The biggest biotechnology financing conference on North America’s East coast, BIO VentureForum East (BVFE), officially kicks off today in Montreal and will run on June 19 and 20.

Put on each year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, this large event is being held outside of the United States for the very first time, thanks to active support from BIOTECanada and Montreal InVivo, Metro Montréal’s life sciences cluster.

“We are proud to be in Montréal, one of the top biotech hubs in North America. The biotech community is thriving here, and in Canada overall, with billions of dollars in sales and R&D each year”, says Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO. “Over the next two days, we look forward to many valuable and vibrant discussions regarding biotech in Canada and the U.S.”, he adds.

The conference, with over 300 people attending, will help spark financing opportunities for biotech stakeholders and venture capital firms from Quebec, other Canadian provinces and abroad, as well as nurturing collaboration in the life sciences industry.

“Global competition for investment into our industry has never been higher. This is an important opportunity to showcase what Canadian biotechnology discovery and innovation has to offer to the more than 60 venture capital organizations who are attending this event,” says Peter Brenders, president and CEO of BIOTECanada. “The Canadian industry needs to grow its recognition with U.S. VC’s and other investors in order to realize its objectives.”

Hosting BVFE is highly strategic for the Montréal area, and it is a perfect fit with the priorities of metropolitan Montreal’s life sciences cluster. “One of our main objectives is securing financing for our biotech and health technology companies,” stated Mr. Carl Viel, Montréal InVivo’s General Manager. “This is why, along with our partners, the Fonds de solidarité du Québec and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, we have backed Montréal as host for this major gathering, which will showcase all of our industry’s diversity and expertise to the international biotechnology community,” he adds.