August 10th, 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 

The BC Tech Association has published its BC TechMap 2023, which provides a snapshot of the key players and their role in BC’s tech ecosystem. See it here.

James Kean of Molecular You was a recent guest on the Elevate podcast discussing his entrepreneurial journey in healthcare. Listen here.

New Members

We are pleased to welcome the following new LSBC Member:

LONZA Biologics is one of the world’s largest companies for contract development and manufacturing, recognized for their reliable, high-quality services, regulatory track record, global footprint, innovative technology platforms and over 35 years of experience in mammalian cell culture.

Industry Highlights

BC has released its 2022-2023 progress update on the StrongerBC Economic Plan, which summarizes actions taken since its release in February 2022. These include steps taken to grow BC’s life sciences and biomanufacturing sectors, including launching the Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, a $2M investment in a National Biomanufacturing Training Centre at BCIT for skills training, $12.5M to provide early-stage biotech companies with access to labs, and $75M to help AbCellera expand its biotechnology campus. Other initiatives launched under the StrongerBC Plan include the Intellectual Property Strategy and the Trade Diversification Strategy. Learn more here.

The Canadian IP Office, in collaboration with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Strategic Innovation Policy Sector, has launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to patent rules. Those interested have until September 8 to share your views. Learn more.

The European-Canadian Centre for Innovation and Research (ECCIR) offers an International Innovation Masterclass webinar series, spotlighting Europe's most innovative regions as potential innovation partners for Canadian stakeholders.Learn more.

Applications Open

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is coming to Vancouver Island this fall. This 5-day program helps growing businesses navigate the complexities of the global trade ecosystem to become export ready. Learn more and apply here.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and partners have announced the upcoming September launch of The Team Grants: Embracing Diversity to Achieve Precision and Increase Health Equity. These grants fund new research that will improve health and achieve more equitable outcomes in nutrition, metabolic health, and chronic high-burden diseases, as well as sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. The LOI application deadline is January 2024. Learn more.

The CIHR has also announced three new funding opportunities as part of its Rare Disease Research Initiative to improve the health and lives of those living with a rare disease. Learn more.

The Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada Research Ethics Board seeks new members to fill researcher and law positions. Applications are due Aug 15. Learn more.

The Gairdner Foundation has a call for nominations for its 2024 Canada Gairdner Awards, which celebrate the world’s best biomedical and global health researchers whose unique scientific contributions have increased the understanding of human biology and disease. Nominations are due Oct. 1. Learn more.

Applications are being accepted for the adMare Executive Institute program, designed for senior executives employed within Canadian life sciences firms to enhance leadership abilities. Applications close Aug 15. 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 our members recognized by Canadian Venture as one of the 15 Canadian Startups Transforming Healthcare. These include the 2023 LSBC Award winner Abdera Therapeutics, and Companies to Watch honourees, Gandeeva Therapeutics, and Bold Therapeutics. Additional members recognized include Alpha9 Theranostics, VoxCell BioInnovation, Variational AI, Clairvoyant Therapeutics and HtuO Biosciences. Learn more.

Kudos to WELL Health Technologies for reaching the exciting milestone of 1 million patient visits in a single quarter for the first time, driving record revenues! Learn more.

People on the Move

Dr. Mieke Koehoorn has been appointed Vice-Dean, Academic Affairs at the UBC Faculty of Medicine.

The Last Word

Finally, LSBC is piloting a new informal community group exclusively for LSBC-member marketers and communicators. LSBC MarCom Connect will serve as a space for MarCom professionals - or those who wear this hat in their organization - to share knowledge, advance best practices, and get to know their sector counterparts via an exclusive chat group, occasional in-person meetups, and more!

By fostering a collaborative environment, we aim to identify synergies that benefit our organizations and contribute to advancing BC's life sciences sector. Please contact our Manager of Marketing & Communications, Johanna Mills, to learn more about how to get involved! 

Until next week,

Wendy and the LSBC team

PharmAla Ships MDMA to Mind Medicine Australia and Orygen Institute

PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and manufacturing of novel MDXX class molecules (including MDMA), is pleased to announce that is has issued a shipment of its GMP LaNeo MDMA to Mind Medicine Australia, a charity which seeks to alleviate the suffering caused by mental illness in Australia through expanding treatment using psychedelic molecules...READ MORE

WELL Health Reports Record Results for Q2-2023 and Upgrades Guidance for Balance of Year

WELL Health Technologies Corp. announce its interim consolidated financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. Highlights include:

