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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.
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Building on this, we were pleased to see an announcement this week by BioTalent Canada and the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) on their partnership to support talent development in Canada’s biomanufacturing sector through CASTL’s new national program Elevate. The six-week CASTL Elevate program is being funded by Upskill Canada and the Government of Canada, and will give participants the opportunity to engage in self-directed learning opportunities that include BioTalent Canada’s Essential and Technical Skills Fundamentals, self-directed courses from the CASTL Online Academy, and one week of hands-on training. Learn more here. | |
We would also like to congratulate BC’s new ministers who have been appointed by the Honourable David Eby, Premier of British Columbia: Lisa Beare as Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, and George Chow as Minister of Citizens’ Services. In addition, Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca, was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for International Credentials. You can read the full announcement here. | | |
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Three years ago, at our 6th annual Access to Innovation, our CEO Wendy Hurlburt engaged AbCellera CEO Carl Hansen on the topic of incentives to keep intellectual property within Canada. Now, the federal government is asking for consultation on the subject. Specifically, cost-neutral ways to modernize and improve the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program; and the suitability of creating a patent box regime. All Canadians and stakeholders are invited to share feedback by April 15, 2024. Learn more here. | |
Lastly, a reminder that our 9th Annual Access to Innovation conference is next week on Wednesday, February 28. We hope to see you at this gathering where we look forward to a productive and energizing day discussing the trends, developments and policies that shape life sciences in BC. | |
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Member Highlights
PharmAla Biotech Inc. announced that data from its computational Drug Discovery program will soon be published in the scientific journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience. Learn more here.
BIOTECanada’s President and CEO, Andrew Casey, was recently interviewed by Investment Reports for an upcoming feature in a Newsweek report tilted "The New Era of Life Sciences", Volume 2. Casey shared his expertise along with industry insights. Read more here.
Evonik announced that it has signed a license agreement with the University of Mainz to commercialize randomized polyethylene glycols (rPEGs), a new class of PEGs. Technical grade rPEG-lipids will be available in the second half of 2024. Read more here.
Almirall announced that it has signed an exclusive licensing agreement for the acquisition of worldwide rights to Novo Nordisk’s interleukin-21 (IL-21)-hindering monoclonal antibody, NN-8828. Novo Nordisk will receive upfront, milestone and royalty payments, while Almirall will have authority for the development and marketing of the antibody for immune-inflammatory dermatological ailments. Learn more here.
AbbVie announced a new $64 million deal with Tentarix Biotherapeutics, inking a multiyear collaboration to discover and develop biologics in two disease areas using the biotech’s Tentacles platform. Read more here.
JDRF Canada and Sanofi Canada announced a partnership to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes and the critical role of screening in its early detection, with Canada among the countries with the highest rate of new cases of this disease each year. Learn more here.
New Member
iProgen Biotech Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on innovating protein delivery technologies through creative protein engineering.
Welcome back to the LSBC community!
Industry Highlights
VivaTech 2024 is the largest annual technology and startup event in Europe and is taking place from May 22-25, 2024 in Paris. Scale AI, in collaboration with the Trade Commissioner Service and the Canadian Embassy in Paris, has been designated the official organizer of the Canada Pavilion, which seeks to give visibility to Canada as an international leader in AI, among other initiatives. Canadian AI companies interested in participating are invited to submit applications by February 26, 2024. Learn more here.
Next week is MWC Barcelona, the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event, from February 26-29, 2024. Global tech leaders, international governments and businesses will gather at the four-day event, which will feature great representation from BC, including several LSBC members. Learn more here.
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Kudos
Congratulations to United Therapeutics Corporation whose Corporate Real Estate and Investor Relations teams, along with Press Record Media, have been awarded a 2023 Platinum Viddy Award for their documentary on the world’s first pharmaceutical net-zero GMP logistics facility. Watch the video here.
Congratulations are also in order for the Canadian bioscience diversity leaders that were named as part of the 2024 BioTalent Canada I.D.E.A.L. Bioscience Employer™ recognition program. Now in its second year, the program identified 15 recipients to receive the designation for 2024. Read more here.
Kudos to NervGen Pharma Corp. for being recognized as a 2024 Top 50 TSX Venture Exchange Company. This annual ranking is composed of the top 10 companies from five industry sectors. Read more here.
