Friday | August 19th 2022

CEO MESSAGE

This week, we’d like to kick things off by congratulating all of the LSBC members, including some of our Board members, who were named to Business in Vancouver’s annual BC 500 list! All of the individuals recognized on this list play an influential role within our province, and we are honoured to work alongside so many of you. 

 

Congratulations also to Axolotl Biosciences for being named one of the top 25 science start-ups in the Falling Walls Venture category as creators of novel bio-inks for 3D printing of human tissue models. What an exciting accomplishment for this Victoria-based, women-run, biotech company! Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute has been awarded the Canadian Institutes of Health Research of Aging Prize for Excellence in Research for its work pertaining to the development of novel therapeutics targeting granzymes to treat a number of age-related chronic skin diseases.

 

Acuitas Therapeutics co-founders Dr. Thomas Madden, Dr. Michael Hope and Dr. Pieter Cullis, who sits on LSBC’s Board, are recent recipients of the prestigious Governor General’s Innovation Award for their work in developing lipid nanoparticle systems to deliver cancer drugs to tumours and to enable RNA- and DNA-based drugs to be used therapeutically.

 

We are pleased to spotlight the new innovations and accomplishments that are happening throughout our sector. Earlier this week, LSBC members AstraZeneca and Merck, announced that the FDA has accepted the submission of a supplemental New Drug Application for LYNPARZA, in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone, for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Additionally GSK announced it has completed the acquisition of Affinivax, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that has pioneered the development of a novel class of vaccines (the most advanced of which are next-generation pneumococcal vaccines), which will help advance GSK’s strategy of building a strong portfolio of specialty medicines and vaccines. Congrats also to Canary Medical for being granted its third Breakthrough Designation from the US FDA for its sensor technology’s use in knee, shoulder, and now hip. 

 

Industry Events + Opportunities

 

Kudos to Genome BC and UBC for hosting Geneskool, an annual Summer Science Program at the UBC Vancouver campus. It’s always thrilling to see youth in our province engage in hands-on learning experiences within our sector, and encouraging to know that there are programs like these that play an important role in inspiring our youth and shaping our sector’s future! 

 

Recently, a cohort of UK biomanufacturing companies from Innovate UK's Global Business Innovation Programme visited Vancouver to explore opportunities for collaboration, growth and innovation. In light of this, we’re pleased to share an online matchmaking platform to continue facilitating these conversations and connections, and encourage interested participants to apply by October 7th for the chance to meet potential cooperation partners and further foster Canada-UK collaboration.

 

People on the Move

 

Medtech Canada has added new team members to their team. Join us in congratulating Mia Spiegelman, who joins as the company’s new Vice President Regulatory Affairs, Rob Pankhurst, Vice President of Western Canada, and Katharine Ashford-Smith, who has been promoted to Director, Events & Operations! 

 

Finally, for LSBC members and sponsors, we’d like to invite you to our Annual General Meeting and Continental Breakfast Reception on September 15th at the Fasken Vancouver Office or virtually. The deadline to register is noon on September 14th.

 

Until next week,

 

Wendy and the LSBC team

PLATINUM SPONSORS
 
 
 
 

Extraordinary Preclinical Outcomes for Stroke Treatment

 An injectable compound that is currently in a Phase 1 human safety clinical trial was shown in animal studies to repair the devastating brain damage caused by stroke. It even worked a full week after the onset of a stroke. In other words, human victims might someday be able to regain or improve bodily functions using this new stroke treatment, including key cognitive abilities. The remarkable discovery that a faulty central nervous system can be repaired at a cellular level in trial animals is the subject of a white paper study that was just published in the peer-reviewed scientific publication...READ MORE

 

FDA Accepts Submission of Supplemental New Drug Application for LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone for Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer and Grants Priority Review

AstraZeneca and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada announced that a supplemental New Drug Application for LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone has been accepted and granted priority review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer...READ MORE

 

GSK Completes Acquisition of Affinivax, Inc.

GSK plc announced it has completed the acquisition of Affinivax, Inc (Affinivax), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge (Boston, Massachusetts). Affinivax has pioneered the development of a novel class of vaccines, the most advanced of which are next-generation pneumococcal vaccines. As previously announced, the acquisition of Affinivax aligns with GSK’s strategy of building a strong portfolio of specialty medicines and vaccines...READ MORE

 

Q32 Bio and Horizon Therapeutics Announce Collaboration in Autoimmune Diseases

Q32 Bio, a clinical stage biotechnology company developing biologic therapeutics to restore immune homeostasis, and Horizon Therapeutics plc announced that they have entered into a collaboration and option agreement to develop ADX-914 for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. ADX-914 is a fully human anti-IL-7Rα antibody that re-regulates adaptive immune function by blocking signaling mediated by both IL-7 and TSLP. Q32 has recently completed a biomarker-enabled Phase 1 study characterizing pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of ADX-914 that demonstrated pharmacological effect on T cells...READ MORE

