Life sciences event by EDC and MaRS puts the spotlight on Canadian export opportunities

TORONTO, June 10, 2015 /CNW/ - On June 11, Export Development Canada (EDC) and MaRS Discovery District (MaRS) will be hosting a panel discussion with some of Canada's premier experts in the life sciences and healthcare industry.

Facilitated by Dr. Jason Field, Executive Director of Life Sciences Ontario (LSO), the theme of the panel discussion will focus on "The Road to Commercialization – The story of life sciences companies, their challenges, opportunities and successes".

Panelists will provide insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by Canadian companies in the Life Sciences and Healthcare sectors to assist companies in finding solutions.

Panelists include:

• Brian Bloom, Co-Founder and President and Head of Institutional Sales of Bloom Burton and Co. Ltd.
• Andrew Booth, CFO, Stemcell Technologies Inc.
• Antonio Lopes, Strategic Account Executive and Sector Lead for Life Sciences and Healthcare and Equity Connect Programs, Export Development Canada.
• Lee McDonald, President and CEO of Southmedic Inc.
• Christine Sarkisian, Canadian Trade Commissioner in Boston for Foreign Affairs and Trade Development Canada.
• Peter van der Velden, Managing General Partner at Lumira Capital.

"Access to expert market knowledge and the right financial tools to win business in foreign markets are important resources that Canadian small- and medium-sized companies have identified as critical to their trade success," said Antonio Lopes, Strategic Account Executive, EDC. "Events like this will provide SMEs in the life sciences industry with access to the best knowledge for economic development all in one place."

EDC is Canada's trade finance agency, and the leading provider of financing, insurance and bonding for Canadian companies of all sizes that do business outside of Canada.

"This is a rare opportunity to bring together every type of expertise and perspective you could ever need to successfully commercialize a life sciences venture in one room, on the same day, at the same time, and at no cost to the attending entrepreneur," said Dr. Zayna Khayat, lead of MaRS Health and Director of MaRS EXCITE. "That is the beauty of MaRS' role as the innovation hub for our burgeoning biomedical cluster, and our strategic partnership with EDC, who has been a vital force in building Canada's health economy."

"Access to financing can be a challenge for small- and medium-emerging businesses in the life sciences sector," said Jason Field, President and CEO of LSO. "Recent findings in the LSO 2015 Life Sciences Sector Report found that this sector is a huge growth opportunity for Canada. Not only do events like this provide a great opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing for companies in the industry, but they also help raise public awareness of the challenges that it can face."

To learn more and register for the event visit here.

Find out more about our Life Sciences event in your city by contacting Antonio Lopes, [phone] [email protected] or Joanne DeFranco, [phone], [email protected] 

Vancouver - September 15, 2015

Edmonton - September 16, 2015

Calgary - September 17, 2015

Montreal - October 22, 2015

About EDC
EDC is Canada's trade finance agency, providing financing and insurance solutions locally and around the world to help Canadian companies of any size respond to international business opportunities. As a profitable Crown corporation that operates on commercial principles, EDC works together with private- and public-sector financial institutions to create greater capacity for Canadian companies to engage in trade and investment.

For more information about how EDC can help your company, call us at 1-888-434-8508 or visit www.edc.ca.

About MaRS Discovery District
MaRS Discovery District(@MaRSDD) in Toronto is one of the world's largest urban innovation hubs. MaRS cultivates high-impact ventures and equips innovators to drive economic and societal prosperity. MaRS provides expert advice and market research, and makes connections to talent, customers and capital. MaRS startup ventures have created 6,500 jobs and, in the last three years alone, they have raised $1 billion in capital and generated $500 million in revenue.

SOURCE Export Development Canada

Lara Torvi, MaRS Discovery District, 416.673.8100, [email protected]