This week is the 1-year anniversary of the pandemic taking root in B.C. While it has been a bit of a roller coaster of a year, as we reflect, we wanted to highlight some of the demonstrations of leadership and resiliency that we’ve seen in the Life Sciences sector.

Our community came together quickly, with volunteers from LSBC and members driving around the region, collecting extra PPE we had available in labs and offices to donate to frontline health workers. We also saw a major transformation—from in-person LSBC events to a robust and engaging virtual events program that not only served our members, but expanded participation to a global audience.

And now we are seeing an epic rollout of vaccines—some of which have made-in-B.C. elements—with a total of 355,340 people now vaccinated, and Indigenous people over 65 and others over 90 being vaccinated across the province this week. Read more about genomics and vaccination in the Business in Vancouver interview with Pascal Spothelfer, CEO of Genome BC, here.

Genome BC, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and the BCCDC Foundation for Public Health have issued an Expressions of Interest for organizations to rapidly address COVID-19 vaccine questions for British Columbians, by investigating priority questions such as: what is the long-term effectiveness of vaccination in preventing illness/infection and reducing transmission? For more information, click here.

 

But COVID-19 has not stopped the rest of our work. On March 11, LSBC hosted the Vancouver Island Showcase which was a chance for us to highlight the life sciences eco system on the Island. Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Oak Bay Biosciences and Starfish Medical are just a few of the almost 50 companies thriving in this emerging community. 

Congratulations to Xenon Pharmaceuticals, who just announced their public offering at $100 Million this week. It has been an extraordinarily busy year with many B.C.-Biotechs successfully raise capital. 

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to present an overview of the BC Life Sciences at the BC - JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), profiling the strength and breadth of our sector to Japanese leaders interested in doing business with BC Life Sciences companies. It was a great event where in which a number of BC companies participated.

March 8, 2021 – Northview LifeSciences will be partaking in a second equity investment into portfolio company Amp Human. Amp Human has developed an innovative performance enhancing system to improve results in athletics and sport. Specific use of this second investment will be to fund the launch of their new topical vitamin D product, D+ Lotion. READ MORE

March 9, 2021 – One third of BC women experience sexual disfunction, yet most don’t receive treatment, largely because open conversations about women’s sexual disfunction are not normalized, especially compared to men who have benefited from the advent of Viagra. Many women will not talk about their issues with a doctor, and those that do, often feel dismissed. READ MORE

BURNABY, British Columbia, March 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:XENE), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced the pricing of its underwritten public offering of 4,324,325 common shares and, in lieu of common shares to a certain investor, pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 1,081,081 common shares pursuant to its existing shelf registration statement. READ MORE

March 11, 2021 – The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR), Genome BC and the BCCDC Foundation for Public Health invite Expressions of Interest to rapidly address COVID-19 vaccine questions for British Columbians. To date, four COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use in Canada and priority populations are already receiving their vaccinations. READ MORE

EDMONTON -- An Alberta-developed COVID-19 vaccine using new technology is one step closer to starting clinical trials. John Lewis, University of Alberta professor and CEO of Entos Pharmaceuticals, has shipped a vaccine for further testing to the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology in Halifax – a step forward toward its Health Canada approval. READ MORE

On a recent weekday afternoon, a fishing vessel called the Arctic Endurance prepared to depart from Mulgrave, N.S., for a month-long clam harvesting trip. Blustery winds blew snow across the ship as it left the dock, but at least on the pandemic front, the coast was clear. All 35 crew members had undergone testing for COVID-19 within the previous 24 hours, and all their results were negative. READ MORE

Some of Princeton’s leading cancer researchers were startled to discover that what they thought was a straightforward investigation into how cancer spreads through the body — metastasis — turned up evidence of liquid-liquid phase separations: the new field of biology research that investigates how liquid blobs of living materials merge into each other, similar to the movements seen in a lava lamp or in liquid mercury. READ MORE

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

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

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