This week, Peter McLoughlin, Life Sciences BC Manager, Partnerships and Membership, has been attending the Life Sciences Baltics virtual conference, representing Life Sciences BC members. In partnership with the British Columbia Trade and Investment European Representative Office, LSBC has been promoting the BC’s Life Science ecosystem and meeting with Investors and global companies interested in investing or partnering with BC companies. We also created a booklet highlighting some of our members working in fields relevant to the conference themes and interested in the Baltics region.

Our annual Business in Vancouver Life Sciences magazine was released this week. In addition to a great snapshot of the sector, LSBC sponsors and members, this year’s award winners are also profiled. The magazine is being distributed through BIV and will be available on our website soon. Please do not hesitate to reach out (or drop by our new office) if you would like a copy. 

We want to draw your attention to a consultation process that the BC Government is undertaking regarding the province’s proposed new mandatory sick leave policy. The consultation process is in phase 2, attached is the link to provide feedback.

Next week, our Member Spotlight webinar focuses on what quantum-inspired drug development looks like. Representing a shift from in vivo thru in vitro to in silico testing, LSBC member and webinar sponsor, Fujitsu writes about how a quantum-inspired approach can accelerate drug development in this blog post.

LSBC member and bronze sponsor, Merck Canada has recently announced that Mr. Marwan Akar has been named as President and Managing Director, effective September 14, 2021. Marwan comes to Canada with over 20 years of international experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry and brings a broad view of the world’s healthcare ecosystems. 

The IHE Life Sciences Market Access Program supports Alberta and British Columbia-based life sciences companies with promising, market-ready healthcare technology that are currently seeking market access in Canada or beyond. With funding support from the Federal Government, the Institute of Health Economics (IHE) is pleased to release a Call for Expressions of Interest from organizations that would like to participate in a project intended to strengthen their market access opportunity. READ MORE

Further information and submissions: innovation@ihe.ca 

Following a well-attended AGM, Life Sciences BC is pleased to announce new Board of Directors members, with thanks to those who are departing.

At last week's AGM, Max Blouw (President, Research Universities Council of British Columbia), Kevin Chaplin (CEO, Kardium), Bob Dawson (National Director, Access and Government Relations, Pfizer), and Wendy Hurlburt (President and CEO, Life Sciences BC), were elected to the Board of Directors for a three-year term. READ MORE

Life Sciences BC celebrated the BC life sciences sector and community at the 23rd Annual Life Sciences BC Awards, presented by FARRIS on Thursday September 23, 2021. Held virtually, these awards celebrated not only the talented winners but also the individuals, companies, and organizations that together create the vibrant life sciences ecosystem in B.C. This strong and supportive community nurtures talent and innovation, fosters entrepreneurship, and has built a solid foundation of scientific excellence within which the sector continues to grow. READ MORE

Life Sciences BC is excited to attend Life Sciences Baltics for the first time, and we’re extremely proud to bring with us our strong and vibrant life sciences sector. Our members exemplify the world-class biotech research and innovation at work in our province—home to Canada’s fastest growing life sciences sector. With over 1,000 life sciences companies and a highly supportive infrastructure, our members offer enormous potential for partners and investors. We’re keen to grow ties between the Baltics and British Columbia and invite you to connect with these companies to join our momentum. READ MORE

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc., a leader in the manufacturing and clinical development of rare cannabinoids, announced that Eric A. Adams, CEO of InMed, and Shane Johnson, Co-Founder of BayMedica Inc. would present at Tribe Public’s Webinar Presentation and Q&A event titled “Accelerating The Commercialization of Rare Cannabinoids” at 8.30 am Pacific/11.30 am Eastern on September 21, 2021. READ MORE

For more details and to join the webcast, click here.

Izotropic Corporation, a Company commercializing a dedicated breast CT (computed tomography) imaging platform, IzoView, for the more accurate detection and diagnosis of breast cancers, announced today it has entered into an agreement with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to develop image reconstruction software (deep machine learning algorithms) to further improve the image processing performance of Breast CT while minimizing computational burden. READ MORE

AbCellera announced that the European Commission and Eli Lilly and Company have entered into a Joint Procurement Agreement to supply up to 220,000 doses of bamlanivimab together with etesevimab to treat confirmed COVID-19 in patients aged 12 years and older that do not require supplemental oxygen for COVID-19 and who are at increased risk of progressing to severe COVID-19. READ MORE

The Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund supports the bioscience infrastructure needs of postsecondary institutions and research hospitals by providing high-performance tools, innovative research spaces and biocontainment facilities. Support from this fund is expected to advance the Government of Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy by strengthening the research capacity of Canada’s biomanufacturing and life sciences ecosystem. READ MORE