McMaster University has been awarded $4 million in federal funding to enhance and greatly expand its drug discovery infrastructure. This investment, provided by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), will enable the establishment of the Centre for Collaborative Chemistry (C3) at McMaster’s Global Nexus on campus.
Global Nexus, a health innovation accelerator focused on overcoming the challenges of translating and commercializing health-related discoveries, will utilize C3 to accelerate drug discovery and development at the university. In addition, it will assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with similar research efforts.
Filomena Tassi, the minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, emphasizes, “Supporting Canada’s life sciences sector is essential for fostering innovation and enhancing healthcare outcomes both in Canada and globally.” quoted Tassi.
With this investment, McMaster University and C3 will be able to provide SMEs with the specialized skills and expertise needed to accelerate the development and market introduction of pharmaceutical products in Canada. C3 will greatly enhance and expand the university’s drug discovery infrastructure, which is currently based at the Centre for Microbial Chemical Biology (CMCB).
McMaster’s Vice-President of Research says, “McMaster has long been a leader in drug discovery research, and this investment will help maintain that status for years to come.” She adds, “C3 will build upon the strong foundation established by the CMCB, ensuring that our drug discovery initiatives result in new, Canadian-made therapies for a range of health conditions.”
The investment will not only fund upgrades but also facilitate the acquisition of new equipment, broadening research to cover various diseases. It will also support the recruitment of additional staff, the formation of new industry partnerships, and the creation of experiential learning opportunities for students and trainees.
Matthew Miller, Executive Director at Global Nexus, says, “This game-changing support from Fed Dev Ontario will accelerate drug discovery and development across Canada.”
Paul O’Byrne, Dean and Vice-President of the Faculty of Health Sciences, says, This vital funding solidifies McMaster’s leadership in academic drug discovery and positions the university as a driving force for new growth in the local biopharma sector. Global Nexus views drug discovery as a key priority and is actively working to bring new vaccines, diagnostics, and other health technologies to market.
Susan Tighe, McMaster’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and the incoming President and Vice-Chancellor, says, “This work is essential for maximizing the impact of academic discoveries.” She adds, “At McMaster, our mission is to ensure that academic research positively impacts society, both in Canada and globally. Global Nexus is playing a key role in making this happen, and this government investment will help accelerate our efforts.”
