Press Release Detail
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000
From the Land to the Rover: Deloitte and Ogilvy Renault Look at the Future of Agri-biotechnology
April 9, 2008
Toronto, April 9, 2008 - Clean technologies are proving they can be good for business and the environment at the same time. This includes agri-biotechnology innovations-from food production to biofuel use. Deloitte and Ogilvy Renault hosted a seminar today at the MaRS Centre to examine this rapidly growing sector. A panel of industry leaders shared their insights on investment opportunities, challenges and developments.
"Innovative agri-biotechnologies are already improving the environment, society and creating new business opportunities in biofuels, human and animal health and food supply and distribution," says John Ruffolo, National Leader for Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Deloitte Canada.
Panel members represented the life sciences, biofuel, organic farming and university research sectors. They looked at three main areas of agri-biotechnology:
- Improved food safety through organic farming and clean technologies
- The benefits and challenges of bio-based fuels (including the food vs. fuel debate)
- Opportunities for investment and commercialization in the agri-biotechnology sector
"Today's concerns with the environment are different than in the past," says Rick Sutin, senior partner at Ogilvy Renault and co-chair of the firm's Cleantech practice. "The difference is the recognition that the solutions will come from private sector financed innovation. This means free market economics and social good have truly converged. We're starting to see the results in the agri-biotechnology sector today-and there's much more to come."
The panel was moderated by:
Toby Heaps-President, editor and co-founder of Corporate Knights. Launched in 2002, Corporate Knights is the world's largest circulation magazine dedicated to the subject of responsible business.
Members of the panel included:
Graeme McRae-President and CEO of Bioniche Life Sciences, a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company based in Belleville. Bioniche created the E. coli O157:H7 cattle vaccine. It's the world's first vaccine to reduce the amount of this bacteria shed by cattle.
Tim Haig-President and CEO of BIOX Corporation and chair of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. BIOX is a renewable energy company that designed, built, owns and operates a 60 million litre per year biodiesel production facility in Hamilton.
Duncan Stewart-Director of Research for Deloitte Canada, covering Technology, Media & Telecommunications. He is also President and CEO of Duncan Stewart Asset Management Inc. Duncan is a regular speaker at industry conferences, venture capital and money management forums, as well as a regular media contributor.
Steve Cavell-CEO of Organic Meadow, based in Guelph. This farmer-owned co-operative produces a full line of certified organic dairy products. Organic Meadow milk is the market leader and is sold across Canada.
Dr. Alan Wildeman-Vice-president (Research) of the University of Guelph. Dr. Wildeman served for many years on review panels for the Medical Research Council and the National Cancer Institute of Canada. He was appointed the University of Windsor's sixth president and vice-chancellor, to commence on June 30, 2008.
About Deloitte
Deloitte, one of Canada's leading professional services firms, provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services through more than 7,600 people in 56 offices. Deloitte operates in Québec as Samson Bélair/Deloitte & Touche s.e.n.c.r.l. The firm is dedicated to helping its clients and its people excel. Deloitte is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and its Member Firms.
About Ogilvy Renault
Ogilvy Renault LLP is a full-service law firm with close to 450 lawyers, patent and trade-mark agents practising in the areas of business, litigation, intellectual property and employment and labour. Ogilvy Renault has offices in Montréal, Ottawa, Québec, Toronto, and London (England), and serves some of the largest and most successful corporations in Canada and in more than 120 countries worldwide. Find out more at ogilvyrenault.com.
Contacts
Peter Zvanitajs - Toronto
Senior Advisor, Media Relations
416.216.1871
pzvanitajs@ogilvyrenault.com
Joanne Lajeunesse - Montréal
Director, Marketing and Media Relations - Quebec Region
514.847.4723
jlajeunesse@ogilvyrenault.com
Media Kit
