July 20th, 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

We are excited to announce that the main gala room is already sold out for the 25th Annual Life Sciences BC Awards presented by Farris on September 14! However, tickets are still available for the adjacent Networking and Viewing Reception room, featuring a relaxed and elegant environment that allows guests to enjoy the awards ceremony via live stream. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a special evening celebrating outstanding achievements in the life sciences sector. Learn more and secure your spot now before they're gone here.

Member Highlights 

The Vancouver Economic Commission has released its summer report, which provides an economic snapshot of Vancouver’s tech industry and highlights many life sciences sector partners and member organizations. Read it here.

mlHealth 360 has announced a collaboration with Vasudhev Health Tech to accelerate and refine innovations in radiology and propel healthcare forward. Learn more.

Digital Supercluster is partnering with the CAN Health Network to foster collaboration and help Canadian companies scale and respond to healthcare challenges with innovative technology solutions. Learn more.

Dr. Dennis Brown of Kintara was recently featured on the Drug Discovery World podcast, discussing the future of oncology drug development and cancer treatment. Listen here. 

New England Biolabs was recently featured in Today’s Clinical Lab, discussing how immune sequencing impacts clinical medicine. Read it here.

LifeLabs has launched its new Patient Service Centre in Vernon, BC bringing high-quality diagnostic services closer to home for residents. Learn more.

Benjamin Lightburn of Filament Health was recently featured in WebMD, discussing how growing legislative openness to the use of psychedelics could help millions of people. Read it here. 

New Members

We are pleased to welcome the following new LSBC members:

David G Lowe PhD, AllosteRx Capital Managing Director. David started his career at Genentech where his team was responsible for generating drug candidates, resulting in two marketed products. As Managing Director at Skyline Ventures, he invested in therapeutic, diagnostic, and research tools companies. As an entrepreneur he has working on starting five companies and is now focused on AllosteRx Capital with an emphasis on Seed and Series A advanced therapy startups with an emphasis on Canadian innovation.

Global Public Affairs is Canada’s leading privately held strategic communications and government advocacy consultancy. With offices across Canada, they represent the largest corporate sector organizations in the country, touching on all facets of the national economy. See more below.

Industry Highlights

Selina Robinson, BC’s Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, has returned from an education mission to Southeast Asia that included meetings with governments, economic organizations and post-secondary institutions to build mutually beneficial relations that support BC’s health-care system, micro-credential programs, trade, and fair credential recognition for internationally trained professionals. Learn more.

CIHR has developed a proposed long-term clinical trials strategy for Canada designed to continue increasing capacity and improving processes to benefit Canada’s clinical trials community and patients worldwide. Read the proposed strategy and share your feedback here.

Applications Open

PacificCan is accepting Expressions of Interest from July 14 until September 22 for its Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Program, which offers interest-free, repayable funding between $200K and $5M per project to support incorporated high-growth businesses that are scaling up and producing innovative goods, services or technologies. Learn more.  

CIHR has launched its second round of funding for Clinical Trials Projects to bolster Canada's health emergencies response and support the domestic life sciences sector. The letter of intent deadline is August 22, and information webinars are being held on July 25 and August 2. Learn more. 

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

Kudos

Congratulations to STEMCELL Technologies for celebrating 30 years of accelerating cancer research and other diseases and becoming Canada’s largest biotech company! STEMCELL is celebrating this exciting milestone with a generous donation of $300K to the BC Cancer Foundation. Learn more.

Kudos to the National Research Council’s Medical Devices Research Centre, which recently received international IP patent protection for its centrifugal microfluidic chip control, a new technique that controls the movement of microfluids impacted by surface tension and gravity at the microscale. Learn more.

Ondine Biomedical has received the TAYYABA HASAN IMPACT AWARD at the 18th IPA World Congress in Finland for demonstrating exceptional perseverance and clinical acumen. Learn more.

People on the Move

James Taylor has stepped down from his role at Precision NanoSystems after co-founding and leading PNI since 2010. PNI joined Danaher’s Life Sciences platform in 2021 and now supports hundreds of the leading biopharmaceutical companies and academics to help create the medicines of the future.

