Good morning! Welcome back to Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup 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: 2025-04-20
End Date: 2025-04-26

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Ontario Invests $75 Million in Research and Innovation Projects

Ontario is investing $75 million in 162 research and innovation projects, including $45 million for the Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative to expand biomanufacturing capacity at Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and McMaster University.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Research Fund and Early Researcher Awards Disburse Over $75 Million

Ontario has allocated over $75 million for 162 research projects through the Ontario Research Fund and Early Researcher Awards, supporting biosciences infrastructure, AI in health, and talent recruitment at public institutions.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Opens Neptune BioInnovation Centre in Dartmouth

Nova Scotia opened the Neptune BioInnovation Centre, a world-class biofermentation facility, with a $5 million provincial investment to foster biotechnology advancements and enhance domestic supply chains.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca, Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

Palvella Therapeutics Granted Additional U.S. Patent for QTORIN™

Palvella Therapeutics was granted a new U.S. patent for QTORIN™ Rapamycin for the treatment of microcystic lymphatic malformations, increasing patent protections for a novel rare disease therapy.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

Lexaria Bioscience Tech Cited Amid Recent GLP-1 Developments

Industry developments in GLP-1 therapies have spotlighted Lexaria Bioscience’s technology, with attention to its potential applications in drug delivery for metabolic disorders.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

Quantumzyme Anticipates Patent for Enzymatic Ibuprofen Manufacturing

Quantumzyme expects publication of a patent for transformative enzymatic ibuprofen manufacturing, which may introduce efficiencies into pharmaceutical production processes.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

BioNxt Solutions Prepares for Human Bioequivalence Study for MS

BioNxt Solutions is preparing for a human bioequivalence study targeting multiple sclerosis, representing a step towards clinical validation of its therapeutic candidate.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

Daré Bioscience to Present on Women’s Health Innovation

Daré Bioscience will present at the Fierce Pharma Engage Summit, focusing on strategies for expanding access and innovation in women’s health.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

Zentek Updates on Avian Influenza Countermeasure Contract

Zentek provided an update on its ~$1.1 million Innovative Solutions Canada contract to develop an avian influenza (H5N1) countermeasure using multivalent aptamer technology.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

Provincial Announcements

Manitoba Health Urges Review of Measles Immunization Records

With the largest measles outbreak since 1998 occurring nationally, Manitoba Health is encouraging residents to review their measles immunization status during National Immunization Awareness Week.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.mb.ca

Saskatchewan Launches Mental Health Medication Management Pharmacy Pilot

Saskatchewan launched a pharmacy pilot in Weyburn to expand patient access to mental health medication management, enabling pharmacists to initiate, modify, or discontinue medications under collaborative agreements.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Salma Zahid Calls for New IVF Program and Women's Health Investment

In a statement on April 22, MP Salma Zahid outlined priorities to improve mental health care and introduce a new in vitro fertilization (IVF) program, while highlighting broader investments in women's health. These policy directions could affect clinical trial activity and regulatory filings in reproductive health and mental health therapeutics.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Rachel Bendayan Addresses Proposed AI Research Funding Cuts

On April 22, MP Rachel Bendayan criticized the opposition's proposal to cut $2.3 billion in artificial intelligence funding, warning that such a reduction could threaten Canada's capacity for innovation and job creation. The discussion signals ongoing parliamentary attention to federally supported research, which may have downstream implications for biotech and pharmaceutical R&D reliant on AI.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Tony Dean Shares Update on Ontario Measles Outbreak

Senator Tony Dean referenced The Globe and Mail's report that Ontario's measles outbreak has surpassed 1,000 cases as of April 25. The outbreak has implications for vaccine demand and public health response, with potential effects on vaccine supply chains and immunization program management.

Sources: Social Media: x.com