Montreal, Quebec — November 25, 2025 — Leads & Copy — AbbVie and adMare BioInnovations have announced the launch of the AbbVie Biotech Innovators Award to boost innovation and growth within Quebec’s life sciences sector.
The award, funded by AbbVie, will provide one early-stage biotech startup with a year of rent-free laboratory and office space at the adMare Innovation Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The award also includes access to shared equipment and services. The chosen startup will also receive mentorship and support from AbbVie’s scientific and business executives, accelerating their scientific progress.
AbbVie is collaborating with adMare BioInnovations, an organization focused on developing strong Canadian life science companies with global impact. The partnership aims to support early-stage biotechnology companies that are developing potentially transformative therapies. AbbVie’s therapeutic areas of focus include immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, and aesthetics.
Gordon C. McCauley, President and CEO of adMare BioInnovations, stated that the award reflects adMare’s commitment to helping create and scale globally competitive Canadian life science companies. He added that they are honored to partner with AbbVie to provide Canada’s next biotech leader with dedicated turn-key wet lab and office space in their Montreal Innovation Centre, enabling them to focus on advancing their technology and achieving scientific milestones, and ultimately bring life-changing innovation to patients, faster.
Rami Fayed, Vice President and General Manager of AbbVie Canada, expressed delight in bringing the biotech award to researchers in Quebec, highlighting AbbVie’s dedication to fostering a thriving life sciences ecosystem and addressing challenging health issues. He anticipates working with adMare BioInnovations and the selected recipient to advance significant health innovation that will have a remarkable impact on people’s lives.
Applications are open from today through February 20, 2026. Details about application requirements and judging criteria are available at https://www.admarebio.com/en/abbvie-award.
Quebec’s life sciences and health technologies industry contributes $6.5 billion to Quebec’s GDP.
AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. Key therapeutic areas include immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care, as well as products and services in the Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, visit www.abbvie.ca. Follow AbbVie Canada on Instagram or LinkedIn.
adMare BioInnovations uses its scientific and commercial expertise, specialized R&D infrastructure, and seed capital to build strong life sciences companies, develop robust ecosystems, and foster industry-ready talent. It has helped build 38 companies, of which 27 are still active. These companies have attracted $2.5 billion of risk capital, have a combined value of $5.8 billion, and have created around 1,000 jobs in Canada. The adMare Academy has trained more than 900 alumni, 87% of whom are employed in the life sciences industry. For more information, please visit www.admarebio.com.
Media Contacts:
Dominique Touchette
External Communication Manager
AbbVie Canada
dominique.touchette@abbvie.com
Bethany Moir
Senior Director, Public Affairs
adMare BioInnovations
bmoir@admarebio.com
Source: AbbVie
