August 17th, 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 

Stephanie Willerth, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Victoria and Milena Restan Perez, Research Assistant at the University of Victoria were recently featured in a Bio-protocol webinar series on 3D printing personalized tissue models. Watch it here. 

Register for Gairdner Science Week 2023 in October as they convene global health leaders for a week of symposia, mentoring, panels, and a Gala to celebrate scientific research that impacts health and wellbeing all around the world. Learn more. 

Canary Medical Inc.’s CEO Bill Hunter was featured in The Wall Street Journal’s series “The Future of Everything”, discussing how Canary is exploring ways to use machine learning to analyze data and spot signs of trouble for patients. Read it here. 

Novo Nordisk A/S and Inversago Pharma, a private Montreal-based developer of CB1 receptor-based therapies for the potential treatment of obesity, diabetes and complications associated with metabolic disorders, announced that Novo Nordisk has agreed to acquire Inversago for up to $1.075 billion USD if certain development and commercial milestones are met. Learn more. 

STEMCELL Technologies received $5 million in PacifiCan funding from 2019 to 2022 to enhance their cell separation products for new markets. Learn more. 

Medtech Canada welcomed Augurex as a new member recently, which is a privately held biotech company based in Vancouver specializing in the development and commercialization of biomarkers that transform patient clinical management for better disease outcomes. Learn more.   

The World Health Organization is seeking input from relevant stakeholders spanning all diseases and health conditions to help develop guidance on best practices for clinical trials. The submission deadline for consultation is September 15th, 2023. Learn more. 

Nimbus Synergies announced the relocation of its new GENERATOR Startup Hub at the corner of West Broadway and Oak Street in Vancouver. This move marks the most significant strategic change in the GENERATOR’s 12 year history as it shifts focus to nurturing health tech startups exclusively, with a new 5,000 sqft rent-free coworking space dedicated to supporting early-stage startups. Learn more. 

Novartis has completed its acquisition of Chinook Therapeutics, Inc., with the sale being completed for $3.2 billion USD upfront. The transaction lines up with Novartis’ strategy to focus on innovative medicines, significantly expanding their renal portfolio, and complementing their existing pipeline. Learn more. 

This past week at the 2023 Military Health System Research Symposium, Microbion Corporation presented a poster that highlighted the key clinical study design elements from an ongoing phase 2 study assessing the safety and efficacy of topical pravibismane in subjects suffering from moderate infections associated with chronic diabetic foot ulcers. The Phase 2 study is funded in part by a $2.1 million award from the Naval Medical Research Center, Naval Advanced Medical Development (NMRC-NAMD) through CUBRC, Inc. and the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC). Learn more. 

SignalChem announced patients enrollment for the company’s clinical trial of AXL Inhibitor SLC-391 in combination with KEYTRUDA® for advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Learn more. 

New Members

We are pleased to welcome the following new LSBC Member: 

Nancy Goertzen has joined LSBC at the individual level. Welcome, Nancy!  

Industry Highlights

The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced the appointment of Anie Perrault as Vice Chairperson to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, an independent quasi-judicial body that works to ensure prices of patented medicines sold in Canada are not excessive. Learn more. 

Applications Open

The invention to Innovation (i2I) Program is calling for applications for Fall 2023. This part-time program has been designed to help graduate, post-doc, faculty and industry researchers build translational skills and plans while joining a national network of peers and expert mentors. The deadline to apply for i2I is August 20th! 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 Clairvoyant Therapeutics on reaching a new milestone: 50% of interim analysis participants have been enrolled and dosed, with the recruitment rate for phase 2b psilocybin/AUD trial at the high end of expectations. Learn more.

People on the Move

Anne Woods has joined the team at RBCx as the Managing Director of Life Sciences & Healthcare. Congratulations, Anne! 

Congratulations to Diane Gardiner, who was recently named Chief Human Resources Officer at Aspect Biosystems! Diane has strong roots in the biotech community and will oversee talent acquisition and HR operations in her new role during a period of rapid company growth.

