Providence Health Care is set to build a local technology innovation hub.
The Vancouver-based Catholic healthcare community platform intends to establish the hub within St. Paul’s Hospital and Clinical Support and Research Centre, which will be connected via skybridge to the new St. Paul’s Hospital on the Jim Pattison Medical Campus.
The CSRC’s innovation hub will include core components such as data platforms and services, a clinical trials unit, a simulation centre, and wet labs, according to a statement, with the space being “strategically designed to accelerate R&D and partnerships” and position Providence Health Care as a leader in data-driven health care innovation and AI-enabled clinical research environments.
The hub’s development is being financially supported by a substantial investment from Canada’s Strategic Response Fund.
In addition to $79M for a major project from Vancouver’s Aspect Biosystems, the federal government recently invested nearly $50M in PHC to develop an incubator space for emerging technologies.
The Government of Canada’s investment in B.C.’s life sciences sector is “visionary and timely,” according to Fiona Dalton, chief executive officer of PHC.
The capital boosts the organization’s “ability to find life-improving health care solutions for Canadians and people around the world.”
“The $48 million investment in Providence will enable us to create a truly unique environment within the Clinical Support and Research Centre building, connected to the new St. Paul’s Hospital on the Jim Pattison Medical Campus,” Dalton says.
“Specifically, the creation of a comprehensive Phase 1 to 3 clinical trials centre, simulation centre, and health informatics data platform will support our vision to drive health and economic benefits for Canadians through accelerating breakthroughs for patients and supporting a thriving Canadian life sciences industry,” she stated.
Providence Health Care is “turning bold ideas into breakthrough health solutions,” commented Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
Through the federal investment, “we’re accelerating growth, helping innovators scale up, commercialize their discoveries, and manufacture cutting-edge technologies right here at home,” Joly said.
Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, believes the new hub “will accelerate the development of innovative treatments while helping improve access to the medicines Canadians need.”
Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, points to the rising importance of “AI-enabled health research to develop next-generation health care solutions.”
The hub will also create hundreds of new jobs as well as a pipeline of talent through co-op positions.
British Columbia, says the province’s Minister of Jobs, Ravi Kahlon, “is building a life sciences sector that is globally competitive and rooted here at home.”
“We’re growing a strong, resilient innovation ecosystem across the province,” Kahlon stated.
The Strategic Response Fund helps Canadian industries innovate and compete in a changing global economy.
Officially founded in 2000, Providence Health Care can trace roots back to 1894, when five Catholic orders established medical centres in Vancouver.
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