Cross-Border Corridor of Research and Innovation
Sector Profile
Across the Windsor-Essex region, there are more than 50 companies actively involved in the fast-growing life sciences field, employing more than 1,800 people. Over 900 people skilled in life sciences graduate from Windsor-Essex schools annually and from nearby U.S. institutions there are over 7500 trained graduates annually.
Other companies such as Jamieson Laboratories, Accucaps and NutraNorth are all taking advantage of a highly-skilled manufacturing workforce accustomed to working with extremely tight tolerances and a variety of materials. In addition to 10 pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturers, there are 43 other companies manufacturing medical and control devices as well as medical equipment and supplies.
The region’s proximity to Detroit opens opportunities for cross-border medical research studies, a diverse population for clinical trials and a direct link between Canadian and U.S. health networks including Henry Ford Health Systems, with its seven hospitals and 40 medical centres, and the Detroit Medical Centre.
Sector Highlights
- Developing a cross-border health corridor linking U.S. and Canadian health networks
- Innovative products and protocols being developed by Windsor-Essex companies
- Home to Canada’s first and only accredited outpatient echocardiography lab
- Groundbreaking cross-border link with Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit for emergency cardiac surgery
Education and Research
- University of Windsor Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry – Windsor program
- St. Clair College Centre for Applied Health Sciences
- Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
- Windsor Regional Hospital
- Henry Ford Health Systems - 7 hospitals, 40 medical centres
- Detroit Medical Centre - 9 hospitals, 2 specialized partner institutes
R&D and International Clinical Trials
- Eight renowned life sciences research universities within 150 km (58 mi.)
- Cutting-edge cancer research using natural products being conducted at University of Windsor
- Lower regulatory barriers for clinical trials and higher physician practice volumes in Canada than in U.S.
- Proximity to large and diverse population – ideal source of subjects for clinical trials
Manufacturing Capabilities
- High-quality medical devices and equipment manufacturing using precision tools
- Highly skilled manufacturing workforce accustomed to working within extremely tight tolerances and a variety of materials
- Ten pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturers; 14 measuring, medical and control device manufacturers; 29 medical equipment and supplies manufacturers
Most Business-Friendly Location
- Low Canadian dollar
- Lower healthcare costs
- Serviced land costs among the continent’s most attractive
- Lower Ontario corporate tax rate for manufacturers compared to U.S.
- Housing costs among Canada’s most affordable
- A diverse community with 22% of the population foreign born
- A regional business development team in place to support investors and businesses
Life Sciences Key Sector Profile