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COVID-19
This week saw a significant change in COVID-19-related restrictions, with all restaurants now closed for indoor dining, Whistler/Blackcomb ski hill closed, new mask recommendations for an expanded number of school grades, and a request by Chief Public Officer Dr. Henry that we work from home. This is in response to rising cases, including of the variants of concern.
In addition, following the recommendation by Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization, the B.C. Government announced that AstraZeneca’s vaccine not be administered to people under 55 over concerns it may be linked to rare blood clots.
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Conversely, the Government has now invited Metro Vancouver residents 55 to 65 years old to now receive AstraZeneca vaccine if they choose, with registrations having started Wednesday. Take up was strong and fast, but more vaccine is due to arrive shortly.
Member News
Congratulations to AbCellera’s Dr. Véronique Lecault, Co-founder, Chief Operating Officer and member of the Board of Directors, for being nominated for Canada’s Top 40 under 40 award. Véronique was also recently recognized in BMO’s celebrating Women’s “Expansion and Growth in Business” category and as a STEM Star Influencer by BC Business.
Congratulations are also extended to Dr. Ali Tehrani and the Zymeworks for being recognized for being one of the Best Workplaces in Canada.
Life Sciences in the Community
The Praxis IDEATION Challenge has been announced: the $3,000 early-bird award deadline is April 5th, 2021. Applicants must submit a video or concept pitch to explain how their product would be a transformative commercializable concept to improve the quality of life of people living with spinal cord injuries. For more information click here.
Sanofi Pasteur Ltd. announced they will be expanding their new vaccine manufacturing facility in Toronto with joint funding from Sanofi, the Province of Ontario and the Federal Government. As part of the announcement, Sanofi announced that they will invest $79 million a year to fund Canadian research and development.
Amplitude Venture has announced a new summer fellowship program which will focus on exploring new scientific insights with the goal of developing a perspective on the potential value to the medical community and approach to building a company to translate this innovation. The program will help foster entrepreneurial talent across the country and to help drive more translation of the world leading innovation emanating from our ecosystem. Interested candidates can visit here to download an overview and access links to information sessions planned in the coming weeks.
Are you our Next Manager of Marketing and Communications?
LifeSciencesBC is looking for a communications professional with 8+ years' experience in communications and marketing roles. Experience in technical or scientific sectors would be an asset, as well as experience with a member-based organization or not-for-profit. Apply to join our team here. Deadline to apply is April 9, 2021. Please share in your networks.
Wishing you all a wonderful and safe long weekend.
-Wendy Hurlburt
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Canadian healthcare leaders contribute to talent influx |
OTTAWA, March 29, 2021 – BioTalent Canada today announced the successful results of the expansion of the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) to include the Canadian healthcare industry. The program’s expansion was in response to the needs of the healthcare industry, and an increased demand for talent caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE
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The launch of this new collaboration builds on Aspect’s existing partnership with JSR Corporation |
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – March 30, 2021 – Aspect Biosystems, a privately held biotechnology company pioneering the development of bioprinted therapeutics, is pleased to announce a new joint development program with JSR Corporation, a global leader in advanced materials innovation. READ MORE
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The Novel Discovery by The University of British Columbia and SignalChem Lifesciences Corporation Has Been Published by the Prestigious Journal “Blood” |
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – March 31, 2021 – SignalChem Lifesciences Corporation (“SLC”) is pleased to announce that a paper entitled “Targeting AXL Kinase Uniquely Sensitizes Therapy-Insensitive Leukemic Stem and Progenitor Cells to Venetoclax Treatment in Acute Myeloid Leukemia” has been published as First Edition by the journal “Blood” today. The research work described in this paper is the collaboration between University of British Columbia and SLC and it was supported by MITACS Accelerate program. READ MORE
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Aurora Biomed announces Health Canada approval for FaStep Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Test |
Vancouver- March 23rd, 2021 – Aurora Biomed, one of Canada’s leading suppliers of innovative laboratory solutions, is pleased to announce that it will start distributing the FaStep COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Device in Canada this week. Assure Tech’s FaStep COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Device has recently obtained Health Canada authorization and the first batch of inventory arrived into the country this week. READ MORE
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Congratulations to AbCellera’s Dr. Véronique Lecault, Co-founder, Chief Operating Officer and member of the Board of Directors, for being nominated for Canada’s Top 40 under 40 award. READ MORE
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Best Workplaces in Canada |
Congratulations to Zymeworks for being recognized for being one of the Best Workplaces in Canada. READ MORE
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Win $3,000 award in the Praxis IDEATION Challenge |
The Praxis IDEATION Challenge has been announced. Applicants must submit a video or concept pitch to explain how their product would be a transformative commercializable concept to improve the quality of life of people living with spinal cord injuries. For more information click here. READ MORE
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Government, Sanofi officials unveil $925M in vaccine funding in Toronto |
Representatives from all three levels of government announced joint funding to expand Canada's vaccine manufacturing capacity in Toronto on Wednesday morning. The federal government will spend $415 million on the partnership with Sanofi Pasteur Ltd. Ontario's government will contribute $55 million to the project. READ MORE
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Libang Capital (Canada) Ltd is the Canadian medical investment subsidiary of the Xian Libang Pharmaceutical Group. Conceptually, they are a family office, charged with finding opportunities in North America. Their current investment interests include North American innovative technologies in: novel drugs, specifically anesthetics and painkillers; non-invasive diagnostic devices; surgical capabilities, including robotics; and patient-focused health services management platforms, i.e. comprehensive records management.
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New Ventures BC runs the annual New Ventures BC Competition, the largest and longest-running tech competition in BC, awarding $250,000 in cash and prizes to early-stage startups. The organization also offers a mentored, online Venture Acceleration Program and administers the Innovator Skills Initiative (ISI) Grant, offering tech companies up to $10,000 a year to hire a student. New Ventures BC is a non-profit organization that receives funding from both government and corporate sponsors.
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PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL HEALTHCARE INNOVATION |
What’s driving innovation in life science and healthcare? SVB is committed to serving the ecosystem by providing industry-leading reports featuring proprietary analysis and targeted outlooks to help companies and investors achieve their goals. Twice a year we publish deep-dive analyses describing fundraising, investment, M&A and IPO activity of private, venture-backed biopharma, medical device and diagnostic/tools companies. Our deep relationships with top life science and healthcare entrepreneurs and investors inform our insights and give us a vantage point unlike any other bank. To find out more about Silicon Valley Bank click here
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Posting 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 reposts, you will also receive 25% off all job postings on The Petri Dish. Want more info? CONTACT: Sue Callaghan - talent@lifesciencesbc.ca
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