Also this week, we were thrilled to see that Zymeworks Inc. has opened a new office in California. This represents an exciting milestone in their global expansion efforts as they seek to bring novel multifunctional therapeutics to an increasing number of patients. Congratulations to them on this endeavour. Learn more here.
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People on the Move
AbbVie announced that its board of directors has selected Robert A. Michael, AbbVie’s current President and Chief Operating Officer, to succeed Richard A. Gonzalez as the company’s CEO. Read more here.
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The National Research Council Canada has announced the Canada-Germany 2024 to 2025 collaborative industrial research and development call for proposals (NRC IRAP-ZIM Call 13). This opportunity is open to companies from Canada and Germany who meet the criteria, with the Canadian registration deadline being March 20, 2024. Learn more here.
adMare BioInnovations has announced that applications are open for the Spring 2024 cohort of the adMare Academy BioInnovation Scientist Program (BIS): Foundations. This 8-week virtual, cohort-based program provides early-career scientists with an overview of the full therapeutics discovery and development process, and more. Applications are being accepted until March 20, 2024. Learn more here.
Applications are open for the 2024 Technology Impact Awards (TIA), which celebrate outstanding companies and individuals who have made a significant impact on BC’s tech industry. The awards deadline is March 15, 2024. Learn about TIAs Top Tips Info Sessions and apply here.
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and Pfizer Canada announced their 2024 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) research joint awards program, which encourages diversity, equity, and inclusion in patient care. The awards program features two new awards this year: the Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Researcher Award and the Women in IBD Researcher Award. Applications are being accepted until July 15, 2024. Learn more here.
The application process for SBME Innovates has been launched. SBME Innovates is the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering’s incubation hub for early-stage life sciences ventures, offering dedicated wet laboratory space, equipment, building services, and more. Our CEO, Wendy Hurlburt, is proud to sit on UBC’s SBME Industry Advisory Panel. The deadline to submit an application is April 2nd, 8am PT. Learn more here.
|  | We invite you to explore our expanded list of current life sciences application opportunities by clicking the button below. | |
Upcoming LSBC events and programs at-a-glance | |
Feb. 28 - Join us for our 9th Annual Access to Innovation conference. This full-day gathering welcomes life sciences leaders and trailblazers from academia, research, health institutions, government, and industry. The theme for this year’s program is “Powering Life Sciences Innovation and Sustainable Economic Growth.” | |  |
March 5 – Our next Blakes Breakfast Speaking Series is titled “Navigating Life Sciences M&A: Thought Leader Insights”. Attendees will hear from a panel of experts about the process of M&A, the current state of the market, how to work with financial and legal advisors, and more. The free virtual event is from 8:00-9:30 a.m. | | |
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Until next week,
The LSBC team
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AbbVie Wraps Up $64M Oncology, Immunology Deal with Tentarix
The two companies have inked a multiyear collaboration to discover and develop biologics in the two disease areas using the biotech’s Tentacles platform. Tentarix’s tech designs biologics that activate immune cells to modulate disease pathways while avoiding safety concerns typically associated with less specific immune cell targeting...READ MORE
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WELL Provides Integration Update with Focus on Streamlining Business Operations for Improved Profitable Growth
WELL Health Technologies is pleased to announce an integration update designed to streamline business operations and position the company for improved profitable growth...READ MORE
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PharmAla Named an Intellectual Property Ontario Client
PharmAla Biotech announces that it has been accepted as a client of Intellectual Property Ontario. IPON works with innovators, businesses, and researchers to provide access to expert IP education, financial support, and mentorship to help maximize the value of IP...READ MORE
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Bausch Health Announces Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results
Total reported revenues were $8.76 billion for the full year of 2023, compared with $8.12 billion in the full year of 2022, an increase of $633 million, or 8%. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange of $45 million and the impact of acquisitions of $141 million, revenue increased organically by 7% compared with the full year of 2022...READ MORE
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United Therapeutics Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results
United Therapeutics Corporation announced its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023. Full year 2023 revenues rose to a record $2.33 billion, reflecting 20% growth over 2022...READ MORE
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NervGen Pharma Recognized As A Top 50 TSX Venture Exchange Company
