Life Sciences BC News, July 04, 2024

Congratulations to adMare BioInnovations on their expansion with new wet lab space at the M4 Main Alley building in Vancouver! This location adds to adMare’s other innovation centres in Vancouver and Montreal. The facility is supported by $10 million from the province as part of BC’s Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy.

An entire floor will be designed into flexible, turn-key lab space and this new facility will support more than 20 early-stage ventures over the initial five-year period. For early-stage companies, this provides essential space for operations including access to specialized equipment and expertise. Read more.

Not only wet lab space but also talent has been identified as a critical component to supporting BC as the fastest-growing life sciences sector in Canada. As noted in our Labour Market Intelligence report released earlier this year, areas such as biomanufacturing are in demand.

CASTL announces the launch of a national biomanufacturing skills and training study in partnership with Future Skills Centre and delivered in partnership with BioTalent Canada. This study will gather critical labour market information and future training priorities specific to Canadian biomanufacturing. Read more.

Canary Medical CEO, Bill Hunter is featured on Medsider. Quotes from the interview below.

“Dr. Bill Hunter was a dedicated medical doctor. However, when his first company, Angiotech, became a leader in drug-coated medical devices, achieving a market capitalization of over $2 billion, he decided to leave his practice behind and became a full-time entrepreneur. [...] Today, he holds a portfolio of over 200 patents and patent applications, and his inventions are touching millions of lives. 

At Canary Medical, Bill and his team are giving medical devices a voice through their smart implants that can tell patients how well they’re recovering and can also alert physicians if there are signs of trouble. Their flagship product, Persona IQ, collects and monitors detailed data on a patient's gait and knee mobility after they undergo knee replacement surgery. Listen to the full interview here.

Member Highlights 

RBCx launches venture debt for life science companies. RBCx is the first Canadian bank with a dedicated life science credit team providing venture debt to pre-revenue venture-backed companies. Read more.

Vertex announces FDA acceptance of New Drug Application for Vanzacaftor/Tezacaftor/Deutivacaftor, a next-in-class triple combination treatment for cystic fibrosis. Read more.

HEALWELL AI closes two strategic acquisitions: VeroSource Solutions and BioPharma Services. Both businesses enhance HEALWELL’s financial profile and core capabilities to include comprehensive data science offerings for large enterprises and expanded clinical research offerings for the pharmaceutical industry. Read more.

Quest Diagnostics to acquire LifeLabs from OMERS for a value of approximately CA$1.35 billion. Read more.

The University of British Columbia expands opportunities for clinical research in Northern BC thanks to the leadership of Dr. Anurag Singh and his team. Read more.

NervGen Pharma’s CEO, Mike Kelly discusses the company's vision to build a startup biotech focused on repairing the central nervous system on the Empowered Patient Podcast. Listen to the interview here.

Kardium debuted in Times Square on the Nasdaq billboard with a mention of its latest $104 million financing.

Industry Highlights

Canada is joining the growing group of non-EU countries that have associated with the EU's research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, and will work jointly on large-scale projects tackling our biggest challenges. Read more.

New LSBC Members

[Student Member] Fattah Haeri is a dynamic leader with a proven record of guiding teams through diverse and complex projects, specializing in the life sciences industries. Armed with dual master's degrees in Biomedical Engineering and an MBA from SFU, Fattah seamlessly merges technical acumen with strategic business management. His expertise spans project management, process improvement, and fostering innovative ideas that drive advancements in technology and business strategy. Notably, Fattah's achievements include winning an international healthcare prize, underscoring his profound impact and excellence in the field. Learn More.

Kudos

Four members of the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Drs. John Allan Cairns, Lindsay Machan, Dan Poenaru, and Jack Edward Taunton, were appointed to the Order of Canada for 2024. This honour recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Canadian society. Read more.

People on the Move

Robert A. Michael was appointed Chief Executive Officer of AbbVie and joins their Board of Directors. Robert succeeds Richard A. Gonzalez, who served as CEO since the formation of the company in 2013. Read more.

Miranda Lam has been appointed Chair of the UBC Board of Governors. Miranda has served on the board since 2022, becoming Vice-Chair in 2023. She is the Chief Legal Officer and Vice President of Business Development at Acuitas Therapeutics. Read more.

Brian Simmers of Providence Health Care recently moved into a new role as President of PHC Ventures. PHC Ventures is a team of health care entrepreneurs who collaborate with like-minded stakeholders to bring leading-edge healthcare solutions to the market. Read more.

Evonik appointed Yann d’Hervé as the new Head of their Health Care business line. Yann is transitioning from his previous role as Head of the Care Solutions business line at Evonik. Read more.

Dr. Lalitha Raman-Wilms has been named the new Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Dr. Lalitha comes to UBC from the University of Manitoba where she served as a professor and as the Dean of the College of Pharmacy. Read more.

Innovate BC announced two new Board members, Marilyn Loewen Mauritz and Hana Doubrava, as well as returning Board member Edo de Martin. Read more.

