The federal government will cover $1.75 million of the $8.5-million cost for a 40,000-square-foot wet-lab space run by BioLabs at the MaRS Discovery District in downtown Toronto. The government described the money as a “repayable investment.” (The Logic)

Talking point: BioLabs, a Cambridge, Mass.-based life sciences incubator, took over from Johnson & Johnson’s JLabs at MaRS earlier this year. The company currently provides a mix of wet-lab and co-working space for early-stage startups. Researchers in Toronto have long struggled with a shortage of specialized lab space equipped to test and analyze chemicals, drugs and biological matter. Some founders say that’s hobbled their growth, despite the city’s strong talent pool and research institutions. Leah Cowen, University of Toronto vice-president of research and innovation, told The Logic in February that BioLabs offers critical support to help grow companies that stem from research born out of the university.