Friday | December 4, 2020
LSBC MEMBERSHIP
LSBC MEMBERSHIP SURVEY
We are excited to announce that we have launched the Annual Membership Survey 2020. This survey gives our members a voice in shaping the direction of LifeSciences BC by providing your feedback. We would appreciate it if you could take 5 minutes to answer the 12 quick questions.
CEO MESSAGE
Hard to believe we are now in December and the year of 2020 is almost behind us. The beginning of December is always marked with the annual CBC Food Bank drive. Xenon put forward a challenge to B.C. Biotech companies to donate $10,000. As of writing, thanks to Xenon Pharmaceuticals, AbCellera, STEMCELL Technologies, Zymeworks and Chinook Therapeutics and their associated employees, more than $25,000 has been donated to the Food Bank. Thank you all for your leadership and generosity. Donations are still being accepted and you can donate by clicking on this link.  

On the media front, I recently spoke to The Vancouver Sun’s Derrick Penner, on our sectors growth and vitality over these last several months – you can read the story here. Clearly, interest has been stirred and with it, a new sense of awareness for life sciences in British Columbia.

It was also announced yesterday that LifeLabs has partnered with Thrive Health to make it easier and safer for Canadians to confidently return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read the news release below in our Member News Section.

LifeSciences BC Events
This week, we hosted an informative session presented by SAS on inventive analytics solutions to address key challenges posed by the Covid 19 pandemic. You can listen to - Toward the Horizon: How COVID-19 Is Accelerating Innovation in Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Analytics here. Please note in your calendars our last two events of the year: December 8 - LifeSciences BC Showcase Series: Surrey and the LifeSciences BC Holiday Social, December 10. You can click this link to register for both events.

Life Sciences in the Community
Canada’s Finance Minister, Hon. Chrystia Freeland announced on Monday, the government’s Fall 2020 Economic Plan - SUPPORTING CANADIANS AND FIGHTING COVID-19. The plan identifies the largest relief package since WW2 with the government spending $267.3 billion in the current fiscal year to support individuals, businesses and provinces. The full economic plan can be located here.

Last week, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, appointed several Members to the Order of Canada (C.M.) from the life sciences sector of British Columbia.  I would like to recognize and congratulate our fellow British Columbians on this most prestigious accomplishment: Max Blouw, Victoria, for advancement of evidenced-based research at Canadian Universities; B. Lynn Beattie, C.M., Vancouver, for pioneering contributions to the field of geriatric medicine in Canada and abroad; Joseph Michael Connors, C.M., Victoria, for contributions to the study and treatment of lymphoid cancers, and for his role in the advancement of lymphoma care in Canada; Carol Pearl Herbert, C.M., Vancouver, for contributions to the fields of clinical and academic medicine, as a family physician, medical educator, researcher and administrator; John H. McNeill, C.M., Vancouver, for contributions to cardiovascular pharmacology and for pioneering research that linked cardiac disease and diabetes and Roger Wong, C.M., Vancouver, for contributions to the field of geriatric medicine, including the advancement of policies, education and specialized, culturally sensitive health care. Congratulations everyone on your well-deserved recognition.

