Sustainable Chemistry Alliance, Bioindustrial Innovation Centre
To Collaborate with South African Incubator on Commercialization
SARNIA, ON – The Sustainable Chemistry Alliance and Bioindustrial Innovation Centre have agreed to collaborate on commercialization activities with the eGoLiBio Life Sciences Incubator in South Africa.
“The SCA and BIC are strongly focused on commercialization of technology in Canada, but also with an international perspective of bringing in the best technology from where it is initially developed to create North American opportunities for Canada,” says Dr. Murray McLaughlin, executive director of the BIC and president and CEO of the SCA. “EGoLiBio is an excellent organization to be working with in South Africa as they have a very similar philosophy for South Africa. We look forward to working together for the benefit of our clients.”
Kenny Masobe, executive director of eGoLiBio, said he welcomed the “contribution to the South African and international bioeconomy through the commercialization of life science and bioindustrial technologies by partnering with key institutes, such as SCA and BIC in Canada.”
As part of a memorandum of understanding, the SCA and BIC will assist with South African business ventures that are interested in Canada and North American market opportunities. Concurrently, eGoLiBio will assist with Canadian business ventures that are interested in South African market opportunities. The three organizations will jointly identify potential commercialization opportunities within their targeted sectors.
About the SCA
The Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (www.suschemalliance.ca) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2008 to promote growth and prosperity by fostering and supporting innovation, development, commercialization and related business activities and projects in the area of green and sustainable chemistry. SCA is supported by the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre, a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization of Research with funding from the Government of Canada.
About BIC
The Bioindustrial Innovation Centre (www.bicsarnia.ca) is Canada’s preeminent accelerator for the commercialization of large-scale industrial biotechnology and related sustainable chemistry. BIC aims to spur a more globally competitive industry by integrating renewable bio-based industry into the traditional petrochemical industry, while developing environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels. BIC is funded through a combination of revenues and investments from the private sector and government, including $15 million from the Government of Canada’s Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research program.
About eGoLiBio
With the aim of bcing the leader in the incubation of bioscience businesses in South Africa, eGoLiBio (www.eGoLiBio.co.za) is an active intermediary in the development of a sustainable and vibrant biotechnology sector. It focuses on product and/ or services that use biological components and processes. EGoli is a Zulu term meaning place of gold. The incubator is located at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) campus in Pretoria.
For more information contact:
Murray McLaughlin, PhD
President and CEO, Sustainable Chemistry Alliance
Executive Director, Bioindustrial Innovation Centre
Tel: 519-383-8303 ext. 237
Cell: 519-550-5525
Email: murraym@suschemalliance.ca
Email: murraym@bicsarnia.ca