Guest Post: B.C. Life Sciences Sector Spotlight

This article was originally published in the Life Science Incubation Council Newsletter in Japan and written by Tomoko Nakasuji who is a Trade and Invest British Columbia representative located in Tokyo, Japan.

British Columbia (B.C.) is located on the west coast of Canada and is known for its beautiful natural scenery and vibrant cities. The province has a population of approximately 5.7 million people and is a hub for innovation and research and development, including life sciences.

B.C. is known as the “Gateway to the Pacific,” and its strategic location provides easy access to both Asian and North American markets. The province’s time zone overlaps with major global markets, facilitating international business.

The life sciences industry in B.C. is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Canada. It is characterized by academic excellence, skilled talent, partnerships, infrastructure and a supportive
investment ecosystem. The industry encompasses diverse product and service areas such as biopharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and digital health. There are over 50 research centers and centers of excellence developing therapeutic programs, driving innovation in fields like immunology, vaccine development, precision medicine and digital health. The sector consists of 2,277 companies, with 1,338 companies employing 19,100 employees and 939 companies without employees, playing a crucial role in the provincial economy, contributing approximately $6.7 billion in revenue and
$2.6 billion to the provincial GDP .

Canada Life Science Industry Growth Rate by Province (companies with employees)

Adoption of Latest Technologies and Collaboration with Other Industries

The life sciences industry in B.C. actively collaborates with various next-generation technologies. Traditionally, Vancouver, the largest city in the province, has been recognized as the largest digital media industry cluster in North America for foreign film production and game development. Since 2018, under the federal government’s “Supercluster Initiative,” the technology, expertise and wisdom of the digital media industry has contributed to solving challenges and further developing existing industries such as biotechnology and medical technology companies. For example, the biotechnology company AbCellera has partnered with Microsoft in the fields of AI and machine learning to discover antibodies. This collaboration has successfully identified promising antibody candidates for rapid therapeutic development. Additionally, the biotechnology company STEMCELL Technologies has worked with Render Digital Media to develop educational and promotional content, effectively conveying complex scientific concepts to a broad audience through engaging digital media.

Robust Industry Cluster

The life sciences industry cluster in B.C. includes international companies specializing in generic pharmaceuticals, medical devices, point-of-care diagnostics and complementary medicine. Surrounding these clusters are companies providing financial services, medical personnel recruitment, intellectual property protection and other legal services. Additionally, between 2022 and 2024, the Government of British Columbia has invested $737 million to actively invest in the biomedical field, including the establishment of the BC Biomanufacturing Training Facility, turn-key wet lab facilities for early stage biotechs, manufacturing capabilities for critical medical isotopes and the new Clinical Support and Research Centre that will revolutionize health innovation outcomes by bringing together patients, physicians, researchers and academic partners to create sustainable solutions to the challenges that face health innovation. These investments strengthen areas such as immunology, vaccine development and supply, biologics, precision medicine, infectious diseases, immunotherapy and smart device diagnostics.

Excellent Talent Development and Higher Education Institutions

B.C. has 25 public higher education institutions. These institutions provide world-class education, training and research facilities, creating and nurturing a highly skilled workforce. For example, the University of British Columbia (UBC) offers state-of-the-art research facilities that are highly regarded by international researchers. These facilities include advanced equipment with the latest monitoring and analysis tools. These facilities, such as the new building for the School of Biomedical Engineering, support a wide range of research and development projects, encouraging business collaborations and partnerships from around the world. The Government of British Columbia, through Trade & Invest British Columbia, has established offices in major markets around the world which help introduce key industries and research institutions to people in Japan. In recent years, there has been a particular focus on creating opportunities in the life sciences sector, and the Trade and Invest BC Representatives in Japan look forward to business collaborations and partnerships with companies within the sector. If you have any questions or requests, please contact the Japan office:

Canada British Columbia Trade and Investment Office Japan
Tomoko Nakasuji, [email protected]

Connect with us! Learn how Trade and Invest BC can help B.C. businesses explore international opportunities. With a worldwide network of experienced trade and investment professionals, Trade and Invest BC connects B.C. companies with the people, markets and resources needed to grow and succeed internationally.