Singapore, Aug 26, 2010: Canadians may soon have faster access to pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada to Medicago, a Quebec City-based business. The announcement was made by Mr Sylvie Boucher, member of parliament for Beauport-Limoilou, on behalf of the Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology).

"Our government is investing in science and technology to create good jobs, strengthen the economy and improve Canadians' quality of life," said Mr Boucher. "This investment has helped develop a new technology to speed up production of vaccines that are critical for the health and safety of Canadians."

Since initially receiving funding in 2001, Medicago has most recently received $279,712 from the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program to continue the development of their technology that could deliver a vaccine for testing in less than a month after the identification and reception of genetic sequences from a pandemic strain. This could result in populations being vaccinated before a pandemic strikes and in supplying the world quickly with large volumes of vaccine antigens.

A Canadian Innovation Leader Certificate was also presented to Medicago to highlight its success as an innovative Canadian firm that has successfully linked scientific research to commercialization, jobs and economic growth.

"NRC-IRAP's continued support has been instrumental for the expansion of our products and for the development of technology aiming to deliver effective and affordable vaccines," said Mr Andy Sheldon, president and CEO of Medicago. "Our relationship with the National Research Council of Canada has helped us move forward and we have benefited from its continued guidance and contributions."

Medicago was founded in 1999 and employs approximately 90 people. The company is developing vaccines based on two proprietary technologies: its plant-based Proficia manufacturing technology and its Virus-Like Particles.

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