Over $2.75 million for local firm to scale up production, meet rising global demand and create nearly 100 highly-skilled jobs

The Voice of Canada News:

From the discovery of insulin to stem cell research, Canadians have long been at the forefront of groundbreaking innovations in health and biosciences. That is why the Government of Canada is investing in companies, like Microbix Biosystems Inc., that are leading the way in developing solutions to global infectious diseases.

Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, and Member of Parliament for Mississauga–Malton, announced a FedDev Ontario contribution of up to $2,752,500 for Microbix Biosystems Inc. (Microbix®) to scale up production at its state-of-the-art antigen manufacturing facility—one of the largest and most efficient operations of its kind.

Microbix, a developer and manufacturer of biological and technological solutions for human health and wellbeing,  produces antigens for infectious disease diagnostic tests. Detection of infectious diseases through these tests allows healthcare professionals to better diagnose, treat and prevent the spread of disease around the world.

FedDev Ontario’s contribution will allow Microbix to outfit its newly-acquired 10,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, located adjacent to its current 14,000 square-foot facility, and add advanced equipment to boost production of its range of antigens at a higher efficiency, greater volume, and superior quality to meet growing global market demand. This expansion project will also enable Microbix to scale up operations for the production, filling, labeling and validation of its quality assessment products (QAPs™) at the new facility. These are used to assess the accuracy of medical tests, leading to optimal patient care.

With this investment, Microbix expects to create 97 highly skilled jobs in science and manufacturing in Mississauga—more than doubling the company’s current workforce.

This project also supports the Government of Canada’s Economic Strategy Table on Health and Biosciences by growing our health and biosciences firms to support a more sustainable health system while advancing Canada’s prosperity.

Quotes

“The life sciences sector in Canada has tremendous potential to become a key driver for our economy. By investing in companies like Microbix, we are boosting our economic growth and creating skilled jobs, while protecting and improving health outcomes in Canada and around the world.”
— The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, and Member of Parliament for Mississauga–Malton

“FedDev Ontario support will be critical in helping Microbix to increase the breadth of its quality assessment products (QAPs™) and to scale up our production to meet customer needs. We are grateful for this support and excited about the export opportunities that this funding helps to enable. Microbix is proud to be based in Mississauga and to represent our life sciences innovations globally.”
— Cameron Groome, Chief Executive Officer and President, Microbix Biosystems Inc.

Quick facts

• Established in 1988, Microbix Biosystems Inc. is a biotechnology company, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, that supplies key biological ingredients (antigens) for infectious diseases tests to over 100 diagnostics companies globally. Its current catalogue of antigens covers over 30 bacterial and viral pathogens implicated in various diseases, with the Rubella virus antigen as its highest volume product with greatest global market demand. 
  
• More than 95 percent of Microbix’s revenue is generated through export sales to American, European and Asian markets.
  
• Microbix received the Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) 2018 Innovation Award as a part of MBOT’s Business Awards of Excellence Program.
  
• In addition to FedDev Ontario’s repayable contribution, this project will leverage $7.15 million in private investment.
  
• This year marks 10 years of FedDev Ontario elivering funding and business services to support innovation and growth in southern Ontario.