Sequence Bio CEO named to federal Economic Strategy Table

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development appointed Sequence Bio CEO, Chris Gardner, to the newly created federal Health/Bio-sciences Economic Strategy Table to identify new and exciting opportunities for modernizing and innovating healthcare in Canada.

Chris Gardner is Co-Founder and CEO of Sequence Bio, a Newfoundland and Labrador data-driven biotechnology company. Sequence Bio plans to lead a large-scale genetic research project in Newfoundland and Labrador to create the world’s most powerful genotype-phenotype drug discovery platform for novel target identification and validation.

The Health/Bio-sciences Economic Strategy Table features a group of approximately 15 CEOs and leaders in the health and bio-sciences field, and is chaired by Karimah Es Sabar, Chief Executive Officer & Partner, Quark Venture Inc. This team will help to set ambitious growth targets, identify challenges and lay out an actionable roadmap to position Canada as a global leader in health innovation - leading to new business opportunities and middle-class jobs for Canadians.

“Canadians are known for finding the better, smarter way - and it’s time we brought that thinking to health care. I’m proud to join this team of disruptors to drive real, meaningful change that will improve the health of Canadians while promoting our innovation sector around the world.” Chris Gardner stated. “At Sequence Bio, we’re striving to transform drug discovery and develop more effective, safer medicines. We’re taking a new approach by engaging research participants in the research process and in their own healthcare by returning findings about their genetic makeup.”

“The sustainability of health care for the future is one of my top priorities. Finding patient-focused innovations is essential to improving access to care. I look forward to seeing Canadian-led innovations that will help fuel a health care revolution that will ensure Canadians in all parts of our nation have better access to care,” the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health stated.

These tables are part of the Government of Canada’s new vision for Canada’s economy as a global leader in innovation. The Health/Bio-sciences strategy table will meet regularly starting in 2017 and will present a report of findings and recommendations to the Honourable Minister Bains in 2018. These tables will support the Government’s goal of doubling the number of high-growth Canadian companies to 28,000 from 14,000 by 2025.

About Sequence Bio

Sequence Bio is a biotechnology company striving to transform drug discovery by researching the one-of-a-kind genetic makeup of Newfoundland and Labrador. The company is committed to taking a participant-centric approach with a world-class privacy and ethics framework that will return benefits and enhance the lives of individuals, families, and communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.