Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
April 6, 2016

Diversifying the Economy Through Innovation

Genomics-Based R&D Centre for Hearing Science Opens in Grand Falls-Windsor

The EXCITE Corporation today announced the establishment of the Genomics-Based R&D Centre for Hearing Science in Grand Falls-Windsor. Funding of more than $1 million was announced by Barry Manuel, Mayor of the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor and Chair of the EXCITE Corporation. Mayor Manuel was joined by the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, who announced $190,000 on behalf of the Provincial Government.

�Innovation has a tremendous influence on our province�s social and economic development. The research that will be undertaken at the Genomic-Based R&D Centre promises to be ground-breaking, offering new solutions for those suffering from hearing loss. With Provincial Government support of $190,000, this project will bring advanced research to Grand-Falls Windsor, expand our education-based partnerships, while also opening rural Newfoundland and Labrador up to the opportunities that exist in the advanced healthcare sector.�
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Genomic-Based R&D Centre for Hearing Science will be a living laboratory designed to investigate the auditory system of families with genetic forms of hearing loss in order to generate better solutions for affected people. The Government of Canada is investing $632,716 in the project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

�This EXCITE project aligns well with our government�s focus on Infrastructure and Innovation and builds capacity in Grand Falls-Windsor�s developing knowledge and innovation economy. We are committed to partnering with other levels of government and educational institutions to ensure federal programs support innovation and commercialization, scientific research and entrepreneurship to create lasting and meaningful impacts in our community.�
- Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Exploits on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

The project will be led by Memorial University, the University of Western Ontario, and McMaster University in collaboration with the EXCITE Corporation. Dr. Terry-Lynn Young, a professor in Memorial�s Faculty of Medicine will be the principal investigator.

�A project of this magnitude in rural Newfoundland and Labrador is testament to what can happen with determination, creative and innovative thinking and cooperative partnerships. This announcement is significant in achieving our long term goal of building a healthcare/ life science economy in Grand Falls-Windsor. We appreciate the support and partnering of the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as well as that of our three university collaborators, Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Western Ontario and McMaster University.�
- Barry Manuel, Mayor, Town of Grand Falls-Windsor and Chair, EXCITE Corporation Inc.

Project Funding supports EXCITE�s long term goals of:

• Commercialization to attract future investment in Grand Falls-Windsor.
• Longitudinal genomic research projects in hearing and cross-over projects in other disciplines in the human genome.
• The development of an international hearing research education centre

�Through our Strategic Research Intensity Plan, Memorial University is addressing research priorities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. Terry-Lynn Young and her collaborators are engaging in innovative research that will improve the well-being of the people of our province and beyond. Memorial is proud to contribute to the establishment of this new R&D centre in Grand Falls-Windsor.�
- Dr. Richard Marceau, Vice-President (Research), Memorial University of Newfoundland

Memorial�s Faculty of Medicine is contributing $180,000 to the R&D centre. Additional information on EXCITE and their projects can be found by visiting: www.excitecorp.nf.ca .

QUICK FACTS

• The EXCITE Corporation is establishing a Genomic-Based R&D Centre for Hearing Science in Grand Falls-Windsor.
• The Genomic-Based R&D Centre will study the human auditory system in order to generate better solutions for hearing loss.
• Total project funding of $1,002,716 includes investments by the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Media contacts:

Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca	Stanley Singh Executive Director EXCITE Corporation 709-486-4029 Stansingh007@outlook.com
Julie Afonso Acting Director, Public Affairs ACOA NL 709-772-2984 Julie.Afonso@canada.ca	Jeff Green Communications Co-ordinator (Research) Memorial University of Newfoundland 709-864-4073; 687-9243 jeffg@mun.ca

2016 04 06                             1:50 p.m.