Work has begun on a new BioAccelerator in Charlottetown. Financed by the federal and provincial governments, the facility is designed to support Canada's expanding bioscience industry.
Spearheaded by the PEI BioAlliance, a private sector-led non-profit, the location will offer 60,000 square feet of biomanufacturing space for researchers, entrepreneurs, and bioscience-based companies, the group said in a press release.
The $50 million BioAccelerator is said to be the largest single investment in economic development infrastructure in PEI history. Tenants will include early-stage and small and medium-sized enterprises from Atlantic Canada and international locations.
As well as supporting the growth of the PEI bioscience cluster, it’s intended the facility will boost Canada's pandemic preparedness and advance Atlantic Canada’s position as a national centre of expertise in bio-based product development and biomanufacturing.
“Prince Edward Island companies and research organizations have put our province on the map for our expertise in bio-manufacturing, from mRNA vaccines, to natural health products, to fish health and nutrition,” said Charmaine Noonan, Board Chair of the PEI BioAlliance. “The BioAccelerator will be an incredible addition to that capability.”
PEI’s bioscience sector currently includes 60 bioscience companies bringing in over $600 million annually in sales, making bioscience the second-largest industry on Prince Edward Island. The PEI Bioscience Cluster has surpassed 2025 growth targets and is on track to become a billion-dollar industry by 2030.
Located in the BioCommons Research Park in Charlottetown, the BioAccelerator will add to recent public and private sector investments such as BIOVECTRA’s first-in-Canada mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility, the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), and the Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator, the press release said.
The BioAccelerator will host the facilities and expertise of the National Research Council of Canada’s atypical fermentation labs, CASTL’s national headquarters, and an expanded lead training facility.
The new building will be operated by the PEI BioAlliance. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.