Following this week’s announcement of Anie Perrault being appointed as Vice Chairperson to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, we also want to extend a warm congratulations! We look forward to how her contributions and leadership will benefit Canadians and overall access to health care. Learn more.   

The Last Word

One more event for LSBC members to add to the docket before we sign off this week, please consider joining us at our Annual General Meeting on September 12th as we review the past year and look towards the future. LSBC members, please register online to reserve your spot.  

Until next week,

Wendy and the LSBC team

Medical Device Playbook Toronto October 19, 2023

StarFish Medical announces the return of Medical Device Playbook to Toronto’s MaRS DD on October 19, 2023, from 9am to 6pm. Medical Device Playbook is Canada’s largest Medtech event for entrepreneurial companies and medical device professionals...READ MORE

Aspect Biosystems Appoints Seasoned Biotech Executive Diane Gardiner as Chief Human Resources Officer

Aspect Biosystems, a biotechnology company pioneering the development of bioprinted tissue therapeutics, announced the appointment of Diane Gardiner as the company’s Chief Human Resources Officer. Gardiner joins Aspect during a high-growth period, and will focus on spearheading team expansion and development, optimizing HR operations, and continuing to foster a strong company culture...READ MORE

Filament Health and Nasdaq-Listed SPAC Jupiter Acquisition Corp. Announce Filing of SEC Registration Statement

Filament Health Corp., a clinical‐stage natural psychedelic drug development company, and Jupiter Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company, announced the filing of a registration statement by 1427702 B.C. Ltd. on Form F-4, which contains a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the proposed Business Combination announced July 19, 2023...READ MORE

Gritstone bio and Genevant Sciences Announce Option and License Agreement

Gritstone bio, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company that aims to develop the world’s most potent vaccines, and Genevant Sciences, a leading nucleic acid delivery company with world-class platforms and a robust and expansive lipid nanoparticle (LNP) patent portfolio, announced an agreement pursuant to which Gritstone bio, Inc. will have a multi-year option for a non-exclusive license under Genevant’s LNP technology on a pathogen-by-pathogen basis to develop and commercialize self-amplifying RNA vaccines...READ MORE

Microbion Presented New Pravibismane Data Against Mycobacteroides abscessus at the 6th World Bronchiectasis and NTM Conference

Microbion Corporation announced that the company presented a poster highlighting the results from a series of in vitro and in vivo studies characterizing pravibismane’s effect against Mycobacteroides abscessus at the recent 6th World Bronchiectasis & NTM Conference held in New York, NY. The studies were conducted by Dr. Luiz Bermudez at Oregon State University and financial support was provided by CARB-X...READ MORE

SignalChem Announces Patients Enrollment in Clinical Trial of AXL Inhibitor SLC-391 in Combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

SignalChem Lifesciences Corp. is pleased to announce the enrollment of the first three patients in its phase Ib clinical trial in The United States and Canada, evaluating the efficacy and safety of AXL inhibitor SLC-391 in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, for the treatment of advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)...READ MORE

UBC Researchers Identify Cells That Cause Initial Airway Destruction in COPD Patients’ Lungs

Now, new UBC faculty of medicine research published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, has identified the cells responsible for this small airway destruction. The findings reveal that patients with COPD experience a progressive loss of alveolar attachments that normally hold the small airways open...READ MORE

Microbion to Present Design of Ongoing Phase 2 Study Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infections at the 2023 Military Health System Research Symposium

Microbion Corporation will be presenting a poster that highlights key clinical study design elements from an ongoing phase 2 study assessing safety and efficacy of topical pravibismane in subjects suffering from moderate infections associated with chronic diabetic foot ulcers at the 2023 Military Health System Research Symposium being held from August 14th to 17th at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, FL...READ MORE

Nimbus Synergies Catalyzes BC-Based Health Innovation with New GENERATOR Startup Hub

