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Bioscience Regional Spotlight
Peterborough Innovation Cluster: Forging Research Partnerships Here and Abroad

Exciting things are happening in Peterborough as it pertains to biotechnology and innovation. Ideally situated just 90 minutes north east of Toronto, experts in DNA research, forensics, wildlife, food, agriculture and environmental work reside here. On top of attracting a wide variety of impressive talent, the city is home to both the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) and the International Consortium of Anti-Virals (ICAV) as well as the cutting edge DNA building located on the Trent University campus. Not surprisingly, the region is starting to get some serious recognition for its efforts towards enhancing the city’s research community and research and development infrastructure.

Integral to the city’s biotech activities is The Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster; a regional economic development initiative built on strategic alliances between private and public sector participants and backed by the presence of Trent University and Sir Sandford Fleming College (Fleming College).

The Innovation Cluster operates as a consortia member of the RIN - Regional Innovation Networks program of the Ontario government Ministry of Research and Innovation and is co-located in its physical location at the DNA building with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Among its functions, its primary focus is to attract businesses to the Peterborough area and strengthen the city’s knowledge based economy. At the same time, it is charged with the task of helping local companies and researchers in the commercialization of their intellectual property.

“Generally we see ourselves as a facilitating organization, we bring partners whether they be from the public, private or academic sectors together in a way that helps us fulfill our general mandate which is the creation of wealth, jobs and knowledge,” states Andy Mitchell, President of The Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster.

As President of the cluster, Mitchell works closely with the cluster’s partners to further biotechnology and business in the area, while at the same time attracting the right type of talent that will further help cluster development. On top of his role with the Innovation Cluster, he is also the President and CEO of the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (GPA EDC).

“There’s a synergy between the research work that’s being accomplished here and in and around the Peterborough area. We have spent a lot of time building on our strengths, emphasizing our DNA research strengths, particularly wild life DNA, as well as making in roads in the health sector, water quality, biomaterials and the ag-sector. We seek out and look for businesses that make sense to be located here,” he said

The cluster was originally established as a means to expand on the DNA research that was taking place in the area, and its name The DNA Cluster reflected that mandate. However it was decided eventually that a rebranding was necessary to demonstrate the cluster’s mandate had grown broader. The vision now according to Mitchell, is to forge research partnerships locally, nationally and internationally while at the same time shining a light on what Peterborough does best.

Among Peterborough’s strengths Mitchell says is its close proximity to two of Ontario’s leading post secondary research institutions.

“Peterborough has many things going for it in terms of the sciences and biotech, first of which is the existence of Trent and Fleming College in our community. These two institutions represent two great venues for basic research and for applied sciences, also Fleming provides a great training component demonstrating that it can bring a labour force up to speed and trained in specific activities,” states Mitchell.

The city’s location in relation to three of Canada’s largest biotech clusters is another key in attracting business to the area.

“Our community itself is located in what I like to refer to as just the right distance from the GTA, and we’re only a half days drive from both Ottawa and Montreal, couple that with the beauty and versatility of the region, and you have much that sets it apart from all other communities as an ideal place in which to live, work and play,” says Mitchell.

In terms of infrastructure the DNA building itself is another key strength of the city. Built in September 2006, the 57,000 square-foot facility is home to many science-based organizations, experts and researchers, and is equipped with wet and dry laboratories, a DNA microarray facility, wildlife disease laboratory, microscopy suite, green houses and a forensic tech lab.

The primary occupants of the DNA building are Trent University scientists associated with DNA/Forensic research and teaching, the Innovation cluster itself, the OMNR, as well as the International Consortia on Anti-Virals, a non-profit drug development organization with links to 200 scientists in 20 plus countries around the world. As such, both the OMNR and ICAV are major players in the area and major partners in helping the cluster further its agenda.

“Through OMNR we have brought 60 of the province’s leading scientists responsible for natural land and water resources to the city, which is a good thing for driving an innovative economy. Likewise having ICAV here has been positive as well. We’ve been working closely with ICAV from both an organizational and programming perspective and we actually hosted ICAV’s last symposium here at Trent University back in May. The event brought in more than 100 science delegates from around the world. So it’s easy to see that having these two organizations operating here has been a good thing for us in creating a very rich science environment,” he said.

It is a mutually beneficial partnership according to the Director of Corporate Strategy of ICAV, Denis Ferkany, who is himself a former President of the cluster.

“Peterborough is a just a great spot to live and work, an exciting environment that is evolving. ICAV originated here through the work of its co-founder Jeremy Carver, who found it a great spot to find the infrastructure that was needed to launch the business. And we continue to have a wonderful rapport with the cluster, the university and the region,” he said.

Ferkany adds that the cluster has been there right from the beginning for ICAV and continues to play a vital role in helping ICAV achieve its vision.

“From an operational standpoint, the DNA building is a state of the art biology facility suited to our purposes and so many other great things are going on here, for example the Worsfold Water Quality Centre (WWQC) is probably one of Canada’s largest infrastructure pieces for doing analytical chemistry with over $10 million in analytical instrumentation that is available for us to use. From a business perspective they are continually there for us to provide feedback on our business concepts, facilitating government relations and providing a very supportive environment,” he said.

The cluster continues to undertake exciting new initiatives similar to its partnership with ICAV.

Among these are partnerships with Genopod Inc., the NRDPFC - Natural Resources DNA Profiling & Forensic Centre, DOGENES Inc. and CAWT - Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment. The cluster is also actively looking into the feasibility of establishing a Centre of Excellence for dairy goats and small ruminants.

Mitchell believes this will lead to further commercialization opportunities that will maintain and create jobs in the area, and more importantly, position the region as a leader in agricultural research and development.

“We’re mandated to work towards the creation of wealth, the creation of new jobs, and increasing quality of life for our residents. Our ability to bring together the academic, research, commercial and government sectors, the partnerships we’ve formed and continue to try to form, that’s what we’re trying to accomplish. And in doing so, we’re striving to make Peterborough a major player when it comes to innovation.”

For more information visit www.innovationcluster.ca

Please contact us at ali.ibrahimi@ontbi.org if you are interested in having your Ontario bioscience region featured in our e-BIOSCAN newsletter.