The Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC)
(3BL Media) March 16, 2012 - The Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC) is a national biotechnology-focused science competition that exposes high school and CEGEP students to the exciting field of biotechnology and the opportunities a career in the bio-economy might hold for them. These students have the chance to participate in cutting-edge research projects that tackle some of the day’s toughest challenges.
Spearheaded by Sanofi Canada and Sanofi Pasteur in Canada, the Challenge, now in its 19th year, is an important event that introduces students to the real world of biotechnology, challenging them to carry out a research project of their own design. Student teams work with a mentor in their community who provides expert advice and access to equipment and supplies. Finally, an expert panel of judges selects the winning projects using preset criteria.
Today, more than 100 national, provincial and local organizations partner in this educational outreach initiative and over 4,000 have participated in the program since its inception.
The national competition brings together the winners of each regional competition to present their work in front of some of Canada’s pre-eminent scientists. The two-day competition is held each year at the National Research Council of Canada headquarters. Students compete for the right to represent Canada at the International BioGENEius Challenge as well as a cash award.
Last year’s winner, Marshall Zhang, a grade 11 student from BayviewSecondary School in Richmond Hill, met Sanofi officials in Washington during Sanofi’s closing event at the 2011 International BIO Convention. The 16-year-old received congratulations from Hugh O’Neill, President and CEO of Sanofi Canada, Chris Viehbacher, CEO of the global Sanofi organization, Mark Lievonen, President, Sanofi Pasteur Limited, Dr. Elias Zerhouni, President, Global R&D, Sanofi, and Glen Murray, Ontario’s Minister of Innovation in 2011.
The 2012 National competition will be held May 7 and 8.
For more information about the Sanofi BioGENious Challenge Canada, visit: http://sanofibiogeneiuschallenge.ca/
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, emerging markets and animal health. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
Sanofi companies in Canada include sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (health and beauty), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health). Together they employ more than 1,700 people, mainly in the greater Montreal and Toronto areas. In 2010 Sanofi companies invested $159.2 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country.
