Servier Canada announces the creation of a Centre of Excellence in Clinical Research - A $16.3M investment to boost the life sciences sector of Greater Montréal

LAVAL, QC, Sept. 6, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Montréal International (MI), Laval Technopole, the Biotech City and Montréal InVivo applaud the decision of Servier Canada, Canadian subsidiary of the Servier Research Group, to construct a new Centre of Excellence in Clinical Research into cardiovascular disease, cancer and neuropsychiatry. This new 30,000 square-foot complex represents a $16.3 million investment which will enable the company to hire forty or so new employees over the next few months.

"The Servier Research Group, the second largest French pharmaceutical company, decided to bolster its research endeavours in Canada, particularly in Québec, since the level of excellence in the research sector make it an ideal location to advance therapeutic innovation," stated Emmanuel Canet, President of Servier R&D.

The announcement was made in the presence of Nicolas Marceau, Québec Minister of Finance and the Economy, who confirmed the awarding of a $1-million non-refundable financial contribution to launch this high-benefit project that holds great potential for the entire province.

"Health is a priority issue. Our mission is to make available to the medical profession and Canadian patients the best possible therapeutic solutions. In order to achieve this, we must not only bolster our research efforts, but also benefit from a health policy that supports innovation," stated Frédéric Fasano, Chief Executive Officer of Servier Canada.

A combined effort
To facilitate and launch its expansion project in the metropolitan area, Servier Canada enjoyed the combined support of Montréal International (MI), Laval Technopole, the Biotech City and Montréal InVivo.

"The success of Servier Canada, which views innovation as the keystone of its business strategies, will serve to heighten the attractiveness of Greater Montréal and Québec with international leaders in life sciences and health technologies and, as such, promote the development of a strategic sector that has come to identify our region," claimed Élie Farah, Vice President, Investment Greater Montreal at Montréal International.

The Biotech City, site of the new centre of clinical research, is already home to a university (INRS), research laboratories, a business incubator and major biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies. "We have supported this leading Biotech City company throughout the entire project. Servier Canada is part of a dynamic business centre that houses, within a four-kilometre radius, basic research, clinical trials, production and marketing," explains Pierre Desroches, President and Executive Director of Laval Technopole and the Biotech City of Laval.

"It's very encouraging when a major, innovative pharmaceutical company like Servier decides to increase its presence in Québec." stated Michelle Savoie, General Manager of Montréal InVivo. "This decision not only provides interesting opportunities for sector workers, but also makes it possible to maintain and develop the necessary expertise in the ecosystem of pharmaceutical innovation in Montréal and in Québec," added Savoie.

We should note that the Life Sciences and Health Technologies (LSHT) cluster of Greater Montréal is comprised of nearly 620 organizations, including over 150 research centres and 80 subsidiaries of world class companies and that the sector employs over 40,000 people.

About the Servier Group (www.servier.com / www.servier.ca)
The Servier Research Group is an unlisted independent pharmaceutical group, with more than 22,000 employees, including close to 3,000 in R&D and present in over 140 countries. Servier Canada, created in 1978, is at present the Group's 4^th international subsidiary. It employs 300 people, including 160 in Québec, and has invested $26.6 million in research, or 12.8% of its revenues in 2012. Servier Canada expects to come out with three innovative products over the next three years.

About Montréal International (www.montrealinternational.com)
Created in 1996, Montréal International (MI) is the result of a private-public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of Greater Montréal and enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign direct investments, international organizations and international strategic workers as well as promoting the competitive and international environment of Greater Montréal. Montréal International—a non-profit organization—is funded by the private sector, the governments of Canada and Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community) and the City of Montréal.

About Montréal InVivo (www.montreal-invivo.com)
Montréal InVivo is the brand name for the life sciences and health technologies (LSHT) cluster of the Metropolitan Montréal. It is comprised of more than 620 organizations, including 150 research centres, 80 subsidiaries of world-class companies, and over 41,000 individuals working in the sector. This cluster provides a fertile breeding ground for innovation and creativity; it includes four universities and ranks first in Canada in terms of the number of research centres.

Montréal InVivo is a non-profit economic development organization dedicated to the creation of a business environment conducive to innovation and to the growth of companies and organizations in the LSHT sector. By rallying the cluster's players around common objectives such as innovation, Montréal InVivo aims to ensure, through the implementation of its actions and its strategic plan, the development, sustainability and reputation of the LSHT sector of Greater Montréal. Its activities are supported by funding from MFE, MAMROT, CMM, CED and private and institutional sectors.

About Laval Technopole (www.lavaltechnopole.com)
Laval Technopole is mandated by the City of Laval to promote and ensure the economic development of the City by attracting investments, hosting companies and supporting businesses on its territory.

About the Biotech City (www.citebiotech.com)
The Biotech City is the cluster of biotechnology and life sciences located in the City of Laval and including more than 80 companies and institutes employing 5,000 people. The cluster comprises companies in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, CRO and IT. The Biotech City includes also a vertically integrated industrial park dedicated to life sciences where can be found two research institutes, an incubator, laboratory space and land for development.

SOURCE: Montréal International

Céline Clément
Communications Advisor
Montréal International
514-987-9317
[email protected] 

Frank Béraud
Project Manager
Montréal InVivo
514-987-9389
[email protected] 

Nadine Doucet
Servier Canada
514-601-4881
[email protected] 

Sylvie Gauthier
Marketing and Communications Director
Laval Technopole
450-978-5961
[email protected]