• WELL achieved record quarterly revenues of $170.9 million and record Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $27.8 million in Q2-2023. This was WELL’s 18th consecutive quarter of record revenue performance.
• WELL surpassed a total of 1 million patient visits(2) for the first time in Q2-2023. The Company also almost achieved 1.5 million total patient interactions(2) representing approximately 5.9 million patient interactions on an annualized run-rate basis.
• WELL is upgrading its guidance with the expectation that 2023 revenue will be in the upper half of its annual guidance of $740 million to $760 million reflecting improved organic growth expectations for the balance of the year...READ MORE

WELL’s OceanMD to Roll Out eReferral & eOrders Platform to Help Providers and Patients in British Columbia Digitize & Modernize Clinical Workflows

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 that the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) in British Columbia has selected the Ocean Platform, from WELL’s wholly owned subsidiary, OceanMD, for its Digital Referral & Orders (DRO) Program...READ MORE

ERLEADA® (apalutamide) 240 mg Approved as the Only Androgen Receptor Inhibitor with a Once-Daily Single-Tablet Option in Canada

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced that Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance (NOC) authorizing the use of ERLEADA® (apalutamide) in an additional strength of a 240mg tablet. ERLEADA® 240 mg is now the only once-daily, single-tablet Androgen Receptor Inhibitor (ARI) approved by Health Canada for the treatment of patients with metastatic castrationsensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) as well as patients with non-metastatic castrationresistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC)...READ MORE

NervGen Pharma Reports Q2 2023 Financial Results and Operational Updates

NervGen Pharma Corp., reported its financial and operational results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023. Highlights include:

• Landmark Phase 1a/2b clinical trial of NVG-291 proceeds with recruitment of individuals with spinal cord injury; results expected in mid-2024
• Seasoned life sciences executive, Mike Kelly, appointed President & CEO
• Awarded grant of up to US$3.18 million from Wings for Life to support clinical trial...READ MORE

Numinus to Participate in a Water Tower Research Fireside Chat on Thursday, August 17, 2023

Numinus Wellness Inc., a mental health care company advancing innovative treatments and safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies, announced that Nikhil Handa, CFO, will participate in a Water Tower Research Fireside Chat on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT...READ MORE

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 and provided a corporate update. Highlights include:

• Last patient enrolled in XEN1101 Phase 2 X-NOVA clinical trial in major depressive disorder with topline data expected in late November to mid-December
• Continued progress across all XEN1101 Phase 3 epilepsy programs including in X-TOLE2 and X-TOLE3 clinical trials in focal onset seizures and X-ACKT in primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures
• Xenon to host XEN1101 MDD Webinar in mid-September to discuss Kv modulation in MDD, the X-NOVA clinical trial and the broader MDD landscape...READ MORE

Algernon NeuroScience Announces 40 Patient Phase 2 Psychedelic Drug DMT Stroke Study

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Canadian clinical stage pharmaceutical development company, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary Algernon NeuroScience (AGN Neuro), has completed a feasibility study and has finalized its clinical trial design for a 40 patient Phase 2 DMT Stroke study. AGN Neuro is the world’s first company to investigate DMT for the treatment of stroke and its ability to promote neuroplasticity in the healing of brain injuries...READ MORE

Filament Health Announces FDA Approval Of Two Clinical Trials Studying Its Botanical Psilocybin Drug Candidate PEX010

Filament Health Corp., a clinical‐stage natural psychedelic drug development company, announced approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for two clinical trials at leading American research institutions studying the effects of PEX010, Filament’s botanical psilocybin drug candidate, for mental health conditions including cancer-related anxiety and depression...READ MORE

NervGen Pharma to Proceed With Landmark Phase 1b/2a Clinical Trial for NVG-291 in Spinal Cord Injury Having Completed FDA Review and Received IRB Approval

NervGen Pharma Corp., a clinical stage biotech company dedicated to developing innovative solutions for the treatment of nervous system damage, has received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for its landmark Phase 1b/2a proof-of-concept clinical trial protocol of its proprietary lead compound, NVG-291, in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). NervGen is now actively recruiting potential subjects. As previously announced, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed its review of the clinical trial protocol and determined that the study may proceed...READ MORE

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Announces a Non-Brokered Private Placement of up to C$22 Million

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Phase 2 clinical-stage biotechnology company with an innovative drug delivery technology platform, is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 3,142,857 common shares of the Company, at a price of C$7.00 per Common Share for gross proceeds of up to C$22,000,000. To date, the Company has received commitments from subscribers to participate in the Private Placement for an aggregate amount of approximately C$20,000,000...READ MORE

