Montreal, November 25, 2010 — The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) awarded a Quebec-based biotechnology company, Medicago, its Prix Innovation -- SST at the 2010 gala of the Association de la recherche industrielle du Québec (ADRIQ). Presented this year for the first time, the award pays official tribute to a company or organization that innovates in the area of occupational injury and disease prevention.

Medicago has developed an innovative process that differs from traditional methods in that it does not require the use of live viruses in vaccine production, thus eliminating the risk of worker infection. The prevention of work-related accidents and occupational diseases was a high priority in the development of the vaccine technology right from the design phase.

In awarding the Prix Innovation -- SST, IRSST president and CEO Marie Larue took pleasure in noting that the technology developed by Medicago fits perfectly with the fundamental objective of the Act respecting Occupational Health and Safety, which is "the elimination, at the source, of dangers to the health, safety and physical well-being of workers."

The creation of the Prix Innovation -- SST INNOVATION was one of several activities marking the 30th anniversary of the founding of the IRSST.

Source: Jacques Millette
Communications Division
IRSST