Life Sciences BC News, April 11, 2024

This week, our team is in Victoria consulting with LSBC board members and learning through member round tables. Thank you to StarFish Medical for the tour. This evening is our Vancouver Island Showcase Series that will spotlight some of the exciting developments on the island, which is an integral part of the greater BC life sciences sector. Exciting news from Victoria last week was Eupraxia’s debut on the Nasdaq, congratulations to the team!

As part of our efforts to build community, each year we come together to recognize the outstanding achievements of both individuals and organizations. It has been an incredible year for life sciences, and we have a lot to celebrate. Nominations for this year’s Life Sciences BC Awards open tomorrow. Stay tuned for more info.

On an international level, LSBC will be leading BC’s delegation at the annual BIO convention on June 3-6, 2024, at the San Diego Convention Center. Our role at this conference is to raise the profile of BC’s presence and to help advance the goals of our members at BIO, creating opportunities for connections with potential partners, clients, investors, and other stakeholders including government representatives.

Contact Joanne Lin, our Manager of Memberships & Partnerships at jlin@lifesciencesbc.ca if you are planning on attending BIO! 

Member Highlights 

Vertex acquires Alpine for $65 per share or approximately $4.9 billion in cash. Alpine is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative, protein-based immunotherapies. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024. Learn more. 

ARTMS, a Quark Venture portfolio company announces the completion of its acquisition by Telix. This deal further enhances the vertical integration of Telix’s supply chain and manufacturing of key isotopes. This is a huge milestone for BC’s life sciences as the technology and founding team originated from TRIUMF, BCCA, CPDC and Lawson Health. Learn more. 

UBC Faculty of Medicine researchers and national counterparts receive $20 million from the federal government to create clinical trials and treatment networks for pediatric rare diseases. This national network links hospitals across the country to improve outcomes for children and adolescents affected by rare diseases. Learn more. 

Bausch Health, Canada announces that its topical prescription treatment for acne vulgaris, PrARAZLOTM, is now available to patients through BC PharmaCare. Learn more. 

IQVIA, a leading global provider of data, analytics, technology and services to the life sciences industry, and Salesforce announce an expanded global strategic partnership to develop Salesforce’s Life Sciences Cloud, a next-generation customer engagement platform for life sciences. Learn more. 

New Members

Labcorp is a leading global life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and patients make clear and confident decisions. 

Hologic is a global leader in women's health, dedicated to advancing early detection and treatment of diseases such as breast and cervical cancer.

Industry Highlights

Government of Canada announces $2.4 billion from the upcoming Budget 2024 to secure Canada’s AI advantage. This includes Investing $2 billion to build and provide access to technological infrastructure, boosting AI start-ups and accelerating AI adoption, supporting workers who may be impacted by AI, and creating a new Canadian AI Safety Institute, with $50 million to further the safe development and deployment of AI. Learn more. 

Kudos

Congratulations to Dr. Pieter Cullis for induction into the 2024 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame! With a career spanning over 40 years, Dr. Cullis has taken lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug delivery systems from a compelling concept to cutting-edge medicines that are impacting billions of lives. Learn more. 

Congratulations to LSBC member organizations that presented their scientific findings at this year’s AACR Annual Meeting on April 5-10, 2024 at the San Diego Convention Center. Read more about this year’s annual meeting here.

Congratulations to Vertex for being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For. Announced on Linkedin. 

Congratulations to Dr. Stefan Lang, Dr. Christina Luong, Dr. Miles Mannas and Dr. Eric McGinnis on receiving this year’s VCHRI Investigator Awards. These peer-reviewed Investigator Awards promote excellence and build health research capacity for clinician-scientists at Vancouver Coastal Health and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Learn more. 

Congratulations to UBC faculty and learners recognized by the Medical Alumni Association: Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell, Dr. Adrian Yee, Valerie Mok and Alvin Qiu. The recipients will be recognized at the UBC Medical Alumni Celebration & Awards on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Learn more. 

People on the Move

MaRS welcomes new CEO Alison Nankivell. Learn more. 

Applications Open

📢 Registration is open for BioBasics 101: The Biology of Biotech for the Non-Scientist on May 29 & 30. We are pleased to present an intensive two-day master course designed to help non-scientists gain a foundational understanding of the science that forms the backbone of biopharma to converse more effectively with colleagues, clients, regulators, and scientists. Learn more. 

Science World’s Future Science Leaders (FSL) presented by Acuitas is now taking applications. This after-school science enrichment program is for students who will be in Grades 10 or 11 in September 2024. Apply by May 1, 2024. Learn more.

A new funding opportunity from Canadian Institutes of Health Research is available for HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) researchers. $15.5M is available to fund up to six team grants. The deadline for this application is September 17, 2024. Learn more.

