September 10, 2026 - Hello BioLinks Readers | | |
This week:
- Thank you to everyone for another memorable Awards Gala
- Wendy Hurlburt honoured as one of Canada's Most Powerful CEOs, WXN Top100
- Every $1 invested in the pharmaceutical industry generates nearly $3
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2026 LSBC Awards Gala Highlights
Thank you to everyone who showed up for our Awards Gala this year. We think everyone in the room can agree that we have something very special and unique here in BC. Congratulations to all the Awards winners and thank you to all our sponsors for supporting the event. Ali Tehrani, who was honoured with the Dr. Don Rix Lifetime Achievement Award this year mentioned in his speech the “enablers”, people in our community who mentor, empower, and open doors for others. It is because of these champions that we all rise. We hope you left last night connected, inspired, and ready to do the hard work that is the nature of life sciences.
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Wendy Hurlburt Honoured as one of Canada’s Most Powerful CEOs, WXN Top100
We’re thrilled to announce that LSBC President & CEO, Wendy Hurlburt has been named a WXN Top100 in the category of Most Powerful CEO. The award recognizes Canadian female CEOs who are the compelling force behind their organizations. Read more.
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New Data Confirms Innovative Pharmaceutical Industry is a Major Economic Engine for Canada
In a recent report by Deloitte, commissioned by Innovative Medicines Canada, it found that every $1 invested in Canada's pharmaceutical industry generates nearly $3 in economic value through quality jobs, labour income, and government revenue. The industry remains one of Canada’s top R&D investors, outpacing both the auto and aerospace manufacturing industries. According to the findings, the industry contributes $25 billion to Canada’s economy, supports nearly 150,000 high-value jobs, and invests $3.5 billion in research and development. However, we are still struggling to stay globally competitive. Read the report here.
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Alpha-9 Oncology dosed first patient in Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-targeted radiotherapeutics across multiple solid tumors. Patients were dosed with Alpha-9’s alpha and beta-emitting radiotherapeutic programs targeting GRPR, a solid tumor target with broad clinical potential in breast and other solid tumors. Read more.
VoxCell and Cellmover secured approximately CAD $1.5 million in international funding to accelerate the development of intracellular checkpoint inhibitors for cancer treatment. The three-year project will combine Cellmover’s expertise in intracellular checkpoint-blocking nanobodies with VoxCell’s advanced vascularized 3D tumor models. Read more.
ME Therapeutics successfully advanced its in vivo CAR pipeline to yield two differentiated lead constructs and also made advancements in its therapeutic mRNA program targeting the scientifically validated STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) pathway. Read more.
Kardium launched the “Globe Durability Guarantee”™ – highlighting the outstanding durability of the Globe® System. Read more.
“The Globe System is designed to deliver an effective and durable treatment for patients, the first time. And we want doctors to be confident that they are delivering an effective treatment in every procedure.” said Kevin Chaplin, CEO of Kardium.
| | The Government of BC announced that construction started on a new 60-bed mental-health and substance-use treatment facility in Surrey, designed to provide specialized care for people with complex mental-health, addiction, and brain-injury needs, including involuntary-care capacity. Read more. | | Congratulations to Hologic who was honoured with an International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) for its Fluent Pro fluid management system, supporting the visualization and fluid control of hysteroscopies. Read more. | | |
Congratulations to Dr. Jim Christenson, who was appointed to the Order of British Columbia. Dr. Christenson’s contributions to transforming the field of emergency care in BC are recognized with this honour as someone who served with the greatest distinction, excelled in his field, and left an enduring legacy. Read more.
President and Chief Operating Officer of BFL Canada, Lisa Giannone, was named one of the 2026 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Honouree in the CN Executive Leaders category. Read more.
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Congratulations to UBC Faculty of Medicine scientists Drs. Carolyn Brown, Megan Levings and Timothy Murphy who were elected as Fellows to the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), Canada’s national academy, as part of its 2026 Class of Fellows and College Members. Read more.
UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences researcher Dr. Mary De Vera was elected to the Royal Society of Canada’s (RSC) College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists as part of the academy’s 2026 class. Read more.
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WELL Health Technologies announced a planned transition in its finance leadership, the appointment of Evelyn Sutherland as Chief Financial Officer, who has served on the Board of WELL’s subsidiary over the past year. Read more.
Rakovina Therapeutics announced the appointment of Professor Petra Hamerlik to its board of directors. Read more.
| | | | Join Innovate BC, AInBC, DigiBC, and Life Sciences BC as part of the Vancouver, Canada delegation at Web Summit 2026, taking place in Lisbon from November 9–12, 2026. Showcase BC as part of Canada’s global innovation story and connect with an international audience of more than 70,000 investors, customers, partners, and industry leaders. This is an opportunity for BC companies to raise their global profile, build high-value connections, explore new markets, and showcase their solutions on one of the world’s most influential technology stages. Apply by September 25, 2026 to join the Vancouver, Canada delegation. Learn more. | | |
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is helping businesses navigate the impacts of tariffs and global trade disruptions by protecting Canadian businesses and workers. Information sessions are being held on September 14 and 21, 2026 at 1pm. Learn more.
The Integrated Marketplace: Early-Stage Demonstration Call provides funding to small and medium-sized BC businesses to pilot and validate innovative technologies in real-world settings. Applications for the current intake are open until October 30, 2026. Learn more.
