February 26, 2026 - Hello BioLinks readers!

This week:

• BC announces new $400 million Strategic Investment Fund
• Access to Innovation helps to shape our ecosystem. Were You in the Room?
• Web Summit on the horizon - get involved with LSBC
• CASTL program: trained workforce solutions for biotech employers

BC’s $400-miillion Strategic Fund Leverages Capital in New Ways

The new $400-million Strategic Investment Fund is a major win for life sciences companies, offering access to loans, equity, and repayable contributions to help them grow, scale, and stay rooted in BC — while opening doors to up to $20 billion in federal defence and strategic investments. This is the kind of support that turns local innovation into made-in-BC solutions and manufacturing. Read the full announcement here.

Thank You for Another Amazing Access to Innovation

Yesterday we convened sector leaders across the ecosystem for a full day of conversation spanning data sovereignty and defence, Most Favoured Nation drug pricing, and the opportunity AI presents in clinical trials and beyond. Sessions were designed to spark dialogue and forge connections with the aim of advancing these issues well beyond the room. We look forward to building on the momentum.

Web Summit on the Horizon – Get Involved with LSBC

Web Summit is one of the world’s largest and most influential technology gatherings. It will be returning to Vancouver for its second year from May 11-14, 2026. The BC Pavilion will serve as the go-to destination to engage directly with our province’s innovation community. In collaboration with our partners, we are supporting and initiating a range of activities around Web Summit Vancouver to facilitate connection, visibility, and engagement across the life sciences sector. Learn more about what we’re up to and get involved here.

CASTL program: Offering Trained Entry-level Workforce Solutions for Biotech Employers


The Program: 4-week work placements for entry-level biotech candidates at no cost to the employer, supported by government funding.

What trainees bring:

• Industry-aligned lab skills
• Foundational GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) knowledge
• Readiness to work in cleanroom/controlled environments

Who it's for: Biotech employers looking to evaluate and onboard entry-level talent without upfront hiring costs.

Learn more about the benefits of the program to employers by watching this info session.

Contact: mauricio@castlcanada.ca

Talent Roundtable Opportunity

Hosted by BioTalent Canada and IECBC

Date: March 6, 2026

Location: Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver Airport (3099 Corvette Way, Richmond BC)

Register: For more information and/or to register, please contact Colleen Hayes at chayes@biotalent.ca

Note: Travel and Parking will be reimbursed and for out-of-town attendees (over 100km travel, meals and accommodations will be covered.)

Member Highlights 

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals announces the closing of a US$63.2-million public offering. Eupraxia leverages its proprietary Diffusphere™ technology designed to optimize local, controlled drug delivery. Read more.

“We are pleased to complete this financing, allowing us to significantly expand our pipeline, reach several additional development milestones with EP-104GI for eosinophilic esophagitis, and make meaningful progress towards commercial readiness,” said James Helliwell, CEO of Eupraxia.

NZ Technologies is advancing a $3-million international initiative supported by NRC IRAP and Canada's Eureka network to commercialize HoverTap Rugged, a dual-use technology aligned with Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy and engineered for environments where conventional touchscreens fail, with applications spanning defence, public safety, and emergency response. Read more.

Ecosystem Highlights 

The BC government is investing $50 million to expand access to nasal naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, helping more communities prevent toxic-drug poisoning and save lives. Read more

The Government of Canada and collaborating organizations are investing over $14 million to support research that improves cancer prevention and early detection. The funding will help research teams develop new screening methods, explore prevention strategies, and better understand how cancer develops, aiming to reduce cancer risk and improve outcomes for Canadians. Read more

Kudos

Five UBC Med spin-off companies joined the HATCH Venture Builder Program to help turn research into real-world health solutions through mentorship, funding support, and venture development. Read more

People on the Move

Congratulations to Lanesha Minnix for being named as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for BD where she will lead the company’s legal and public affairs functions and join the executive leadership team. Read more

Applications Open

The Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) supports projects that strengthen Canada’s defence and dual use industries, expand innovation capacity and integrate SME’s into domestic and global supply chains, including advancements in AI, quantum and cybersecurity. PacifiCan is accepting applications for projects running between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2028. The program is open to businesses and non-profits, with priority currently given to company applications. Read more

See our expanded list of current life sciences opportunities on our website.

