Canada is the eighth largest world market in pharmaceuticals, representing 2.2 percent of the global industry, and Ontario is the national center for innovation in pharmaceuticals. Ottawa claims a high concentration of Ontario’s research facilities, pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions, which together create a rich environment for incubation, innovation and growth. These are the organizations leading the way.
Pharmaceutical Companies in Ottawa
- Orion Biotechnology
- Abbott
- CHEO
- Siemens Healthineers
- Fullscript
Ottawa Pharmaceutical Companies
CHEO, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, is a pediatric health organization that provides patient care and conducts clinical research. Its in-house pharmacy research program focuses on health literacy, medication management and other areas of crucial concern to patient outcomes. CHEO operates two on-site compounding pharmacies that prepare medications precisely to physicians’ custom dosing orders.
Spiderwort Inc. is a biotechnology and pharmaceutical company that researches cellulose-based biomaterials. These tissue-like substances are used in regeneration and repair of human tissues and are known in the industry as the “scaffolding of life.” The company’s work focuses on research into ways to bring this technology to doctors and patients.
Orion Biotechnology develops medical treatment products at the clinical stage. It focuses on drug peptides and GPCRs, boasting a drug discovery timeline that is far faster than the industry standard. GPCRs, or G-protein-coupled receptors, are proteins that are expressed on all types of cells in the human body, which means they have tremendous potential as therapeutic ingredients.
Siemens Healthineers is the healthcare branch of its German parent company, Siemens. Siemens Healthineers offers a full suite of pharmaceutical and healthcare services, including medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics and point-of-care testing. The company’s clinical focus areas are stroke, cardiovascular care and oncology.
Fullscript is a digital pharmacy platform for non-prescription treatments, like supplements and nutraceuticals. Doctors, nutritionists, health coaches and other healthcare and wellness providers can order products specifically for individual patients, who find their tailored treatment plans on the Fullscript site and transact directly there.
Stem Cell Network is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to the study of stem cells for applications in regenerative medicine. Its work, which is funded by the Canadian government, focuses on three core approaches: research, training up-and-coming young scientists in the intricacies of stem cell research and commercialization, which considers how to turn scientific discoveries into pharmaceutical products.
Virica Biotech is a research and development company that works across pharma and biotech. Its expertise is in viral medicines, which include antivirals and are used in treating and preventing viral illnesses. Its signature product category is known as Viral Sensitizers, which are patented molecules used in drug compounding.
Healthcare and pharma company Abbott develops and manufactures medical devices, nutrition products, as well as patented and off-patent medications. Its device lines include neurostimulator systems for neurological treatment, continuous glucose monitors for diabetic care and cardiac stents, while its nutrition products include infant feeding products like formula and electrolyte solutions.
The telehealth company PurposeMed works with underserved communities to provide specialist medical care, gender-affirming healthcare and prescription drugs. It offers three distinct virtual platforms, branded as Freddie, Frida and Foria, which respectively offer sexual health support for the LGBTQ+ community, adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment, and gender-affirming healthcare. PurposeMed works with pharmaceutical partners to offer prescription fulfillment on a delivery basis.
CANImmunize is a digital biotechnology company that builds tools for immunization management. Its biotech software products include the platforms ClinicFlow and CANImmunize Shield, which track and verify vaccination records. The company says its goal is to improve public health.