Submit an application to pitch to global investors at the OBIO Investment Summit, taking place from February 2-4, 2027. The Summit provides opportunities for 1 on 1 meetings and relationship building with venture capital, strategic partners, and investors specializing in life science & health tech. Learn more.
| | See our expanded list of current life sciences opportunities on our website. | | |
| WAT Medical is a company that develops safe, effective, and user-friendly smart medical technologies. Its products primarily target three common medical conditions: nausea-induced vomiting, primary migraines and obesity. They understand the side effects and cost of available drug treatments, and how they often cause hesitation among people who need them. As a result, they developed a drug-free therapy that uses precise transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to target different areas of the body to deliver treatments with precision and without side effects. Learn more. | | |
| Great science fails without excellent execution, and for more than 25 years Vik Peck has built the operational architecture to make sure it succeeds. She has directed programs spanning the full drug development continuum – from discovery through regulatory approval and commercial launch – building program management, alliance and quality functions from scratch, leading global regulatory strategies, and guiding products through phase transitions. Learn more. | | |
Until next week!
LSBC Team
| | September 22 - Blakes Breakfast Speaking Series: New Capital in Play: How Canadian Funds Are Reshaping Life Sciences Investment is an interactive discussion on how new Canadian funding initiatives are reshaping the life sciences investment landscape, creating opportunities for innovation, growth and commercialization. | | November 3-4 - Life Sciences BC is pleased to announce the 11th annual Invest in BC presented by Lumira Ventures. This highly anticipated event serves as a premier gathering for life sciences innovators in British Columbia, connecting them with investors and potential partners locally, nationally, and around the world. | | |
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From the Schoolyard to Population Aging: Co-creating Programs that Promote Health
Choose to Move, a choice-based physical activity and social engagement program, has scaled up to engage over 9,500 older adults across the province of British Columbia over the past decade... Read more.
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SILIQ® (brodalumab injection) Now Reimbursed Under Alberta’s Public Drug Plan, Improving Access for Eligible Patients with Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis
Bausch Health announced that SILIQ® (brodalumab injection) is now listed under Alberta’s public drug plan for eligible patients... Read more.
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Johnson & Johnson spotlights new Neuropsychiatry Data across Bipolar Mania, Depression and Schizophrenia at Psych Congress 2026
Johnson & Johnson announced that 24 abstracts featuring clinical data and real-world evidence across the neuropsychiatry portfolio will be presented at the 2026 Psych Congress Annual Meeting... Read more.
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Labcorp Acquires MLM Medical Labs, Expanding Global Central Laboratory and Biomarker Capabilities for Clinical Trials
Labcorp announced its acquisition of MLM Medical Labs, expanding its presence in key clinical research regions and strengthening its testing capabilities... Read more.
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ME Therapeutics advances in vivo CAR and therapeutic mRNA STING Programs
ME Therapeutics provided updates on its chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and therapeutic mRNA STING programs, highlighting advancements in targeting approaches and expanded pathways... Read more.
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Alpha-9 Oncology Doses First Patient in Phase 1 Clinical Trial Evaluating GRPR-Targeted Radiotherapeutics Across Multiple Solid Tumors
Alpha-9 Oncology announced the dosing of the first patient in its Phase 1 gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) trial... Read more.
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Johnson & Johnson presents new data at IMS 2026 highlighting its industry-leading Multiple Myeloma Portfolio, with the goal of advancing the potential for cure
Johnson & Johnson announced that more than 35 abstracts featuring data from its multiple myeloma portfolio will be presented at the 2026 International Myeloma Society Annual Meeting in Glasgow... Read more.
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Labcorp Collaborates with OHSU on Clinical Study Evaluating MRD Testing in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Labcorp is collaborating with the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University to help identify disease recurrence earlier in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer... Read more.
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PHC Ventures Helps Bring MindfulGarden’s Delirium-Care Technology From Evaluation to Everyday Use at St. Paul’s Hospital
In collaboration with Providence Health Care, Innovate BC, and MindfulGarden, PHC Ventures is bringing technology from pilot to adoption at St. Paul's Hospital... Read more.
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VoxCell and Cellmover Secure Eurostars Funding to Advance Next-Generation Cancer Immunotherapies
VoxCell and Cellmover announced that their collaborative project has secured approximately CAD $1.5 million in international funding through the Eurostars programme... Read more.
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Kardium launches the “Globe Durability Guarantee”™ – highlighting the outstanding durability of the Globe® System
Kardium announced the launch of the “Globe Durability Guarantee”™, designed to provide patients and physicians with additional confidence to deliver durable treatment with only one procedure... Read more.
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Coordinator, Research Program & Operations
The role supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of Canada's Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH) programs, partnerships, and strategic initiatives... Learn more.
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Manufacturing Engineering Technologist
The role will be responsible for providing technical support for the manufacturing, assembly, testing, calibration, and troubleshooting of electronic instrument systems... Learn more.
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Coordinator, Education Programs & Communications
The role is responsible for the planning, organizing, and delivery of communications and leads in the development of initiatives that advance training and talent development programs in alignment with research, partnerships, and talent development priorities... Learn more.
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| Post a Job on the LSBC Website | |
LSBC Membership Discounts on Job Postings
As an LSBC member, your first five job postings can be reposted on BioTalent Canada's The Petri Dish. Want more info? Contact membership@lifesciencesbc.ca
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