In the heart of Montreal, researchers at Polytechnique Montréal are making strides in biomedicine, aiming to bolster Canada’s preparedness for future pandemics. Six years following the onset of COVID-19, the laboratory is at the forefront of a federal initiative known as Ramp Up, which seeks to bridge critical gaps in the nation’s biomanufacturing capabilities. With a commitment to transparency and public engagement, the team is focused on not only advancing scientific knowledge but also restoring trust in public health measures.
A Glimpse Inside the Lab
Within the bustling biomedicine laboratory, animal protein simmers in a vibrant orange solution, while scientists clad in white lab coats meticulously extract samples. Lining the shelves are neatly labelled glass bottles filled with clear liquids, accompanied by computer monitors displaying antibody analyses. Just down the corridor, a cryogenic freezer houses tubes filled with proteins and cells, essential for the development of vaccines and other medical treatments.
Head researcher Gregory De Crescenzo underscores the importance of preparation in the face of inevitable health crises. “It’s not a matter of if, but when,” he asserts during a recent lab tour. The Ramp Up initiative is designed to expedite vaccine and biomedical processes while also providing training opportunities for students. Although the laboratory primarily investigates viruses like influenza and avian flu, its research has far-reaching implications across numerous diseases.
Learning from the Past
De Crescenzo highlights the necessity of learning from the missteps made during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We need to avoid working in silos,” he states, referring to the fragmented efforts observed among governments, academia, and industry stakeholders during the crisis. Canada’s limited biomedical production capacity was a significant hindrance, and the Ramp Up initiative aims to rectify this issue by fostering collaboration.
One of the primary challenges identified by the team revolves around supply chain vulnerabilities. Canada struggled to produce vaccines on a large scale, relying heavily on imports that were often inadequate. To address these gaps, the research team collaborates with partner labs to identify essential components, such as antibodies and viral proteins, which are then produced and optimised for industrial scale.
Building a Stronger Future
Equipped with commercial-grade tools, students and researchers at Polytechnique Montréal are gaining hands-on experience critical for the biomanufacturing sector. De Crescenzo likens the lab’s role to that of a culinary school, where recipes are developed, documented, and then transferred to industries for mass production. “We are way more prepared than before COVID, that’s for sure,” he insists. “The government has done a great job here to patch the blind spots.”
However, he cautions that more work remains to ensure scalable processes are established. Collaborative efforts among government, industry, and academia are essential for creating a robust and resilient healthcare system. “If we want to make something better and more resilient, please give us a couple of years,” he adds, emphasising the need for collective commitment.
Dr Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease expert at the University of Toronto, echoes these sentiments, advocating for a coordinated response across multiple sectors. “It’s a whole of government and a whole of society response. There’s not one lab that’s going to do it,” he states. While he acknowledges the promising investments in biomedicine, he also stresses that improvements in areas such as transportation, food safety, and public health infrastructure are equally crucial.
The Road Ahead
Launched in 2024, Ramp Up collaborates with various prestigious institutions, including Université Laval, Université de Montréal, and Simon Fraser University, to address the pressing gaps in Canada’s biomanufacturing landscape. The initiative highlights an impending demand for more than 15,000 highly skilled workers in the field by 2029, signalling a significant opportunity for education and employment.
Health Canada has made substantial investments to enhance the nation’s pandemic response capabilities, committing $712 million to upgrade biocontainment facilities and establish research hubs. Since 2020, the federal government has allocated $2.5 billion towards vaccine, therapeutic, and biomanufacturing projects, with the aim of ensuring that Canadians have timely access to life-saving medicines during future public health emergencies.
Master’s student Marie-Gael Tchummo shares how her involvement with Ramp Up has allowed her to confront vaccine hesitancy within her community. By engaging with friends and family about her research, she has been able to alleviate some of the skepticism surrounding the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines. “With the public, we need to be transparent,” she insists, reinforcing the importance of clear communication in fostering trust.
Why it Matters
As Canada prepares for an uncertain future marked by potential pandemics, initiatives like Ramp Up are crucial in strengthening the country’s biomanufacturing capacity. By fostering collaboration among diverse sectors and investing in education and infrastructure, Canada is taking proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of its citizens. Transparency and community engagement are vital components of this mission, as rebuilding public trust in science and medicine will be key to navigating the challenges ahead.