The expansion project aims to (i) grow Virica’s bioprocessing capacity to keep pace with client demand for scaling up viral medicines, (ii) advance new vaccine process development lines, and (iii) support Ontario’s preparedness for future public health emergencies with an off-the-shelf viral enhancement kit that will amplify vaccine production multifold.

“Through the Ontario Together Fund, our government is investing in innovative homegrown businesses to build our medtech ecosystem,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We are proud to partner with Virica as they expand Canada’s vaccine manufacturing capacity.”

“Our government is proud to support the expansion of Virica’s lab facilities and strengthen their bioprocessing capacity. We’re ensuring Ontario-made solutions are available to our vaccine manufacturing partners,” said Goldie Ghamari, MPP for Carleton.

“Ontario Together funding is a boost to Virica’s continued growth,” said Dr. Jean Simon Diallo, CEO of Virica Biotech. “Our product line of viral enhancers enables us to seize the massive opportunity to reduce bioprocessing bottlenecks for viral medicine manufacturers, and increase manufacturing yields and quality of essential viral-based therapies and vaccines.”

Virica Biotech successfully launched its first Process Innovation Facility in May 2021, in partnership with the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub and University of Ottawa Heart Institute. The global upstream bioprocessing market, which includes viral medicine and vaccines, will exceed C$17B in 2027 and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 12.8% thereafter.