May 5th, 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.

Sonic Incytes Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance of AI Powered Features for Velacur™ Liver Ultrasound

Sonic Incytes announce they have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for new Organ Guide and Wave Quality Detector features for Velacur™, the Company’s liver diagnostic tool. These new artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI-ML)-based tools will improve the accuracy and performance of the device and enable less experienced medical personnel to conduct liver scans with similar accuracy and proficiency as an experienced sonographer...READ MORE

Nuclear Medicine can Cure Cancer, and Canadian Researchers are Stepping up the Fight

Radiation has been a staple of cancer treatment for decades, with approximately 50 per cent of cancer patients receiving radiation therapy at some point in their journey. While effective, traditional radiation therapies rely on intense beams of energy shot from outside the body. These beams can kill cancer cells, but their use is limited to select locations, making them less suited for difficult-to-treat metastatic cancers that have spread to multiple sites. Now, a UBC-led team of Canadian researchers has received $23.7 million in federal funding to develop a new generation of radiation therapy, known as radiopharmaceutical therapy, that delivers highly targeted doses of radiation from within...READ MORE

DUPIXENT® (dupilumab injection) is now Approved in Canada for the Treatment of Adult and Adolescent Patients (12+) With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. (Sanofi Canada) announce that Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance for DUPIXENT® (dupilumab injection) for the treatment of patients aged 12 years and older, weighing at least 40 kg, with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). EoE is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease that damages the esophagus and prevents it from working properly...READ MORE

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Announces NICE Recommendation of LUPKYNIS® (Voclosporin) for Adults with Active Lupus Nephritis

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended LUPKYNIS® (voclosporin) as an option for treating adults with active lupus nephritis (LN) class III, IV or V (including mixed class III/V and IV/V), when provided in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).

The NICE recommendation applies to England and Wales and follows the recent Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorization of voclosporin licensed in Great Britain for the treatment of active LN in adult patients...READ MORE

RYALTRIS®, a new Combination Prescription Nasal Spray for Moderate to Severe Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (SAR), now Available Across Canada

Bausch Health Companies Inc. announce the availability across Canada of its new prescription treatment RYALTRIS® (olopatadine hydrochloride and mometasone furoate nasal spray). RYALTRIS® has been approved by Health Canada for the symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and associated ocular symptoms in adults, adolescents, and children aged 6 years and older...READ MORE

Canary Medical Wins “Healthcare Analytics Innovation Award” in 7th Annual MedTech Breakthrough Award Program

Canary Medical, a medical data company focused on the development and commercialization of its patented implantable sensor technology and complementary data and analytics ecosystem, announced that it has been selected as the winner of the “Healthcare Analytics Innovation Award” in the 7th annual MedTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by MedTech Breakthrough, an independent market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global health and medical technology market...READ MORE

Sernova Announces Research Collaboration with AstraZeneca to Evaluate Novel Potential Therapeutic Cell Applications

AstraZeneca is exploring the use of Sernova’s Cell Pouch System as a potential platform for integration with its development of the next wave of innovative cell therapies for various indications. Under the terms of the collaboration, AstraZeneca will lead and completely fund the development of the cell technologies and pre- clinical activities in conjunction with Sernova. The discovery work is being funded and conducted at AstraZeneca. The preclinical research outcomes will determine the feasibility of potential therapeutic applications and subsequent product development activities between the two companies...READ MORE

Ortho Dermatologics Announces U.S. Food and Drug Administration New Drug Application Filing Acceptance for Investigational Acne Treatment IDP-126 Gel

Bausch Health Companies Inc. and its dermatology business, Ortho Dermatologics, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the New Drug Application (NDA) for investigational IDP-126 (clindamycin 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1%) Gel with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of October 20, 2023. If approved, IDP-126 has the potential to be the first of its kind fixed dose triple combination treatment for acne vulgaris...READ MORE

PharmAla Biotech to Form Australian Psychedelics Joint Venture with Vitura Health

PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc. announce the establishment of a 50:50 joint venture, “Cortexa”, with Australian-based Vitura Health Limited. Following the execution of a letter of intent between Vitura and PharmAla in late February, the parties have executed definitive agreements, including for the establishment of an incorporated joint venture vehicle, Cortexa Pty Ltd, which is owned equally by Vitura and PharmAla, pursuant to the terms of a joint venture agreement entered into among Cortexa, Vitura and PharmAla...READ MORE

Melissa Bomben Joins Platform Life Sciences as Chief Operating Officer

Platform Life Sciences, a global impact research organization, announced the appointment of Melissa Bomben as Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Melissa is responsible for building company operational assets and skills, strengthening competitive edge, as well as executing and preparing the infrastructure for growth...READ MORE

Precision NanoSystems Joins Aldevron and Cytiva for Expansion of mRNA Production Capability

Aldevron, a leading global manufacturer of DNA, RNA and proteins used in cell and gene therapies and vaccine development, will expand its mRNA production capabilities to include LNP encapsulation and aseptic fill-finish capabilities enabling mRNA cGMP manufacturing services from Master Cell Bank through to drug product. This new capability will support the production of therapeutic scale clinical and commercial-stage mRNA therapies for cancers and genetic diseases, and clinical-stage vaccines for infectious diseases...READ MORE

Libtayo® (cemiplimab) in Combination with Chemotherapy now approved in Canada for the First-line Treatment of Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. (Sanofi Canada) announce that Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance (“NOC”) for Libtayo® (cemiplimab) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This includes patients that have no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations and whose tumors are metastatic or locally advanced and not candidates for definitive chemoradiation...READ MORE

Province Launches Trade Strategy, Supports More B.C. Exports, Investment

B.C. is launching a new international trade strategy that will help more B.C. businesses export and invest internationally and increase the diversity of exporters and global markets to ensure a stronger, more resilient economy.