Jim Kean has joined Molecular You as CEO, and Rob Fraser has assumed the new position of President and CSO. Learn more.

Samuel Cochrane has joined Rostrum Medical Innovations as an advisor.

Steven Huhn is the new Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, International Trade and Finance at Finance Canada.

Derek Badger has started a new position as Senior Manager, Payer Engagement and Strategic Partnerships at AstraZeneca.

Stephanie Veyrun-manetti of Sanofi has joined the Innovative Medicines Canada Board of Directors.

Olivier Bourbeau has joined Medtech Canada as VP, Quebec.

The Last Word

SAVE THE DATE! Applications to pitch at this year's Invest in BC presented by Lumira Ventures, will open NEXT WEEK and run from July 24 to August 25!

This highly anticipated event, held on November 2, serves as a premier gathering for healthcare innovators in British Columbia, connecting them with global investors. Learn more. 

A reminder that applications are open until July 31 for our annual Investor Readiness Program (IRP), which helps BC early-stage small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) in the life sciences sector become investor-ready and advance their businesses.



Participants benefit from individual mentoring, educational workshops, goal setting, peer-to-peer feedback, networking opportunities, group meetings, and more. The program culminates in a pitch session to a group of pre-qualified investors. Learn more and apply here.

"The best part of the IRP program for me was the opportunity to chat and learn from other health and medtech entrepreneurs. Even though we were all on different journeys, we had something in common that made the program so much more meaningful: we all wanted to improve people's quality of life. We are all on a mission to make people's lives safer and healthier. Moreover, the mentors were knowledgeable, helpful, and honest. The LSBC IRP was definitely worth our time. I would recommend it to anyone in the health and life sciences space looking to learn from others and prepare to raise capital." 

-Michelle De la O, IUVOC Technologies and 2023 IRP Graduate

Until next week,

Wendy and the LSBC team

InMed Provides Update on BayMedica Rare Cannabinoid Business

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc., a leader in the pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of rare cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs, provided a commercial and manufacturing update on its subsidiary BayMedica LLC, a leading supplier of bioidentical rare cannabinoids to the Health and Wellness market...READ MORE

PharmAla Received Guidance on ALA-002 from MHRA; Launches Clinical Program with University of Sydney

PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and manufacturing of novel MDXX class molecules (including MDMA), is thrilled that – following pre-submission meetings held in Q1 of 2023 – it has received written guidance from the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA). The guidance constitutes, in part, advice that ALA-002 does not require further preclinical data in order for clinical trials to proceed...READ MORE

Filament Health Corp. Announces Non-Brokered Private Placement Unit Offering of up to C$2,000,000

Filament Health Corp., a clinical‐stage natural psychedelic drug development company, announced that it intends to complete, subject to regulatory approval, a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to C$2,000,000.The Offering will be led by Negev Capital, a psychedelic medical intervention investment fund...READ MORE

Long Term Phase 3 Data Published in Arthritis & Rheumatology Shows LUPKYNIS® (voclosporin) Preserved Kidney Function Up to Three Years in Lupus Nephritis Patients with No New or Unexpected Adverse Events

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that full results from the Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled AURORA 2 extension study were published online in Arthritis & Rheumatology, the official peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Rheumatology...READ MORE

Rostrum Medical Welcomes New Advisor to Support its’ Global Commercialization Plan and Strategy

Rostrum Medical® announces and welcomes Mr. Samuel Cochrane, an experienced financial executive, as an advisor. Mr. Cochrane has significant experience in leading and growing businesses with his strategic expertise. He currently serves as the CFO of Telit Cinterion. Rostrum looks forward to leveraging Mr. Cochrane’s deep financial and operational expertise and past successes as it prepares for commercialization and expansion plans of its’ innovative technology, the VQm System®, the next leap forward in the management of mechanically ventilated patients...READ MORE