The 2024 TSX Venture 50™ showcases the strongest performances on the TSX Venture Exchange over the last year. Comprising the top 10 companies from each of five industry sectors, the ranking recognizes the strongest performance on the Exchange based on market capitalization, share price appreciation, and trading volume...READ MORE
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adMare BioInnovations Opens Applications for the Spring 2024 Cohort of the BioInnovation Scientist Program: Foundations and Launches New Biopharma Industry Essentials Program
adMare BioInnovations is delighted to open applications for the Spring 2024 cohort of the adMare Academy BioInnovation Scientist Program: Foundations. Alongside the Foundations program, adMare is proud to launch and open applications for our new training offering, the BIS Program: Industry Essentials...READ MORE
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AbbVie Announces Appointment of Robert A. Michael as Chief Executive Officer
AbbVie announced that its board of directors has unanimously selected Robert A. Michael, AbbVie’s current president and chief operating officer, to succeed Richard A. Gonzalez as the company’s chief executive officer...READ MORE
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AbCellera Reports Full Year 2023 Business Results
AbCellera announced financial results for the full year 2023. All financial information in this press release is reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated...READ MORE
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JDRF Canada and Sanofi Canada Partner to Raise Awareness about Autoimmune Type 1 Diabetes and the Critical Role of Screening in its Early Detection
Creating awareness of the stages leading to the onset of clinical disease could mitigate the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition that often accompanies the T1D diagnosis. Early detection could help keep people out of the hospital and reduce financial burden on healthcare...READ MORE
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PharmAla Data to be Published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience
PharmAla Biotech is pleased that data from its computational Drug Discovery program, in conjunction with the University of Waterloo (laboratory of Dr. James Gauld) and made possible by funding from MITACS, will be published in the scientific journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience this week...READ MORE
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Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and Pfizer Canada Introduce the 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards Program in IBD Research
In partnership with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, Pfizer Canada is thrilled to announce their 2024 IBD research joint awards program, now in its fifth year, aimed at empowering Inflammatory Bowel Disease research. The award program consists of two new awards this year, each with a $20,000 grant to support exceptional researchers...READ MORE
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Evonik Partners with the University of Mainz to Commercialize a New Class of PEG Lipids for Nucleic Acid Delivery
Evonik and the University of Mainz have signed a license agreement to commercialize randomized polyethylene glycols, a new class of PEGs. Evonik intends to use rPEGs for its platform of specialized lipids and commercialize the excipients under the license agreement to meet customer and market needs...READ MORE
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BioTalent Canada and CASTL Partner to Support Talent Development in Canada’s Biomanufacturing Sector
The CASTL Elevate program, funded by Upskill Canada and the Government of Canada, is part of the first wave of national partnership programs taking an industry-informed approach to supporting workers in Canada’s fast-growing biomanufacturing sector...READ MORE
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Almirall Licenses IL-21 Antibody from Novo Nordisk
Almirall has signed an exclusive licensing agreement for the acquisition of worldwide rights to Novo Nordisk’s interleukin-21 (IL-21)-hindering monoclonal antibody, NN-8828. The agreement grants Almirall the authority for the development and marketing of NN-8828 for immune-inflammatory dermatological ailments...READ MORE
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Numinus Wellness Inc. Closes $6 Million Bought Deal Public Offering
Numinus Wellness Inc. is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced “bought deal” public offering of 50,000,000 units (each, a “Unit”) at a price of $0.12 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds to Numinus of $6,000,000...READ MORE
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Charting the Course: Priority-based Funding to Address Pressing Health Challenges
Health Research BC has undertaken a priority-setting process to determine where our funding and support can provide increased research attention and impact. This approach aligns with provincial priorities and is empowered by our strategy to build talent, catalyze change for a stronger health research system, and mobilize communities for research impact...READ MORE
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Sustained Therapeutics is an early-stage company utilizing its advanced clinical and research expertise to develop non-opioid locally injected sustained-release therapeutics primarily for the treatment of pain. Our novel sustained-release drug delivery platform has the potential to provide effective, long-lasting solutions for managing both acute and chronic pain. In the longer term we believe that our platform can also support the development of therapeutics for fibrotic, urological and inflammatory diseases, as well as some types of cancer.
