Toronto Region's diversified pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector supports commercial operations for a wide range of companies

The Toronto Region is home to more than 300 companies that make up a sophisticated, diversified and far-reaching pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and is one of the largest pharmaceutical and biotechnology clusters in North America. Twenty-five of the top 50 global pharmaceutical companies have Canadian headquarters here  -- and dozens of medium and small companies are located in the region.

Specialized expertise and services support the pharmaceutical and biotech industry

In addition to an experienced workforce of close to 40,000 people, there are more than 220 companies that provide specialized services for the health care, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. All the essential functions are here: research, clinical, manufacturing, sales and sales operations, marketing and market research, supply chain management, regulatory, and market access.  

 Pharmaceutical and biotechnology cluster diagram - image

 "Our Canadian headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing and product development facility are in the heart of the Toronto Region's life sciences cluster. The tax situation, location and infrastructure here are favourable, and the local educational institutions have created the academic infrastructure and talent pool that support the sector."
- Paul N. Lucas, President & CEO, GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (Canada)

  click image to enlarge 

Contract research organizations

Almost 50 contract or clinical research organizations (CROs) are located in the Toronto Region. These firms provide
pre-clinical studies, study design, regulatory, patient monitoring, site management, biostatistics, data management, bio-analytical and medical writing services to meet the sector's needs.  

Contract manufacturing firms

More than 30 contract manufacturing companies supply active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients, and perform custom synthesis, purification and analysis. Packaging services for liquid, semi-solid and solid products include: site licenses and cGMP/ISO certification, encapsulation, tableting, blending, blistering, bottling, shrink wrapping, labeling, card sealing,cartoning, lot and date coding. Manufacturers also produce regular or small runs, first runs, pilot batches and experimental runs as well as packaging for clinical trials.

Global logistics and distribution companies

Integrated global logistics and distribution firms manage the unique requirements associated with the acquisition and transport of chemicals and temperature-controlled ingredients and products. Sector-specific services include cold chain storage and delivery, clinical trial supply logistics, and reverse logistics. Wholesale and retail channels are well-developed.

Professional services firms

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry relies on a wide range of professional services to ensure commercial operations function smoothly.  From legal and regulatory to insurance, investment and management consulting, close to 50 firms in the Toronto Region offer specialized services and expertise.

 Physician education and training companies

Two dozen suppliers develop and manage continuing health education (CHE)/continuing medical education (CME) symposia and events for the industry. Global logistics and distribution Integrated firms manage the unique requirements associated with the acquisition and transport of chemicals and temperature-controlled ingredients and products. Sector-specific services include cold chain storage and delivery, clinical trial supply logistics, and reverse logistics. Wholesale and retail channels are well-developed.

"Every day, Baxter products and services help treat thousands of patients across Canada and the world with some of the most complex conditions — from hemophilia to cancer, and immune disorders to kidney disease. The strong manufacturing base in Ontario combined with our access to a top quality workforce and central location enables us to produce and distribute these products to serve the whole country efficiently."
- Barbara M. Leavitt, President, Baxter Corporation


Health care marketing firms

The industry calls upon an extensive range of marketing, advertising and communications firms that specialize in prescription, over-the-counter and direct-to-consumer products. Graphic design, illustration, photography, direct mail, market research, and professional publication services are also available.

Exceptional research infrastructure

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry also benefits from a wide range of clinical, research and educational resources in the Toronto Region. It is home to one of North America's largest health sciences complexes, with more than 60 hospitals, 37 medical institutions, 8,200 physicians and 54,000 health professionals. The University of Toronto and McMaster University medical schools have 12 affiliated research hospitals.

 

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