 

National Occupational Standards Now Available

BioTalent Canada has launched its first 45 National Occupational Standards for Canada’s bio-economy. These standards were validated by industry stakeholders and will replace BioTalent Canada’s Skills Profiles and Skills At-A-Glances. The NOS profiles indicate what skills, education, and credentialing are required to perform a specific role. Companies will use these standards for more effective recruitment, professional development, succession planning, and compensation benchmarking...READ MORE

 

Roche Launches New Diagnostic Test for the Better Understanding of Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2

Roche announced the launch of the Elecsys® IGRA SARS-CoV-2 test in countries that accept the CE Mark1. The Elecsys IGRA SARS-CoV-2 test supports the better understanding of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination. The test will be an additional tool to make better-informed decisions around care, sanitary measures and treatment options. This will be particularly important for at-risk patient groups.nWith the transition from a pandemic to an endemic state of COVID-19, there is an increasing need to better understand the adaptive response of the human immune system to SARS-CoV-2...READ MORE

 

Ondine Biomedical Completes Patient Recruitment for US Phase II Nasal Photodisinfection Trial

Ondine Biomedical Inc. has recruited the final patient to its nasal photodisinfection exploratory Phase 2 trial. The trial is evaluating how effectively Ondine’s nasal photodisinfection technology eradicates pathogens – specifically Staphylococcus aureus – in the nose. The single-center, BENEFIT-aPDT open-label study is being carried out at HCA Healthcare’s Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia, and has recruited over 300 patients...READ MORE

INDUSTRY NEWS
 

Lipid Nanoparticles that Enable COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines

The team of Pieter Cullis, Michael Hope and Thomas Madden have worked together for approximately 40 years. They are receiving a Governor General’s Innovation Award for their work in developing lipid nanoparticle (LNP) systems to deliver cancer drugs to tumours and to enable RNA and DNA based drugs to be used therapeutically...READ MORE

 
GOLD SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
 

Senior Manager Technical Marketing



Evonik’s Health Care Drug Delivery & Medical Device Solutions Product Line provides polymeric and lipid-based parenteral drug delivery solutions to life science and pharmaceutical industries by offering contract development and clinical and commercial phase GMP-compliant manufacturing services (CDMO), as well as advanced processing equipment technologies under the brand name LIPEX®. This position will support the services-based business and promote its growth to ensure the Parenteral Drug Delivery Solutions Segment and the Vancouver site (VAN) are recognized as the leading CDMO by the pharmaceutical industry for polymeric, liposomal and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug development and product.



LEARN MORE

Research & Development Chemist



Alpha-9 is seeking a Research & Development Chemist to join our growing organization. The ideal candidate will have experience with solid-phase peptide synthesis, and preferably with radiopharmaceutical development. This person will be responsible for designing, planning and synthesizing peptides/peptidomimetic building blocks and precursors for radiopharmaceutical product candidates. 

We are an early-stage company, so you will have the opportunity to participate cross-functionally and contribute to the build-out and set-up of new laboratory facilities. The ideal candidate will have multi-tasking ability and a desire to strive in a fast-paced environment. 



LEARN MORE

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position, Pharmacology


We now invite applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Pharmacology. Applicants for this position must possess a PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification, with research expertise that broadens our current strengths in cancer pharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, diabetes, drug metabolism/pharmacokinetics, neuropharmacology, and pharmacogenomics or complements these strengths with a research focus in pharmacology.









LEARN MORE

 
SILVER SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Member Welcome

BeiGene is a global, science-driven biotechnology company focused on developing innovative and affordable medicines to improve treatment outcomes and access for patients worldwide. With a broad portfolio of more than 40 clinical candidates, they are expediting development of our diverse pipeline of novel therapeutics through their own capabilities and collaborations.




Visit Website

Member Spotlight

NanoVation Therapeutics (NTx) is an early-stage gene therapy company developing next-generation platform technologies utilizing lipid nanoparticles for the safe and efficient delivery of nucleic acids to a variety of tissues. Focused on translating personalized gene therapies to the clinic, NTx aims to treat and prevent multiple age-related diseases enabling a healthier tomorrow, TODAY.


Visit Website

 
 
 
BRONZE SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Post a Job on the LSBC Website!
LSBC Membership Discounts on Job Postings
 
As an LSBC member, your first five job postings EARNS a free repost on BioTalent Canada's The Petri Dish. After your first five posts, you will also receive 25% off all job postings on The Petri Dish. Want more info? Contact talent@lifesciencesbc.ca
Facebook  Twitter  Linkedin  Instagram