Applications Open

The School of Biomedical Engineering at UBC has launched their Capstone Program for another exciting year. This program brings together talented students with industry and clinical leaders to tackle challenging real-world problems. Organizations are invited to submit projects for Capstone Teams to take on in the September school term. Submit by July 25 for consideration. Learn more.

Nominations are open for the Trailblazer Award in Policy for Science, Science for Policy, Innovation Policy, or Science & Society. The Trailblazer Awards, hosted by the Canadian Science Policy Centre, recognize individuals who have boldly spearheaded transformative initiatives in the Canadian science, technology, and innovation ecosystem. Submit nominations by July 16, 2024. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

Vancouver-based Acuitas Therapeutics (www.acuitastx.com) partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as non-governmental organizations and academic institutes, to advance nucleic acid therapeutics into clinical development and commercialization. Acuitas’ lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology is clinically validated, enabling Alnylam Pharmaceuticals’ ONPATTRO for the treatment of people with a rare genetic and otherwise fatal disorder known as transthyretin amyloidosis and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, COMIRNATY®, which has protected billions of people in more than 180 countries. Acuitas has also helped to enable the first human proof-of-concept for genome base editing to treat a serious genetic disease. The company is currently focused on further innovations to its LNP carriers to advance the development of novel gene therapies, such as epigenetic medicines, to modulate gene expression without genetic editing to treat a range of diseases, including cancer. In addition, Acuitas works with partners on the development of improved vaccines – such as multi-valent vaccines to prevent a range of infectious diseases (including malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis) – and on novel therapeutic vaccines against cancer, including personalized cancer vaccines. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

September 10 - Join us on September 10, 2024, as we celebrate excellence in life sciences at the 26th Annual Life Sciences BC Awards, presented by Farris.

This distinguished occasion brings together British Columbia’s vibrant life sciences community to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our peers and recognize the tireless efforts of those who have devoted their careers to advancing health innovations.

October 29 & 30 - Life Sciences BC is pleased to announce the 9th annual Invest in BC presented by Lumira Ventures conference.

This highly anticipated event serves as a premier gathering for healthcare innovators in British Columbia, connecting them with global investors. This year we’ve reimagined the conference, offering attendees a dynamic two-day program featuring 30+ company pitches from pre-seed to public.

Aequus Provides Launch Update Zimed PF

Aequus Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company, announces the highest selling quarter since the launch of Zimed® PF, the first and only multi-dose preservative free prostaglandin analog in Canada...Read more.

Quest Diagnostics to Acquire LifeLabs from OMERS, Enhancing Diagnostic Services for Canadians

Quest Diagnostics announced a definitive agreement with OMERS to acquire LifeLabs, a trusted provider of community laboratory tests for millions of Canadians, for a value of approximately CAN $1.35 billion including net debt...Read more.

HEALWELL AI Announces Successful Closing of Two Strategic Acquisitions: VeroSource Solutions and BioPharma Services

HEALWELL AI is pleased to announce the successful completion of its acquisitions of VeroSource Solutions, a healthcare technology software company providing both products and consulting services, and BioPharma Services, a leading full service CRO specializing in early clinical trials...Read more.

Getinge Launches Pulsiocare – the Next Generation in Hemodynamic Monitoring

Getinge announces the launch of Pulsiocare, an advanced hemodynamic monitoring platform that recently received its CE certificate. The state-of-the-art device offers a modern and intuitive-to-use platform for patient monitoring and hemodynamic assessment...Read more.

Vertex Announces FDA Acceptance of New Drug Application for Vanzacaftor/Tezacaftor/Deutivacaftor, a Next-In-Class Triple Combination Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis

Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced that the U.S. FDA has accepted its New Drug Application for investigational once-daily triple combination therapy for people living with cystic fibrosis ages 6 years and older...Read more.

Proteins and Fats can Drive Insulin Production for Some, Paving Way for Tailored Nutrition

When it comes to managing blood sugar levels, most people think about counting carbs. But new research from UBC shows that, for some, it may be just as important to consider the proteins and fats in their diet…Read more.

UBC Medicine Faculty Members Appointed to the Order of Canada for 2024

UBC faculty of medicine community members Drs. John Allan Cairns, Lindsay Machan, Dan Poenaru and Jack Edward Taunton were recently appointed to the Order of Canada...Read more.

UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Welcomes New Dean, Dr. Lalitha Raman-Wilms

The UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Lalitha Raman-Wilms as the new Dean, starting October 1. Dr. Raman-Wilms comes to UBC from the University of Manitoba...Read more.

CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) Achieved Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Improvement in Overall Survival in Landmark CARTITUDE-4 Study

Johnson & Johnson announced positive results from a prespecified second interim analysis of the Phase 3 CARTITUDE-4 study evaluating CARVYKTI® compared to standard therapies for the treatment of patients with relapsed or lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma...Read more.

Evonik Appoints Yann d’Hervé as New Head of Health Care Business Line

Yann d’Hervé, previously Head of the Care Solutions business line in Evonik’s Nutrition & Care division, will lead the Health Care business line as of July 1. Yann d’Hervé holds an MSc in Chemistry and an MBA...Read more.

