NEWS RELEASE
Federal investment through Genome Canada and the regional Genome Centres helps Canadian companies use genomics and biotech innovation to grow while unlocking private sector co-investment in research and development (R&D).
March 18, 2026 —Today, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced $20 million in federal investment through Genome Canada and regional Genome Centres to launch 33 new genomics R&D projects across the country.
Spanning applications from AI-powered precision cancer care to helping farmers target drought-tolerant canola crops, these industry-academic partnerships are designed to accelerate adoption of genomics in sectors critical to Canadian health and economic competitiveness.
The investment will generate more than $45 million in additional private and other public sector co-investment—demonstrating how targeted federal funding can catalyze broader business growth, job creation and the deployment of genomics-enabled technologies at scale.
The announcement was made at the University of Calgary, which is partnering on three of the projects launched.
Made through Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP), this investment will support projects aimed at delivering:
- Faster, more precise diagnoses and personalized care for cancer, rare and chronic diseases
- Accelerated, cost-effective drug development
- New therapies for currently incurable diseases
- Healthier, higher-yield crops for stronger food security
- Improved food safety and reduced agri-food waste
- Lower emissions and greater resilience in agriculture and livestock
- Smarter, faster ecosystem monitoring
- More efficient pollution cleanup
The announcement advances the Canadian Genomics Strategy (CGS), launched in 2025 to translate Canada’s genomics research into economic growth and more competitive industries.
A national engine for genomics and biotech scale up
The GAPP brings together companies, researchers and end users to accelerate development and adoption of genomics-based technologies across health, agrifood, natural resources, clean technology and advanced manufacturing. The program is designed to reduce commercialization risk, attract private investment and shorten the path from innovation to market.
By supporting development, validation and deployment, GAPP helps Canadian firms integrate genomics into their products, services and production systems—strengthening productivity, supply chains and export potential.
Delivering on the Canadian Genomics Strategy
Through the Canadian Genomics Strategy, Canada is investing $175.1 million over seven years in genomics commercialization, data coordination and talent—cementing genomics as a cornerstone of Canada’s bioeconomy. The CGS committed a total of $96 million in investment support for commercialization and adoption through Genome Canada’s Genomics Application Partnership Program (GAPP).
The projects announced today are based across Canada, reinforcing national capacity to translate scientific excellence and the unique industrial strengths of each region into economic value.
About Genome Canada
Genome Canada is a national not-for-profit leading large-scale research missions that translate excellent science into economic, health and environmental solutions. We align Canada’s genomics ecosystem for impact.
Quotes
“This investment in Genome Canada is about accelerating the shift from breakthrough research to real economic impact. By driving the commercialization and adoption of genomics technologies, we are strengthening Canada’s research industrial base, helping companies scale faster, compete globally, and create high-skilled jobs across the country.”
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
“We know that building Canada into the world’s leading hub for science and innovation will help create the strongest economy in the G7. The projects announced today are a great example of how Canadian ingenuity is tackling some of the world’s toughest problems, finding solutions, and driving real change.”
– Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
“Canada is in a race to turn scientific strength into economic leadership, and genomics is a field where we’re out in front. Combined with AI, it’s unlocking opportunities in agriculture, natural resources and health that simply didn’t exist five years ago. Through these projects and a growing focus on commercialization and adoption, Genome Canada is helping ensure Canada leads in the industries that will define the next decade.”
– Rob Annan, President and CEO, Genome Canada.
“By supporting biotech commercialization through programs like GAPP, we are bringing Alberta companies and researchers together to advance promising technologies toward market adoption and strengthen our growing life sciences sector. This investment reflects Alberta’s broader commitment to creating the conditions that help innovators develop, scale, and commercialize technologies to drive economic growth and address our challenges”
– David Bailey, President and CEO, Genome Alberta
“These projects move the science out of the lab and into real-world impact. With this investment, Ontario will advance earlier detection and better treatment for rare diseases and help bring precision medicines closer to patients. It will also back made-in-Ontario technologies that can clean up fuel spills with microbes, breed climate-resilient cattle and improve quality control in the dairy industry.“
– John Rafferty, President and CEO, Ontario Genomics
“The projects Genome Atlantic is proud to support under this competition – spanning energy, agriculture, synthetic biology, and health – reflect the distinct strengths and opportunities of Atlantic Canada. Thanks to the support of Genome Canada and the Government of Canada, we will harness those strengths through private sector leadership to generate economic impact for our region and the country.”
– Steve Armstrong, President and CEO, Genome Atlantic
“Across Québec, genomics has become a practical tool for solving complex problems—from improving animal health to advancing new therapeutic approaches. These projects are a strong example of that momentum.”
– Josette- Renée Landry, President and CEO of Génome Québec
“For many years, the Genomic Applications Partnership Program has played an integral role in achieving our mission of driving genomics research. As we move into the next era of genomics innovation in Canada, supporting public-private collaborations will be paramount to reaching even greater heights of discovery and prosperity. Genome Prairie, along with Genome Canada and the entire Canadian genomics enterprise, is proud to continue providing its support and expertise in translating research into market-ready technologies.”
– Mike Cey, President and CEO, Genome Prairie
“This $8 million investment will propel the use of genomics to improve healthcare and drive economic growth in British Columbia. These eight projects demonstrate how genomics allows us to optimize patient care, improve systems and detect pathogens in humans and agriculture. Our 25-year history of fostering industry-academic collaboration makes us uniquely positioned to deliver maximum impact for the province, Canada and beyond.”
– Tony Brooks, Interim President and CEO, Genome British Columbia
“This investment will lead to solutions to a wide range of challenges facing Canadians. Using innovative genomic tools, UCalgary researchers are working on canola crops that can stand up to drought conditions, organically. Creating more food security for a hungry world. We’re commercializing a new treatment of the most common form of thyroid cancer with fewer complications or follow up procedures. And we’re working to de-risk underground energy storage in Atlantic Canada through deep biosphere genomics. Making strategic investments in research leads to positive economic impacts and a better quality of life for Canadians.”
– William Ghali, Vice-President (Research), University of Calgary