The Health Research BC 2024 Convening & Collaborating (C2) and Reach competitions are now open with additional funding to address priority health challenges. The maximum amount for each award has increased to $20K. Team-based applications close May 13, 2024. Learn more.

See our expanded list of current life sciences opportunities on our website.

Member Spotlight

Empowering Medtech Innovation®

StarFish Medical is Canada's leading Medical Device Design company offering design, development, and manufacturing services based in Toronto and Victoria. StarFish Medical partners with innovative companies throughout North America to create and manufacture breakthrough products for a full range of medical specialty areas including stem cell therapies, biomanufacturing, assay integrations, microfluidic prototyping, and In-Vitro Diagnostics...Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

April 25 - We are thrilled to launch our inaugural Digital Health Conference on April 25, 2024. 

This day-long event will connect sector leaders for in-depth discussions on the important role digital health has in the future of healthcare.

May 29 & 30 - LSBC, in partnership with Biotech Primer, is pleased to present BioBasics 101: The Biology of Biotech for the Non-Scientist.

This intensive two-day ‘master course’ is designed to help non-scientists gain a foundational understanding of the science that forms the backbone of biopharma.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited Completes the Acquisition of ARTMS, Inc.

ARTMS Inc. is pleased to announce that the acquisition by Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited has been completed. This acquisition further enhances the vertical integration of Telix’s supply chain and manufacturing by providing a greater level of supply chain and regulatory control...Read more.

Vertex Enters Into Agreement to Acquire Alpine Immune Sciences

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Vertex will acquire Alpine for $65 per share or approx. $4.9 billion in cash...Read more.

Prudential Overall Supply Celebrates 92nd Anniversary

Prudential Overall Supply, an industry leader in reusable image work apparel and related textiles, is celebrating its 92nd anniversary. Founded by John D Clark in 1932, Prudential has grown from a one-man operation to a national brand serving customers throughout North America...Read more.

Getinge Receives EU MDR Approval of Advanta V12 Covered Stent System with Use for Patients with Renal Artery Stenosis and/or Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease

Getinge announces the EU MDR certification of its Advanta V12 covered stent system, highlighting its use for patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease, including lesions at the aortic bifurcation...Read more.

Acne Vulgaris Treatment PrARAZLO™ (Tazarotene Lotion, 0.045%) Now Available to Patients Through British Columbia PharmaCare Public Drug Plan

Bausch Health, Canada Inc. announced that its topical prescription treatment for acne vulgaris, PrARAZLOTM, is now available to patients through BC PharmaCare, the public drug program of British Columbia...Read more.

Bausch Health Announces Patent Lawsuit Against Amneal Pharmaceuticals

Bausch Health Companies, along with its gastroenterology business, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced that it filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York, LLC, Amneal EU, Limited, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Amneal Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, and Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc...Read more.

Stem Cell Network Welcomes Members to its Inaugural Patient Committee

The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is pleased to announce the formation of its first-ever Patient Committee. This new committee will assist SCN in establishing a framework for harnessing the lived experience of patients, and work to inform the creation and direction of SCN’s public-facing materials and initiatives...Read more.

UBC Faculty and Learners Recognized by Medical Alumni Association

The UBC Medical Alumni Association will be celebrating the achievements of several faculty members and students from the UBC medical community at its upcoming UBC Medical Alumni Celebration & Awards event...Read more.

Rare Disease Network for Children Receives $20 Million Federal Investment

UBC Faculty of Medicine researchers are part of a new national network that recently received $20 million in federal funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Rare Disease Research Initiative for the creation of the RareKids-CAN: Pediatric Rare Disease Clinical Trials and Treatment Network...Read more.

Zymeworks Presents New Data From Multiple Preclinical Development Programs At 2024 American Association For Cancer Research Annual Meeting

Zymeworks Inc. announced five presentations including new data from its preclinical development-stage programs at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting being held in San Diego, California April 5-10, 2024...Read more.

AbCellera Presents Data on T-Cell Engagers Against Four Tumor Targets at AACR 2024

AbCellera announced new data on its T-cell engager programs at the American Association for Cancer ResearchⓇ Annual Meeting 2024 at the San Diego Convention Center, with three posters being presented on April 8 and one on April 9. Together, AbCellera’s data demonstrate that it is well-positioned to advance TCEs as a drug class...Read more.

IQVIA and Salesforce Expand Global Partnership to Accelerate the Development of Life Sciences Cloud

IQVIA and Salesforce announced an expanded global strategic partnership to accelerate the development of Salesforce’s Life Sciences Cloud, a next-generation customer engagement platform for the global life sciences industry...Read more.

