The Economic Contribution of the Nova Scotia Life Sciences Sector

This study focuses on the economic impact that private Nova Scotia life sciences firms (including biotechnology firms) have had on the province and nationwide in recent years. The report also examines the significance of public sector R&D in life sciences and the role that public institutions and research may have in fostering private sector activity. Section 3 provides a clear and measurable definition for life sciences. Section 4 describes the task of aggregating key economic indicators to define private sector life sciences firms. In addition, the size of public sector R&D in life sciences and potential links to private sector investment and spin-off firms are explored. Section 5 presents the results of the economic model simulations that calculate direct, indirect and induced impacts of private life science firms on economic indicators, employment and government revenues. Section 6 concludes.