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This week, I was honoured to be invited to speak about the life sciences sector at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) event featuring Minister François-Philippe Champagne, the Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. During my remarks, I was delighted to announce the release of BC Life Sciences Update 2021: Building on a foundation of innovation, a report written in partnership with the GVBOT. The report highlights the strength of the BC life sciences sector and the leadership role it has played in developing innovative solutions to address the impact of COVID-19 and recommendations for further advancement. A summary of the report and the full report can be found on our website.
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Our invitation by Minister Champagne to participate in the event is a demonstration of the increasing attention life sciences has from senior levels of government. There is a recognition of the sector’s economic contribution, particularly as we emerge from the challenges of the pandemic, as well as the value of the innovation of members and their scientists that are critically important to the sustainability of our health care system.
After months of work behind the scenes, we launched a new refreshed Life Sciences BC website this week. Check it out here. In addition to a new look and feel and improved navigation we have enhanced the Member Directory. The Directory now includes a robust search tool enabling members to be profiled by sector, areas of expertise, region, etc. If you have not already done so, please ensure that your membership profile is up-to-date. If you have any questions and/or need assistance, please reach out to membership@lifesciencesbc.ca. Thanks to the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery, and Innovation, who funded this new feature in part. Thank you also to the many of you who have been involved throughout the project providing input and feedback on the design, directory and assisting with testing.
Along with the refresh of the website, we have updated our logo on the site and this edition of BioLinks. You will see this logo being rolled out on all our assets over the next few months.
I’m delighted to introduce our new Manager, Marketing and Communications, Amanda Maxwell to our community. Amanda has a Ph.D. in veterinary medicine and is a talented and experienced communicator and marketer, having worked for UBC, SFU and many other organizations. Amanda’s first official day with us is May 25th.
It is the beginning of awards season! We will be kicking off the Life Sciences BC 23rd Annual Awards presented by FARRIS next week with opening up the nominations. Nominations are due June 5th and
will be on our website as of May 10th.
COVID-19
The Canadian Government has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for use in adolescents 12 – 15. Although those vaccinations are not yet available for that age group in B.C., they are now available for pregnant people 16 and above. Visit the Government’s vaccination information site here for details.
Member News
The Chief Executive Group has announced that Merck’s CEO Ken Frazier joins a list of legendary executives, including former Merck CEO Roy Vagelos, as the 2021 Chief Executive of the Year voted by his peer CEOs. Congratulations to Merck and Ken.
AbCellera announced a new antibody that neutralizes viral variants of COVID-19 has now entered clinical trials as part of Eli Lilly’s BLAZE-4 study in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 illness. This is the second antibody that comes from their partnership with Eli Lilly. This antibody neutralizes all currently known variants of concern. AbCellera has also broken ground on their new site in East Vancouver. Congratulations – we look forward to visiting post-pandemic.
Read a great summary about bioprinting that features member Aspect Biosystems’s Tamer Mohamed, PhD Founder and CEO in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News here.
Industry News
Read a recent article in the B.C.-based Tyee about the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine:
Wendy Hurlburt
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We are pleased to announce Axotol Instruments as 1 of 11 innovative companies that will participate in this year’s Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) in Boston. The CTA Boston 2021 Cohort includes 11 SMEs representing exciting developments in the sectors of life sciences, digital health, ICT, Robotics, AI and many more. These 11 innovative companies will participate in programming from May to November.
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Meet ‘Ready-to-Raise’ ventures, from our later stage incubator and HATCH Accelerator, at our upcoming 2021 Investor Showcase! The Investor Showcase spotlights high-potential, investible ventures currently supported through entrepreneurship@UBC and the HATCH Accelerator to our investor community. From human health innovations and tech disruptions to climate solutions and research discoveries, these are the startups and solutions that will transform norms and lead the evolution of industries. RSVP HERE
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Zymeworks recently received clearance from the FDA for its first randomized Phase 3 clinical trial for zanidatamab. HERIZON-GEA-01 is a randomized, multicenter study of zanidatamab in combination with chemotherapy with or without BeiGene’s PD-1-targeted antibody, tislelizumab, as a first line treatment for patients with HER2-positive unresectable locally advanced or metastatic GEA. Supportive clinical data from an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating zanidatamab with chemotherapy in first line HER2-positive GEA are expected to be presented at a medical conference in the second half of the year.
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Vancouver, BC – May 4th, 2021– AbCellera (Nasdaq: ABCL) today announced that a second antibody from its collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly), LY-CoV1404, has entered clinical trials in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Lilly has expanded its ongoing BLAZE-4 trials to evaluate LY-CoV1404 alone and together with other monoclonal antibodies. READ MORE
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Vancouver, BC and INNSBRUCK, Austria – May 6, 2021 – AbCellera (Nasdaq: ABCL) and Angios GmbH (Angios) announced today that they have entered into a multi-year, multi-target collaboration to facilitate the discovery of monoclonal and bispecific antibodies for vascular diseases of the eye. AbCellera will use its full stack, AI-powered antibody discovery platform to generate panels of antibodies for up to three Angios-selected targets to address diabetic retinopathy. READ MORE
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With the establishment of Lumira Ventures Fund IV, the largest life sciences-focused venture fund ever raised in Canada, they are launching the Lumira Ventures Venture Innovation Program (Lumira VIP). The Lumira VIP is designed for a select and highly qualified group of Canadian students from leading academic institutions who want to gain exposure to life sciences venture capital and start-ups, and are committed to pushing the future of life sciences innovation forward
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Health Canada offered parents anxious about their unvaccinated children some fresh hope today by clearing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in people as young as 12 years old. READ MORE
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A national study has concluded that pregnant women are more likely to become severely ill from the COVID 19 virus. As a result, pregnant women are now being given priority for the vaccine in BC.
Pregnant people aged 16 and up can register at gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated and phone 1-833-838-2323, identifying as being pregnant. Online booking for pregnant people is not available. READ MORE
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UBC researchers are the first in the world to publish structural images of the N501Y mutation on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein—a change believed to be partly responsible for the highly infectious nature and rapid spread of variant B.1.1.7. READ MORE
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ScopeSys is commercializing a new single-molecule imaging technology called Convex Lens-induced Confinement (CLiC). This technique offers unprecedented capabilities for measuring individual molecular interactions in their native, solvated environment over long times and with high throughput.
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Medtronic contribute to human welfare through the application of biomedical engineering in research, design, manufacture, and sale of instruments or appliances that alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life for millions around the world.
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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
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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: Peter McLoughlin - talent@lifesciencesbc.ca
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