I do hope our life sciences community is enjoying some beautiful sunny weather and much needed R & R, wherever you may be! This will be our last BioLinks for the remainder of this summer until it resumes on September 3 ^rd.

As I look back on the last few months, it has been an extraordinary time for all of us. We have weathered uncertainty, established new societal protocols, made decisions based on contemporary health risks, all the while, continuing on with life and work. At LifeSciences BC we have been as busy as ever and working hard to serve the interests of our varied members as they adjust to our new and concerning global circumstances.

It was good news to hear that our former Board of Directors, President, Nancy Harrison is now a Partner at Amplitude Ventures, a Montréal-headquartered investment firm. Her experience in the life sciences sector, will serve the broader interest of innovation in Canada and as a community we are most pleased that she is engaged at this important level of business development. Congratulations to Nancy! We are also pleased to be sharing a story in BioLinks that appeared in the Vancouver Sun this week on B.C.’s serology study, conducted jointly between the BCCDC, UBC and the private testing firm LifeLabs.

Before I sign off for the summer, I would also like to acknowledge the many new members that have joined LifeSciences BC in the last few months. Without our membership driving our engagement and supporting our efforts we would not be able to achieve the many things we have been working so hard at lately. Thank you to all our loyal and supportive members! Needless to say we are extremely grateful for your support!

I hope everyone enjoys and has, a very safe summer!

July 27, 2020, VICTORIA, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AUPH) (TSX:AUP) (“Aurinia” or the “Company”), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing voclosporin in multiple indications, today announced the closing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of 13,333,334 common shares (the “Offering”).  READ MORE

WARMINSTER, Pa., July 29, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on developing a cure for people with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, as well as therapies to treat coronaviruses (including COVID-19), today announced that it has scheduled its second quarter financial results, conference call and webcast for Friday, August 7, 2020.   READ MORE

Mississauga, ON, July 28, 2020 – Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc. today announced that Health Canada has issued a marketing authorization with conditions (Notice of Compliance with Conditions, or NOC/c) for Veklury® (remdesivir).   READ MORE

DEERFIELD, Ill. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia – July 29, 2020 – Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), a global innovator in renal care, and Ayogo Health Inc., a behavioral science-based digital health company, announced the expansion of their partnership to support the needs of patients with kidney disease through digital health solutions.   READ MORE

Ottawa, July 29, 2020 – The Health Research Foundation (HRF) of Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Srinivas Murthy, clinical associate professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of British Columbia and critical care specialist and investigator at the BC Children’s Hospital, has been awarded the Health Research Foundation of Innovative Medicines Canada Chair in Pandemic Preparedness Research.   READ MORE

VICTORIA, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AUPH / TSX: AUP) (the “Company”) today announced that it will release its second quarter 2020 financial results on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, after the markets close. Aurinia’s executive team will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results and to provide a general business update. READ MORE

BURNABY, British Columbia, July 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:XENE), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it will report its second quarter 2020 financial and operating results after the close of U.S. financial markets on Thursday, August 6, 2020. Xenon management will host a conference call and live audio webcast at 4:30 pm Eastern Time (1:30 pm Pacific Time) to discuss the results and to provide a corporate update. READ MORE

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – July 30, 2020) –  iCo Therapeutics Inc. (TSXV: ICO) (OTCQB: ICOTF) (“iCo” or “the Company”) and its subsidiary, iCo Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd.,  announced today the publication of results of their Oral Amphotericin B (iCo 019) Phase 1a Study in one of the leading infectious diseases journals, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy..... READ MORE

July 26, 2020 | BY Derrick Penner, Vancouver Sun | R esearchers have learned valuable lessons from COVID-19 antibody testing in the population, including those about the challenges in using the method at an individual level. READ MORE

Amplitude Ventures, a Montréal-headquartered investment firm focused on the health and life sciences sectors, has received more than $50 million for the second close of its targeted $200 million CAD venture fund. READ MORE

July 24, 2020 | Harvard Medical School | Loss of smell, or anosmia, is one of the earliest and most commonly reported symptoms of COVID-19. A new study identifies the olfactory cell types most vulnerable to infection by the novel coronavirus. Surprisingly, sensory neurons involved in smell are not among the vulnerable cell types. READ MORE

July 29, 2020 | University of Copenhagen The Faculty of Health and Medical Science | The largest and most complex CRISPR system has been visualized by researchers in a new study. The system may have potential applications in biomedicine and biotechnology, the researchers believe. READ MORE

MONTREAL -- The Business Development Bank of Canada is pledging $160 million for companies that are rich in intellectual property, but often struggle to access capital. READ MORE

The Student Work Placement Program is now accepting applications for healthcare placements. Canada’s healthcare industry has a growing need to produce job-ready healthcare workers. There are 1,500 open spots available in 2020-21.  WEBSITE

LSBC Membership Discounts on Job Postings

 

As an LSBC member, your first five job postings EARNS a free repost on BioTalent Canada's  The Petri Dish After your first five reposts, you will also receive 25% off all job postings on  The Petri Dish . Want more info?  CONTACT: Sue Callaghan - [email protected]

Membership Benefits Program

COST SAVINGS FOR OUR MEMBERS

As a LifeSciences BC member, organizations and their employees can benefit from significant savings on a range of business and personal services, thanks to our Membership Benefits Program partnerships. You can locate the cost savings program suited to you needs here .