Vision, Mission, Mandate and Objectives

Vision

The pandemic preparedness ecosystem in Canada is transformed by a strong and interactive network of expert partners, optimized infrastructures, and an agile, well-trained workforce.

Mission

In close coordination with other CBRF hubs, the ECaPPH will create a national ecosystem that is a major global contributor to the detection of upcoming emerging threats and the development of appropriate national responses in the event of a pandemic. This will be accomplished in part by:

Building a prepared workforce; and implementing coordinated responses that include diagnostic and preventive measures and the development of new therapies (including processes and production at scale).

Three world-class universities, Université de Montréal (UdeM), McGill University and Université Laval joined forces to put forward the Eastern Canada Pandemic Preparedness Hub (ECaPPH). These universities, with Université de Sherbrooke, Polytechnique Montréal and Dalhousie University as major partners, bring a long history of collaboration and achievement in research, training and infrastructure.

The three co-leads have joined forces with more than 50 partners in the biomanufacturing and life sciences sector, ranging from academia, industry, not-for-profit organizations, research centres and government agencies who have supported and continue to support this vibrant sector. In their own way, each partner helps to propel academic research and innovation towards concrete solutions for the benefit of Canadians.

In total, the ECaPPH brings together 11 universities, 5 colleges or college centres for the transfer of technology (CCTT), 17 industrial partners, 8 public organizations including the Government of Quebec as well as 17 stakeholders from fields that vary from research commercialization, training, artificial intelligence, research and others.

Objectives

Increase specialized infrastructure and capacity for multidisciplinary, applied research

Address priority pandemic pathogens and emerging health threats by developing novel vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. Focus on areas in which Canadian research is cutting edge, while addressing critical gaps that limit biomanufacturing.

 

Support training and development to expand the pipeline of skilled research and talent

Attract and develop: highly-qualified personnel such as students, postdoctoral researchers and early-career researchers across all disciplines; and technicians with industry-relevant skills and training in research, engineering and biomanufacturing, including good laboratory practice (GLP) and good manufacturing practice (GMP) laboratories and facilities training. 

 

Accelerate the translation of promising research into commercially-viable products and processes

Build on receptor capacity among public and private developers of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics; support the generation of intellectual property in Canada; and increase the capacity of institutions to work with companies, including those supported through the Strategic Innovation Fund. 

This content has been updated on 17 April 2023 at 16 h 47 min.