January 8, 2026 - Happy New Year, the LSBC team is back!

This week:

• St. Pauls, the hospital of the future (Vancouver Sun)
• Good luck to Team BC at J.P. Morgan Health Care Week
• Zymeworks starts the year with positive Phase 3 results
• Apply by January 19: global investor showcase
• Are you seeking entry-level biotech employees?

Featured in the Vancouver Sun: St. Pauls, the Hospital of the Future

Vancouver's new St. Paul's Hospital, a $2.18-billion facility opening in 2027, will be almost double the size of the current location with advanced technology including autonomous vehicles and robotic surgery capabilities. Connected by skybridge to a research centre, the campus aims to become "the Mayo of the North" through Providence Health Care Ventures, which partners with life sciences startups to commercialize medical innovations while transforming the False Creek Flats neighborhood. Read more (Vancouver Sun).

Wishing Team BC Success Next Week in San Francisco at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Week

The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference is a premier invite-only conference described as the largest and most informative healthcare investment symposium in the industry. Out of the six Canadian companies invited to present this year, five have strong connections to BC and are LSBC members. Congratulations to AbCellera, Abdera, Kardium, Xenon, Zymeworks, and 35Pharma!

Team BC is heading to San Francisco to showcase why British Columbia is a rising global hub for life sciences innovation, investment, and talent. Nearly 40 companies will represent the BC delegation at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Week (January 12–15), we’re proud to see BC leaders building connections and advancing global impact on this world stage. We'll see you in San Francisco next week!

A Strong Start to the Year with Phase 3 Results for Zymeworks and Partners

Zymeworks announced positive efficacy and safety results from the Phase 3 trial evaluating Ziihera® (zanidatamab-hrii) in combination with chemotherapy, with or without the PD-1 inhibitor Tevimbra® (tislelizumab). Read more.

“These results underscore the promise of zanidatamab to meaningfully advance care for patients with HER2-positive disease. They also reflect the power of our Azymetric™ platform to generate highly differentiated, multifunctional biologics and validate our partnership-driven approach with Jazz and BeOne to efficiently deliver innovative therapies on a global scale,” said Kenneth Galbraith, Chair and CEO of Zymeworks.

Apply by January 19: Global Investor Showcase Ahead of Web Summit 2026

Innovate BC, in partnership with LSBC, is hosting an Investor Showcase on Monday, May 11, from 2:00 – 5:00 pm in downtown Vancouver, as a premium event ahead of Web Summit Vancouver. 

The Investor Showcase is an afternoon of pitching, sector-specific spotlights, and direct engagement with a targeted audience of investors attending Web Summit Vancouver. The event is designed for companies with strong traction, global market potential, and active fundraising plans, and highlights the depth, maturity, and global competitiveness of BC’s innovation economy. Selected ventures can expect high-quality investor exposure, meaningful conversations with aligned capital partners, and visibility as part of British Columbia’s investment-ready innovation community. 

Apply here by January 19th, 2026 (5:00 pm Pacific Time). Applicants should meet at least three of the following eligibility criteria:  

• $5M+ annual revenue, or 50%+ year-over-year growth 
• Series A or later, actively raising capital 
• HQ and executive leadership are located in B.C. 
• 10+ employees, or demonstrating consistent headcount growth 
• Generating sales and market opportunities outside Canada 

Are You Seeking Entry Level Biotech Employees? 4-week Placements at No Cost.

Calling all Biotech Employers! Access CASTL-trained, job-ready trainees through government-supported, 4-week placements at zero cost.

Interview potential trainees next week:

Date: Jan. 15, 2026 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM PT

Location: BCIT Aerospace Campus, Richmond BC (virtual also available)

To learn more, please contact: mauricio@castlcanada.ca or Register here.

Member Highlights 

Sustained Therapeutics reports positive Phase 2 results for its long-acting non-opioid medication for chronic pain. This is great news as a potential alternative to treat pain in light of the complex public health issue known as the opioid crisis in Canada and other parts of the world. Read more.

