Ontario is committing $5 million to expand its life sciences footprint in Ottawa with the creation of a state-of-the-art wet lab at the University of Ottawa’s Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC). The investment, announced Tuesday by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, is expected to support more than 750 new jobs and drive long-term growth in the province’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
The funding will be delivered through the Ontario Wet Labs Program (OWLP), a provincial initiative designed to accelerate commercialization, foster collaboration, and position Ontario as a global leader in life sciences. The University of Ottawa’s Ottawa Health Innovation Hub, housed within the seven-storey, 350,000-square-foot AMRC, will be the first project to benefit.
Government Emphasizes Strategic Growth
“Ontario’s life sciences sector is a key driver of the province’s economy, which is why our government is playing an active role in backing strategic investments that support its long-term success,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “The outfitting of the University of Ottawa’s Advanced Medical Research Centre and Ottawa Health Innovation Hub are an important next step in ensuring that our province has the critical wet lab infrastructure needed to unlock commercialization, foster research collaboration, and create the conditions for more Ontario-made breakthroughs.”
Wet labs are specialized facilities that allow researchers to work safely with chemicals, biological matter, and other sensitive materials in controlled environments. Such infrastructure is essential for innovation in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other high-growth sectors. According to the province, the AMRC project will generate $130 million in revenue and investments by 2032.
Supporting Research and Commercialization
The Ottawa Health Innovation Hub, valued at $16 million, will provide shared access to advanced equipment, biology tools, and business support to researchers and entrepreneurs. The government said the facility is designed to remove barriers to collaboration between universities, health-care providers, and private industry.
“Research taking place at Ontario’s colleges and universities is propelling our key industries forward, creating jobs and saving lives,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Our government’s investment to support a new wet lab at the Advanced Medical Research Centre and Ottawa Health Innovation Hub at the University of Ottawa will ensure Ontario remains an epicentre for life science innovation, so that the people of Ontario benefit first and foremost from discoveries made in our own backyard.”
The new wet lab is the first initiative funded under the OWLP, a $201-million program launched through Ontario’s Life Sciences Strategy. The strategy aims to grow high-value jobs in the sector by 25 per cent to 85,000 by 2030, while cementing Ontario’s role as a biomanufacturing and life sciences hub.
Local and Institutional Support
Marie-Eve Sylvestre, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, said the investment would help accelerate the pace of innovation. “This investment underscores Ontario’s commitment to building a world-class life sciences ecosystem that brings together the university, the health care providers and industry partners,” Sylvestre said. “The Advanced Medical Research Centre, alongside the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub, will address urgent infrastructure and talent needs and accelerate the commercialization of made-in-Ottawa health innovations. Together, they will fuel economic growth, attract investment, and improve patient care through cutting-edge research and innovation.”
Ontario’s health and political leaders also pointed to the broader impact of the initiative on both the economy and health care system.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, Ontario has become a hub of health research and innovation. By investing to strengthen the province’s life sciences sector and supporting made-in-Ontario solutions, our government is protecting Ontario’s economy and health-care system for years to come,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
George Darouze, MPP for Carleton, said the investment will strengthen Ottawa’s position within the sector. “This commitment from the Ontario government will make Ottawa a hot bed for health innovation. This announcement places the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub at the perfect intersection where pioneering biotech research and health innovation meets the city’s thriving life sciences industry,” Darouze said.
Building on Momentum
Since 2018, Ontario has attracted more than $6 billion in investments from global life sciences companies and manufacturers. The province is home to nearly 2,000 life sciences firms, with annual exports exceeding $11.8 billion. Over the past seven years, the government has invested more than $2.19 billion into the research sector, supporting 1,665 projects across industries including agriculture, auto manufacturing, information technology and health.
Earlier this year, Queen’s Park committed an additional $750 million to expand enrollment in STEM programs at colleges and universities, creating up to 20,500 new seats per year to ensure the province can supply the talent required to meet growing demand in the sector.
With the launch of the AMRC wet lab, Ontario officials say the province is not only building critical infrastructure but also laying the groundwork for long-term competitiveness. By pairing public investment with private-sector collaboration, the government is betting on a life sciences future that will deliver both economic returns and advancements in health care.
