Inaugurated in May 2004, the Marine Biotechnology Research Centre (MBRC) remains at the present time one of the most successful advanced applied biotechnology research entity in the region. Built and equipped at a cost of 14 million, the MBRC has 38 regular employees who carry out research- projects for different Quebec, Canadian and foreign companies.

The MBRC fulfills R&D mandates on the processing of marine biomass products for biotechnology applications, the development of added value  products, the analysis of extracts and molecules, the development and optimization of industrial processes, the development of quality control systems and the assessment and development of products. The subject areas covered are organic and analytical chemistry, applied pharmachemistry, applied microbiology, cellular and molecular biology, biotechnology, process engineering and marine biology. Only two years after the start of its operations, the contracts entrusted to the MBRC allow it to assume 50% of its operating costs.

The Centre depends on a level 3 containment laboratory certified by the government agencies to safely work with pathogenic microorganisms. The MBRC also holds an establishment license from Health Canada for work performed using good laboratory practices.

The MBRC is the results  of concerted efforts that lasted more than five years between the Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec, the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) and its Institut des sciences de la mer (ISMER), also in Rimouski, as well as Québec Maritime’s main industrial and socioeconomic partners, including the Economic Development Agency of Canada, the ministère du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation du Québec, the ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec and the City of Rimouski. The MBRC endorses and is committed to the completion of the research potential of the existing establishments by allowing the transfer of the establishments’ knowledge to the industry, in accordance with Québec’s resource, science and marine technology development strategy.