Life Sciences

Durham Region is an emerging hub for life sciences in Ontario.

The growth of our life sciences sector is anchored by a strong health network.

Lakeridge Health, comprised of five hospitals across Durham Region, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, and the Oshawa Clinic Group, Canada’s largest private medical clinic, are each active in health innovation and are major contributors to employment in the region.

Innovations in eHealth, Artificial Intelligence and medical technology are enhancing healthcare globally, and Durham Region is well positioned to contribute to advancements in healthcare delivery and patient care.

Durham Region is positioned to be a leader in developing next-generation health solutions and innovation through its:

Strong talent pipeline from three post-secondary schools;
Advancement of medical technologies and digital health through a supportive ecosystem;
Established advanced manufacturing base and growing tech sector; and,
Focus on community wellness and human performance.

Please contact us to learn more about business opportunities in Durham Region.

The Life Sciences Business Ecosystem

Research and Innovation

Durham Region institutions are innovating in the life sciences sector.

Durham College

Durham College has significant research infrastructure and most recently added a nursing simulation lab.
One of Durham College’s research priorities is “cultivating healthy lives and resilient communities”. Outcomes have included a Web and Mobile Video-based Virtual Care Solution, as well as an application that assists with the booking of chemotherapy appointments.
In 2020, Durham College’s AI/Hub partnered with ConnexHealth to develop Pharmalinx, which supported prescription delivery to homes.

Ontario Tech University

Ontario Tech University research focus includes artificial intelligence, life science, health and is home to the Joint Research Centre in AI for Health and Wellness.
Ontario Tech has announced a partnership with Ontario Shores which will focus on innovative dementia care.
Ontario Tech undertaking research in pioneering virtual reality health care training.
Durham Region and Ontario Tech research partnership in response to COVID-19 drives potentially life-saving new research through wastewater testing.

Lakeridge Health

Lakeridge Health is home to the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Region Cancer Centre, one of the top cancer centres in Ontario with over 60 clinical trials underway.

Medical Isotopes

About 40 per cent of the world’s single-use medical devices, such as syringes, gloves, implants and surgical instruments, are irradiated and sterilized with Cobalt-60. Currently, Cobalt-60 is extracted from reactors at Pickering Nuclear every 24 to 30 months.

In November 2019, OPG announced it would be expanding its production of Cobalt-60 to Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. Ontario’s CANDU reactors produce 50 per cent of the world’s supply of the isotope.

Lakeridge Health Education and Research Network

The Lakeridge Health Education and Research Network (LHEARN) is a hub for cutting edge training, education and research.

The $6.6 million facility features a 210-seat lecture hall, classrooms, conference rooms, health sciences library and simulation labs to be used by Lakeridge Health and students from Queen’s University to train the next generation of health care practitioners.

The LHEARN centre is about 19,500 square feet and is located in the North Wing of the Oshawa hospital. Lakeridge Health currently has students training in the fields of medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, social work, and a variety of other health disciplines.

Lakeridge Health has partnered with more than 80 post-secondary institutions, including Queen's University, Durham College, Ontario Tech and the University of Toronto, to train the next generation of healthcare providers. Students, clinical staff, physicians and trainees learn in innovative high-fidelity simulation labs and challenge themselves with real world scenarios dedicated to improving patient care as well as clinical skills and teamwork. To date, LHEARN has been host to nearly 600 research studies and clinical trials across nearly every clinical program at Lakeridge Health.

Health Facilities

A Strong LifeScience Industry Base

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing

Med Tech/Digital Technology

Research and Medical Isotopes

Life Sciences Education Programs

Durham College

Durham College's School of Health & Community Services (HCS) and School of Science and Engineering offer certificates in a variety of areas, including addiction and mental health, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Laboratory and Engineering programs.

Trent University Durham GTA

Trent University Durham GTA offers numerous degree, masters and professional programs including:

Ontario Tech University

Ontario Tech University's faculties offer a number of life sciences degree programs. Building on their strategic priority of “tech with a conscience”, Ontario Tech University's expanding research portfolio includes two new Canada Research Chairs (CRC).

Ontario Tech, in collaboration with Lakeridge Health has also recently developed a micro-credential program for safe-lifting and safe patient transfer.

Queens University – Bowmanville-Oshawa-Lakeridge (QBOL)

Queen’s Bowmanville-Oshawa-Lakeridge Site (QBOL) was established in 2012 and is one of four Queen’s University teaching sites in the Department of Family Medicine. The innovative QBOL curriculum was designed from the ground up to be a competency-based “Triple C” site, centred on Family Medicine, Continuity and Comprehensiveness.

The partnership with Lakeridge Health resulted in the opening of the LHEARN Centre at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. The LHEARN Centre is a regional medical education hub which houses QBOL administrative offices, meeting rooms which are used for academic teachings, a library, and a resident lounge.

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