Nimbus Synergies, a leading Canadian early-stage health technology investor and mentor to Canada’s most promising health tech entrepreneurs, is excited to announce the GENERATOR’s relocation to new office space situated on the corner of West Broadway and Oak. This physical move marks the most significant strategic change in the GENERATOR’s 12-year history as it shifts focus to nurturing health tech startups exclusively. This unique 5,000 sqft startup hub, remains a rent-free co-working space, dedicated to providing support for early-stage startups, fostering a thriving health innovation ecosystem in British Columbia...READ MORE

Renaissance BioScience Corp. Adds a Key Strategic Board Advisor

Renaissance BioScience Corp., a leader in bioengineering for the global agriculture and food industries, is pleased to announce that it has retained the services of Kenneth P. Judge to assist the Renaissance Board of Directors and management team in their corporate development planning and execution, concentrating on the financing of corporate expansion and technology and commercial partnership development...READ MORE

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced its financial results and operational highlights for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023. Highlights include:

• On June 26, 2023, Eupraxia announced positive results from its Phase 2b clinical trial of EP-104IAR for pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. EP-104IAR met its primary endpoint with a clinically meaningful and statistically significant (p=0.004) improvement over vehicle-placebo in WOMAC Pain at 12 weeks.
• On June 8, 2023, Eupraxia announced the dosing of the first patient in the Phase 1b/2a trial of EP-104GI in adult patients afflicted with EoE, a rare disease that restricts the ability to swallow food and greatly impacts quality of life. The study now has five active sites in three countries and interim data readouts are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2023.
• On June 13, 2023, the Company announced that it had received U.S. Fast Track designation for EP-104IAR in the treatment of osteoarthritis. This process is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs that treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need...READ MORE

Zymeworks Provides Corporate Update and Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Zymeworks Inc. reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and provided a summary of recent business highlights. Highlights include:

• Presented full clinical results from Phase 2b study of zanidatamab monotherapy in previously treated HER2-amplified biliary tract cancers (BTC) at the Annual Meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
• Announces next investigational new drug application (IND) candidate, ZW220, a NaPi2b-targeted topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (TOPO1i) antibody drug conjugate (ADC), anticipated for IND filing in 1H-2025
• Additional preclinical and clinical data from multiple product candidates in our product pipeline expected to be presented at medical/scientific meetings during 2H-2023...READ MORE

Lonza Launches Nebula® Absorbance Reader for Streamlined Endotoxin and Pyrogen Testing

Lonza has launched the Nebula® Absorbance Reader, a new absorbance microplate reader which joins the company’s portfolio of optimized instruments for streamlined endotoxin and pyrogen testing...READ MORE

September 7: Venture Capital in Medtech

StarFish Medical announces its latest webinar Venture Capital in Medtech, where three seasoned venture capital experts share their insights, stories and lessons learned in a 90-minute live Medical Device Playbook webinar on September 7, 2023...READ MORE

Kardium Inc. is a rapidly growing medical solutions company that has developed an advanced system for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), which affects more than 37 million people worldwide. The Globe® Mapping and Ablation System is the most complete solution for AF, offering single-shot pulmonary vein isolation, high-definition mapping, and atrial ablation - all in a single catheter. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Kardium has been recognized as a top company to work for in BC, including recognition as Medical Technology Company of the Year in 2015 and again in 2021 by LifeSciences BC. LEARN MORE

Government of Canada Announces Appointment to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced a new appointment to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB).

Following a merit-based selection process, Anie Perrault is appointed as Vice Chairperson for a five-year term. With over 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors, Ms. Perrault held several positions in the genomic research and biotechnology sector both in Quebec and nationally...READ MORE

Animal Technician

Alpha-9 is seeking a team-oriented Animal Research Technician to join the Translational Biology group within the organization. The ideal candidate will have experience in providing technical in vivo support for research programs, preferably with radioactive substances. This person will be responsible for laboratory animal care and well-being, in addition to conducting in vivo research experiments with experimental radiopharmaceuticals...LEARN 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

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

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