Robert A. Michael Assumes Role as AbbVie Chief Executive Officer

AbbVie announced that Robert A. Michael has assumed the role of chief executive officer and has joined AbbVie’s Board of Directors, effective July 01. As previously announced, Mr. Michael succeeds Richard A. Gonzalez, who has served as CEO since the company’s inception in 2013...Read more.

AbbVie Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for Epcoritamab (TEPKINLY®) for the Treatment of Adults with Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma

AbbVie announced that the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has adopted a positive opinion recommending the conditional marketing authorization of epcoritamab as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after two or more prior therapies…Read more.

adMare BioInnovations Expands with New Wet Laboratory Space in Vancouver

adMare BioInnovations is delighted to announce the location of its new wet laboratory facility to support emerging life sciences companies in Vancouver, made possible through the support of the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation…Read more.

RBCx Launches Venture Debt to Pre-revenue, VC-backed Life Science Companies

For decades, venture-backed life science companies in the U.S. have used debt as a cost efficient way to minimize dilution on the way to their next meaningful clinical milestone. RBCx is the first Canadian bank with a dedicated life science credit team able to provide venture debt…Read more.

Dr. Brian Kwon Appointed as New ICORD Director

Dr. Brian Kwon has been appointed Director of ICORD for a five-year term effective July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2029. Dr. Kwon is a professor in the Department of Orthopaedics, an associate member of the School of Biomedical Engineering…Read more.

Digital Co-invests $3.5M to Advance Novamera’s Surgical Mining Technologies

A new data-driven technology could change how we mine metals and critical minerals. DIGITAL recently co-invested $3.5M in a data-driven Surgical Mining initiative led by Canadian start-up Novamera to advance its transformational Surgical Mining Technologies…Read more.

Province Strengthens Cancer Care and Expands Access

A year into the 10-Year Cancer Care Action Plan to build capacity and expand access to cancer-care services to meet growing demand, more people in B.C. are benefiting from expanded screening, more access to diagnostic tests and better treatment…Read more.

Scaling mRNA production for design validation

To unlock the next generation of mRNA therapeutics, we need to be able to test mRNAs designs generated via deep learning in vivo. Your work will enable the first step toward this goal by developing methods to produce mRNA at a scale and quality sufficient for testing ML-generated designs in vivo...Learn more

Building formulation capabilities for mRNA design validation

Your work will enable us to formulate mRNA designs into LNPs with the goal of enabling us to better understand and model the performance of our mRNA designs within in vivo settings...Learn more

Associate, Polymer Chemistry

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

Senior Accountant

Reporting to the Controller, the Senior Accountant will play a leading role in the execution of all financial operations, including full cycle accounting, reporting, budgets, forecasting, client relationships, records maintenance, and developing a comprehensive set of controls to ensure accuracy...Learn more

Associate Scientist, Predictive Biology (14 Month Contract)

In this vital role you will focus on the development of an in vitro platform composed of patient derived cell lines and organoids that will allow us to better predict efficacy and safety liabilities in our Biologic drugs. Specifically, this role will involve the development, optimization, and maintenance of patient derived organoids...Learn more

Laboratory Animal Technician – 1 Year Contract

In this vital role you will support animal-based studies, husbandry, and vivarium operations and also provide technical and lab support for in-vivo research. Come do your best work alongside other innovative, driven professionals in this meaningful role...Learn more

Corporate Relations Manager

Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Development, this role is one of the main cross-functional points of contact for: industry and provincial government representatives, as well as Genome BC Research & Innovation Managers (in both Health and Agri-food & Natural Resources groups), to ensure effective and timely communication...Learn more

Senior Manager, Internal LNP Manufacturing

As the Sr. Manufacturing Manager, you will lead a team of manufacturing Scientists and Associates to manufacture, test and ship LNP drug products for multiple partner programs...Learn more

Manager, Events

Life Sciences BC has an immediate opening for a Manager, Events, who has a passion for special event management to provide exceptional member and client experiences. In this role, you will be an integral member of the team...Learn more

Accountant

Xenon is seeking an Accountant to support our Finance team across the different functions within the department. This is a great opportunity for an individual who enjoys working on a variety of tasks as key responsibilities for this position span across our accounts payable, finance, and general accounting...Learn more

Sr. Associate – Antibody Discovery and Screening (12-month contract)

Amgen is seeking a highly motivated, early career researcher to join Antibody Discovery and Screening Team. The incumbent will complement an innovative group with a strong track record of success in pioneering novel antibody-based therapeutics to treat grievous illnesses. The role is laboratory based...Learn more

Shipper/Receiver

The Shipper/Receiver performs a variety of shipping and receiving responsibilities. The main duties include the administrative and physical tasks involved in receiving and distributing incoming goods throughout the facility as well as shipping out various types of materials...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. The Clinical Trial Associate 1 will assist the clinical research teams in ensuring the most effective and efficient conduct of clinical research studies...Learn more

Research Associate II / Senior Research Associate – Antibody Generation

This role is a permanent, on-site opportunity located in Vancouver, British Columbia. As an accomplished scientist you’ll be a key member of a highly motivated team passionate about making an impact on human health. Your role will involve multiple responsibilities critical for the successful execution of new therapeutic programs...Learn more

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