The COVID 19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of a resilient biopharmaceutical ecosystem capable of responding rapidly to health crises. The speed at which the virus spread revealed vulnerabilities in supply chains, the need for local manufacturing capacities, and the importance of effective coordination between public and private actors. In this context, the BMC’s public mandate is crucial: ensuring access to high-quality biological therapies and supporting Canada’s preparedness for pandemics and other emerging health threats.
In this context, the collaboration among ecosystem stakeholders is a key lever to strengthen national resilience and accelerate innovation. In this spirit, the BMC recently had the pleasure of welcoming participants from the Montreal biopharmaceutical ecosystem tour, organized by Health Emergency Readiness Canada, on the margins of the CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) R&D Funders Forum..
The visit offered participants the opportunity to gain a close-up view of the BMC’s facilities and understand our strategic role in the biomanufacturing value chain. The discussions highlighted our commitment tooperational excellence, process safety , and rapid production capacity in times of crisis. They also demonstrated how the BMC collaborates with various partners — universities, startups, public institutions, and companies — to accelerate the development and availability of essential therapies.
Beyond showcasing our infrastructure, the visit emphasized a fundamental principle: preparing for health crises cannot be done in isolation. Sector-wide collaborations enable knowledge sharing, process optimization, and anticipation of future needs, particularly in situations where every week — or even every day — can make a difference. The COVID 19 pandemic showed that an effective response relies not only on technology and manufacturing but also on smooth coordination and strong partnerships.
The BMC acts as a facilitator and trusted partner within the Canadian ecosystem. Our public mission ensures access to safe and affordable biologics while contributing to national capacity to respond to emerging health threats. By putting our resources and expertise toward collaborative projects, we strengthen both the country’s preparedness and the competitiveness and innovation of the local biopharmaceutical sector.
We warmly thank all participants of the tour for their interest and enriching exchanges . These meetings embody a bold vision: a resilient Canada where the BMC, collaboration, and expertise converge to protect lives and fuel innovation — with all the pieces in place, it is time to link our strengths and build the future we envision.
