May 19, 2020 – These difficult times challenge our society and force us to live up to the appointment that the future gives us. In Le Monde, historian Yuval Noah Harari recently wrote that “the real antidote to the epidemic is not withdrawal, but cooperation”, adding that “true protection comes from sharing”. Under no circumstances should the current state of containment rhyme with withdrawal. On the contrary, it is through openness, solidarity and generosity that a modern society strengthens itself and writes its History.
It is in this spirit that numerous organizations dedicated to scientific, technological and medical progress in Quebec have mobilized, joined forces and worked in concert with the government to wage a common battle against COVID-19. The mission of these organizations* is to advance Quebec as an innovation ecosystem through collaboration between the entrepreneurial, industrial and scientific communities in key sectors of our economy. Together and in solidarity, they are now moving heaven and earth to find new solutions to the needs associated with the pandemic, through numerous calls for ideas launched to their communities.
The response to these calls was historic. Hundreds of companies, institutions and other players from all corners of the province answered “Present!”, submitting proposals for solutions that were each more innovative than the last – drugs, treatments, medical technologies, digital technologies, applications of artificial intelligence and genomics, antimicrobial coatings and much more. The FRQ-Santé, the MEI and the MSSS, as well as its innovation office, have all taken part in this mobilization. Some of these solutions will be implemented rapidly, while others can be reviewed in the medium and long term.
This abundance of ideas and participation is heartwarming. It testifies to the strength of our ecosystem, which not only doesn’t give up, but stands up and rolls up its sleeves for the future of Quebec. Above all, this momentum propelled by creativity and a wide diversity of expertise demonstrates that Quebec is a land of responsible, caring and committed innovation. The Quebec innovation community understands that, beyond the battle against this virus, many aspects of our society’s future are at stake. Barriers have fallen. A new agility is emerging, and is only waiting to be strengthened.
We can be proud that so many of our innovators and researchers are ready to step up to the plate to ensure that Quebec emerges even stronger from these difficult times. Quebecers can count on an incredible force of innovative companies, institutions and competent research and technology transfer centers that want to collaborate and build the future.
Innovation and collaboration are “words that go so well together”, as the song goes. As this suspended time gives us a unique opportunity to reflect on the legacy we want to leave our children, this spirit of collaboration is more than just fertile ground. It is a source of great hope for what could be “our Quebec of tomorrow”.
Signatories*, in alphabetical order:
- Carl-Éric Aubin, Dir. Exécutif et Scientifique, Institut TransMedTech
- Daniel Coderre, PDG, Génome Québec
- Diane Côté, PDG, MEDTEQ
- Diane Gosselin, PDG, CQDM
- Marie-Pierre Ippersiel, PDG, PRIMA Québec
- Carole Jabet, Directrice Scientifique, FRQS
- Gilles Savard, DG, IVADO
- Luc Sirois, DG, PROMPT
- Rémi Quirion, Scientifique en Chef du Québec
- Paul L’Archevêque, Dirigeant de l’innovation, Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux
