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New $138M Burnaby facility aims to support cancer, disease research

"Leaps in progress often happen because of many smaller steps, on many roads leading to the same destination."
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
stemcelltechnologies01
François-Philippe Champagne, Burnaby-Lougheed MLA Katrina Chen, Burnaby City Coun. Sav Dhailwal and Coun. James Wang were part of STEMCELL Technologies' new state-of-the-art facility in Burnaby on July 9, 2024. François-Philippe Champagne/X

A newly opened Burnaby facility is hoping to help those who live with cancer and other serious diseases. 

STEMCELL Technologies' state-of-the-art facility officially opened today, July 9, thanks to $45-million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. 

A news release says the $138-million facility — located at 2821 Production Way — will help the company now manufacture products at the higher regulatory compliance standard needed to support clinical trials with the hope of finding a cure for cancer as well as other serious diseases. 

Trials include cell therapy, tissue engineering, immunotherapy, gene therapy and regenerative medicine.

The federal government added 1,000 new full-time jobs were created by the project, exceeding the original target of 675. 

“Our government is committed to supporting innovation in the life sciences sector to ensure Canadians have access to the most cutting-edge medical technologies to keep them safe," Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne said. 

"The opening of STEMCELL Technologies’ state-of-the-art facility is another important milestone in achieving a robust domestic life sciences sector in Canada. Through investments such as this, we are securing domestic supply chains and ensuring new intellectual property remains in Canada, while supporting the creation of hundreds of great-paying jobs for Canadian workers."

“Supporting research and development expansion, as well as job growth in diverse and dynamic fields, all across Canada is essential to creating stronger local economies," Burnaby North-Seymour MP and Minister of Citizens' Services Terry Beech added in the same statement. 

"Leaps in progress often happen because of many smaller steps, on many roads leading to the same destination.”

STEMCELL Technologies was founded in 1993 by CEO Dr. Allen Eaves.