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This week we had the privilege of a tour of Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby Campus from Dr. Angela Brooks-Wilson, Dean of Science, to see BC’s world-class innovation in action. We checked out Western Canada’s first Anatomage table - a 3D anatomy and virtual dissection platform - and visited the Centre for High-Throughput Chemical Biology, which is unique in Western Canada for supporting early-stage drug discovery. We also toured 4D labs, a materials science research institute focusing on developing and delivering advanced functional materials and nanoscale devices. Thanks to all who took the time to share their work with us, including SFU Venture Labs, the Beedie School of Business: Invention to Innovation, the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, and more.
It was a sold-out crowd at yesterday’s Women in Life Sciences panel event, hosted in partnership with the Burnaby Board of Trade. Panelists Jennifer Arntorp of Corcym, Dr. Angela Brooks-Wilson of SFU, Beatriz Rodriguez of STEMCELL Technologies, and Erica Zarkovich of LifeLabs shared their experiences, stories, and views on leadership in the life science sector and the importance of including diversity of thought across the sector.
Our team also had the pleasure of attending CANZBA’s (Canada, Australia & New Zealand Business Association) exclusive Australia and Waitangi Day event hosted in collaboration with the Australian Consulate and New Zealand Consulate-General. We value the collaborative, cross-border relationships that support innovation and promote sector growth.
Member News
David Helliwell, Co-Founder and Board Chair of Thrive Health, is featured in Investment Reports, discussing his vision for digital health and improved patient care. Bill Hunter, Canary Medical CEO, was recently featured in a PM3620 Magazine article on managing leadership responsibilities. Tim Richmond, Executive VP and Chief HR Officer of AbbVie shared his approach to building a strong company culture and attracting talent in the recent The HR Digest.
UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering has launched the SBME Synergy Summer Studentship Program in partnership with the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, the Genome Science and Technology Graduate Program, and the Life Sciences Institute. This undergraduate research program provides opportunities for hands-on research in world-class laboratories.
The UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences has launched catalyst for Change 2.0, a new strategic plan that will provide direction from now through to the end of 2026.
BCIT and Teck Resources have opened the Teck Copper Innovation Hub at BCIT’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation. The facility will help researchers and students explore copper’s use in various healthcare devices, including prosthetics and orthotics.
AdMare BioInnovations has announced the launch of the Tx Accelerator, a national program to support Canada’s most promising and innovative early-stage therapeutics ventures with the potential for significant market impact.
The Gairdner Foundation will announce its 2023 laureates on Mar 30. You can register to see the live announcement at 9 a.m. ET.
Industry News
BC’s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, has welcomed Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Dr. Martin Lavoie, and Dr. Andrew Larder to British Columbia’s public health leadership team to help strengthen BC’s preparedness and response to present and future public health emergencies.
Save the date! The 2023 Bloom Burton & Co. Healthcare Investor Conference is on April 25-26 at the Metro Toronto Conventions Centre.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has announced a call for applications for Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships, which support frontier, transformative research in the life sciences. Applications for high-risk projects are particularly encouraged.
The Canadian Space Agency’s Health Beyond Initiative has shared a new funding opportunity with the Innovation Fund for Remote Healthcare in Space and on Earth. The goal is to redistribute a total of $1.8 million in funding to the Canadian biomedical sector and involves funding the development of healthcare technologies tailored to remote and deep space environments. The deadline to apply is Feb 20.
Kudos
Thomas J. Digby, a longtime and passionate advocate of the life sciences, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) for a 5-year term. We congratulate Mr. Digby on this exciting new leadership role.
People on the Move
Algernon Pharmaceuticals has appointed Dr. Peter Dicpinigaitis, Professor of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, as a medical consultant to their chronic cough research program.
The Last Word
Today is the last day to purchase early bird tickets to our Feb 23 Access to Innovation Conference, bringing together life sciences leaders from academia, research, health institutions, government, and industry to discuss emerging trends, innovation, economic impact, translational science, and policies to advance the sector. Register now!
Until next week,
Wendy and the LSBC team
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