MISSISSAUGA — The Ontario government has secured a $820 million investment from AstraZeneca, a global biopharmaceutical business, to expand the company’s research and development (R&D) facilities in Mississauga and relocate the company’s Canadian headquarters to a larger, state-of-the-art office. The investment will create over 700 new, good-paying jobs across Ontario’s life sciences sector and further establish the province as a global biomanufacturing and life sciences hub, leading in the development, commercialization and early adoption of innovative health products and services.
"AstraZeneca's investment is fantastic news for Ontario and a testament to the remarkable talent, innovation and opportunities our province offers," said Premier Doug Ford. "We are proud to support this expansion, which will create hundreds of highly skilled jobs and further solidify Ontario's position as a global leader in life sciences and innovation.”
Aligning with the ambitions set out in our government's life sciences strategy, Taking Life Sciences to the Next Level, the expansion will allow AstraZeneca to leverage digital health technologies, computational pathology and artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical trial designs to advance the quality of treatments for patients fighting against cancer, infectious and rare diseases. In support of this investment, Ontario is providing $16.1 million in funding through the Invest Ontario Fund.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, Ontario continues to be at the forefront of life sciences innovation,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “AstraZeneca’s investment will not only support economic growth in Mississauga but reinforce Ontario’s position as a premier destination for domestic and international life science companies to advance their research and drive medical breakthroughs.”
Building on the company’s 2023 announcement, which included the addition of 500 new scientific roles, AstraZeneca’s total investment in Ontario now exceeds $1.3 billion, with more than 1,200 new, high-value jobs created between both projects. The Mississauga facility is a strategic clinical hub for AstraZeneca, employing 1,500 people and leading more than 210 global clinical studies.
As the company continues to pursue a footprint of more than 2,000 jobs in Mississauga and Peel Region, Ontario’s world-class talent and renowned network of hospitals, universities, laboratories and research centres will continue to play a key role in supporting their growth and accelerating improved clinical outcomes.
Since 2018, Ontario has attracted over $6 billion in investments from leading life sciences companies and global biomanufacturers. As part of the government’s life science strategy, the province will continue to address long-standing barriers to growth and position companies for success. This includes investing $146 million to build on this momentum and further cultivate the conditions for both domestic and international companies to grow and thrive in Ontario.
Quick Facts
Ontario’s life sciences sector is a key economic driver, employing more than 72,000 people in high-value jobs across 2,000 firms. Every year, more than 70,000 STEM students graduate from post-secondary programs across the province, producing one of the most highly skilled life sciences workforces in the world.
Ontario is the largest life sciences jurisdiction in Canada. In 2022, Ontario’s life sciences sector generated more than $77 billion in revenue.
Ontario is a leader in health research talent that includes 19 of Canada’s top 40 research hospitals. These facilities are leading ground-breaking trials on local, national and international levels.
Ontario is a leading AI hub of talent, with nearly 1,800 AI Masters enrollments and over 1,100 graduates in 2023. Home to approximately 400 specialized AI and technology companies, Ontario is driving innovation and has generated more than 8,500 high-paying jobs through its exceptional talent and cutting-edge expertise.
As announced in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, Ontario is providing an additional $100 million to the Invest Ontario Fund, bringing the total size of the fund to $700 million.
Quotes
"AstraZeneca’s continued investment in Ontario is crucial to advancing innovative medicines that treat, prevent and may one day cure complex diseases like prostate, lung and breast cancer, as well as rare diseases. Canada, and specifically Ontario, offers a wealth of skilled talent and a robust network of world-class hospitals, universities, laboratories and research centres. Collaborations like today’s with Invest Ontario reflect our shared commitment to strengthening the province’s life sciences strategy, driving economic growth and fostering innovation that benefits patients in Canada and globally."
- Gaby Bourbara
President of AstraZeneca Canada
"Our government continues to take bold and innovative action to make it faster and easier for families to connect to life-changing technology and innovative treatment options. Through our investment in AstraZeneca Canada’s expansion, our government is taking another step to champion made-in-Ontario medical innovation to provide more people with the care and treatment they need, for years to come."
- Sylvia Jones
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
"I am proud that AstraZeneca calls Mississauga home. Their continued investment and ongoing commitment to research and innovation is exceptional and has led to millions of people across the globe living healthier lives."
- Nina Tangri
MPP for Mississauga-Streetsville
"AstraZeneca’s continued investment recognizes Ontario’s strength as a life sciences ecosystem and experienced talent needed for global innovative companies. We are proud to support AstraZeneca in harnessing AI and data to drive medical breakthroughs and improve health care outcomes for patients around the world."
- Jennifer Block
Interim CEO, Invest Ontario
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