BACKGROUNDER
January 29, 2008
SUPPORT FOR THE MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT’S ONTARIO RESEARCH FUND
“Thanks to the generous support from the provincial government, we have the resources we need to give doctors in Ontario and around the world new tools to diagnose and treat diseases like cancer, epilepsy, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.”
Dr. Ravi Menon, Robarts Research Institute
“In 2006, global spending on life sciences research and development was almost $100 billion. Today’s investment is ensuring Ontario will continue to make major contributions to improving healthcare in a number of different fields, by building on the dynamic partnerships that exist between its leading-edge institutions and researchers, working together with some of the most advanced global life sciences companies in the world.”
Peter Robertson, General Manager, GE Healthcare
“Advances in neuroimaging that will result from this research project, will allow Varian to enhance our product’s ability to detect brain disorders. That's vital for human health and it’s vital for our company's success in the global marketplace.”
Rob Robinson, North American Sales Manager, Varian NMR Instruments
“As a global leader in healthcare innovation, it’s crucial for us to stay on the forefront of emerging MRI technologies and techniques. That's why we are pleased to partner with the Ontario government to support Dr. Ravi Menon and his team of world-class researchers, in London and Toronto, Ontario.”
Darren Scott, Manager, Molecular Imaging, Siemens Medical Solutions
“Ontario-grown North American ginseng has remarkable properties and the potential to impact and improve people's health. Thanks to this support from the Ontario government, my team of researchers will provide scientific evidence to support its health promotional effects and continue to explore new uses and new markets for this globally significant, therapeutic root.”
Dr. Edmund Lui, University of Western Ontario
“This research grant will aid us in securing our position as the leading ginseng producers in the world in the near term; and grow revenue and yields from both the Asian and domestic markets over the next five-year timeframe.”
Denton Hoffman, P. Ag, General Manager, Ontario Ginseng Growers Association
“As a Canadian company marketing to the world, we know we need to stay on the forefront of new research and new possibilities. The global market for natural healthcare products, including ginseng, represents a multi-billion dollar industry. We're pleased to be a partner in supporting Dr. Lui's research, which will help identify new medicinal uses and markets for this globally significant agricultural product.”
Gary Leong, Vice President, Scientific and Technical Affairs, Jamieson Laboratories Limited
“Naturex is one of the largest suppliers of plant extracts for nutraceutical and food industries worldwide. We have every confidence that this research project will help the Naturex Actifs Innovants division identify new ways to turn Ontario's valuable ginseng crop into high value-added products for a quickly growing global market.”
Alvin Ibarra, Scientific Coordinator, NATUREX
“Ontario's support for this project will help strengthen the market for ginseng growers. From our perspective as Ontario's largest agricultural and environmental laboratories, this means more potential customers and business. That’s good news for A&L, and its good news for the industry in Ontario.”
Greg Patterson, President A&L Canada Laboratories.
For more information about the Ontario Research Fund, please visit www.ontario.ca/innovation.
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