Sustained Therapeutics’ patented drug delivery platform is a non-opioid approach designed to relieve acute and chronic pain in a highly controlled way over longer periods with fewer side effects. Sustained's products have a significant competitive advantage, offering up to four weeks of pain relief from a single injection compared to only one to three days for competitive products. In addition they are non-addictive, unlike opioid drugs. LEARN MORE
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New Ministers Appointed for Citizens’ Services; Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
Premier David Eby has appointed Lisa Beare as Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, and George Chow as Minister of Citizens’ Services. Chow previously held the role of Minister of State for Trade. Prior to her time as Minister of Citizens’ Services, Beare was also previously the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture...READ MORE
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Government Launches Consultations to Increase Canadian Research and Development and Intellectual Property Retention
The Government of Canada is continuing to deliver on its economic plan by launching consultations on improving support for research and development and on creating and retaining intellectual property in Canada. The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program supports Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors that conduct research and development (R&D) by providing tax incentives...READ MORE
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Senior Manager, Quality Assurance, GMP
The Senior Manager, Quality Assurance, GMP will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and ensure adherence to GMP regulations and regulatory requirements in support of Xenon’s late-stage clinical development programs and NDA preparation...LEARN MORE
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Research Scientist 3, Computational Chemistry
The Research Scientist 3, Computational Chemistry will contribute to Xenon’s Drug Discovery Programs by leveraging their expertise in programming, scripting, machine learning, AI, and/or computational chemistry. This ideal candidate demonstrates enthusiasm for drug discovery, capable of working closely with IT professionals and cross-functional scientists...LEARN MORE
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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
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Manager, End User Services
This role will be responsible for ensuring an exceptional work experience across the company by limiting disruptions and enhancing productivity. This individual will lead a small team of Vancouver-based employees and a future Managed Services Provider...LEARN MORE
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Associate Professor (tenure) or Professor (tenure) Sir Magdi Yacoub Professorship in Tissue Regeneration
Reporting to the Director of the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering, the successful candidate will be expected to lead an independent, internationally-recognized research program, participate in the teaching activities of the School, provide mentorship and training to undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate learners...LEARN MORE
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Associate, In Vivo Bioprinting
Aspect Biosciences is seeking an Associate to join their high-performing team focused on developing bioprinted tissue therapeutics for cell therapy applications. In this role, you will focus on manufacturing various Bioprinted Tissue Therapeutics (BTT) to support Aspect’s GMP and Research /Development groups...LEARN MORE
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Associate II, Quality Control
The Associate II, Quality Control will complete routine raw material testing, perform biological and mechanical analytical assays, aid in the development and validation of new assays, support R&D, Process Development, and Bioprinting Teams to characterize drug substance, drug product, and final product. This is an onsite position...LEARN MORE
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Sales Representative
The full-time Sales Representative is responsible for sales of In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) and bio-reagent products in global markets. The position is the principal point of contact between a business and its customers. Sales reps ensure current customers have the right products and services, identify new markets and customer leads, and pitch prospective customers...LEARN MORE
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Scientist – Immunology
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, driving important proof of concept and mechanism of action studies for the development of novel antibody therapeutics. To accomplish this, you will design, test, analyze and interpret advanced in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of human disease...LEARN MORE
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Software Tools Developer
The Software Tools Developer will develop, test and maintain tools to assist in the development of software for our Globe® Mapping and Ablation System. These tools run the gamut from code generation, static analysis customization, workflow customizations, to testing automation frameworks...LEARN MORE
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We are DBiomed, a Canada-based medical laboratory supply company founded in 2018. We are driven by creating a personalized customer experience you can work with. Offering a wide range of innovative, reliable and sustainable consumables at competitive prices.
We work closely with individual clients to ensure their lab's needs and demands are fulfilled. Ensuring quality while going over and beyond to facilitate a seamless experience is our number one priority.
LEARN MORE.
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Post a Job on the LSBC Website! | |
LSBC Membership Discounts on Job Postings
As an LSBC member, your first five job postings EARN a free repost on BioTalent Canada's The Petri Dish. After your first five posts, you will also receive 25% off all job postings on The Petri Dish. Want more info? Contact talent@lifesciencesbc.ca.
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