Life Sciences BC News, December 5, 2024

As LSBC looks towards 2025 we’re excited to start off with our annual Career Connect Day on January 24. With a morning of speakers and an afternoon career expo, there will be plenty of opportunities to network, be inspired, meet employers, and explore potential careers in the life sciences. Last year we had 400 participants, with standing room only. Learn more and register here.

Our second signature event in the new year will be our Access to Innovation Conference. This year’s theme, “Empowering innovation, transforming health, shaping tomorrow”, will explore relevant topics driving the future of life sciences in the province. Be part of the conversation and join us on February 26, 2025. 

Both of LSBC’s Holiday parties are at capacity. Join the waitlist for Victoria on December 12 and Vancouver on December 18 and we’ll contact you if any spots open!

Health Canada proposes a second round of regulatory changes to the Medical Devices Regulations (MDR). The first phase of amendments come into force on December 14, 2024.

The proposed second phase of amendments for medical devices would:

• remove the requirement for foreign distributors to hold a Medical Device Establishment Licence (MDEL) if they are selling their medical devices through Canadian distributors already holding an MDEL;
• clarify the expectation that MDEL holders need to establish, implement, and maintain documented procedures; and
• require all MDEL applicants and licence holders to provide a supplier list of "persons" selling into and within Canada.

The feedback received will help inform proposed regulatory, policy and program considerations. The notice of intent is open until December 9, 2024 Read more.

Support UVic’s Women in Science STEM Leadership in Diversity Award. This student-led initiative is aimed at addressing gender disparity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) by promoting the visibility and advocacy of women and gender non-conforming individuals. This is a great cause to support over the holidays and they are very close to their fundraising goal. Learn more and donate today.

LSBC shares in mourning the passing of Greg Caws, a Co-founder of DIGITAL supercluster, and former President & CEO of Innovate BC, among other achievements. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. Read more.

Member Highlights 

Novo Nordisk receives Health Canada approval for Wegovy (semaglutide injection) to reduce the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction. Read more.

adMare BioInnovations announces the spin-out of its analytical services to Paraza Pharma Inc. This secures ongoing, high-quality analytical support for adMare’s Innovation Centre resident companies and strengthens the services available to Canada’s life sciences sector under Paraza’s expanded capabilities. Read more.

The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) is pleased to announce the successful design and delivery of its customized training program for BIOVECTRA’s biomanufacturing operations. Read more.

HEALWELL has acquired a majority controlling interest in Mutuo Health Solutions, a Toronto-based medical artificial intelligence company focused on developing predictive clinical AI technology. Read more.

UBC and the University of Manitoba announce new research that explores the developmental origins of the human immune system and reveals unexpected lineage relationships and new important transcription factors. The study was published in Cell Systems by Dr. Peter Zandstra, Dr. Yale Michaels. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Premier David Eby has appointed a new cabinet and LSBC is excited to continue our work with the BC government including the Ministries of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation; Health; Finance; and Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. Read more.

Government of Canada announces $545,000 in funding for two initiatives aiming to advance research and raise awareness of breast cancer screening. Read more.

Kudos

BioTalent Canada is thrilled to announce its recognition as the Best Leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the 2024 Best Ottawa Business Awards (BOBs). This honour celebrates organizations that lead by example, foster inclusive workplaces, and advance equitable opportunities in their industries. Read more.

The recipients of the 2024 BC Cancer and BC Cancer Foundation Rising Stars Awards have been announced. The Rising Stars program was established to celebrate Dr. Connie Eaves’ Gairdner Wrightman Award, her election into the Royal Society in the UK, and her appointment to the Order of Canada. Congratulations to the recipients! Read more.

Through its Ignite program, Innovate BC has awarded $1.5M across five B.C.-based R&D projects focused on developing solutions that equip industries to address priority challenges. Project areas include accessibility in healthcare, emissions reduction in mining, and more. Read more.

Kudos to SBME postdoctoral researcher Dayag Sheykhkarimli from Dr. Nozomu Yachie’s lab for receiving $100,000/year for two years from the H.L Holmes Award by the National Research Council of Canada. Read more.

Mintz has been recognized by Best Lawyers in its inaugural edition of Best Law Firms – Canada. The firm ranked Tier 2 nationally in Corporate Law and Tier 3 in the Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice category as well as the Mining Law category. Read more.

People on the Move

Santis Health continues to expand its Western Canada Practice with the addition of Sean Ashton as Consultant, based out of Victoria, B.C. Prior to joining ,Santis, Sean worked in the British Columbia government as a political advisor to the Minister of Health. Read more.

Bausch Health Companies Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Sadeh M.D., M.Sc., as Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D. Read more.

Applications Open

Access highly skilled and motivated students with expertise in drug discovery and development. The Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences program at UBC offers practicums as a crucial component of the curriculum. These unpaid internships provide students with invaluable hands-on experience, fostering their professional development. Industry partners are asked to submit practicum positions by January 19, 2025. Learn more.