The new Trade Diversification Strategy is a commitment in the StrongerBC Economic Plan. It specifically identifies key actions to increase export and investment opportunities in three new targeted markets, while expanding in existing markets. This will help businesses grow on the world stage while creating jobs and protecting British Columbians from supply-chain disruptions and global uncertainties...READ MORE

New Support Will Help Growing Vancouver Island Life Sciences Businesses

Early-stage life sciences businesses on Vancouver Island will have access to a new wet lab facility as they work to address global health-care challenges and create more in-demand jobs for British Columbians.

As part of the Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, the Government of B.C. is providing $2.5 million to Vancouver Island Life Sciences (VILS) to create a new facility, approximately 650 square metres (7,000 square feet), that will support as many as six local companies annually with access to low-cost, high-demand and specialized lab space...READ MORE

New Action Plan Helps People Get Skills For In-Demand Jobs

The Province’s new StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan will help thousands of people get the skills they need to succeed in the changing economy and help close the skills gap many businesses are facing.

The $480-million action plan is highlighted by a future skills grant of up to $3,500. This grant will cover the cost of training for in-demand jobs. Beginning in September 2023, the grant will be available to British Columbians, making it easier for people to select from more than 400 eligible training opportunities at post-secondary institutions throughout B.C. for the most in-demand jobs in areas such as construction, tech, housing and clean energy. For employers, this means some 8,500 newly trained people over the next three years will become skilled and ready to fill positions and address the skills gap...READ MORE

Government of Canada Invests $1.4 Billion in Strategic Research at Postsecondary Institutions

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced an investment of $1.4 billion in support for 11 large-scale research initiatives in strategic areas, through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). This investment will allow researchers at Canadian institutions to capitalize on the strengths of their respective research areas, and attract capital and world-class talent.

The funded initiatives will foster community, provincial, national and international partnerships across the academic, private and not-for-profit sectors, to deliver research leading to important social and economic benefits for Canadians...READ MORE

WELL Ventures Launches The WELL AI Investment Program

WELL Ventures a subsidiary of WELL Health Technologies Corp., a digital healthcare company focused on positively impacting health outcomes by leveraging technology to empower healthcare practitioners and their patients globally, is pleased to announce the launch of a new investment program, The WELL AI Investment Program, focused on artificial intelligence (“AI”) and its applications in helping support healthcare providers with next generation tools.

• WELL to invest in and help proliferate AI inspired applications that support healthcare providers with next generation tools.
• WELL’s goal is to make a minimum of 10 AI related investments of at least $250k each...READ MORE

Associate Operator II

Evonik Vancouver Laboratories (VAN) is seeking an Associate Operator to work full time on-site. The role holder is responsible for assisting with all aspects of aseptic processes and procedures for pharmaceutical manufacturing (pre- clinical-phase and/or commercial). Qualification necessary includes a diploma/degree in a technical area with 0-2 years relevant industry experience as determined by management.



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QO Specialist – Validation

Evonik Vancouver Laboratories (VAN) is seeking a QO Specialist - Validation to work full time on-site. The role holder is primarily responsible for assuring the qualification/ validation/ trending of GMP facility, utilities, equipment, systems (including computerized systems) and processes are conducted in accordance with regulatory and industry requirements/ guidance to achieve the best-in-class quality operation that fits for a CDMO at the Vancouver site of Evonik Canada Inc.



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Senior Manager, Quality Control CMC

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Senior Manager, Quality Control CMC to work full-time in a hybrid role. The Senior Manager will work collaboratively across small molecule drug development programs with an emphasis on managing outsourced testing and stability programs for the cGMP API and drug product (DP) manufacturing and testing campaigns. Qualifications include a Bachelor's or Master’s degree with 5-8 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry (small molecule and/or biologics).



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For over 30 years, New England Biolabs has led the industry in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications.

At NEB, enzyme production is linked to basic research in the cloning and overexpression of restriction/modification systems. Their focus on providing the largest selection of recombinant enzymes has resulted in lower dollar/unit costs and improved purity and consistency of product.

Presently, NEB supplies more than 240 restriction enzymes, over 160 of which are available in recombinant form, as well as numerous recombinant DNA and protein modifying enzymes. New England Biolabs is the exclusive Canadian distributor for Cell Signaling Technology.

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Sernova Corp. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is developing therapeutic cell technologies for chronic diseases, including insulin-dependent diabetes, thyroid disease, and blood disorders that include hemophilia A. Sernova is currently focused on developing a ‘functional cure’ for insulin-dependent diabetes with its lead asset, the Cell Pouch System, a novel implantable and scalable medical device with immune protected therapeutic cells.

On May 3rd, Sernova Corp. announced it has entered into a preclinical research collaboration with AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq:AZN) to evaluate the use of Sernova’s Cell Pouch System™ in combination with AstraZeneca’s novel therapeutic cells.

AstraZeneca is exploring the use of Sernova’s Cell Pouch System as a potential platform for integration with its development of the next wave of innovative cell therapies for various indications. Under the terms of the collaboration, AstraZeneca will lead and completely fund the development of the cell technologies and pre- clinical activities in conjunction with Sernova. The discovery work is being funded and conducted at AstraZeneca. The preclinical research outcomes will determine the feasibility of potential therapeutic applications and subsequent product development activities between the two companies.

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