GSK’s Arexvy, the First Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine for Older Adults Approved in Canada

Arexvy (respiratory syncytial virus vaccine – recombinant, AS01E adjuvanted) has been approved in Canada for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in individuals 60 years of age and older. The approval of Arexvy builds on GSK’s extensive portfolio of vaccines available to help protect people of all ages from a variety of infectious diseases and is the first RSV vaccine for older adults to be approved in Canada...READ MORE

Ontario’s Minister of Health Visits LifeLabs to Discuss Improved Access and Healthcare Equity, and Innovation in its Laboratories

LifeLabs was delighted to welcome Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, the Honourable Sylvia Jones, to our International Reference Laboratory (IRL) in Toronto this afternoon. The visit is Minister Jones’ first to LifeLabs, Canada’s leading medical laboratory...READ MORE

LifeLabs is Canada’s leading provider of laboratory diagnostic information and digital health connectivity systems, enabling customers and health care practitioners to diagnose, treat, monitor, and prevent disease. We support 20 million visits annually and conduct over 100 million laboratory tests through leading-edge technologies and our 6,000 talented and dedicated employees. We are a committed innovator in supporting Canadians to live healthier lives, operating Canada’s first commercial genetics lab and the country’s largest online portal, with more than 5 million Canadians receiving their results online. LifeLabs is 100% Canadian owned by OMERS Infrastructure, the infrastructure investment manager of one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans...LEARN MORE

Minister’s Statement on July Labour Force Survey Results

Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for July 2023:

“Earlier today, Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey reported that B.C.’s economy is holding steady this month with a 4,100 increase in full-time jobs and a 5,700 decrease in part-time jobs, reflecting the effects of the Bank of Canada’s interest rate hikes across the country. B.C. continues to add full-time jobs to its economy, with all of B.C.’s job growth so far this year in full-time jobs for a total 32,500 in 2023...READ MORE

B.C. Makes Progress on Clean, Inclusive Growth: Report

Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, has introduced the StrongerBC Economic Plan Progress Update, which demonstrates the steps the Government of British Columbia has taken to tackle economic headwinds by boosting clean and inclusive growth, and building an economy that works for everyone...READ MORE

PharmaCare Covers New Medical Device for People With Diabetes

People living with diabetes will benefit from BC PharmaCare’s coverage of FreeStyle Libre 2, a flash glucose monitor (FGM) that allows users to read their blood-sugar levels by swiping a hand-held device or smartphone over the sensor.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 will be covered by BC PharmaCare as a limited-coverage benefit beginning Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023...READ 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

Medical Science Liaison – Oncology (British Columbia)

Amgen is seeking a Medical Science Liaison - Oncology to work full-time at the Vancouver location. Requirements for the candidate include a PhD/MD/PharmD and 2+ years of relevant medical science or industry experience. Preffered qualifications include medical/scientific expertise in Oncology/Hematology, and Medical Science Liaison experience...LEARN MORE

HR Generalist

uBriGene are seeking a skilled HR Generalist with a strong focus on either HR Operations or talent Acquisition to join their organization. The HR Generalist will play a critical role in supporting the day-to-day HR operations or talent acquisition functions of the company. This position requires a detail-oriented individual who can effectively manage multiple tasks while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of HR best practices, talent acquisition strategies, and possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills...LEARN 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

Executive Project Manager – Piloter/Scaler and Lab Facility Construction

The Executive Project Manager will play a pivotal role in the successful establishment of a multi-use, modular biomanufacturing scaler/pilot and wet lab facility for new and establishing life sciences companies. This individual will report to the VILS board and oversee the coordination and execution of the facility's design and construction phase, actively engage in tenant recruitment and consultation efforts, and create a comprehensive business plan for the facility. The role will serve as a key liaison between the VILS Board of Directors, contractors, potential tenants, and other stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and reporting on project-related matters...LEARN MORE

Lonza is one of the world’s largest companies for contract development and manufacturing, recognized for our reliable, high-quality services, regulatory track record, global footprint, innovative technology platforms and over 35 years of experience in mammalian cell culture. In Lonza’s extensive contract development and manufacturing services portfolio, Lonza uses advanced technologies to quickly and efficiently deliver products such as monoclonal antibodies, complex proteins and recombinant proteins. Their biologics offering spans from preclinical services, clinical drug product and drug substance and commercial supply in Mammalian, Microbial, ADCs / Bioconjugates, mRNA and Cell & Gene Therapies. Lonza works in partnership with customers of all sizes, from start-ups to large biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and can tailor our products and services to rapidly bring candidates to the clinic and products to market...LEARN MORE

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