Calling all biotech companies! Stem Cell Network is partnering with Mitacs to offer internships to the brightest graduate students and postdocs in regenerative medicine and biotech. The program pairs top talent with innovative Canadian companies focused on advancing stem cell-based therapies. Apply by February 29, 2024. Learn more.

Apply now for Stem Cell Network’s International Travel Awards! The Stem Cell Network International Travel Awards Program gives trainees / Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) the opportunity to communicate their work internationally and contribute to the visibility of Canadian research abroad. Learn more.

Interested in the Singapore innovation ecosystem? Submit your potentially transformative precision medicine approaches for targeted therapies that can be applied across Immune-Mediated Diseases. Apply by January 24, 2025 for the chance to receive grant funding, JLABS Singapore membership, and mentorship! Learn more.

Calling young leaders in Canada! Are you 18-28 and passionate about science and society? Apply to join the Chief Science Advisor’s Youth Council! Apply by December 15 at 11:59 PM EST. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

Qu Biologics is a clinical stage company that is at the forefront of a paradigm shift in the way we treat cancer and other immune-related disease. Rather than blocking or stimulating a single specific receptor or pathway, the company’s Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSIs), a novel class of immunotherapies, aims to restore the full breadth of the body’s normal immune response in a targeted organ.

SSIs, which act as innate immune vaccines, are designed to activate the body’s innate immune response and to safely restore normal immune function in a targeted organ or tissue and correct the immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation underlying many chronic diseases including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and other immune-related conditions. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

January 24 - Life Sciences BC 6th Annual Career Connect Day

This dynamic full-day event brings together life sciences employers from across the sector, post-secondary students, and job seekers.

February 26 - Join us for our 10th Annual Access to Innovation conference.

This premier full-day gathering welcomes life sciences leaders and trailblazers from academia, research, health institutions, government, and industry to engage in insightful discussions on the ever-evolving trends, developments, and policies shaping British Columbia’s thriving sector.

Dayag Sheykhkarimli Awarded the H.L. Holmes Award from the National Research Council of Canada

Congratulations to SBME postdoctoral researcher Dayag Sheykhkarimli from Dr. Nozomu Yachie’s lab for receiving $100,000/year for two years from the H.L Holmes Award by the National Research Council of Canada...Read more.

Mintz Recognized in Inaugural Edition of Best Law Firms – Canada

Mintz has been recognized by Best Lawyers in its inaugural edition of Best Law Firms – Canada...Read more.

Partnership Enhances Clinical Research Expertise

Michael Smith Health Research BC is co-funding 23 BC-based graduate and postdoctoral trainees through the 2024 clinical trials training awards...Read more.

HEALWELL Acquires Control of Mutuo Health Solutions To Build Next Generation of AI-Powered Physician Co-pilots

HEALWELL AI Inc. is pleased to announce that it has acquired a 51% majority controlling interest in Mutuo Health Solutions (“Mutuo“), for $5.5 million in cash and shares of HEALWELL...Read more.

Rakovina Therapeutics Increases Private Placement Offering to $3.0 Million

Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. is pleased to announce that its previously announced private placement has been further upsized to $3 million, based on strong indications of interest from potential investors in the financing...Read more.

WELL Health Completes Acquisition of Jack Nathan Health’s Canadian Clinical Assets Begins to Operate Clinics at Wal-Mart with Intent to Grow Network, and Improve Accessibility to Quality Healthcare Across Canada

WELL Health Technologies Corp. is pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced transaction (the “Transaction”) to acquire the Canadian clinical assets of Jack Nathan Medical Corp...Read more.

Lithuania and EMBL: A Partnership Driving Scientific Excellence

Lithuania’s membership in the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) represents a transformative step in the country’s scientific development...Read more.

CASTL’s Biomanufacturing Training Program Delivers Results for BIOVECTRA

The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) is pleased to announce the successful design and delivery of its customized training program for BIOVECTRA’s biomanufacturing operations specializing in mRNA/pDNA therapeutics...Read more.

BioTalent Canada Honoured at 2024 Best Ottawa Business Awards as Best Leader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

 BioTalent Canada is thrilled to announce its recognition as the Best Leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the 2024 Best Ottawa Business Awards (BOBs)...Read more.

Bausch Health Appoints New Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D

Bausch Health Companies Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Sadeh M.D., M.Sc., as Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D...Read more.

UBC Medicine Researchers Bridging Evidence and Impact with 2024 Health Research BC Funding

Twenty-eight projects led by Faculty of Medicine researchers have received new funding from Michael Smith Health Research BC through the 2024 Convening & Collaborating (C2) and Reach programs...Read more.

Tracking the Gene Expression Programs and Clonal Relationships that Underlie Mast, Myeloid, and T Lineage Specification From Stem Cells

New research from UBC and the University of Manitoba explores the developmental origins of the human immune system and reveals unexpected lineage relationships and new important transcription factors...Read more.

