Everything you need to turn cancer and rare disease research into care.
Boreal is an early-phase cell and gene therapy CDMO that delivers the combination of ingenuity, patient access, and brainpower it takes to ignite the spark and propel you to your next success.
At some point, the question will come up: “How do we find the cell therapy and viral vector CDMO that we really want to work with?”
If you highly value collaboration, are excited by doing what’s never been done before, and want access to some of the brightest minds in the business, you’ll find Boreal checks all the right boxes. It’s what’s brought clients back to us time and again, to the tune of 300+ clinical batches, 20 GMP products, and participation in clinical trials run across the globe.
When you choose Boreal, you work with a team built for agility; we’re always ready — and willing — to pivot from Plan A to Plan B (or even Plan C) if your science and business objectives change.
At the point of innovation, the point of care, and all points in between, you’ll find Boreal uniquely prepared to connect you with everyone vital to early-phase success: researchers, innovators, clinicians, and patients.
At Boreal, you get direct access to scientific leaders who’ve been responsible for game-changing innovations in viral vectors and cell therapy. You can draw on this deep well of knowledge to turn your most promising ideas into action.
Working with the right team can speed the path to success. So let’s start now.
Get StartedEvery CDMO is different. Just like every development program. Choosing the right partner means finding an organization whose capabilities, expertise, and approach align with your program’s specific needs.
An early-phase CDMO helps innovators transform promising scientific discoveries into therapies that are ready for clinical trials. At Boreal, that means helping researchers and biotech companies navigate the critical stages between proof of concept and clinical testing, including process development, analytical testing, GMP manufacturing, and supply of investigational products for early-stage clinical trials.
Early-phase CDMOs are focused on helping programs navigate the transition from preclinical development to clinical trials. They typically emphasize process development, flexibility, and regulatory readiness. At Boreal, we provide the scientific expertise and collaborative support needed when therapies are still taking shape. Late-phase CDMOs are generally optimized for large-scale manufacturing, commercial production, and supply chain management after a therapy has demonstrated clinical success.
Being embedded in a research hospital environment helps keep manufacturing decisions closely connected to the realities of clinical development. Through our connections to clinicians, researchers, and clinical trial expertise, Boreal operates within an ecosystem that understands the practical requirements of moving therapies into human studies. This can help identify potential challenges earlier and support more efficient planning as programs advance toward the clinic.
Technical expertise is essential, but it’s only part of the equation. Look for a partner with deep cell and gene therapy experience, strong GMP capabilities, proven quality systems, and the flexibility to adapt as your program evolves. Just as importantly, look for a team that sees itself as a partner on your journey, not simply a supplier. The most successful programs are often built on collaboration, shared problem-solving, and mutual commitment to clinical success.
Yes. While Boreal has significant expertise supporting oncology and rare disease programs, project opportunities are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Organizations interested in exploring a potential collaboration are encouraged to contact the Boreal team to discuss their specific therapeutic area and development goals.
Boreal Biomanufacturing is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
A Canadian CDMO can offer the best of both worlds: access to world-class scientific expertise and a favourable cost environment for international organizations that can help make early-phase development resources go further without compromising quality or expertise. For Boreal clients, it also means working with a team that has spent two decades helping advanced therapies move toward the clinic.
Yes. Boreal is part of The Ottawa Hospital, one of Canada’s leading clinical research centres, with nearly 800 active clinical trials underway. We operate within an ecosystem that includes extensive clinical research expertise and experience. Through our network of researchers, clinicians, and collaborators, Boreal helps connect promising therapies to the resources required for successful clinical development.
Most CDMOs can manufacture products. Boreal was built to help innovators overcome the challenges that prevent promising therapies from reaching patients. We combine a mission-driven, non-profit model, connections that come from being embedded within a leading research hospital, and expertise gained through more than 20 years of advanced therapy development and manufacturing. Our approach emphasizes scientific collaboration and long-term partnership. Together, those qualities help our clients turn promising research into patient care.
Many large CDMOs are designed for scale. Boreal is designed for partnership. We work closely with innovators during the critical early phases of development, providing hands-on support, scientific engagement, and the flexibility needed to navigate complex and evolving programs. Our goal is to help clients overcome obstacles and advance promising therapies toward the clinic.
Many promising therapies stall not because the science is flawed, but because of challenges related to process development, manufacturing readiness, regulatory requirements, or access to specialized expertise. Boreal helps bridge the gap by offering established platform capabilities and manufacturing expertise, allowing innovators to build on proven approaches rather than developing everything from the ground up. This reduces risk and accelerates the transition from preclinical development to clinical trials.
Boreal specializes in cell and gene therapy manufacturing, with a focus on therapies for oncology and rare diseases. We have particular expertise in stem cell therapies, modified cell therapies (including CAR-T), oncolytic viruses, and viral vectors (including adenovirus, AAV, and LVV). Please see “CDMO Services” for more information.
At The Ottawa Hospital, research is integrated into patient care, enabling clinicians to offer innovative treatments and improve patients’ quality of life. Boreal contributes to this mission by transforming promising scientific discoveries into therapies that can be evaluated in clinical trials. By advancing innovations from the laboratory toward the clinic, we put the “Research Is Care” philosophy into practice.
The answer starts with our history. The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s top centres for cancer research and is recognized as a global leader in the development of cancer biotherapeutics. Boreal was born from the need for specialized manufacturing to bring those cancer therapies into clinical testing. Today, many of the same advanced therapy platforms used in oncology are also being developed for rare diseases. As a result, Boreal has built deep expertise supporting both areas while remaining open to innovative programs across a range of therapeutic applications.
Advanced therapy development is rarely a straight line. Boreal was intentionally built to be flexible. Our team works closely with clients to respond to evolving data, changing priorities, and new opportunities. Rather than forcing programs to fit a rigid process, we focus on identifying the best path forward while maintaining quality and regulatory standards.
Boreal is part of The Ottawa Hospital, which is a member of the Ottawa Academic Health Network, a collaborative partnership that brings together the University of Ottawa, its affiliated hospitals, and research institutes. Boreal’s scientific advisors and many of its collaborators are scientists at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and professors at the University of Ottawa, and some hold clinical appointments at The Ottawa Hospital. These close connections help foster collaboration across research, education, clinical care, and biomanufacturing, supporting the development of innovative new therapies.
You’ve got a game-changing idea to treat cancer or rare disease. We’re ready to bring it to life. Let’s get started.
