Latest news with #Biotechnology
Canada Standard
11-05-2025
- Health
- Canada Standard
New recommendations for regulating neurotechnology in Canada include protecting Indigenous rights
With Canada's federal election behind us, we can now focus on a renewed commitment to our values and to economic growth. Both entail a commitment to the health and well-being of Canadians. Brain health in particular has taken on new meanings over the past years, and has garnered substantial recent attention from major international organizations such as UNESCO and the World Health Organization. Once centred on finding treatments for conditions that affect the nervous system such as movement disorders and epilepsy, neurotechnology is evolving. Advances involve implantable technologies, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS). Other examples include responsive neurostimulation and stimulation of the vagus nerve. The market in non-invasive and wearable devices is also growing. These technologies aim to address mental health disorders and improve quality of life for people suffering from conditions like chronic depression and post-traumatic stress disorders. Combined with AI, these brain technologies are also finding their way into the non-medical lives of Canadians for personal use, education, workplace and entertainment. Read more: Two-thirds of Canadians have experimented with generative AI, but most don't understand its impacts The finalized version of the UNESCO ethics recommendation for neurotechnology will be negotiated during the week of May 12. This will prepare the way for its formal adoption this fall by the 194 member states. The recommendation carefully considers how neurotechnology can respect human dignity and the human rights of privacy, freedom of thought, data authenticity and protection, and justice. Other concerns pertaining to Indigeneity, marginalization, disability and vulnerability are touched upon. If Canada adopts the recommendation, it could have far-reaching implications for Canadian citizens. It will influence - if not directly affect - federal funding and resource priorities and relevant government ministries. These include Health Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. In 2024, drawing upon the work of both Health Canada and the Working Party on Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Converging Technologies of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a group of Canadian experts from medicine, law and public health delivered guidance for responsible innovation in neurotechnology. These experts - including two of the authors of this article - strategically revised the original nine principles offered by the OECD into five tailored for Canada. These were: physical and personal safety and trust; societal deliberation and stewardship; global collaboration; strong oversight; and inclusivity and Indigeneity. In April 2025, Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of the original UNESCO expert group published considerations to further safeguard against the risk of neurotechnology becoming an instrument of colonialism. These considerations include access to neurotechnologies for the relief of neurological conditions, as well as for their adoption in research, industry and daily life guided by the values and rights of Indigenous Peoples about brain health and wellness. They included strategies for informed consent processes that align with Indigenous perspectives, and transparency about the use, storage and collection of neural data. Recommendations were also made for investments in digital infrastructure and literacy, and paths to intellectual property protections suitable to holistic and collective knowledge. The behind-the-scenes efforts that led to the UNESCO ethics recommendation must come to the forefront. In October 2024, a Bioethics Council for Canada/Le Conseil canadien de bioethique (BCC-CCB) was legally constituted to provide independent advice to the Canadian government and public. Building on the lessons learned from 140 bioethics councils worldwide, Canada's new BCC-CCB is poised to ensure that the public's trust in science is central to the federal government's mission. Trust must be a renewed theme in matters pertaining to brain health and brain data, alongside other advances that will affect future generations. This trust will mitigate the noise and confusion surrounding us in a time of rapid technological progress, and foster leadership that an informed Canada can provide.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Karnataka, IN-SPACe ink pact to boost space sector
BENGALURU: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, have signed two MoUs to strengthen the state's position as a leading commercial space hub. The MoUs signed signed on Wednesday includes, establishing a Centre of Excellence for Space Technologies in Bengaluru and setting up of a public-private space manufacturing park to anchor next-generation satellite and launch-vehicle production. The MoUs were signed by Ekroop Caur, Secretary to Government (Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology) and Lochan Sehra, Joint Secretary, IN-SPACe, in the presence of Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary to Karnataka, and Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe. Karnataka which is already home to space-related entities is expected to further strengthen its space ecosystem through these initiatives, aligning with the Indian Space Policy 2023, a press release from INSPACE stated. 'The MoUs mark a new chapter in Karnataka's space journey, creating a seamless talent and value chain,' said Shalini Rajneesh. Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe highlighted Karnataka's potential as a hub for NewSpace enterprises. 'We look forward to working closely with the state to see more satellites, engines, and deep-space technologies being developed and manufactured,' he said.
