With more than 300 companies, British Columbia, Canada has a vibrant life sciences sector oàering investment opportunities in a diverse range of products and services.
British Columbia’s growing life sciences industry is at the forefront of developments in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, medical devices and medical technology. B.C. is producing world-leading products and services in the areas of HIV -AIDS, oncology, and genomics.
British Columbia is home to one of the most vibrant life sciences industries in the world, contributing an estimated $805 million in revenues.
Quick Facts
British Columbia is home to more than 300 biopharmaceutical and medical device companies
British Columbia’s diverse life sciences sector employs approximately 8,500 talented and specialized individuals
Internationally-recognized research hospitals and universities, approximately 50 public and private research centers and several centers of excellence create a dynamic, collaborative network for researchers
KEY ADVANTAGES
British Columbia’s prime location, outstanding talent, and strong business climate create an attractive environment for life sciences companies.
A collaborative research hub. Internationally-recognized research hospitals and universities partner with approximately 50 public and private research centers including several centers of excellence, creating a dynamic, collaborative network for researchers. British Columbia has world-class scientists supported by one of the best health care systems in the world, and international investors such as GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer.
Quality of life. Cultural and recreational opportunities contribute to a high quality of life outside the lab. British Columbia also has a significantly lower cost of living than other key markets including San Diego, New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Exceptional talent. British Columbia’s large, flexible and educated workforce of more than 1 14,000 across the broader tech ecosystem is well represented by young, diverse and energetic talent. And the province has a growing number of life sciences-related graduates.
Prime location. Research teams benefit from being in the same time zone as the scientific community in Washington State and California. They can also communicate with colleagues in both Asia and Europe during the same business day.
Competitive taxes. British Columbia’s general corporate income tax rate is 12%. When combined with the federal rate, businesses pay an overall rate of just 27%. In addition, British Columbia has the lowest provincial personal income taxes in Canada for single individuals earning up to $125,000
LIFE SCIENCES SECTOR SUPPORT
British Columbia’s life sciences sector offers opportunities for strong public-private partnerships, facilitated by the close links between academia, industry, and government.
Companies looking to find their next strategic partner in British Columbia find support from Life Sciences British Columbia which facilitates linkages between global industry and local organizations facilitates investment and global partnership opportunities and promotes British Columbia’s world-class science and industry. The life sciences sector also benefits from access to British Columbia’s world-class, innovative research centers and funding agencies.
BC Cancer Agency Conducts epidemiological and clinical research on cancer
prevention, early diagnosis, molecular characteristics of the cancer process and
new treatments using drugs and radiotherapy.
British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS Leads research to ensure that
people living with HIV/AIDS receive a continually evolving standard of evidence-based care distributes antiretroviral therapy to the province and monitors HIV-related outcomes.
TRIUMF Carries out research and commercialization to advance science and
technology in nuclear medicine and isotopes. The largest producer of rare medical
isotopes in Canada.
Centre for Biomedical Research Performs basic and clinical biomedical research in
collaboration with industry.
Michael Smith Laboratories Leads biotechnology research with applications to
health, agriculture, and forestry, in collaboration with industry.
Centre for Drug Research and Development Provides expertise and infrastructure
to identify and de-risk promising discoveries generated by health-related research
and transform them into commercially viable investment opportunities, leading to
therapies for patients.
International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries(ICORD) Conducts
interdisciplinary research on spinal cord injury dedicated to the development and
translation of more effective strategies to promote prevention, functional recovery
and improved quality of life.
Genome British Columbia Funds research for genomics innovation on Canada’s
west coast and facilitates the integration of genomics into society.
Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Helps develop, retain and recruit
the people whose research improves the health of British Columbians, addresses
health system priorities creates jobs and adds to the knowledge economy.
B.C. Knowledge Development Fund Funds research infrastructure and equipment,
including equipment for drug discovery, genomics, and medical imaging.
British Columbia Incorporation Service in 24 Hours
Business Corporations are incorporated in British Columbia, according to the provisions of the British Columbia Business Corporation Act with the British Columbia Corporations Division. Company Formations Canada provides fast and easy British Columbia Incorporation Service and provides all the documents your new British Columbia corporation will need to stay up-to-date and in compliance with the British Columbia Business Corporation Act.
