Health & Bio-Industries
Biomedical Research Expertise
The Government of Alberta has helped to build a strong provincial research base through its commitment to attract, establish and retain world-class researchers and companies.
Alberta has developed significant expertise in many areas, including:
- Bone and Joint Research
- Cancer - especially Reovirus, Vaccines, Diagnostics, and Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Diabetes and Islet Transplantation Research - Edmonton Protocol
- Vaccines and Infectious Diseases
Alberta's Health & Bio Industries Sector
Alberta is emerging as a dynamic base for expanding health and bio-industries. Award winning researchers, outstanding infrastructure, and innovative company developments are the core elements of this growing sector. All of these factors work together to capitalize on the province's enviable research and development capabilities.
A Commitment to Research
Alberta's rich tradition of funding health research has helped develop a strong biotechnology and medical research community in the province. The government recognizes the tremendous potential this sector holds and is committed to fostering excellence in science, technology, bio-products and processes related to human health.
An Innovative Spirit
Alberta is home to highly skilled people at all levels, and the province's educational system is ranked among the best in the world. Among Canada's top ranked universities:
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The University of Alberta is internationally recognized for diabetes (Edmonton Protocol), cardiovascular and infectious diseases research.
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The University of Calgary is known world-wide for biomedical engineering, medical imaging and bioinformatics research.
- The University of Lethbridge
The University of Lethbridge is renowned for neuroscience.
World-class research is conducted in Alberta's universities and institutes, where medical researchers are making significant contributions in many fields.
Improving Quality of Life
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a growing component of a vibrant high tech sector in Alberta. The industry spans a wide spectrum of technology areas, including agriculture, health, genomics and proteomics, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology.
Medical devices and technologies
Medical devices made in Alberta include prosthetics, patient positioning products for surgery and rehabilitation, medical imaging technologies, wound care infection and prevention medical supplies, specialty made contact lenses, soft gel capsules, and products that allow people with physical disabilities to increase their productivity and attain independence (such as wheelchairs).
Health services
Health Services expertise includes diagnostic imaging, telehealth, and hospital management. For example, Alberta Netcare is a province-wide Electronic Health Record (EHR) system that uses information technology, video and voice to directly link doctors in rural communities with specialists in major centres.
Alberta is Emerging as a Dynamic Base for Expanding Health & Bio Industries:
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Alberta Health Services (AHS)
Created in 2008, Alberta Health Services (AHS) co-ordinates the delivey of health supports and services across the province. This organization brings together nine health authorities from across Alberta, as well as three provincial entities working in the areas of mental health (Alberta Mental Health Board), addictions (Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission), and cancer (Alberta Cancer Board).
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Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions
Building on the strengths and successes of the former Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions supports internationally competitive biomedical research, training and technology development through a $1.5 billion endowment fund.
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Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR)
The foundation supports a community of researchers working to improve the health and quality of life of Albertans and people through out the world. It has contributed more than $800 million to medical research, training, and health initiatives over the last 25 years.
The AHRMR endowment will have $500 million added to it over the next three years by the Alberta government, increasing the endowment fund's total to nearly $1.4 billion.
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National Institute for Nanotechnology
The Institute, housed at the University of Alberta, is a $120 million, 180,000 sq. ft. research facility, that is the result of a partnership between the National Research Council, Economic Development Edmonton, the University of Alberta, and the federal and provincial governments.
Alberta has a Strong Health & Bio Industries Technology Commercialization Infrastructure:
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Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures
Formerly the Alberta Research Council, Canada's largest provincial research organization works with customers and partners to bring technologies into commercial use.
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Alberta Technology Commercialization Network
Links and coordinates the activities of the major commercialization organizations in the province.
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UTI Limited Partnership & TEC Edmonton
The University of Calgary's UTI Limited Partnership (University Technologies International) and the University of Alberta's and Edmonton Economic Development Corporation's TEC Edmonton (Technology, Entrepreneur, and Company Development) develop collaborative university/industry research programs and work with client investors and corporations to transfer technology to the marketplace.
Date Updated: Jan 14, 2010
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