Government of Canada Supports Agri-Food Innovation Projects in La Pocatiere

LA POCATIÈRE, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - July 5, 2012) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announces that the Centre de développement bioalimentaire du Québec (CDBQ) and start-up firm Novidev Inc. have been granted financial contributions from the Government of Canada. These major investments confirm the Bas-Saint-Laurent's importance in agri-food development and innovation.

"The Government of Canada's main priority is job creation, growth and long-term prosperity," stated Minister Lebel. "Our financial support to the Centre de développement bioalimentaire du Québec's and Novidev's projects constitutes further acknowledgment of the fundamental role played by enterprises in that regard."

Centre de développement bioalimentaire du Québec (CDBQ)

The CDBQ provides Quebec organic food enterprises with innovation and technology transfer support services, putting its researchers, network of experts, facilities and leading-edge equipment at their disposal to help them seize business opportunities, increase the value-added of their products and maximize their productivity. The contribution to CDBQ will allow it acquire cold pasteurization equipment using high hydrostatic pressure technology. In addition to extending the life of food, high pressure processing preserves its integrity, taste and active ingredients. This acquisition is crucial to the CDBQ which is looking to attract new enterprises and offer them opportunities for innovation.

Novidev Inc.

Novidev is an innovative company specializing in the manufacture of drinkable fruit, namely, 100% natural fruit juices, not made from concentrates and with their bioactive compounds intact. The contribution from Canada Economic Development will be used to acquire production equipment and implement a number of steps in its commercialization strategy.

Now in its start-up phase, Novidev Inc. is currently housed at the Centre de développement bioalimentaire du Québec where it enjoys access to CDBQ's high-end technology, soon to include high pressure cold pasteurization processing equipment.

Information:

These contributions, totalling $1,474,400, have been granted under Canada Economic Development's Business and Regional Growth program. The CDBQ will receive $1,074,400 in non-repayable funding and Novidev, $400,000 in repayable funding.

For more details: CDBQ: www.cdbq.net Novidev: www.novidev.com

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