Announcement of a Major Development in the International Fight Against Malaria

Speaking Points

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, PC, MP
Minister of State (Science and Technology)

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
March 18, 2011

Check Against Delivery

Thank you very much, Brad.

Mr. (John) McDougall, Dr. (Tue) Nguyen, Dr. (Chris) Paddon, Mr. (Jerome) Konecsni.

It has taken significant efforts by many dedicated researchers over the past years and the investment of substantial funds to reach this point. I am very pleased to welcome our guests from the Institute for OneWorld Health and Amyris and to acknowledge important contributions from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Sanofi-aventis.

It's a pleasure to be here and a real honour to meet some of the individuals who are making such an outstanding contribution to the global fight against malaria. This is another great example of what we can overcome when we bring the private sector, government and research together. The possibilities are endless.

Malaria is a terrible disease. It is responsible for the deaths of more than a million people every year. Expectant mothers are especially at risk and malaria is the leading cause of death for children under five.

I am pleased to announce that, thanks to researchers here at the National Research Council in Saskatoon and our partners represented here today, new developments will now allow malaria to be treated and beaten in a way that is affordable and reliable.

In other words, this is a real breakthrough in the fight against malaria—with the potential to save literally millions of lives in the years ahead, particularly those of mothers and children living in Africa. This is an excellent example of the drive and ingenuity of NRC researchers here in Saskatoon and across Canada.

Until today, the key ingredient in the treatment for malaria has always been produced from the type of plant you see here.

It is an expensive process, and because it is plant-based, supplies are not reliable at all times of the year.

Now, thanks to the team gathered here today, there is a less expensive version that can be produced year-round in a lab.

Large-scale production of this new version of the treatment is expected to start early next year. In addition, the treatment will be distributed in developing nations on a strictly non-profit, break-even basis.

As a Canadian, I am proud that some of the key research happened right here at the National Research Council's plant biotechnology labs and that we're seeing the results of the Government of Canada's continued support for this research.

That speaks highly of the innovative minds and the research expertise we have in this country. I should mention that this work is ongoing here in Saskatoon, as our researchers continue to explore and make new discoveries in biology and other scientific fields.

The National Research Council's part in this collaborative project also speaks to our government's support for research that can be commercialized and shared with countries around the world. This new development is a great example of how a Canadian discovery can make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable people around the world—especially mothers and young children—and of our government's commitment to help the most vulnerable.

That is why, just a few months ago, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada would not only continue but also increase its financial support for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria—diseases to which mothers, newborns and young children are particularly vulnerable.

It is why, at the G8 last year, Canada led the adoption of the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. By mobilizing support from G8 and non-G8 leaders, key donors and private foundations, we expect this effort to realize more than $10 billion over the next five years.

There is no question that the breakthrough in malaria treatment we're celebrating here today will play an important part in achieving real results in health research that we all want to see. To support work such as this, our government has made significant new investments in research and innovation in the last five federal budgets. This year, it is estimated that federal government spending on science and technology will reach a record $11.7 billion.

We are tremendously pleased that Canada had the opportunity to work with such esteemed international partners and to play a role in the collaboration that has brought us to this milestone.

Thank you all very much.