Associate Director/Director, Quality, Regulatory & Supply Chain Systems

This role will be the IT business partner for the Quality, Regulatory and Supply Chain functions and will be the primary point of contact on all topics related to IT. The Associate Director/Director, Quality, Regulatory & Supply Chain System will partner with these groups to develop and execute against a functional technology roadmap...Learn more.

Assistant Professor in Cardiac Arrhythmias

The ideal candidate will lead a research program using stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to investigate inherited arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies at the Cellular and Regenerative Medicine Centre...Learn more.

Clinical Trial Associate 1

The Clinical Trial Associate 1 will be an individual responsible for supporting Clinical Operations team members with project-specific support related to the conduct of clinical trials activities...Learn more.

Vice President, Process Development & Manufacturing

Reporting to the Chief Technical Operating Officer, this role requires a deep understanding of biopharmaceutical process development, cGMP manufacturing, and regulatory requirements associated with cell-based therapies and combination products...Learn more.

Associate, Biomaterials

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Biomaterials, the Associate, Biomaterials will contribute to polymer development, formulation, and characterization of biomaterials used to manufacture bioprinted tissues for preclinical studies and clinical applications...Learn more.

International Sales Account Manager

We are looking for an outgoing, self-motivated person to join our team as an International Sales Account Manager to assist the accelerating growth of our company. In this position, you will be responsible for the generating new business, help deliver awareness of our services to potential customers, and help position our company as a leader in the Microbiome Services Industry...Learn more.

R&D Technologist

The ideal candidate will effectively be conducting experiments for research projects and developing new product lines and working collaboratively with other lab talents on a daily basis, and work on the Admin/Office tasks as assigned. You will report directly to the CTO...Learn more

Senior Radiologist

As a Senior Radiologist, you will be responsible for providing expert medical guidance and support for the validation of our AI solution for Brain CT analysis...Learn more.

Scientist – Molecular Biology

As an accomplished Scientist, you will work within a high-performing team passionate about making an impact on human health. Your role is hands-on, in the lab, performing advanced molecular biology techniques to support the discovery of novel antibody therapeutics...Learn more.

Research Scientist, RNA

Reporting to the Director, RNA, the Scientist / Senior Scientist, RNA will work closely with the RNA Team and will be responsible for designing, executing, analyzing, and making recommendations on our research protocols related to internal and client-based projects, and subsequent data analysis...Learn more.

Director/Senior Director, Development Program Management

Xenon is seeking a Director/Senior Director, Development Program Management to lead and coordinate cross-functional planning of Xenon’s clinical-stage small-molecule drug development programs in both late and early phases with regulatory submissions experience (eg NDAs, MAAs) and life cycle management projects...Learn more.

Senior Microsoft Systems Engineer

This role will serve as the technical lead and strategist for the IT End User Computing Team. Near-term projects include completing the transition from SCCM/ECM to Intune, automating the computer imaging process with Autopilot, evaluating Autopatch and 3rd party patching, and planning the transition to Windows 12...Learn more.

Partnerships Specialist

A key member of the Partnerships team, the Partnerships Specialist under the guidance of the Director, Partnerships, is responsible for establishing and nurturing relationships with partners, proactively seeking new opportunities, and ensuring compliance with partnership agreements. ...Learn more.

Program Manager, Research Programs

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Research Programs, the Program Manager brings Knowledge Translation expertise to the organization and focuses on key initiatives and programs that help accelerate implementation of our strategic directions...Learn more.

Program Manager, Clinical Trials BC

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Clinical Trials BC, the Program Manager is responsible for facilitating success of the Health Research BC’s Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) provincial program...Learn more.

Senior/Principal Scientist, Preclinical Pharmacology

Abdera Therapeutics is looking to hire a Senior/principal Scientist, Preclinical Pharmacology, who will be the scientific lead for in vivo pharmacology, PK/BD, and toxicology studies...Learn more.

Research Associate – Protein Biochemistry

Abdera Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Associate in protein biochemistry to support a therapeutic antibody discovery team. This position will provide an opportunity to positively contribute to research programs developing next-generation targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies...Learn more.

Welcome to LSBC!

Tulevik is a Life Sciences advisory and consulting firm specializing in global facilities and product transactions for pharmaceutical, biotech, and life sciences companies, investors and founders. Tulevik offers an extensive collection of expert pharma advisory services and solutions designed to help your company make strategic decisions and improve how you do business...Learn more.

Advance your drug candidate toward the next cancer research breakthrough by leveraging Labcorp’s 430+ human and syngeneic tumour models and 20 years of discovery oncology experience. Their solutions include in vitro assessments, in vivo pharmacology services, in vivo imaging and focal radiation capabilities for small molecules, antibody therapeutics, CAR T/TCR, NK-CAR and other adoptive cell therapies [...] Labcorp is a leading global life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and patients make clear and confident decisions... Learn more.

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