August 31st, 2023

Life Sciences BC seeks to raise the profile of our members and supporters, highlight their achievements, and promote BC's dynamic life sciences ecosystem. If you have news or a story to share, let us know. You can find previous editions of BioLinks newsletters and other resources on our website at News/Publications.

Member Highlights 

Michael Midmer and Dr. Michael Riddell, from Zucara Therapeutics, were recently featured on Mitacs' podcast "The Edge." They discussed ZT-01, Zucara's experimental therapy designed to prevent hypoglycemia. You can listen to the podcast episode here to learn more about their work.

Every year, roughly 5K Canadians are diagnosed with oral cancer, and roughly 30K people in Canada were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022, making it the most diagnosed cancer in the country. UBC researchers have secured $4.8M through the 2023 Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grant (PPG) competition to elevate cancer research. Their initiatives focus on tailoring care for oral cancer patients and bolstering lung cancer detection among pollution-exposed high-risk individuals, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. Learn more.

To foster the global health community, UBC's Faculty of Medicine summer program, part of a broader course package that allows learners to experience clinical medicine and research in a hospital setting, invites international students to experience Canadian health and life sciences education. This year's cohort represents over 350 students from 29 countries. Learn more.

Notch Therapeutics has closed its Vancouver lab to focus on building core capabilities in its cell therapy pipeline in Toronto and Seattle. Learn more. 

New Members

We are pleased to welcome the following new LSBC Member: 

QARALOGIC is a boutique Regulatory and Quality Assurance consultancy helping leaders bring their medical devices to patients in need. With over 12 years in regulatory affairs and quality assurance, they have been a trusted guide helping numerous MedTech companies obtain and/or maintain market approvals with nimble proven strategies that assure right the first-time results.

Industry Highlights

Canada has announced an $8.3M investment from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) 's Institute of Gender and Health and Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) for the Pan-Canadian Women's Health Coalition to establish ten virtual hubs across Canada. These hubs aim to provide equitable, culturally sensitive healthcare for all women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse individuals and identify future critical areas of women's health research based on community, regional and national needs. Learn more.

Canada is investing over $960M to support 4,700 researchers and projects, fostering innovation, diversity, and research excellence across various fields to equip researchers, inspire new scientists, and reinforce Canada's global research leadership. This includes $35M awarded to UBC-led research through NSERC 2023 discovery research programs and 34 UBC-led projects awarded $9.1M in infrastructure funding through the CFI JELF competition. See how funds are being distributed and learn more here.

Dr. Brad Nelson and the B.C. Cancer Deeley Research Centre in Victoria are featured in Business in Vancouver (BIV) Magazine discussing the immunotherapy clinical trial involving Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) cells, which is positively impacting the lives of patients living with cancer. Read the article here.

Canada has announced an investment of nearly $134M to support 157 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs at 35 Canadian research institutions, including SFU, UBC, and Vancouver Island University. See the complete list of recipients here.  

Applications Open

The adMare Academy invites applications for its second cohort of the BioInnovation Scientist (BIS) Program: Foundations. This 8-week online program equips participants with essential knowledge in therapeutics development and professional skills for success in the Canadian life sciences sector, featuring expert-led courses, practical activities, and networking opportunities. Open to BSc. holders in Canada from both academia and industry, applications are welcome until September 27th. Learn more.

Michael Smith Health Research BC has announced a call for 2024 Clinical Trials BC Awards nominations. The Leadership & Advocacy Award and the Service & Support Award honour individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to strengthening the BC clinical trials ecosystem. Nominations are due Dec 10. Learn more.

Nimbus Synergies has partnered with Spring Activator for the Health Impact Investor Challenge, an 8-week immersive program from October 5 to November 30, empowering investors with tools for purpose-driven healthcare investments. Participants pool resources for a $100,000 venture investment, culminating in a Grand Finale Pitch event for equity opportunities and workspace access. Applications are now open! Learn more.  

We invite you to explore our expanded list of current life sciences application opportunities by clicking on the following link: Applications Open.

The Last Word

We hope to see some of you at the upcoming MedTech Conference in Anaheim, California, from October 9-11th. If you plan to attend, we would love to include you in our promotional materials. Learn more here.

Until next week,

Wendy and the LSBC team

ESSA Pharma Insiders Establish Automatic Securities Disposition Plans

Up to 808,333 common shares of ESSA may be sold under the ASDPs implemented by the Participants in the aggregate. The ASDPs are designed to allow for an orderly disposition of each of the Participants’ shares in ESSA at prevailing market prices over the course of the approximately 24 months that the ASDPs are expected to be in place...READ MORE

Reset Pharma Has Licensed Filament’s Botanical Psilocybin Drug Candidate for a Phase 2 Clinical Trial Studying Demoralization Syndrome

"Clinical trial data indicates that psilocybin may be effective in treating demoralization syndrome, so we are pleased to partner with Filament, a leader in the development of pharmaceutical-grade botanical psilocybin, to advance our clinical trial"...READ MORE

Dr. Huntsman and the OVCARE Team Make Extraordinary Progress in Gynecologic Cancer Research

For more than 20 years, OVCARE, BC Cancer’s multidisciplinary gynecologic cancer research team led by Dr. David Huntsman, OVCARE have achieved remarkable progress in their mission to combat gynecologic cancers. Their success is credited to a team approach which has allowed OVCARE to make ground breaking discoveries; laying the foundation for progressive prevention strategies, precision diagnostic tools, and tailored treatment plans...READ MORE