Lifestyle Program Geared at Hockey Fans Helps Improve Men’s Health

A new study led by researchers at UBC and Western University shows how a lifestyle program that taps into people’s passion for local hockey teams can help improve men’s health...Read more.

Santis Health Continues to Expand its Western Canada Practice with the Addition of Sean Ashton as Consultant, Based Out of Victoria, B.C.

Santis Health continues to expand its Western Canada Practice with the addition of Sean Ashton as Consultant, based out of Victoria, B.C...Read more.

KTU Researchers Develop AI Model Combining Speech and Brain Activity for Depression Diagnosis

Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) have developed an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) model to identify depression by analysing both speech and brain activity data...Read more.

BioTalent Canada Unveils National Skills Standard for Cleanroom Readiness to Support Biomanufacturing Workforce Development

BioTalent Canada proudly announces the release of its National Skills Standard for Cleanroom Readiness, designed to address critical skills shortages in Canadian biomanufacturing...Read more.

adMare BioInnovations Spins Out Analytical Services to Paraza Pharma, Catalyzing Growth and Innovation

adMare BioInnovations is pleased to announce the spin-out of its Analytical Services Department to Paraza Pharma Inc., a leading contract research organization (CRO)...Read more.

Health Canada Approves Wegovy® (Semaglutide Injection) to Reduce the Risk of Non-fatal Myocardial Infarction

Novo Nordisk announced that Wegovy® (semaglutide injection) is now approved to reduce the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction in adults with established cardiovascular disease and BMI equal to or greater than 27 kg/m2…Read more.

Turning Health Research into Action and Impact

Michael Smith Health Research BC is funding 91 diverse teams across British Columbia to bridge the gap between evidence and impact...Read more.

Collaboration Achieves Significant Health Gains for High-risk Participants in Type 2 Diabetes Program

In honour of Diabetes Awareness Month, the Canadian Diabetes Prevention Program releases promising preliminary results showing a significant impact on the resolution of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes prevention...Read more.

Director, Legal

We are seeking a Director, Legal, to join our team as we expand our Legal Affairs team. The ideal candidate is an experienced leader with contracts experience and working in-house in bio/pharmaceutical industry for a public company...Learn more

Senior Director/Executive Director, Analytical Development

We are seeking a Senior Director/Executive Director, Analytical Development to join our CMC team. The incumbent will be responsible for leading a team of analytical development scientists and external FTEs and for ensuring that robust analytical methodology is developed and validated...Learn more

Principal Scientist – Discovery Protein Sciences

The Therapeutic Discovery organization is seeking to fill a position at the Principal Scientist level in our Discovery Protein Sciences group at our Amgen British Columbia site in Vancouver, Canada...Learn more

Center of Excellence Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunogenecity Mitigation and Immunopeptidomics

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow with previous training in immunology and biochemistry to help develop the next generation of screening tools to identify and quantify the presence of immunogenic sequences, motifs, and structures in candidate therapeutic molecules...Learn more

Product Project Manager

We are looking to add an experienced Full-Time Product Project Manager to join our amazing team and further our efforts in partnering with organizations in the pharmaceutical manufacturing and life sciences segment...Learn more

Senior / Research Technician, Preclinical

Reporting to the Scientist II, Preclinical, our Senior/Research Technician, Preclinical will be responsible for designing, executing, analyzing, and making recommendations on research protocols for our internal projects...Learn more

Sr. Research Associate, Oligonucleotide Chemistry

Borealis Biosciences is seeking a skilled and team-oriented senior research associate with expertise in oligonucleotide chemistry to join the chemistry group in Vancouver, BC...Learn more

Scientist, Bioconjugation Chemistry

Borealis Biosciences is seeking a skilled and team-oriented scientist with expertise in bioconjugation chemistry to join the chemistry group in Vancouver, BC...Learn more

[Individual] Iain Rogers - With 20 years of experience in life sciences and entrepreneurship, Iain is currently VP Commercial at Rapid Novor. Iain holds an MBA from Queen’s and Cornell Universities, and has founded two successful startups. He is skilled at commercialization strategy, partnerships and team building. Learn more.

[Student] Mostafa Azimzadeh - PhD student in mechanical engineering at the University of Victoria, BC, with expertise in nanobiotechnology, nanobiosensors, and molecular biology. My research focuses on 3D bioprinted skin models and wound monitoring sensors, driven by a passion for research and entrepreneurship. Learn more.

MMC Canada Research Institute of Anti-Aging - A new startup biotech company from a successful private medical group in BC Canada, focusing on innovations of stem cell therapy applications in real chronic diseases such as diabetes, weight loss, Parkinson's disease.

We are aiming to achieve the goal of stem cell regenerative medicine by combining the latest stem cell technology with innovative delivery methods in variety of applications including anti-aging purposes. Learn more.

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