Calgary’s position as a centre of excellence in health and life sciences is being propelled forward with the opening of the highly anticipated Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Arthur Child).
Slated to officially open its doors to patients on Oct. 28, the state-of-the-art, 186,000-square-metre facility will not only provide world-class oncology care but also serve as a major hub for cancer research and innovation.
As one of the most advanced cancer care facilities in the world, the facility's impact is expected to extend far beyond Alberta, positioning Calgary at the forefront of health-care innovation.
A new era in cancer care and research
With more than 160 inpatient beds, 100 patient exam rooms and 90 chemotherapy chairs, the centre is equipped to handle a large patient volume while providing top-tier care.
The facility’s integration into Calgary’s life sciences ecosystem goes beyond its immediate patient care impact. With almost 10,000 square metres dedicated to research space, the Arthur Child will be a key driver for the city’s growing reputation as a top destination for solving global health challenges. The Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute — a partnership between Alberta Health Services and the University of Calgary that brings together scientists and clinicians to advance integrated research — moved its work into the facility in June.
"Calgary’s life sciences sector is entering a new era of innovation, and the opening of the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre is a testament to our city’s commitment to world-class health care and research,” said Brad Parry, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development (CED).
“This facility not only represents hope for those battling cancer but also strengthens Calgary’s position as a leader in life sciences, driving investment, innovation and opportunity for our community and beyond."
These efforts align closely with Calgary Economic Development’s (CED) vision for growing the life sciences sector, particularly through initiatives that combine research and development (R&D) with patient care. Fostering innovation across sectors is a key aspect of Calgary’s economic action plan, Uplook.
“This centre will not only provide needed cancer care as a world-class research facility, it will also focus on prevention and early detection that we hope will one day lead to a future without cancer.” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in a press release.
A thriving life sciences sector
Calgary’s life sciences industry is continually growing, with more than 120 companies calling the city home. Across Alberta, life sciences companies spent $327.3 million on research and development in 2022 alone, according to BioAlberta.
The addition of the Arthur Child Centre strengthens the city’s — and the province’s — credentials as a hub for health innovation, providing a critical anchor for further investment and collaboration across sectors.
Since the $1.4 billion project first broke ground in 2017, community support from the private sector and generous Calgarians has been championed through the Alberta Cancer Foundation. The charitable organization set a $250 million fundraising target through its Own.Cancer campaign to accelerate the convergence of a world-class team and cancer treatment, and has raised $225 million to date.
Further supporting growth of the sector, the Life Sciences Innovation Hub (LSIH) at the University of Calgary continues to be a vital resource for researchers and entrepreneurs. The hub provides infrastructure, expertise and startup services, offering companies the support they need to scale their innovations. The university itself is ranked among the top five research universities in Canada for sponsored research funding, reinforcing the city’s appeal to investors and innovators alike.
Drawn partly by resources like the LSIH, research expertise at the University of Calgary and a collaborative ecosystem, international companies in the sector are also choosing Calgary for expansion.
After connecting with CED’s business development team during a 2023 mission to attract investment, South Korea’s Bore Da Biotech selected Calgary as their North American headquarters earlier this year with plans to hire talent and expand its research and development capacity.
Joining the likes of Northern RNA, Orpyx, Fluid Biomed, NanoTess, Circle Cardiovascular Imaging and Providence Therapeutics, Bore Da is a recent example of companies in Calgary commercializing and scaling life-changing biomedical solutions.
A vision for the future
Calgary’s life sciences sector is uniquely positioned to address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges, and the opening of the Arthur Child Centre marks a monumental step forward in that journey. From clinical trials to new patient-centered care models, the centre will be a beacon of hope not just for those battling cancer but for the entire field of health research and treatment.
The vision is clear: Calgary is transforming into a global leader in life sciences, where world-class research meets compassionate patient care.
With the Arthur Child and other innovative spaces and companies leading the charge, the city is paving the way for a future where health-care innovation thrives, creating better outcomes for patients in Calgary, Canada and around the world.
Learn more about the innovation and problem-solving going on in Calgary’s life sciences sector here.
Photos by Alberta Health Services