Ontario is serious about expanding its biotech sector, including a growing tech presence in Ottawa. According to the Ontario Centre of Innovation, the Ontario government invested $5.5 million to support research efforts at local life sciences companies earlier this year, showcasing its dedication to this critical component of the economy. And while Toronto houses many of the province’s top biotech companies, Ottawa holds its fair share of life sciences leaders. From regenerative medicine to biofuel technology, these biotech companies in Ottawa are shaping Ontario’s life sciences landscape.
Top Biotech Companies in Ottawa to Know
- Spiderwort
- Orion Biotechnology
- Virica Biotech
- Stem Cell Network
- Iogen
Top Biotech Companies in Ottawa
In an effort to build the “framework for the future of regenerative medicine,” Spiderwort develops plant-based biomaterials that are designed to support the repair and regeneration of living tissues. So far, the company has created a cellulose-based dermal filler to support facial tissue augmentation and rejuvenation as well as a cellulose-based scaffold that enables spinal cord repair and regeneration.
Founded in 2017, Orion Biotechnology specializes in developing G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) targeted therapies to treat metabolic and immunological diseases. Leveraging its proprietary platform, the company has created an enhanced solution for targeting previously un-drugged GPCRs.
Virica Biotech is guided by the purpose of “[realizing] the promise of viral medicines.” The company has developed viral sensitizers that are designed to turn off antiviral responses in cells, which increases yields in manufacturing and therapeutic product potency.
Established in 2001, Stem Cell Network is a nonprofit that drives stem cell and regenerative medicine research, offers research training for biotech professionals and creates avenues for research exchange. Earlier this year, the organization launched a national research funding competition to further support regenerative medicine research efforts across the country.
Iogen’s carbon-negative solutions are intended to fuel the movement to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s technology makes it possible to convert biomass into renewable natural gas, drop-in renewable transportation fuels and sustainable hydrogen.
