June 20, 2017
SAN DIEGO, CA – (June 19, 2017) Linking agriculture and health through the development, deployment and validation of agricultural innovation is the goal of the newly launched World Food Alliance (WFA). The founding members- AfricaBio; Genome Prairie; LifeSciences Queensland Ltd (LSQ) and Manitoba Agri-Health Research Network Inc. (MAHRN) – signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collectively advance science-based solutions to emerging global health and food security priorities. The MOU was signed at the LifeSciences Queenland Breakfast at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2017 convention in San Diego in front of 100 international delegates.
“The challenges of diet related conditions are a global issue and require an integrated approach that leverages the power of innovation from crop genetics, through improved processing to validation of efficacy in the end user” said Lee Anne Murphy, executive director of MAHRN. “World Food Alliance is the uniquely positioned to bring together innovators who have embraced the mission of ‘Foods for Health’. Murphy indicated the Alliance has identified partner organizations in Canada, Australia and South Africa to extend the work of the project teams.
“Genome Prairie is very pleased to work with our founding partners to grow this initiative, and to build the resources required to help Canada play its role in increasing sustainable agricultural production of nutritious food to increase the quality of lives” said Dr. Reno Pontarollo, President & CEO of Genome Prairie.
About The Founders
AfricaBio – an independent, non-profit biotechnology stakeholder’s association for the safe, ethical and responsible research, development and application of biotechnology and its products
Genome Prairie – an organisation that is enabling and managing projects in advanced bioscience research with strong benefits for Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Life Sciences Queensland Ltd (LSQ) – an industry-lead not-for-profit Australian peak industry body promoting the role of life sciences innovation in economic development
Manitoba Agri-Health Research Network Inc. (MAHRN) – a not-for-profit Canadian organization that advances plant and animal bioactive discoveries to improve health-
Contact:
Lee Anne Murphy, PhD, Executive Director
Manitoba Agri-Health Research Network Inc (MAHRN)
lam@mahrn.ca or (204) 228-3971
