Neureka set to advance biotechnology in the North

By KELLY LOUISEIZE

Northern Ontario Business

Neureka Research Corp. is currently in the process of changing its name to

Northern Centre for Biotechnology and Clinical Research with the intent of

attracting more research projects.

The name change reinforces the centre's location and their market, and

provides an avenue for biotechnology expansion in the North, says Magdy

Basta, president and CEO of Northern Centre for Biotechnology and Clinical

Research.

"It reflects our mandate," Basta.

"We will advance our infrastructure...from 6,946 square feet right now to

25,000 square feet."

Laboratories and offices of four different facilities - the custom contract

research and commercialization facility, training and education facility

and a research and development facility, including the biotechnology and

clinical research facility, will be housed on the fifth floor of the Willet

Green Miller building in Sudbury by the end of this year. In total

approximately 20 more researchers and scientists will be employed on top of

the 40 already working at the site.

"We have the largest network to do clinical research, so no one can compete

with us" Basta explains. However, he is quick to point out the need for

collaboration and partnerships throughout Northern Ontario to develop a

biotechnology sector.

"In order to expand you have to change and work together," he adds.

In addition to the increased presence in Sudbury, "we would like to have

several organizations around Ontario," Basta explains.

Satellite centres in Timmins, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay

can become key organizations in the development of biotechnology research,

since each community has expertise in designated sectors, he says.

The northern research facility has been open for four years with a proven

track record, thereby securing $4,999,999 million in funding from Northern

Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. to jump-start the $15-million expansion

project.

Within those four years, scientists have invented medical tools for the use

of early detection of cardiovascular disease and bowel dysfunction. Now a

Cholesterol Marker Kit, is in clinical trial. The product, which is

patented, measures risk assessment for cardiovascular disease. It will be

used on hundreds of patients throughout Europe this summer. Another product

called the Toroviruses Kit monitors for toroviruses, an agent found in

diarrhea. A prototype kit was developed and is now proceeding towards

commercialization. The northern research centre has partnered with Bio-X

Diagnostic Company of Belgium to market the kit after testing is completed.

Basta says they have another 72 research projects underway.

"There is no single pharmaceutical company in the world that I do not have

a contract or two (with)."

With more announcements on the biotechnology sector expected from Ministry

of Enterprise Opportunity and Innovation, on Aug. 8 in North Bay, the North

could eventually become a centre of excellence, Basta says.