Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Micheál Martin has announced an initiative aimed fostering the links between the scientific research and business communities in Ireland and Canada.
Biolink Canada-Ireland, run jointly by Enterprise Ireland and the Toronto-based Medical and Related Sciences (Mars) Research Centerinitiative, will link scientists, industry, academia and government agencies from the Irish and Canadian life sciences sector.
It will also create opportunities for knowledge sharing, research partnering and commercialisation between the life sciences sectors in Ireland and Canada.
Speaking today, Mr Martin said the agreement with Mars and the Biolink network would enhance the Irish biotechnology sector.
"This agreement will create significant opportunities for Irish companies in the medical and life sciences fields as there is a very strong emphasis on deriving commercial benefits from these interactions. The medical, biotechnology and life sciences sectors are key future growth sectors for the Irish economy," he said.
As part of the agreement with Mars, a delegation of Canadian life sciences researchers will participate at the BioIreland International Biotechnology conference in Dublin in November, and Irish researchers will attend a Mars conference in December.
