Canada Biomedical Research Fund and Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund—Stage 2: 2. Strategic objectives

2. Strategic objectives

Proposals should be aligned with the Strategy, proposing demonstrable contributions toward pandemic preparedness and the following goals:

• Increase specialized infrastructure, and capacity for multidisciplinary, applied research. Address priority pandemic pathogens and emerging health threats through development of novel vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. Focus on areas in which Canadian research is cutting-edge, while addressing critical gaps that limit biomanufacturing.
• Support training and talent development, to expand the pipeline of skilled research and talent. Attract and develop highly qualified personnel, including students, postdoctoral researchers and early career researchers, across all disciplines, as well as technicians with industry-relevant skills and training in research, engineering and biomanufacturing, including in good laboratory practice (GLP) and good manufacturing practice (GMP) laboratories and facilities training.
• Accelerate the translation of promising research into commercially viable products and processes. Build on receptor capacity among public and private developers of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics; support the generation of intellectual property in Canada; and increase the capacity of institutions to work collaboratively with companies, including those supported through the Strategic Innovation Fund.

The aim is to improve pandemic readiness and sector growth by strengthening research and talent capacity in Canada and contributing to and leveraging collaborations across the entire biomanufacturing ecosystem and various sectors. The focus is on pathogens with the greatest pandemic potential, especially respiratory and zoonotic diseases. Priority pathogens include those identified by the World Health Organization, Norway’s Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Being ready for future pandemics requires targeting research, infrastructure and talent investments toward developing emerging vaccine, therapeutic and diagnostic technologies (e.g., mRNA, viral vector, protein subunit, small molecules, antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, immunomodulators) that can be produced at scale in Canada, and that have the potential to address a range of pandemic pathogens.

This targeted investment strategy will provide companies in Canada with a pipeline of relevant research and talent, as well as access to GLP- and GMP-grade laboratories, through collaborations with postsecondary institutions and research hospitals.

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