London Leads Western
Ontario Bio Effort

Powered by the science pouring out of the University of Western Ontario, the John P. Robarts Research Institute, and several research hospitals, London, Ont., and its outlying area is a growing nerve center of biotechnology. London's biotech portfolio is certainly diverse, with research in neutraceuticals, viral proteins, plant sciences, cardiovascular diseases, imaging and autoimmune disorders. Most of the 40-some companies are immature, with five to 15 employees.

Researchers at Diabetogen Biosciences in London, Ontario, are seeking treatments for diabetes and psoriasis.

        While the region has much of the infrastructure biotech needs, there are some challenges to its future development, according to the head of one of its promising bio start-ups.
        "What we lack here is human capital," says Bill McGinnis, president of London-based Diabetogen Biosciences. "We don't have the benefit of being Boston, Raleigh or San Diego, where there are a lot of people. To get good management here, we have to recruit."
        London's other major challenge, McGinnis says, is a lack of local venture capital. Funding primarily comes from Toronto and the U.S., he says.
        McGinnis' company began its life with the goal of developing a cure for Type 1 diabetes, and has since broadened its scope to include research in treatments for autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis. Future work may include research into medicines to fight multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
        "The intellectual property here is solid," McGinnis says. "We just lack the people to commercialize it and the funding to make it grow. Funding is a minor thing. If you have good science, you can make a good story. Human capital will develop as companies grow and mature and are spun off. If we get a large enough cluster, we can develop it."