PARTENAR-IA — CQDM — Industry

For biotech and life sciences companies in Quebec looking to speed up drug discovery through artificial intelligence, finding the right research partner—and the funding to support that collaboration—can be a major hurdle. The PARTENAR-IA program, led by the Biopharmaceutical Research Consortium (CQDM), is designed to help startups and small to mid-sized enterprises take on ambitious AI-driven R&D projects alongside recognized research centres.

This initiative focuses on collaborative biopharmaceutical research that uses artificial intelligence to improve or accelerate the drug development process. Projects typically involve multiple Quebec-based companies working together with academic or research institutions, sharing expertise while reducing financial risk. Funding support can reach close to $2 million per project and is structured as a non-repayable contribution that covers a meaningful portion of eligible business and research costs. For younger startups, particularly those supported by certain incubators, the program may cover an even larger share of project expenses, making advanced AI research more accessible.

PARTENAR-IA is best suited for businesses that already have a strong scientific foundation and are ready to scale their innovation through structured partnerships. With upcoming selection rounds planned, now is a good time for Quebec life sciences companies to explore whether their AI research ambitions align with this opportunity and to dig deeper into the program’s requirements and expectations.