A new organization that helps get natural products to market is continuing to put its foundational pieces in place.
Natural Products Canada, which the federal government formed in February, has the ambitious task of establishing Canada as a global leader in the research, development and commercialization of natural products.
“Our bold vision is to make Canada the Silicon Valley of the natural products industry,” said David Gauthier, who was recently ap-pointed as regional director for NPC-West.
“We’ll do that through direct investment in companies, we will do it through path-finding and connections … we’ll help to do evaluations of new technologies and we’ll try to accelerate companies through that process.”
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NPC is part of the National Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research program, which helps emerging industries reach their full commercial potential. It will initially operate on a federal funding commitment of $14 million over five years.
It will also develop partnerships with private sector investors in hopes of providing funding support for products that have passed the proof of concept phase.
Gauthier, who is based in Sask-atoon, will work closely with Ag-WestBio Inc. to identify investment and commercialization opportunities.
The organization will focus its efforts on key areas of nutraceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, functional food, bio-based agricultural products, natural veterinary care products and “green” alternatives to existing products such as industrial chemicals.
NPC hopes to leverage existing capital and identify other potential investors. In some cases, NPC may provide direct funding, most likely in the form of repayable loans.
Gauthier described a natural product as anything derived from biology.
“Really, the broadest definition is any molecule coming from a biological organism,” he said.
In terms of investments, “we’d be looking for opportunities that are past the proof of concept,” he added.
Robert Orr, a 35-year veteran of the food, nutritional ingredient and private equity investment business, said Canada is well-positioned to play a leading role in the development and commercialization of natural products.
“There is real potential for Canada to be a global leader in the commercialization of natural products and technologies,” said Orr, NPC’s board chair.
“We have spent the last few months working with stakeholders across the country to shape the plan that will turn that potential into reality.”
As regional director for NPC-West, Gauthier will begin building connections with potential partners across Western Canada.
One of his first tasks is to identify companies and organizations that are involved in the natural products industry and increase awareness of the new organization and its mandate.
NPC has partnered with organizations across Canada to estab-lish a network.
Partners include :
- Ag-WestBio Inc. (NPC-West)
- the Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization
- University of Laval’s Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods
- NPC-Quebec
- P.E.I. BioAlliance