Seasoned Leader Jim Kean Takes the Helm as CEO

Molecular You is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jim Kean as CEO to spearhead the company’s expansion efforts in the United States. Kean, a highly accomplished leader and long-time advisor to Molecular You, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for transforming the future of personalized healthcare...READ MORE

CAN Health Network and DIGITAL Join Forces to Drive Canadian Innovation and Economic Growth

The Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network and DIGITAL are pleased to announce their new partnership designed to increase opportunities for Canadian companies to lead the health care economy, and accelerate the adoption of Canadian technology and innovation. This formal partnership builds on DIGITAL and CAN Health’s existing relationship that has already resulted in paving commercial pathways from DIGITAL’s co-investments in health-tech product development...READ MORE

Dupixent® (dupilumab injection) Receives Marketing Authorization for Prurigo Nodularis

Sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. announced that Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance for Dupixent® (dulipumab injection) for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis (PN) whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable. Dupixent® can be used with or without topical corticosteroids...READ MORE

Landmark Report Published on the Status of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) in Canada’s Life Sciences Sector

Pfizer Canada, adMare BioInnovations, Shift Health and Life Sciences Ontario proudly announce the publication of a landmark report–Status of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) in Canada’s Life Sciences Sector. The report is informed by the findings from a national survey of life sciences organizations and focus groups with diverse individuals working in the sector...READ MORE

Pfizer Canada and the Skin Spectrum Summit Announce a New Scholarship to Improve Dermatological Care for Racialized Canadians

Together with the Skin Spectrum Summit, Pfizer Canada announce the new Canadian Skin of Colour & Diversity Scholarship program to improve dermatological care for underrepresented populations, including those with deeper skin tones, Indigenous Peoples, and other racialized individuals. The scholarship invites dermatology residents across Canada to propose projects to address an education or care gap specific to skin of colour and diversity that is not already or completely fulfilled in medical dermatology...READ MORE

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Announces Private Placement and Issuance of Shares in Connection with Financial Advisory Agreement

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Canadian clinical stage pharmaceutical development company, announces a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CDN$205,000 of units at an issue price of CDN$0.20 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one Class A common share in the capital of the Company and one Common Share purchase warrant...READ MORE

Health Canada Approves Lynparza in Combination with Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone for Patients with BRCA Mutated Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Health Canada has granted a Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOC/c) for Lynparza® (olaparib) in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline and/or somatic BRCA mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated. BRCA mutation must be confirmed before Lynparza treatment is initiated...READ MORE

Cytiva Launches First Formulation System to Enable end-to-end Clinical and Commercial Manufacturing of Lipid Nanoparticle Medicines

Cytiva, a global life sciences leader, has launched the NanoAssemblr commercial formulation system, purpose-built for clinical and commercial manufacturing of lipid nanoparticle medicines. Fully compliant and offering automated instrumentation, the NanoAssemblr commercial formulation system can be used by companies to bring these medicines to market using a single, scalable mixing technology for all stages of development, from research to product development to large-scale manufacturing...READ MORE

WELL Health Announces the Acquisition of CarePlus Management and Increases Annual Revenue Guidance

WELL Health Technologies Corp., a practitioner focused digital health company that is positively impacting health outcomes by tech-enabling healthcare providers and their patients globally, is pleased to announce its wholly owned subsidiary, CRH Medical, has completed the acquisition of CarePlus Management. In conjunction with this Transaction, WELL increases its annual revenue guidance for 2023 to be between $740 million and $760 million and re-iterates its annual Adjusted EBITDA guidance to exceed 10% annual growth...READ MORE

STEMCELL Technologies Celebrates 30 Years with Unprecedented Annual Growth

STEMCELL Technologies, Canada’s largest biotechnology company, is marking its 30th year of accelerating research into cancer and other diseases by celebrating its culture of collaboration, curiosity, and discovery...READ MORE

Rostrum Medical commenced its operation in January 2009, with a focus on providing medical practitioners with new and useful solutions to everyday challenges experienced in the healthcare industry. Our team of leading clinicians, combined with our engineering and business expertise, allows us to deliver leading edge solutions to problematic uncertainties in modern day practice. Our management team benefits from over 30 years of managerial experience, product development experience and success in the medical device industry. Backed by an engineering team with a history of commercial success and a Medical Advisory Board consisting of practising and forward thinking clinicians from all points of the globe, Rostrum Medical delivers value through innovative thinking, quality products, and kept promises.

