A $250,000 investment in Manitoba’s health research industry was announced today by Science, Technology, Energy and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau.

 

The investment will be used to fund made-in-Manitoba medical health research projects that will help advance research in the fields of diabetes and oncology.

 

“As a government we are very excited about the efforts being made to increase scientific research activity in the province,” said Rondeau. “When serious research takes place in Manitoba, it increases the probability of attracting world-class research and researchers and builds on our image as being a centre of innovation.”

 

The investment comes from Amgen Canada, the Canadian division of a leading global biotechnology company.

 

“Amgen’s success has been built on groundbreaking research.  This type of partnership honours a long tradition of research investment, helping Canadians enhance their standing in the international health community,” said Dr. Clive Ward-Able, executive director of scientific affairs at Amgen Canada.

 

Amgen, a biotechnology pioneer for 25 years, discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics.  Their medicines have helped millions of patients in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses.

 

The Manitoba government recently announced it was investing $6 million to support health research. The minister noted health research is an essential component of the province’s health system and an increasingly important resource for the province’s health industry.

 

“This investment is an acknowledgement of the state-of-the-art research and development capabilities available in Manitoba,” said Rondeau. “Sometime in the near future we will see the positive impact of this investment on solving health challenges in the fields of diabetes and oncology.”

 

The funding announcement was made at the BIO International Conference in San Diego, the largest life sciences conference in the world.

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