Inside the Montreal lab working to prepare Canada against future pandemics

In a Montreal biomedicine laboratory at Polytechnique Montréal, researchers in white lab coats are growing animal protein in a bubbling orange solution, while neatly-labeled glass bottles filled with clear liquid line the shelves next to computer monitors where scientists examine antibodies produced by cells. The lab, spearheaded by the federal initiative Ramp Up, aims to prepare Canada against future pandemics.

Head researcher Gregory De Crescenzo emphasizes that preparation is critical, stating "It's not a matter of if, but when" when discussing the inevitability of the next pandemic.

De Crescenzo and his team work with viruses like influenza and bird flu, but their research can be applied to a wide range of diseases. The lab's role is to normalize processes and verify protocols before transferring them to industries for large-scale production. Ramp Up's main goal is to fast-track vaccine and biomedical processes and train students, with the ultimate aim of reducing Canada's reliance on imports and supply chain limitations.

The lab's equipment includes tubes for cell growth and industrial freezers to preserve samples and bacteria long-term. De Crescenzo compares the lab to a culinary kitchen, where recipes are carefully written, verified, and transferred to industries for production. He believes Canada is more prepared for future pandemics than before COVID-19, but acknowledges that there is still work to be done to ensure scalability and cooperation between government, academia, and industry.

Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Toronto, agrees that a coordinated, multi-sector approach is crucial for pandemic preparedness, stating "It's a whole of government and a whole of society response." He points to Canada's response to the hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in May as an example of cross-sector collaboration.

Launched in 2024, Ramp Up collaborates with several institutions across Canada, aiming to address gaps in the biomanufacturing sector. Health Canada has invested $712 million in upgrading biocontainment facilities and creating research hubs, including at Polytechnique Montréal. By 2029, Canada is expected to need over 15,000 highly skilled workers in the field.

Master's student Marie-Gael Tchummo emphasizes the importance of public trust in initiatives like Ramp Up, stating that transparency is key to overcoming vaccine hesitancy.