Windsor-Essex is the cross-border hub of research and innovation, where dynamic and life-changing discoveries are made. Our proximity to Detroit opens opportunities for cross-border medical research studies, a diverse population for clinical trials and a direct link between Canadian and U.S. health networks. We work together to expand our medical equipment and device manufacturing, clinical trials and nutraceutical development for the benefit of our community.
We provide a business friendly location to help advance our medical knowledge and expertise and support our communities for a sustainable future.
Sector highlights
Our life science sector earns rewards from the following advantages:
- Developing a cross-border health corridor linking U.S. and Canadian health networks
- Innovating products and protocols by Windsor-Essex companies
- Accrediting Canada's first outpatient echocardiography lab
- Linking the region with Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit for emergency cardiac surgery
Industry profile
Windsor-Essex is home to more than 50 companies that are actively involved in the fast-growing life sciences field. Our sector currently employs more than 1,800 people, with approximately 900 skilled Windsor-Essex graduates and 7500 U.S. graduates from nearby institutions who specialize in life science and contribute to the growing industry each year.
Our geographic advantage offers companies access to health facilities in Detroit including Henry Ford Health Systems, with its seven hospitals and 40 medical centres, and the Detroit Medical Center.
Approximately 1600 nurses and health care workers who live in the Windsor-Essex region cross the border daily to work in Detroit, Michigan.
Known for the largest producing region of softgel capsules in Canada, our highly-skilled manufacturing workforce attracts major pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing companies including Jamieson Laboratories, Catalent and CapsCanada to meet their demands of extremely tight tolerances and a variety of materials. Beyond this, we are home to more than 40 other manufacturing companies that are innovating the future with medical and control devices, and medical equipment and supplies.
Education and research
Education and research within the life science sector is supported by local and cross-border institutions and state-of-the-art facilities that offer life-long learning and fosters opportunities that lead to new discoveries:
- University of Windsor Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry – Windsor program
- St. Clair College Centre for Applied Health Sciences
- Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
- Windsor Regional Hospital
- Henry Ford Health Systems - 7 hospitals, 40 medical centres
- Detroit Medical Centre - 9 hospitals, 2 specialized partner institutes
- WE-SPARK Health Institute
Research and development and international clinical trials
We support diverse opportunities and collaboration for our research and development and international clinical trials with:
- Eight renowned life sciences research universities within 150 km
- Cutting-edge cancer research using natural products being conducted at University of Windsor
- Lower regulatory barriers for clinical trials and higher physician practice volumes in Canada than in the U.S.
- Proximity to large and diverse population – ideal source of subjects for clinical trials
Manufacturing capabilities
If you're working in manufacturing development for life sciences, consider the advantages we offer:
- High-quality medical devices and equipment manufacturing using precision tools
- Highly skilled manufacturing workforce accustomed to working within extremely tight tolerances and a variety of materials
- Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturers
- Medical and control device manufacturers
- Medical equipment and supplies manufacturers