Biolab Farmacêutica to Open Research and Development Centre in the Greater Toronto Area

Research and Development Facility is an Important Step in Biolab's Global Expansion

TORONTO, Aug. 27, 2015 /CNW/ - With an initial investment of BRL $20 million (approximately CAD $8 million) in equipment, facilities and technical staff, Biolab Farmacêutica, a 100 per cent Brazilian-owned company that ranks among the largest in the healthcare market in Brazil, announced the opening of a Research and Development (R&D) Centre in the Greater Toronto Area.

This investment is part of Biolab's global expansion plans. In the initial stage, 20 specialized professionals will work in the new facility. The 1,000 square meter R&D centre will be an extension of Biolab's Itapecerica da Serra R&D centre in Brazil, and the two operations will be fully integrated.

"When we started planning our R&D centre abroad, we wanted to set it up in an innovative region with incentives and openness to partnerships and business. We found these features in Ontario, which has the ideal conditions for us to move forward in our pursuit of cutting edge innovation," says Biolab's CEO, Cleiton de Castro Marques.

When making the decision to open a Canadian R&D Centre, Biolab received guidance from the commercial section at Canada's Consulate General in São Paulo, the Commercial Consul of Ontario in Brazil, the City of Mississauga, and Invest Toronto.  This was an effective partnership among all three levels of government, and the collaborative support was crucial to securing this important investment in the life sciences sector for the Greater Toronto Area. 

Biolab is among Brazil's leading pharmaceutical investors in research, development and innovation, with one of the most modern R&D centres in Brazil. It invests ten per cent of net revenue every year and has a team of approximately 100 professionals dedicated exclusively to this area, among them Masters, PhDs, and specialists. Currently, the company is working on more than 150 radical and incremental innovation projects and has 220 patent applications filed.

About Biolab

A 100 per cent Brazilian-owned, privately-held pharmaceutical company, Biolab was founded in 1997, and its growth has been based on its commitment to provide the Brazilian population with quality healthcare solutions. A leader in prescription drug sales for cardiology, and ranked fourth in sales for dermatology in Brazil, the company also plays an important role in gynecology, orthopedics, rheumatology, and pediatrics, and has over 100 products in its portfolio.

Biolab ranks among the top ten companies in prescription drug sales in Brazil, and is growing through partnerships with universities, laboratories, and both Brazilian and international research centres. Biolab has a strong social responsibility policy, with projects promoting art, culture, sports, and education to thousands of people. For more information please visit:  www.biolabfarma.com.br.

About Invest Toronto

Invest Toronto is the primary business, sales and marketing corporation for the City of Toronto, offering one-on-one consultations to businesses and site selectors making global business investment decisions.  Invest Toronto caters to businesses of all sizes looking to start a new business in Toronto and/or further service the North American market from Toronto.

SOURCE Invest Toronto

Biolab: Bruno Nogueira - TEXTO COMUNICAÇÃO CORPORATIVA, Tel. [phone], [email protected]; Invest Toronto: Julia Sakas - Communications and Marketing Manager, Tel. [phone], [email protected]