Friday | October 16, 2020
CEO and President, LifeSciences BC
CEO REPORT
The last few months have shone a light on the importance and value of the life sciences sector. Many B.C. life science companies have been playing a critical role in providing innovative solutions to address the unique challenges that COVID-19 has presented. Finding solutions through world-class research, medical ingenuity and developing innovative products and solutions - from B.C.’s excellence in antibody research and discovery, to Acuitas Therapeutics’ leadership in the critical hunt for a vaccine, to bioLytical’s recent announcement of their INSTI® 1-minute COVID-19 antibody test, we have much to be proud of!

Please continue to share with us your initiatives and milestones so that we can profile them in our ecosystem and to the broader stakeholder group. 

In the spirit of celebrating and showcasing B.C.’s world class innovation, this week we announced the following companies have been selected to present at the annual LifeSciences BC Investor Summit, presented by Lumira Ventures on November 2nd & 3rd.      

Digital Health Companies:
  • Claris Healthcare Inc.
  • Heal Mary Technologies
  • LifeBooster Inc.
  • LivNao
  • XCOTech
 
MedTech, Medical Devices & Diagnostic Companies:
  • ABOzymes Biomedical Inc
  • Agilik Technologies Inc
  • Arbutus Medical Inc
  • ARC Medical Devices Inc.
  • Connected Things Scientific Inc.
  • Fusion Genomics
  • GenomeMe Lab Inc.
  • HealthTech Connex
  • Human in Motion Robotics Inc. (HMR)
  • Innotech Medical Industries Corp.
  • Ikomed Technologies Inc.
  • Kardium Inc.
  • NeuroCatch
  • NZ Technologies Inc.
  • Response Biomedical
  • Sonic Incytes Medical Corp.
  • Versalius Cardiovascular Inc.
 
Therapeutic Companies:
  • Bold Therapeutics Inc.
  • CureImmune Therapeutics Inc.
  • ImmunoFlex
  • Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.
  • Innovakine Therapeutics Inc.
  • Microbion Corporation
  • NervGen Pharma Corp.
  • Oak Bay Biosciences
  • Pramana Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • Variational AI
  • Zucara Therapeutics Inc.
 
In addition to the presenting companies, we have several interesting panels, sessions and speakers joining the event.  One highlight will be our keynote, Peter Greenleaf, CEO, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Victoria, B.C. 

We hope you will join us at this year’s virtual Investor Summit, presented by Lumira Ventures.  Click here to purchase your ticket.
Platinum Sponsors
LSBC MEMBER NEWS
Bold Therapeutics Successfully Initiates Clinical Trial of First-in-Class Anti-Cancer Agent BOLD-100
VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Bold Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced that the first patient for the company’s Phase 1b oncology clinical trial has been enrolled at the Cross Cancer Institute (Edmonton, Alberta) under Principal Investigator Dr. Jennifer Spratlin. READ MORE
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Announces Launch of Lupus Nephritis Disease-State Awareness Initiative for Healthcare Professionals, TimeIsNephrons.com
VICTORIA, British Columbia, October 14, 2020  –(BUSINESS WIRE)– Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AUPH / TSX:AUP) (“Aurinia” or the “Company”) today announced Time Is Nephrons, the first-ever lupus nephritis (LN) disease-state awareness campaign for healthcare professionals (HCPs). READ MORE
Neoleukin Therapeutics Announces Abstract Accepted for Presentation at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting (SITC 2020)
SEATTLE, Oct. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Neoleukin Therapeutics, Inc., “Neoleukin” (NASDAQ:NLTX), a biopharmaceutical company utilizing sophisticated computational methods to design de novo protein therapeutics, today announced the acceptance of a preclinical data abstract on its lead therapeutic candidate, NL-201, at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting (SITC 2020) taking place November 9 to November 14, 2020 in a virtual format. READ MORE
Didier Leconte Elected Chair of adMare Board
Vancouver and Montréal, Canada – October 15, 2020: adMare BioInnovations, Canada’s global life sciences venture, is pleased to announce the election of Mr. Didier Leconte, Vice President, Investments – Life Sciences and Funds Management with the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, as Chair of its Board of Directors. He succeeds Dr. Brad Popovich who will continue to serve on the Board as Past Chair. READ MORE
bioLytical Laboratories Announces Launch of INSTI® 1-Minute COVID-19 Antibody Test
Vancouver, British Columbia, Oct. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — bioLytical Laboratories today announced the release in Europe of a new one-minute antibody test for COVID-19 following the notification of CE approval, which signifies the product meets European safety standards. READ MORE
LSBC SECTOR NEWS
The Cerebellum Isn’t What We Thought
Scientists long believed its function was simply to coordinate movements. Now they suspect it could do much more.

October 11, 2020 | By: Diane Kwonk | When a 22-year-old college student turned up at a hospital after falling on ice and hitting her head, doctors conducted a CT scan that revealed a surprise: a tumor in her cerebellum, the fist-size structure at the back of the brain. After surgeons successfully removed the mass, the woman started exhibiting strange behaviors. READ MORE
Popular COVID-19 conspiracies linked to vaccine 'hesitancy'
October 14, 2020 | A new study of beliefs and attitudes toward COVID-19 in five different countries - UK, US, Ireland, Mexico and Spain - has identified how much traction some prominent conspiracy theories have within these populations. READ MORE
Trial to test if Vitamin D protects against Covid
Scientists are looking for volunteers to take part in a trial to see if taking vitamin D can give the immune system a boost against Covid.
People who join would be sent pills in the post to take daily for six months if a finger-prick test shows they are deficient in the "sunshine vitamin". READ MORE
Gold Sponsors
LivaNova is a global medical technology company built on decades of experience and a relentless commitment to improve the lives of patients around the world. As a worldwide leader in cardiovascular and neuromodulation solutions, they are dedicated to helping create meaningful products and therapies that transform lives each and every day. It’s health innovation that truly matters.




Axolotl Biosciences provides turn-key reagents such as functional bioinks, 3D tissue models, and consulting services in the field of 3D bioprinting. Their goal is to improve human health through novel 3D printing technologies. They incorporated in March 2020. Their initial product is a highly optimized bioink formulation for 3D printing neural tissues using stem cells and their novel neurobioink is capable of printing delicate stem cells while maintaining a high-level cell viability and function.


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 - [email protected]
LSBC Member Benefits
Membership Benefits Program
COST SAVINGS FOR OUR MEMBERS

As a LifeSciences BC member, organizations and their employees can benefit from significant savings on a range of business and personal services, thanks to our Membership Benefits Program partnerships. You can locate the cost savings program suited to you needs here.