UBC’s Vancouver Summer Program in Medicine Brings Students Together from Across the Globe

The learners are part of the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Vancouver Summer Program (VSP), a four-week academic program offering international students a unique opportunity to experience Canadian health and life sciences education. This year, the faculty of medicine has the largest cohort of VSP students among all UBC faculties in the two cohorts. Learners came to Vancouver from 29 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America...READ MORE

adMare BioInnovations Invites Early-Career Science Professionals to Apply to the BioInnovation Scientist (BIS) Program: Foundations Cohort II

The adMare Academy is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the second cohort of the BioInnovation Scientist (BIS) Program: Foundations. This online, cohort-based program provides fundamental knowledge in therapeutics development while simultaneously building the professional skills necessary to succeed in the Canadian life sciences industry...READ MORE

Aequus Announces Zimed® PF Now Available in Canada

Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company announced the launch of Zimed® PF, the first preservative-free multi-dose Bimatoprost for glaucoma patients in Canada. Zimed PF is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension...READ MORE

UBC Researchers Receive Nearly $5 Million for Cancer Research

Two teams each received $2.4 million from the Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI), with additional co-funding from the Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation. The projects aim to improve outcomes for cancer patients by personalizing care for patients with oral cancers and enhancing lung cancer detection in individuals at high-risk due to air pollution...READ MORE

Nimbus Synergies Partners with Spring Activator to Drive Health Impact Investments

Nimbus Synergies is delighted to partner with Spring Activator to introduce the Health Impact Investor Challenge, a program poised to drive positive change within the healthcare sector. Organized and led by Spring Activator, this initiative empowers both seasoned and aspiring investors with essential knowledge and tools for meaningful investments in health-focused, purpose-driven enterprises...READ MORE

Since 2013, entrepreneurship@UBC has mobilized UBC innovation and entrepreneurship, helping the UBC community to translate their innovation into tangible impact through the creation of transformative ventures. Working with a multitude of faculties, institutes and student clubs, entrepreneurship@UBC activates entrepreneurs and innovators in an equitable and inclusive environment by providing experiential learning, resources, and services directed at company creation, funding and growth. To date, entrepreneurship@UBC has supported more than 650 ventures who have raised $1.52B in funding, generated more than $730M in revenue and created over 1500 jobs, stimulating the economic and social landscape of B.C., while building anchor companies that have global impact. LEARN MORE

Government of Canada Invests in Over 4,700 Researchers Across the Country

The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and of the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced support for over 4,700 researchers and research projects across Canada. These investments of over $960 million through grants, scholarships and programs are part of the government’s ongoing support for Canada’s research ecosystem...READ MORE

Government of Canada Announces Funding to Improve Health Care for Women and Gender-Diverse People

The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced an $8.3M investment from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)’s Institute of Gender and Health and Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) for the Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition – Hubs...READ MORE

Postdoctoral Position at Eyam Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics - Bioinformatician

This is a unique opportunity to experience collaborative research with leading industry and academic experts. The successful candidate will work both in-person, on site at our Vancouver/Greater Vancouver Area offices, and remotely on a project to create and use novel algorithms for the development of self-amplifying nucleic acid vaccines...LEARN MORE

Administrative Assistant, Research and Innovation

The position is responsible for providing administrative support to the two Research and Innovation Directors (Director, Research and Innovation Operations and Director, Data Science) and three Senior Managers (Senior R&I Manager, Health; Senior R&I Manager, ANR; Senior Programs Manager). As well as supporting the R&I Senior Management Team by coordinating, organizing, and executing general administrative duties, coordinating meeting logistics, providing general meeting support, executing travel and event management, and performing expense/invoice processing...LEARN MORE

Animal Technician

Alpha-9 is seeking a team-oriented Animal Research Technician to join the Translational Biology group within the organization. The ideal candidate will have experience in providing technical in vivo support for research programs, preferably with radioactive substances. This person will be responsible for laboratory animal care and well-being, in addition to conducting in vivo research experiments with experimental radiopharmaceuticals...LEARN MORE

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Positions (2) Nanomedicine or Chemical Biology

UBC is seeking two full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor positions in their Nanomedicine and Chemical Biology Research Theme, where the research programs focus on many aspects of drug discovery, development and delivery. The major focus of this position will be the development of a cutting-edge, externally-funded, world-class research program. Other responsibilities will include teaching nanomedicine/drug delivery or chemical biology and other related topics to students in the BPSc, PharmD, and MSc/PhD programs, as well as new programs under development...LEARN MORE

QARALOGIC is a boutique Regulatory and Quality Assurance consultancy helping leaders bring their medical devices to patients in need. With over 12 years in regulatory affairs and quality assurance, we have been a trusted guide helping numerous MedTech companies obtain and/or maintain market approvals with nimble proven strategies that assure right the first-time results. Our clients increase their speed to market, eliminate accumulated Quality system inefficiencies, reduce overall RA/QA cost; and expand market coverage. We demystify the regulations and provide a practical approach guaranteed to achieve agreed upon product and quality management certification goals. Start today, contact us to accelerate the effectiveness of your RA/QA work and advance medical care. Visit: www.qaralogic.com to learn more and schedule a call. You are welcome to follow us on LinkedIn too. LEARN MORE

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