Membership Spotlight

The Kirke approach is built on the foundation of privacy and data governance; we believe that safeguarding personal data has become critical in a rapidly expanding digital world. As technology advances, data has become a business most valuable asset, and the protection and optimal management of this asset must be a priority. A clear data governance and privacy management strategy enables the organization use data as a clear competitive advantage. Learn more

Arusha Oloumi, Ph.D. is a Vancouver-based life sciences strategist and senior leader with experience spanning academia, pharma, and healthcare. She brings expertise in medical affairs, translational research, and strategic partnerships, and is actively engaged in volunteer leadership and member engagement initiatives that foster collaboration and strengthen BC’s life sciences ecosystem.  Learn more

Until next week!

LSBC Team

May 11-14 - The Web Summit is one of the worlds largest and most influential technology gatherings. In collaboration with our partners, Life Sciences BC is supporting and initiating a range of activities around Web Summit Vancouver to facilitate connection, visibility, and engagement across the life sciences sector.



Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Announces Closing of US$63.2 Million Public Offering Including Full Exercise of Underwriter Option

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals closed a US$63.2 million public offering, including the full underwriter option. The funding will support advancement of its lead therapy, expand clinical programs, and drive overall company growth... Read more

Survey Finds Majority of Older Canadians with Chronic Illnesses Unaware of Increased Shingles Risk

A survey shows many older Canadians with chronic illnesses don’t know they have a higher risk of shingles, highlighting the need for greater awareness and prevention... Read more

Subcutaneous RYBREVANT®▼ (amivantamab) Approved by European Commission for Every-Three-Week and Every-Four-Week Dosing for Patients with Advanced EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The European Commission approved subcutaneous RYBREVANT (amivantamab) with flexible every-three-week and every-four-week dosing for patients with advanced EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, offering a more convenient treatment option... Read more

Labcorp Expands Collaboration with PathAI to Deploy FDA-Cleared Digital Pathology Platform Nationwide

Labcorp expanded its partnership with PathAI to deploy an FDA-cleared digital pathology platform nationwide, supporting AI-powered diagnostics and more efficient lab workflows... Read more

Harnessing AI to Improve Ovarian Cancer

An international research team involving B.C. scientists received funding to use AI to analyze ovarian cancer data, helping predict survival, guide treatment decisions, and improve patient outcomes... Read more

Corcym Receives Health Canada Approval for the Miami Instruments™ Portfolio

Corcym received Health Canada approval for its Miami Instruments™ portfolio, a set of tools designed for minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The approval enables Canadian hospitals to adopt these instruments to support more precise, efficient procedures with smaller incisions... Read more

Bausch Health’s Aesthetics Business, Solta Medical, Announces the Launch of Clear + Brilliant MD Touch Laser in Canada 

Solta Medical, part of Bausch Health, has launched the Clear + Brilliant® Touch laser in Canada after Health Canada approval. The noninvasive treatment helps improve early signs of aging including skin tone, texture, and pores with minimal downtime, expanding aesthetic treatment options for Canadian patients... Read more

Cytiva expands Fast Trak™ Process Development and Validation Services Facility in India

Cytiva is expanding its Fast Trak facility in India to better support biopharma companies with process development, validation, and training. The expansion helps accelerate biologics development and manufacturing... Read more

Argenx Announces Positive Topline Results from Phase 3 ADAPT OCULUS Trial of VYVGART in Ocular Myasthenia Gravis

Argenx reported positive Phase 3 trial results for VYVGART in ocular myasthenia gravis, showing improved symptoms compared with placebo and supporting its potential use for this rare eye-related autoimmune condition... Read more

Marketing & Communications Specialist Co-op

This role involves supporting marketing and communications activities, including social media, website updates, newsletters, and event promotion. Works with the team to create content, organize campaigns, and track performance. Ideal for students with strong writing skills, attention to detail, and an interest in life sciences and digital marketing... Learn more.

Memberships and Sponsorships Specialist Co-op

This role offers a dynamic blend of tasks and projects, providing a fantastic opportunity for the selected candidate to immerse themselves in the operations of a professional sciences industry association. A Memberships and Sponsorships Specialist (Co-op) supports member engagement, sponsorship coordination, and event initiatives... Learn more

Logistics Specialist (Part-Time)

SignalChem Biotech Inc. is seeking a part-time Logistics Specialist to support inventory coordination, shipments, and order fulfillment. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in logistics or supply chain operations... Learn more

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