Backgrounder

May 15, 2009

SUPPORTING WORLD-LEADING GENOMICS RESEARCH

GROWING AN INNOVATION ECONOMY IN ONTARIO

The goal of Ontario’s $3.2 billion Innovation Agenda is to make this province the best place in the world to conduct world-class, transformational research, and get great ideas into the hands of customers around the world.

Whether it’s making transformational breakthroughs in plant genomics that will help farmers protect crops from disease or cataloguing the world’s biodiversity through DNA barcoding, Ontario researchers are making a global mark and putting the province at the forefront of new knowledge and new discoveries.

Ontario has a tremendous legacy of innovation – insulin and stem cells were discovered by Ontario researchers – and we are a global leader when it comes to genomics research and the life sciences. To build on this leadership, the 2009 Budget has committed $100 million in new funding for genomics and gene-related research in Ontario – focused on discovering new therapies as well as technologies that will help people live healthier lives and protect our environment and biodiversity.

GENOMICS RESEARCH IN AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

In agricultural research, Ontario scientists are using new discoveries in plant genomics to develop new strains of crops – such as corn and wheat – that are more resistant to insects and disease, and that grow better in extreme weather conditions. They are learning how to convert plant wastes into fuels and bioproducts that are better for the environment than fossil fuels. These discoveries are helping farmers produce crops that can thrive with less pesticides and herbicides and that we can transform into alternative sources of energy and industrial enzymes.

In environmental research, genomics has helped scientist create new, mobile devices to identify animal and plant species, learn about complex ecosystems and ultimately create solutions to preserve biodiversity.

GENOMICS RESEARCH IN HUMAN HEALTH

In medical research, Ontario scientists and their teams are using genomics, proteomics and stem cell research to better understand how diseases affect the body – and how to treat disease more effectively. This field of research also helps guide the development of new pharmaceuticals that can more effectively target diseased cells, protecting healthy cells during treatment.

ONTARIO IS OPEN FOR INNOVATION

Ontario is open for innovation and we’re open for business. We are helping Ontario companies develop their technology and get to the global market first. We are helping our leading entrepreneurs grow and retain valuable R&D activity right here in Ontario. New companies need capital to continue growing in Ontario and this means new jobs for the future.

New industries are emerging and we want those industries here in our province, employing our people. We recognize that Ontario is a relatively small player in the global economy, but we punch well above our weight when it comes to science. In the 21st century, our intention is not to compete as a lowest cost producer. Our intention is to compete on our world-class research, our talent, our ideas, and our ability to get Ontario ideas, discoveries and breakthroughs into the hands of customers around the world.

We will continue to support infrastructure, innovation, partnering with business and cutting corporate tax, to make Ontario the place in the world to invest, the best place to do transformational research, and the best place to turn good ideas into great jobs.

ONTARIO’S GENOMICS AND GENE-RELATED RESEARCH LEADERS

Ontario is fast-becoming a global leader for genomics and gene-related research, thanks to an integrated network of organizations. These include:

• International Barcode of Life project
• Structural Genomics Consortium
• International Regulome Consortium
• International Cancer Genome Consortium

JOBS OF THE FUTURE

The plant genomics field in Ontario will lead to pest-resistant and/or drought-tolerant crops in fields and greenhouses, healthier forests, better and more environmentally friendly methods of nitrogen fixation for the food and agricultural industries, and renewable bio-alternatives to imported fossil fuels.

It will spur the growth of new economic sectors and job careers in science, agriculture, business, finance, law and information technology. One exciting field is bioinformatics – the management and analysis of biological information contained in databases. Bioinformatics is exploding in Ontario and globally. Since 2005, the world market for bioinformatics has grown 15 per cent per year and is expected to reach US $3 billion by 2010.

In addition to agriculture, bioinformatics is used in many other areas of life sciences, such as drug discovery, molecular medicine and microbial genome applications. Bioinformatics contributes to all of these areas of the life sciences industry through its applications in research fields such as genomics and proteomics.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Ontario’s scientists are part of a global research community that is helping create pest- and drought-resistant plants, more robust cotton and hemp plants and renewable alternatives to imported fossil fuels. Ontario’s biotechnology industry generates 66 per cent of Canada’s biotech revenues, employs 38 per cent of Canada’s biotech workforce, and performs 38 per cent of Canada’s biotech R&D.

SUPPORTING MORE INNOVATION IN 2009 BUDGET

Research and innovation are key pillars of the 2009 Budget, which includes major investments in training, research, commercialization and industry collaborations. Highlights include:

• A new tax reform package that would cut Ontario’s marginal effective tax rate on new investment in half, helping make Ontario one of the most competitive jurisdictions in the industrialized world for new investments and R&D intensive business
• $300 million in capital funds over six years for research infrastructure and $100 million for the Global Leadership Round in Genomics and Life Sciences, bringing Ontario's commitment to science to a historic high of $1.4 billion
• $50 million over four years to promote technology demonstration projects through the Innovation Demonstration Fund
• $250 million to foster new high-tech industry collaborations through the Emerging Technologies Fund
• $10 million over three years to develop the best talent through hands-on applied research, technology transfer and commercialization opportunities
• $2 million a year in proposed tax relief to extend the 10 per cent refundable Ontario Innovation Tax Credit to more small and medium-sized corporations for Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) in Ontario

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See also:

• News Release: Ontario Strengthening Agricultural And Environmental Research
• Backgrounder: Supporting World-Class Genomics Researchers In Guelph
• Province Invests $3.2 Million in U of G Genomics Research (University of Guelph)