LEARN MORE

New Strategy to Support B.C. Businesses, Protect Ideas

Entrepreneurs and companies will soon have access to new resources to help them grow and protect their ideas and products with the launch of B.C.’s Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy.

As a key action in the StrongerBC Economic Plan, B.C.’s IP Strategy will increase IP knowledge for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout the province, to make it easier for people to understand and navigate the complicated financial and legal sides of intellectual property...READ MORE

Minister Sajjan Launches a New Intake of the Business Scale-up and Productivity Program

To support B.C.’s boldest and brightest changemakers, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), is announcing that a new intake for PacifiCan’s Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) will open.

The new intake will provide no-interest, repayable funding between $200,000 and $5,000,000 per project to support high-growth firms to scale-up, expand and commercialize new technologies, improve productivity, and enter or grow in international markets. Applicants have until September 22, 2023 to submit an expression of interest through PacifiCan’s website...READ MORE

Asia Mission Builds on StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan

British Columbians will benefit from a stronger economy, educational relationships with international partners, and people-to-people ties, following an education mission to Southeast Asia by Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

The one-week mission included meetings in the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam with governments, economic organizations and post-secondary institutions, with the goal of building mutually beneficial relations that support B.C.’s health-care system, micro-credential programs, trade and fair credential recognition for internationally trained professionals. Mutual credential recognition was focused on, as well as working in partnership to support solutions to global labour challenges...READ MORE

RA/QA & Testing Specialist

The RA/QA & Testing Specialist will report to the CEO. They will lead all Quality and Regulatory Affairs efforts within the company. Currently, GuideStar are in the process of seeking FDA clearance in the United States, with plans to enter other global markets including Europe, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. This role also includes ownership of Quality Assurance processes related to the production of our device, including managing our QMS and reviewing engineering documentation. Furthermore, the successful candidate will coordinate all necessary ongoing testing activities with external vendors...LEARN MORE

Manager, Commercialization

The Manager, Commercialization assists in managing Praxis’ Commercialization Program (including SCI Incubate and SCI Accelerate programs) to expand and strengthen Praxis’ network for commercialization, helps to evaluate technologies and implement mechanisms for mentorship and coaching for SCI technologies based on their specific needs. This position is expected to execute on Praxis’ fundraising strategy to meet initial targets for the Commercialization Program/Innovation Fund from various sources, including government, people of high net worth, and corporate giving from industry...LEARN MORE

Associate Director/Director, CMC

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Associate Director/Director, CMC to join the CMC team. The incumbent will be responsible for managing Xenon’s GMP and non-GMP analytical, synthesis and preformulation/solid state analysis contract research organizations (CROs) as well as coordinating preformulation activities performed internally and externally...LEARN MORE

Associate Director, Information Security & Risk Management

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Associate Director, Information Security & Risk Management. This role will be responsible for assessing the adequacy and performance of existing security controls, developing a multi-year roadmap to enhance controls and mitigate risk as the company evolves, and executing against that roadmap – i.e. enhancing existing and implementing additional controls as needed...LEARN MORE

Global Public Affairs is Canada’s leading privately held strategic communications and government advocacy consultancy. With offices across Canada, we represent the largest corporate sector organizations in the country, touching on all facets of the national economy. We are a team of experienced consultants who work seamlessly across jurisdictions, guiding organizations through complex public policy challenges. We draw on our expertise as senior leaders in government, media, private and non-profit sectors to provide first-hand knowledge of Canada’s unique public policy and administrative framework. We build a tailored approach for each client – strategies that are mindful of the end goal and balance the particular commercial objectives and culture of our clients and their organizations. LEARN MORE

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