Acuitas Therapeutics, acquired a majority stake in RNA Technologies & Therapeutics (RNA T&T), which specializes in designing and manufacturing high-quality RNA constructs. While operating independently, both companies will offer partners streamlined access to complementary RNA optimization, manufacturing, and LNP delivery expertise, reducing development complexity, accelerating clinical timelines, and mitigating risk. Read more.

AbbVie received approval for MAVIRET through Health Canada’s priority review establishing it as a highly efficacious treatment for people with acute hepatitis C (HCV). The approval supports global clinical guidelines to advance testing and supports the World Health Organization’s goal to eliminate HCV by 2030. Universal treatment of people with acute or chronic HCV can significantly reduce the spread of the disease. Read more.

Kudos

VCHRI researchers, Dr. Adele Diamond, Dr. Janice Eng, and Dr. Judy Illes, have been appointed to the Order of Canada for their groundbreaking work in improving the quality of life for patients in Canada and beyond. Read more

Ian Ihnatowycz, IKOMED Board Member, has been appointed to the Order of Canada, in recognition of his philanthropic leadership for establishing the Ihnatowycz Family Foundation that supports education, health care, and the arts. Read more

Vancouver Coastal Health has been recognized by the Health Quality BC in the Annual BC Quality Awards, which celebrate the people and teams making a difference in health care across BC. Read more

Dr. Anne-Marie Mes Masson and John Bell have been appointed to the Order of Canada, in recognition of their leadership, mentorship, and lifetime contributions to cancer research and the Terry Fox mission. Read more

People on the Move

Dr. Magdalena Janus has been appointed as the Sunny Hill BC Leadership Chair in Child Development at UBC, being recognized for her international leadership in early child development research and advances efforts to improve child health and well-being. Read more

Congratulations to Dr. Jim Woodgett for being elected as the Chair of the Canadian Cancer Research (CCRA) Advisory Board, bringing extensive leadership and research expertise to advance Canada’s cancer research efforts. Read more

Congratulations to Karen Massey on her appointment as CEO of argenx and Tim Van Hauwermeiren on his new role as Chairman of the Board. Read more

Applications Open

Applications are now open for the Advancing Groundbreaking Research in Alzheimer's & Parkinson’s Diseases Team Award, a new funding opportunity supporting interdisciplinary, BC-based research teams focused on advancing diagnosis, treatment, and care for Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s diseases. Read more

The BIO Investment & Growth has launched its call for company presentations, inviting biotech companies to apply for the opportunity to showcase their innovation and growth strategy to global investors and industry leaders. Read more

The Medtech Conference has opened its applications for passionate individuals who want to shape conversations, theme and content that influence the direction of MedTech in the year ahead. Applications are due February 20, 2026. Read more

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

Member Spotlight

Versant Ventures is a leading healthcare venture capital firm committed to helping exceptional entrepreneurs build the next generation of great companies. The firm’s emphasis is on biotechnology companies that are discovering and developing novel therapeutics.

With $5.5 billion under management and offices in the U.S., Canada and Europe, Versant has built a team with deep investment, operating and R&D expertise that enables a hands-on approach to company building. Since the firm’s founding in 1999, more than 100 Versant companies have achieved successful acquisitions or IPOs. Learn more

Hardip Sahota has over 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulation development and commercialization across solid, semi-solid, and liquid dosage forms. He has held in-house roles at biotechnology and global organizations and, at ILSC Life Sciences Consulting, consults for large biotech, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical companies, delivering QbD-driven development, regulatory success, cost optimization, and commercial scale-up. Learn more

Farnaz Pournia is a motivated and enthusiastic biology and health sciences Instructor at different post-secondary institutes in the Vancouver area. PhD in Life Sciences (Cell and Developmental Biology), from UBC. Interested in Life Science Research focusing on development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics for people with diverse demographics. Learn more

Until next week!

