Challenging frontiers. Unearthing discoveries. Working to reveal the cures of tomorrow. Seem like a dream to you? Well, it's all in a day's work for Dr. Albert Friesen.

Armed with a Ph.D. in Protein Chemistry from the University of Manitoba, Friesen has been an integral asset to Manitoba's budding life science industry. His career began more than 30 years ago as he worked alongside renowned Manitoba medical researchers Dr. Bruce Chown and Dr. John M. Bowman. Their extensive research led to the discovery WinRho, a drug to counteract negative blood interactions in expectant mothers and their unborn babies.

Since that early beginning, Dr. Friesen has been a busy man. Between establishing several GMP production facilities for the manufacturing of human pharmaceuticals and initiating and researching the clinical development of approximately 15 INDs and 2 successful NDAs, Dr. Friesen has also managed to fit into his busy schedule the time to found the Industrial Biotechnology Association of Canada. In addition, he has been at the forefront of several other start up companies, including Medicure Inc., for which he is currently the CEO.

"I've definitely been busy," he admits. "But I've really enjoyed the journey along the way."

Along that journey, Friesen has committed endless hours and a lot of energy to his growing company, Medicure Inc., which is focused on advancing therapeutics for needs that are yet unmet in the field of cardiovascular medicine. MC-1, the company's chief product, reduces heart damage caused by restrictions in blood flow – catering to a market that has global annual sales into the billions of dollars.

Despite a hectic schedule, Friesen still has a strong interest in advancing life sciences at home in Manitoba and throughout the rest of the country. That's why he has focused a log of his attention to helping start-ups with Genesys Venture Inc. Partnering with the University of Manitoba, this company focuses primarily on the advancement of pharmaceutical technology. Receiving two to three proposals a month, Genesys Venture Inc. has already assisted more than 7 companies, including Medicure Inc. and DiaMedica Inc., both based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Acting as coaches, employees at Genesys Venture Inc. take new companies under their wings, assisting with everything from business plans to raising capital to patents.

"We want to increase their chances of success," explains Dr. Friesen. "The survival rate of your average start-up company is about 30 per cent, but if a company has been incubated, that number skyrockets to 75–80 per cent! It's definitely a real advantage for the start-up, but also for the investor who will see a return over the years to come." Co-owned by the Manitoba Science and Technology Fund and Crocus Investment Fund, there are more than 30,000 shareholders across Manitoba.

Despite collaborating on projects throughout the country, Dr. Friesen has a definite affinity for his home province. For that reason, he is excited to see life sciences growing in Manitoba at a steady rate. "The potential is very large," he says. "It often takes a number of years to develo0p life sciences and Manitoba has more than 30 years' experience under its belt."

Dr. Friesen credits three things for the progress: experience, work ethic and determination. "The people here have a vision and they are committed to making that vision a reality." Helping the vision transpire is a skilled work force, an involved government and individuals who are committed to growing the life sciences community in the province. For those reasons, Dr. Friesen is confident in Manitoba's ability to hit the life sciences target right on the bull's-eye.