First-of-its-kind centre in Dartmouth gives province a bio industry edge

CITYnews halifax /By Natasha O’Neill

After large-scale investments from both the federal government and the province, the Neptune BioInnovation Centre opened, giving Nova Scotia the edge in developing technology and products.

The centre will allow the province to become a key part in supply chains for fostering biotechnology such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals, forestry and agriculture. Some of the items that could be developed include bioplastics, therapeutics, alternative proteins and green chemicals.

The centre is prioritizing clean technology to make sure the innovations don’t harm the planet and build a sustainable future.

“The Neptune BioInnovation Centre is not just changing the game for bioinnovation in Nova Scotia, it is creating a whole new one,” Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Growth and Development, said in a press release. “This investment will attract the best and brightest minds and companies in this sector to Nova Scotia.”

The massive centre is a multi-use facility that is one of three in the world and the first-ever in Canada. The Nova Scotia government says it is expected to create more than 2,400 jobs, leading to $74 million in tax revenue and $334 million in GDP for the province.

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A press release from the federal government notes that the building was an underutilized facility in Dartmouth. So the not-for-profit and governments teamed up to equip it with state-of-the-art technology to help boost a new sector in the province.

The facility will offer leadable wet and dry lab space, warehouse and office areas, among other things, to organizations working on green innovations.

“This will ensure companies scale and build commercial plants here, generating a critical domestic green supply chain for Canadian manufacturers to compete here and in Europe,” Beth Mason, Director of the centre, said.

Inside the Neptune BioInnovation Centre. (Government of Canada)