Associated Press
06-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
New Manufacturing Construction Pipeline Grows: 133 Projects Planned with Renovation & Equipment Focus in April 2025
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla., May 6, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Industrial SalesLeads released its April 2025 report on planned capital project spending in the Manufacturing construction industry, highlighting a growing new project pipeline. The Firm's tracking of North American activity identified 133 new projects slated for development. This surge includes investments in facility expansions, the construction of new manufacturing plants, and significant equipment modernization projects. The following are selected highlights on new Manufacturing construction industry news. INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING – BY PROJECT TYPE Manufacturing/Production Facilities – 115 New Projects Distribution and Industrial Warehouse – 100 New Projects INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING – BY PROJECT SCOPE/ACTIVITY New Construction – 31 New Projects Expansion – 41 New Projects Renovations/Equipment Upgrades – 65 New Projects Plant Closings – 11 New Projects INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING – BY PROJECT LOCATION (TOP 10 STATES) Ohio – 13 Texas – 12 Michigan – 9 Pennsylvania – 9 California – 7 North Carolina – 7 Arizona – 6 Illinois – 6 Indiana – 6 New York – 6 LARGEST PLANNED PROJECT For April, our research team identified an impressive 13 new construction projects, each boasting an estimated value exceeding $100 million. This signals a strong wave of investment and expansion within the industry. The largest project is owned by Fuyao Glass America, who is planning to invest $400 million for the expansion and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing facility in DECATUR, IL. They are currently seeking approval for the project. TOP 10 TRACKED INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING PROJECTS OKLAHOMA: Tire mfr. is planning to invest $320 million for the renovation, expansion, and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing and warehouse facility in LAWTON, OK. They are currently seeking approval for the project. TEXAS: Solar module equipment mfr. is planning to invest $265 million for the expansion and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing and warehouse facility in SAN ANTONIO, TX. Completion is slated for early 2026. MINNESOTA: Biotechnology company is planning to invest $132 million for the renovation and equipment upgrades on a 122,000 sf processing facility at 7500 Meridian Circle N. in MAPLE GROVE, MN. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for 2027. ILLINOIS: Medical device mfr. is planning to invest $115 million for the renovation and equipment upgrades on a manufacturing facility in LIBERTYVILLE, IL. They are currently seeking approval for the project. OHIO: Plastic film mfr. is planning to invest $106 million for a 157,000 sf expansion and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing facility in LEXINGTON, OH. The project includes equipment upgrades on their manufacturing facility at 2355 W 4th Street in ONTARIO, OH. They are currently seeking approval for the project. KENTUCKY: Automotive mfr. is planning for the renovation and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing facility in LOUISVILLE, KY. They are currently seeking approval for the project. WEST VIRGINIA: Automotive mfr. is planning to invest $88 million for the renovation and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing facility in BUFFALO, WV. They have recently received approval for the project. Completion is slated for 2026. UTAH: Railroad equipment mfr. is planning to invest $70 million for the expansion of their manufacturing facility in SALT LAKE CITY, UT by 245,000 sf. They are currently seeking approval for the project. KENTUCKY: Packaging company is planning to invest $61 million for the construction of a 100,000 sf manufacturing facility in LEBANON, KY. Completion is slated for Fall 2025. MINNESOTA: Biomedical testing equipment mfr. is planning to invest $50 million for the expansion of their manufacturing facility in CHASKA, MN by 148,000 sf. They are currently seeking approval for the project. About Industrial SalesLeads, Inc. Since 1959, Industrial SalesLeads, based in Jacksonville, FL is a leader in delivering industrial capital project intelligence and prospecting services for sales and marketing teams to ensure a predictable and scalable pipeline. Our Industrial Market Intelligence, IMI identifies timely insights on companies planning significant capital investments such as new construction, expansion, relocation, equipment modernization and plant closings in industrial facilities. The Outsourced Prospecting Services, an extension to your sales team, is designed to drive growth with qualified meetings and appointments for your internal sales team. Visit us at Each month, our team provides hundreds of industrial reports within a variety of industries, including: Learn more: NEWS SOURCE: Industrial SalesLeads Inc Keywords: Reports and Studies, planned capital project spending, Manufacturing construction industry, Industrial SalesLeads, JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Industrial SalesLeads Inc) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P125989 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Zawya
26-02-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Strengthening Saudi Arabia's vaccines and pharmaceutical manufacturing
Jakarta, Indonesia - His Excellency Minister of Health Fahad bin Abdulrahman Aljalajel has successfully concluded a two-day official visit to the Republic of Indonesia, with the witnessing of signing of a strategic memorandum that expands joint initiatives between Saudi and Indonesian pharmaceutical companies, further strengthening and localising Saudi Arabia's vaccines and pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities. On the final day of his visit, His Excellency toured the Organization for Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Center of Excellence on Vaccines and Biotechnology Products at Bio Farma in Jakarta. This Center of Excellence, established following the 6th Islamic Conference of Health Ministers in 2017, is dedicated to advancing the development and production of vaccines and biotechnology products among OIC member countries. During his visit, His Excellency met with senior officials from the Center of Excellence and Bio Farma, which serves as the primary laboratory and operational hub for the center. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Indonesia's Bio Farma and Saudi Arabia's Arabio, in the presence of the minister. As well as strengthening collaboration between the two companies, the memorandum also expands joint initiatives including establishing Arabio as hub for Bio Farma's international vaccine operations in the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as facilitating technology transfer for full vaccine manufacturing, including formulation, fill and finish processes. Arabio's state-of-the-art facilities in Makkah currently undertakes labelling, packaging, quality testing and distribution of Bio Farma vaccines. His Excellency Minister Aljalajel, 'Our visit to Bio Farma and the Center of Excellence underscores the growing collaboration on vaccine manufacturing within the OIC and in Saudi Arabia. This partnership and the technology transfer for full vaccine manufacturing is a major step in enhancing our vaccine and pharmaceutical production capabilities. As part of our Biotech Strategy 2030 it positions the Kingdom as a regional hub for vaccine manufacturing and builds on our position as a centre for innovation in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.' Bio Farma, a WHO-certified vaccine manufacturer, established a biopharmaceutical plant with Arabio in Makkah in 2015, marking one of the first such facilities in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. The Arabio-Bio Farma partnership represents a significant milestone in the manufacture of vaccines and biological products, contributing to the growing localization of pharmaceutical manufacturing in Saudi Arabia. In the past three years alone, Arabio has distributed 41 million doses of Bio Farma vaccines, solidifying its role as a hub for Bio Farma's international vaccine operations in the MENA region. Additionally, His Excellency toured Health Polytechnic Bandung, which offers Arabic language training alongside its international nursing program, reflecting Indonesia's rapid advancements in health education.
