Announcement marks focus on building Canada's life sciences sector into global leader, bolstering industrial capacity, economic growth and high-quality jobs in Canada

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 27, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, joined by the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, Wade Grant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Adrian Dix, British Columbia Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, announced a Strategic Response Fund investment totalling nearly $100 million in British Columbia–based life sciences companies Kardium Inc. and Evonik Canada Inc. At a time of economic uncertainty as tariffs reshape the global trade landscape, the Government of Canada is investing in our capacity to produce, innovate and manufacture here at home.

This investment includes a contribution of up to $31.25 million toward Kardium's $125 million project to create a world-class manufacturing facility for advanced medical devices in Burnaby, British Columbia. Kardium has developed the Globe® Pulsed Field System, a novel medical device designed for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. The device, an integrated mapping and ablation solution, received regulatory approval from Health Canada in July 2026 and from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September 2025. The project will enable Kardium to expand its cleanroom capacity from 500 units a year to 30,000 to meet growing market demand, create and maintain a total of 1,000 highly skilled jobs in British Columbia, and retain its intellectual property in Canada.

The investment also includes a contribution of up to $68 million toward Evonik's over $150 million project to expand its presence in British Columbia, which includes building and operating a Nucleic Acid Competence Centre. This project will build on British Columbia's strong history in lipid-based drug delivery systems dating back to the 1990s. The new facility will enable Evonik to increase its product development and manufacturing capacity for the next generation of mRNA vaccines and therapies, bringing more products from concept to the clinic. The expansion project will create and maintain 260 jobs and is expected to attract additional global investment in Canada's life sciences industry, while further bolstering British Columbia's international reputation as a hub for cutting-edge life sciences.

Canada is well positioned to lead the next generation of innovation, and the Government of Canada is making strategic investments that build on our world-class strengths in science, research and commercialization. Investing in next-generation biomedical technologies will help secure Canada's place in emerging fields of biotechnology and medical research while creating high-value jobs and bringing costs down for Canadians. By growing a strong domestic life sciences sector, Canada is building the industrial capacity, economic security and innovation advantage needed to compete in a more uncertain world.

Quotes

"In a more uncertain world, Canada is investing in our greatest strengths: our people, our innovation and our capacity to compete. Kardium and Evonik's projects will position them as industry leaders and strengthen Canada and British Columbia's position as a global hub for advanced manufacturing and life sciences. By investing in these projects, we are creating good jobs for Canadians, strengthening our economic sovereignty and bringing Canadian innovation to global markets."
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

"British Columbia is increasingly establishing itself as a driving force behind Canadian innovation, with the talent, ambitious businesses and world-class ideas needed to sustain that momentum. This investment by the Government of Canada will strengthen B.C.'s position as a global hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing, creating good jobs, attracting further investment and helping Canadian companies grow, compete and succeed on the world stage."
– Wade Grant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"With unprecedented attacks on our sovereignty, it's never been more important to support the Canadian companies and researchers that are solving real world health challenges, creating jobs, and making life better for people here at home. Through British Columbia's Look West strategy, we have a 10-year goal to double the number of jobs in B.C.'s life sciences sector to 40,000, and to boost its economic impact by 75%, and this is another positive step forward in that goal."
– The Honourable Adrian Dix, British Columbia Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth

"This investment marks a significant milestone in Evonik's commitment to pharmaceutical innovation. The new manufacturing facility will expand our ability to help customers bring life-changing lipid-based therapies to patients faster and at a larger scale. The expansion builds on Vancouver Labs' long-standing expertise and strengthens our position in a leading life sciences ecosystem. We are grateful to the Canadian government for its support and recognition of the important role these therapies play in shaping the future of medicine."
– Guido Skudlarek, head of Evonik's Health Care business line

"Kardium is proud to be developing and manufacturing our innovative medical technology here in British Columbia. The Government of Canada's investment is an important step in our continued growth and will help us expand our manufacturing capabilities as we bring our technology to more physicians and patients around the world."
– Kevin Chaplin, Chief Executive Officer, Kardium

Quick facts

• Evonik is headquartered in Burlington, Ontario. Incorporated in 2013, its life sciences operations began in the Burnaby area in 2016. Evonik's parent company, Evonik International Holding B.V., is recognized as a global leader in the field of mRNA and mRNA-LNP (lipid nanoparticle) drug products and provides R&D and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical market.
• Kardium is a privately held medical solutions company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia. Kardium develops and manufactures technologies that give physicians greater control and support better patient outcomes.
• Since 2020, the Government of Canada has made investments of more than $2.5 billion in 43 projects in the biomanufacturing, vaccine and therapeutics ecosystem, strengthening domestic pandemic response capabilities and life science innovation. These investments are helping grow industrial capabilities, enhance R&D, infrastructure and manufacturing capacity, and build expertise.
• The Strategic Response Fund (SRF) helps Canadian industries innovate, adapt and compete in a changing global economy. The SRF supports large-scale, transformative projects that build economic resilience, strengthen supply chains and protect good jobs in key sectors such as steel, aluminum, automotive, forest products, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.

Associated links

• Evonik
• Kardium
• Strategic Response Fund
• Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task Force

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