Life Sciences Series: Article 6 – adMare BioInnovations’ New Co-location Facility

Expanding Wet Lab Capacity in Vancouver’s Life Sciences Hub

“Move-in ready lab space gives companies the ability to focus on their science and build value. When teams can move faster and demonstrate progress earlier, they become more attractive to investors and better positioned for growth. adMare Innovation Centres are designed to support that progression.”

~Matthew Carlyle, President and CEO of adMare BioInnovations

British Columbia’s life sciences sector is recognized globally for its innovations in enabling technologies and discovery platforms.  It is also home to one of Canada’s fastest-growing life sciences clusters, supported by world-class research institutions, a deep talent pool and a dense network of early-stage firms.

As more of these companies advance from discovery to development and commercialization, the sector is entering a new phase of growth, highlighting an increased demand for access to wet lab space. Recognizing this evolution, the Government of British Columbia identified expanded infrastructure as a key priority in the 2023 B.C. Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy.

A targeted investment in scale-up infrastructure

In response to this need, the Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada committed significant funding to increase access to wet lab space. The launch of adMare Bioinnovations’ (adMare) new co-location space — supported by $10 million from the Government of British Columbia and $6 million from Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) — represents a coordinated investment designed to address infrastructure constraints, strengthen the ecosystem and support company growth.

Comprising approximately 30,000 square feet, the new M4 Innovation Centre provides office and meeting space alongside turnkey, regulation-compliant wet labs. It is designed for companies transitioning from academic environments into dedicated commercial space, enabling them to focus on advancing key milestones and building company value. With ready-to-use infrastructure already in place, companies can move in quickly without the time and capital required to develop their own facilities, helping them maintain development momentum.

With a strong demand for the space and a growing pipeline of companies actively exploring opportunities to locate within the facility, adMare anticipates the new facility will support more than 20 companies over the first five years.  Three companies —Discovery Genomics, Conexeu Sciences and United Therapeutics —reflecting the range of firms the facility is designed to support have already moved into the facility. Additional tenants are expected to join in the near to medium term, further strengthening the concentration of activity within Vancouver’s life sciences corridor.

As companies begin to take up space in the facility, its value becomes clear not only in terms of capacity, but in how it supports companies at a critical stage of growth.

Benefits for companies and ecosystem

Beyond its physical footprint, the M4 Innovation Centre is designed to deliver broad benefits for both companies and the overall ecosystem. These benefits are particularly important at the scale-up stage, when access to infrastructure, expertise, and networks can significantly influence a company’s growth trajectory.

Helping companies focus on what matters

A key advantage of the facility is its ability to reduce the operational burden on tenants. Shared lab infrastructure — including tissue culture rooms, autoclaves, freezers, chemical storage and core utilities — along with services such as glass washing and waste management allows companies to focus on advancing their science and building their businesses. Shared meeting areas and collaborative spaces further support interaction, while programming such as networking events and knowledge sessions helps connect companies to expertise in areas such as fundraising, regulatory pathways, and commercialization.

Scaling faster with less friction

Shared, purpose‑built environments make it easier for growing life sciences companies to transition from research to commercialization. Access to ready‑to‑use infrastructure and experienced support reduces delays at a critical stage, allowing teams to maintain momentum. This is further reinforced by proximity to peers and experienced operators.

Accelerating the path from discovery to market

In addition to physical infrastructure, co-location provides access to critical knowledge and experience. Connecting researchers and operators more closely to each other and to experts who have commercialization and/or clinical insight supports faster decision‑making, shortened timelines between experimentation and commercialization, and smoother transitions from lab work to real‑world application.

Strengthening collaboration, learning, and talent retention

As companies grow within this shared environment, collaboration becomes a defining advantage and knowledge flows more naturally. Co‑location encourages peer learning, mentoring, and problem‑solving, while also concentrating specialized talent.

adMare is also exploring opportunities for ecosystem partners—including venture firms, contract research organizations (CROs), and other service providers—to establish a presence within the facility. This integrated approach is intended to further strengthen connectivity across the ecosystem and support companies as they navigate fundraising, regulatory pathways, and commercialization.

Connecting to Vancouver’s life sciences corridor

These benefits are amplified by the facility’s location within Vancouver’s life sciences corridor. adMare’s new facility connects companies to leading research institutions, clinical trial sites and industry partners, creating clearer pathways from lab to clinic, to commercialization and growth.