LSBC Team

January 23 - The Life Sciences BC’s 7th Annual Career Connect Day brings together life-sciences employers, students, and job-seekers for a full day of career talks, company training program previews, and networking. It includes presentations about jobs and leadership in the sector plus a job fair and exhibitor hall.

February 25 - The 11th Annual Access to Innovation conference brings together leaders from industry, research, government and health care to discuss how BC’s life-sciences innovations move from discovery to real-world impact. This year focuses on trends shaping the sector, including the growing role of AI, and offers talks, panels and networking opportunities.

Idorsia’s Daridorexant in Women during Menopausal Transition Age with Insomnia

Idorsia’s sleep drug daridorexant showed improved sleep and daytime functioning in women going through the menopausal transition who experience insomnia. Results from a Phase 3 study suggest it may be a promising treatment option, with side effects similar to placebo... Read more

MAVIRET® receives Health Canada Approval for the Treatment of Acute Hepatitis C Virus

Health Canada approved Maviret as an 8-week oral treatment for acute hepatitis C, expanding treatment options for patients in Canada... Read more

BD Marks Milestone with First Phasix™ Hernia Prevention Case in Greece and Over 85% Enrollment in U.S. PREVENT Trial

BD achieved a milestone with the first Phasix™ hernia prevention case in Greece and strong progress in its U.S. PREVENT clinical trial... Read more

ZIIHERA Plus TEVIMBRA and Chemotherapy: A Potential New Standard for First-Line HER2+ Advanced GEA

ZIIHERA combined with Tevimbra and chemotherapy showed strong results and may become a new first-line treatment for HER2-positive advanced gastroesophageal cancer... Read more

Idorsia Initiates a Proof-of-Concept Trial with its Oral First-in-Class Selective CCR6 Antagonist

Idorsia launched a proof-of-concept trial of its oral, first-in-class CCR6 antagonist to evaluate its potential in treating autoimmune disease... Read more

Johnson & Johnson Unveils new Data showing Nipocalimab is the first and only Investigational FcRn Blocker with potential to reduce Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Activity in a Phase 2 Study

Johnson & Johnson released Phase 2 data showing nipocalimab reduced disease activity in adults with lupus, supporting advancement to Phase 3 trials... Read more

Specialized AI could elevate Diabetes-related Blindness Risk Prevention

Researchers are using specialized AI to better detect diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of diabetes-related blindness, helping identify risk earlier and improve prevention... Read more

Johnson & Johnson submits Application to the European Medicines Agency for TECVAYLI®▼ (teclistamab) in Combination with DARZALEX® (daratumumab) Subcutaneous Formulation for Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Johnson & Johnson has submitted an application to the EMA seeking approval for TECVAYLI in combination with DARZALEX for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma... Read more

Ziihera® (zanidatamab-hrii) Combinations Achieve Unprecedented Results in First-Line HER2+ Locally Advanced or Metastatic GEA including more than Two Years Median Overall Survival Benefit

New trial results show Ziihera combinations significantly improved survival for patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric and esophageal cancer, setting a new benchmark in first-line treatment... Read more

Sustained Therapeutics Reports Positive Phase 2 Results for its Long-Acting Non-Opioid Medication for Chronic Pain

Sustained Therapeutics reported positive Phase 2 results for its long-acting, non-opioid pain treatment, showing it was safe and significantly reduced chronic pain with a single monthly injection. The Vancouver-based company plans to advance the therapy into Phase 3 trials and explore broader chronic pain uses... Read more

Scientific Writer

The Scientific Writer is responsible for authoring expert-level scientific and industry content, validating the complex biological relationships within proprietary database, and identifying external subject matter experts to expand the knowledge base... Learn more

If you haven't already, sign-up for this and our weekly events newsletter

Follow LSBC on Social Media