efforts to sign pharmacare agreements, aiming to improve medication access for Canadians.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Salipro Biotech and Boehringer Ingelheim: New research and license agreement to accelerate pipeline programs.
• Biosecurity Product Targets Avian Influenza: Addressing a $3.2B crisis with innovative biosecurity solutions.
• COSCIENS Biopharma Phase 1 Results: Successful trial results for potential anti-inflammatory product.
• Rafarma Pharmaceuticals at Investor Forum: Presentation scheduled for March 13th.
• Emergent BioSolutions and Rocketvax Partnership: New investment agreement for next-gen product candidates.
• Kane Biotech's Acne Trial: IRB approval secured for an innovative acne treatment trial.