This episode features a really interesting conversation with Regis Duffy, the founder of Chemical Diagnostics Limited in Prince Edward Island. The business was partly sold to Sekisui Chemical, a Japanese chemical company in 2007, while the remainder of the company turned into Biovectra, a company with 700 employees and a new mRna vaccine manufacturing facility that opened in 2023. The company also has operations in Nova Scotia. Sekisui Diagnostics has nearly 200 employees on the Island. Regis has been called the Godfather of Biosciences in PEI and was instrumental in the establishment of the PEI BioAlliance, serving as its first Chair of the Board. This sector now accounts for over $600 million of mostly export revenue for PEI and over 2,200 jobs. It is likely that there would not be a biotech cluster on the Island without Regis Duffy. Regis is likely not that well known outside of PEI, but it is yet another example of the amazing entrepreneurs in the region. He continues to be involved in start-ups and mentorship with the PEI BioAlliance and is an active philanthropist on the Island. This is an inspiring podcast.
Podcast: Regis Duffy or the Godfather of Bioscience talks building the industry on PEI