LifeScience BC Announcement
LSBC Office Relocation:
Please note as of December 15th 2020, LifeSciences BC will be relocating to 1890 - 1066 West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6E 3X2.  While we will be moving our physical office, the LSBC team is continuing to work remotely due to the pandemic. 
Platinum Sponsors
LSBC MEMBER NEWS
BC Tech Innovation Hub announcement
The BC Tech Association is sad to announce the closure of the BC Tech Innovation Hub at 887 Great Northern Way, effective 30 November 2020. READ MORE
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals to Present at the Piper Sandler 32nd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference
December 2, 2020, VICTORIA, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AUPH / TSX: AUP) (the “Company”) today announced its participation in the Piper Sandler 32nd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference. Presentations will be available for registered attendees via the Piper Sandler conference site through December 3. READ MORE
You’re cordially invited to the Announcement of the Companies Selected Under adMare Accelerate Program
adMare BioInnovations, Canada’s global life sciences venture and BIOQuébec, strategic partner of the Accelerate Program, invite you to join us on Thursday, December 10 at 11:00 am (EST), for the unveiling of the six exciting start-ups selected for our new Accelerate Program. READ MORE
InMed Licenses MiDROPS® Delivery Technology from EyeCRO for the Delivery of Therapeutic Cannabinoids
Vancouver, BC – December 3, 2020 – InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“InMed” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:INM; TSX:IN), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing medications targeting diseases with high unmet medical need and leading the way in the clinical development of cannabinol (“CBN”), today announced that it has secured an exclusive, worldwide license from EyeCRO LLC for its Microemulsion Drug Ocular Penetration System (“MiDROPS®”) eyedrop delivery technology targeting effective, topical administration of cannabinoids to the eye. READ MORE
Kintara Therapeutics to Present at the 2nd Annual Glioblastoma Drug Development Summit
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTRA) (“Kintara” or the “Company”), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new solid tumor cancer therapies, today announced it will be presenting at the 2nd Annual Glioblastoma Drug Development Virtual Summit on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 11:45 A.M. EST. READ MORE
LivaNova and Gyrus Capital Enter into Agreement for the Purchase of Heart Valve Business
LONDON, December 3, 2020 – LivaNova PLC (NASDAQ:LIVN), a market-leading medical technology and innovation company, and Gyrus Capital (Gyrus), an investment firm dedicated to investments in the healthcare and sustainability sectors, today announced they have entered into an agreement whereby entities funded and controlled by Gyrus will acquire the LivaNova heart valve (HV) business. READ MORE
Zymeworks Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for HER2-Targeted Bispecific Antibody Zanidatamab in Patients with Biliary Tract Cancer
November 30, 2020 - VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Zymeworks Inc. (NYSE: ZYME), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing multifunctional biotherapeutics, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for zanidatamab in patients with previously-treated HER2 gene-amplified biliary tract cancer (BTC). READ MORE
Zymeworks Announces Expansion of Zanidatamab Pivotal Trial in HER2-Amplified Biliary Tract Cancer in Asia in Collaboration With BeiGene
December 1, 2020 – VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Zymeworks Inc. (NYSE:ZYME), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing multifunctional biotherapeutics, today announced that its partner, BeiGene, Ltd., has dosed the first patient in South Korea.... READ MORE
LifeLabs partners with Thrive Health to make it easier and safer for Canadians to confidently return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic
December 2, 2020 - LifeLabs and Vancouver-based Thrive Health are proud to announce a new partnership to empower organizations to better manage their COVID-19 testing and to help Canadians return safely to work. READ MORE
LSBC SECTOR NEWS
Inside Acuitas Therapeutics, the Vancouver company providing a crucial piece of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded last spring, Thomas Madden figured it was time to hire a public relations firm.
For years the low-profile Vancouver biotechnology company he runs, Acuitas Therapeutics, had worked in an emerging field of therapies called “messenger RNA” (MRNA). READ MORE
Mind control: Toronto doctors regulate patients' brains from afar using electrode stimulation
Pacemaker-like device logs brain activity round the clock and helps medical teams fine-tune therapy
Dec. 2, 2020 | Lauren Pelley, CBC NEWS | Imagine watching your brain activity on a computer screen in real time. For Gord Luke, a Wawa, Ont., resident with Parkinson's disease, that's now a reality. Sitting in a room at the Krembil Brain Institute in Toronto's west end, the 66-year-old can see his brain signals being tracked digitally, thanks to surgically implanted electrodes in his brain and a newly approved device in his chest. READ MORE
Here’s how long it takes to catch COVID if you’re in a room with someone who has it
Dec. 1, 2020 | By Yoni Heisler, Science | Though the coronavirus can spread more readily than the flu, the reality is that simply being in the same room as someone who has the virus doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to contract it yourself. READ MORE
Gold Sponsors
Algernon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage drug development company focused on the areas of non–alcoholic steatohepatitis, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Algernon’s unique approach to drug discovery is based on the concept of drug repurposing.

MSI Methylation Sciences Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing new products based on molecules which have clinical proof of concept but which have yet to be exploited in the major pharmaceutical markets. Strada™, their lead product, is targeting Major Depressive Disorder.

Silver Sponsors
PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL HEALTHCARE INNOVATION
What’s driving innovation in life science and healthcare? SVB is committed to serving the ecosystem by providing industry-leading reports featuring proprietary analysis and targeted outlooks to help companies and investors achieve their goals. Twice a year we publish deep-dive analyses describing fundraising, investment, M&A and IPO activity of private, venture-backed biopharma, medical device and diagnostic/tools companies. Our deep relationships with top life science and healthcare entrepreneurs and investors inform our insights and give us a vantage point unlike any other bank. To find out more about Silicon Valley Bank click here
LSBC JOB BOARD
Update: Student Work Placement Program now open to healthcare placements
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
Bronze Sponsors
Posting A JOB on the LSBC 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 - talent@lifesciencesbc.ca