Canada’s life sciences industry is characterized by groundbreaking research, dynamic companies, and highly skilled, entrepreneurial professionals. But as the sector continues to grow, it faces a challenge: a shortage of talent and leaders capable of transforming scientific discoveries into commercial successes. To position Canada as a global leader in life sciences, we need to invest strategically in developing highly qualified personnel and foster the entrepreneurial mindset essential for turning research into therapies that can change lives.

To make it easier for companies to scale here in Canada, the entire ecosystem should come together to invest in developing the people – and the culture – that will ultimately drive the creation of future anchor firms. This outcome will require a coordinated approach from academia, industry, and government to redefine how we develop the next generation of life science professionals. There are several key opportunities awaiting action.

Aligning Scientific Education with Industry Needs

Canada produces extraordinary academic researchers. However, often today’s scientific graduate and undergraduate students are looking beyond traditional academic research careers, aspiring instead to work directly in the private sector. To support this shift, many institutional programs need to go beyond the focus on academic research, and equip students with the skills needed to thrive in industry roles.

In short, education in science must adapt, integrating business skills such as intellectual property, pharmaceutical development, translational research, regulatory affairs, and project management into the curriculum to produce industry-ready highly-qualified personnel. Programs that merge scientific training with real-world applications will better prepare students to enter the workforce, and navigate the complexities of the private sector once there. Obviously, we need to maintain Canada’s excellence in scientific training while simultaneously enhancing the industry readiness of graduates. If we succeed in this shift, Canadian scientific excellence will be translated into life-saving therapies and world-leading companies.

Life sciences organizations across Canada have recognized the need for industry-specific training and are taking immediate action. Programs like those offered by the adMare Academy, which provide early-career scientists with theory as well as hands-on experience in drug development, are crucial. These initiatives offer trainees an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting, training highly-qualified personnel, and building a workforce that is not only well-versed in science but also in the business of science.

Fostering an Entrepreneurial Mindset and Culture

To position Canada as a global leader in life sciences, we should develop an entrepreneurial mindset and culture, one that encourages thinking big and presents entrepreneurship as a viable career path. This kind of mindset requires targeted, aligned, and competitive policies across Canada that encourage investment and reward risk-taking and commercialization of intellectual property in Canada.

Mentorship from seasoned biotech executives can also play a transformative role. Connecting early-career scientists with successful entrepreneurs provides invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities of building a company.

Initiatives like adMare’s Tx Accelerator, that provide personalized coaching, funding and strategic connections to early-stage biotech companies with the potential for significant market impact, help fuel the creation of successful ventures and inspire the next generation of biotech founders who are crucial for the industry’s growth. Only with entrepreneurs that think big will Canada claim its rightful place translating world-class research into commercial success.

Investing in Future Leaders

The life sciences sector’s success hinges on scientists and its leaders.

Continuous education and skills reinforcement are vital for fostering management and leadership skills, building stronger companies and retaining talent within Canada. As the industry evolves, so too must our approach to professional development.

Leadership development programs, such as the adMare Academy Executive Institute, focused on advancing leadership capacity in Canadian life sciences, will help companies be more effective, and create more value.

While industry should recognize and prioritize continuous education for the strategic investment it is, creating an environment that incentivizes emerging leaders to stay in Canada will provide a foundation for the growing industry. This foundation includes addressing wage disparities between Canadian and U.S. life sciences hubs, and facilitating a more vibrant capital environment. Strong leadership capacity, combined with supportive ecosystems is critical for fostering a new wave of biotech companies that drive the industry forward.

The Transformative Power of People in Life Sciences

Scientific breakthroughs require high quality scientists. Likewise, commercial breakthroughs require a diverse group of high-quality personnel. Canada’s potential to lead in life sciences depends on our ability to nurture, train, and empower the people who drive the industry. To harness the transformative power of science, we must invest in talent development at every level—from students to seasoned executives.

Creating a coordinated strategy that integrates academic excellence with industry-specific training, fosters entrepreneurial skills, and supports the development of future leaders will be key to unlocking Canada’s potential. By aligning our educational programs with industry needs and investing in people to develop highly-qualified personnel, we can enable Canadian companies to not only compete but lead on the global stage, delivering life-saving therapies and making a significant economic impact.