The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology has announced that it has signed agreements with Canada that are aiming at deepening the collaboration between the two countries, on science and innovation.
Focusing on biomanufacturing, quantum, climate change and alternative protein research, the agreements come alongside the launch of a joint manufacturing programme worth £20 million. The programme will receive £10 million from each government and is aiming to grow the biomanufacturing sector between the two countries, to ensure that they are both fully prepared for any future pandemics.
Included in this will be ventures to build a talent pipeline for biomanufacturing which will make sure that a skilled workforce is available for growing the sector in the future. UK and Canadian businesses and research will also be funded to collaborate on joint future products and services development, whilst businesses in the sector will be backed to grow at speed by linking easier with investors and shared knowledge.
George Freeman MP, Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said:
“The UK and Canada are natural partners, with shared cultural, economic, and historical ties that stretch back centuries and a strong recent history of collaboration on science and innovation across a range of key sectors from agri-tech to genomics and space.
“In the global race for science and technology investment, and as we turn towards innovation in order to tackle urgent global challenges, the UK and Canada share deep values and interests in harnessing science for global good.
“As we deepen our global science and technology collaborations with key R&D economies, I’m delighted to be in Canada to agree a range of sectors in which to deepen our longstanding collaboration: from AI, biosecurity and engineering biology through to quantum, space sustainability and polar research.”
The driving force behind the Biomanufacturing Collaboration is the ambition to drive economic growth by using complementary strengths from both nations to help grow businesses in that field. This will ideally bring economic growth for both nations, as well as creating highly skilled jobs.
Just one of several agreements being made, the biomanufacturing memorandum will be joined by other schemes to tackle some of the biggest issues around the world. This includes climate change, and work to make sure that both the UK and Canada have the right vaccine production capabilities to get a grip on future pandemics. Economic growth in both countries will be grown in both nations as well, with high-growth industries such as quantum and biotechnology being able to benefit from government investment and closer international partnerships.
Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, added:
“The United Kingdom and Canada have a uniquely profound and positive relationship, nourished by our shared history and values.
“Today’s memorandum of cooperation on biomanufacturing and the joint statement on quantum science and technology are important steps to make the most of our world-class capabilities, which will drive innovation and economic growth in both our countries. We will continue to work together to foster greater collaboration in science and research to shape the economy of the future.”
