$8M partnership connects researchers and industry to advance BC’s life sciences sector

VANCOUVER – British Columbia’s life sciences sector will benefit from an $8 million partnership between Mitacs, Michael Smith Health Research BC (Health Research BC), and BC-based life sciences companies announced today at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at the University of British Columbia.

The partnership co-funds internships that directly integrate emerging researchers into BC’s life sciences companies, providing critical real-world experience while helping industry access the skills it needs to thrive. Already in 2025, more than 50 interns have been placed in over 30 small and medium-sized companies across the province.

“We know research career pathways are changing, and investments like this play an important role in advancing the skills and opportunities researchers need to succeed in the life sciences sector,” said Dr. Danielle Lavallee, Vice President, Research Programs, Health Research BC. “This partnership is about developing new and innovative ways to build health research talent for BC’s future.”

Through this initiative, Health Research BC (supported by provincial government funding) provides 25 percent of the funding, Mitacs contributes 50 percent, and life sciences companies contribute 25 percent. The combined investment will total more than $8 million over this year and next.

“The partnership between Mitacs and Health Research BC fosters talent development and advances research on important health priorities,” said Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO, Mitacs. “By accelerating discoveries in the life sciences, we will help deliver health benefits for Canadians and people around the world.”

For BC companies, the partnership helps address critical skills gaps. “As a growing company in BC’s life sciences ecosystem, having access to talented interns is critical,” said Dr. Nicholas Weilinger, Chief Scientific Officer, CereCura Nanotherapeutics. “This program reduces the financial barrier for companies to access research talent that fills important skills gaps and brings fresh perspectives and energy to our work.”

For researchers looking to gain industry experience, the partnership opens doors to new opportunities. “Through this internship I’ve gained valuable experience working directly with a life sciences company — experience I wouldn’t have had through academic training alone,” said Dr. Daniel Andrews, a post-doctoral researcher whose internship at CereCura Nanotherapeutics is funded through the partnership. “It’s given me a clearer picture of how my research skills can contribute to innovation, and it’s helping shape the direction of my career.”

This initiative underscores the Government of British Columbia’s commitment — through its support of Health Research BC — to ensure local research talent is developed and retained, while bolstering BC’s position in the global life sciences sector.

Quick Facts:

• Over 50 interns have been placed in more than 30 small and medium-sized BC life sciences companies in 2025.

• The partnership will commit at least $8 million to supporting research talent in British Columbia.

• Funding contributions: Mitacs (50%), Health Research BC (25%), industry partners (25%).

• Applications for the internship program are open until January 31, 2026. Researchers (including academic supervisors) and companies can learn more and apply here.

About Mitacs:

As a leading Canadian innovation organization, Mitacs connects businesses and researchers with unrivalled access to talent, financial support, and the partnerships needed to turn ideas into impactful innovations. Through unique collaborations, Mitacs is driving productivity and positioning Canada as a global innovation leader.

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.

Learn more: https://www.mitacs.ca

About Health Research BC:

Funded by the BC government, Health Research BC supports a health research system that improves health and health care and strengthens the economy. We fund people and research, and we partner on shared opportunities. Our programs build research careers, our investments advance priority research, and our expertise accelerates the use of research evidence.

Learn more: https://healthresearchbc.ca

About CereCura Nanotherapeutics:

CereCura Nanotherapeutics is a preclinical biotechnology company pioneering a novel class of genetic drugs for patients with untreatable brain disorders. Our “brain bioreactor” approach uses lipid nanoparticle and messenger RNA (LNP-mRNA) technology to achieve brain-wide delivery of protein therapeutics. By empowering the brain to produce its own medicine, we can overcome the long-standing challenge of drug delivery to the central nervous system.

Learn more: https://www.cerecura.com

Media Contacts:

Caroline Dobuzinskis
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs, Mitacs
236-334-3863
[email protected]

Graham Pollock
Director, External Relations, Health Research BC
604-787-2201
[email protected]