While these advantages directly support individual companies, their impacts extend broadly across the ecosystem. As firms scale successfully within this environment, the benefits accumulate at the corridor and provincial level:

• Retaining companies, talent, investment, and intellectual property within B.C.
• Strengthening knowledge networks and accelerating collective progress
• Facilitating faster translation from research to patient-ready solutions
• Supporting the development of anchor firms and long-term economic growth

Supported by public investment, these outcomes contribute to broader economic goals, including strengthening B.C.’s competitiveness, attracting partnerships, generating high-skilled jobs and building long-term economic resilience.

These benefits are already visible in the companies operating within the facility. Together, they illustrate how the co-location model supports different stages of growth, from emerging research-driven ventures to globally established firms.

Current tenants demonstrate ecosystem strength

The companies currently operating within the M4 Innovation Centre reflect the diversity of B.C.’s life sciences ecosystem, spanning early-stage innovation, emerging biotechnologies and global therapeutic development.

Discovery Genomics Ltd.

Discovery Genomics applies DNA sequencing and microbial data analytics to improve discovery of mineral resources. As an early-stage Vancouver-based venture currently working with BHP through the Xplor accelerator program, it illustrates how co-location can support the transition from peer-reviewed research to scalable commercial applications.

Conexeu Sciences

Conexeu Sciences develops collagen-based extracellular matrix regenerative technologies for tissue repair. The company’s core intellectual property is rooted in research conducted at UBC. As the company expands internationally, Conexeu’s continued R&D presence in British Columbia highlights the province’s role in supporting globally oriented innovation.

United Therapeutics

United Therapeutics is a global biotech focused on transforming the treatment of rare diseases and pioneering alternatives to expand the supply of transplantable organs. The firm’s decision to expand its R&D facilities at the M4 facility is a strong signal of confidence in B.C.’s life sciences ecosystem while contributing to the knowledge-sharing and partnership opportunities the centre aims to foster for local companies.

Taken together, these companies illustrate the strength of B.C.’s life sciences pipeline — from research-driven startups such as Discovery Genomics to global firms such as United Therapeutics — and highlight the opportunity for continued growth within an ecosystem designed to support companies at every stage of development.

 A Model with Future Opportunity

Building on this foundation, the M4 Innovation Centre provides an example of how co-location infrastructure can support evolving industry needs.

The facility’s flexible approach—including shorter lease terms, adaptable lab configurations, and “rent-a-bench” or “rent-a-desk” options— creates a highly competitive environment that reflects the needs and realities of early-stage company growth. These features allow companies to expand as they evolve, offering a model that may inform future approaches to supporting life sciences development.

In the future, similar models could potentially include expanded co-location spaces for later-stage companies, specialized hubs for emerging fields, or integrated clinical-research environments.

While it remains to be seen how and where similar models may evolve, the M4 Innovation Centre provides a clear demonstration of how targeted, competitive infrastructure can support companies at a critical stage in their development.

Enabling Growth at the Right Moment

B.C.’s life sciences sector is entering a new phase of growth, with more companies moving from research into development and commercialization. Access to infrastructure such as wet lab space, along with the networks that support scaling, plays an important role in supporting growth within British Columbia. Facilities like the M4 Innovation Centre provide a practical pathway for companies to expand while maintaining development momentum.

By combining targeted public investment, shared infrastructure, and a co-location model designed to foster collaboration, the facility strengthens the conditions that support company success. It also reinforces B.C.’s ability to retain talent, attract investment and remain competitive as a life sciences hub.

Investor Alert: Unlock the Future of Innovation in British Columbia

Upcoming life science events offering opportunities to connect with investors, sector leaders and regional partners include:

UBC Innovation, Life Sciences & Venture Commercialization Tour (July 2, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) Organized by Invest Vancouver for international delegations, investors, executives, and ecosystem partners, this tour provides access to Metro Vancouver’s innovation ecosystem, including life sciences, biotechnology, venture creation, and research commercialism. Space is limited and requires pre-registration here. The tour departs from Vancouver Convention Centre.

UBC Innovation, Life Sciences, Critical Minerals and Venture Commercialization Tour (July 6, 10:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.). Organized by Invest Vancouver for international delegations, investors, executives, and ecosystem partners, this tour focuses on advanced mining research facilities, critical minerals innovation, and energy transition technologies. The tour provides access to UBC’s commercialization ecosystem and connects participants with researchers, innovation leaders, and industry partners. Space is limited and requires pre-registration here. The tour departs from Vancouver Convention Centre.

Let us know if there are any upcoming investor engagement opportunities we should know about.

Whether you’re looking for emerging investment opportunities or strategic partnerships, this is your gateway to British Columbia’s results-driven ecosystem on the global stage. 

Explore other opportunities or connect with us at: www.britishcolumbia.ca/industries/life-sciences

For more information on British Columbia Government’s initiatives supporting the life sciences sector, read:

• Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada Strategy
• British Columbia’s Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy