September 3, 2026 - We’ll see you at the Gala next week! | | |
This week:
- Canada recruits 64 of the world's top researchers
- Growth Catalyst Program quarterly newsletter: harnessing AI
- Global Biotech Week: September 20-26, 2026
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Canada recruits 64 of the World’s Top Researchers with the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs Program
Speaking at UBC last week Thursday, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced the government is giving $541 million in research funding to an initial tranche of research leaders recruited into Canadian institutions. Nine Research Chairs were welcomed to UBC, two to UVic, and one to SFU.
"While certain countries are cutting research and turning their back on academic freedom, we're doubling down on science and we're doubling down on research," Joly said.
The initiative which was launched last year in December is an opportunity for Canada to attract some of the world’s top research talent. Each professor is set to receive either $500,000 or $1 million of funding per year toward their research over eight years. Read more (cbc news)
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Growth Catalyst Program quarterly newsletter: Harnessing AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming life sciences. It is helping optimize and accelerate research, drug discovery and development, manufacturing, clinical trials, diagnostics, and clinical decision-making.In the second edition of the Growth Catalyst Program (GCP) quarterly newsletter, we spotlight four BC companies harnessing AI in service of human health: EyecareX, Redwood AI, Careteam, and Variational AI. Read more.
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Celebrating Science with Global Biotech Week: Sep 20-26, 2026
National Biotech Week started in Canada in 2003. What began as a modest awareness campaign grew into a national success story which gained traction and led to EuropaBio establishing their own annual week of events in 2013. Today around the world, biotech innovation is becoming increasingly central to the global competitiveness of sectors that form the economic foundation of countries. We are celebrating Global Biotech Week, which coincides with our Blakes Breakfast on Sep 22, 2026. In this edition of Blakes, our session is titled New Capital in Play: How Canadian Funds Are Reshaping Life Sciences Investment. Learn more and register for our Blakes Breakfast here.
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Zymework’s partner Jazz Pharmaceuticals announced interim top-line overall survival results from a Phase 3 trial showing that Ziihera (zanidatamab-hrii) in combination with chemotherapy demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in overall survival compared with trastuzumab plus chemotherapy. Read more.
Providence Research scientist Abhinav K. Checkervarty challenges long-held assumptions about sickle cell trait (SCT) being benign in infancy. In a recent multi-omics study, Checkervarty found that newborns with SCT showed distinct biological differences within their first week of life, raising the question of whether SCT is associated with subtle biological differences, long before any clinical symptoms appear. Read more.
Moderna Canada announced Health Canada authorized its updated COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, Spikevax®. Read more.
“Health Canada’s authorization of the updated Spikevax vaccine is an important step in supporting Canada’s readiness for the upcoming respiratory virus season,” said Stefan Raos, General Manager, Moderna Canada.
| | The Government of Canada is investing $13 million into increasing funding support for youth mental health research initiatives. Read more. | | |
Congratulations to the BIOTECanada 2026 Gold Leaf Award winners: Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Ripple Therapeutics, Dr. Allen Eaves, Dr. Massimiliano Paganelli, and Dr. Claudia Raggi—for their outstanding contributions to Canadian biotech. Dr. Allen Eaves, honoured with the Industry Leadership Award as an Ecosystem Builder, continues to make a meaningful impact in strengthening Canada’s life sciences ecosystem. We’re proud to see BC represented by Xenon as it received the Biotech Company of the Year award this year. Read more.
| | UBC has launched 302 spin-off companies with 15 new ventures, marking a major milestone for entrepreneurs developing solutions in health and digital therapeutics, biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics, sustainable materials and climate tech, and AI. Read more. | | |
PacifiCan’s Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program supports organizations that help BC small- and medium-sized businesses commercialize innovations, increase productivity, scale operations, and enter new markets. Applications close September 11, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. PT. An information session for applicants will be held on July 21 at 2:00 p.m. PT. Learn more.
Health Emergency Readiness Canada (HERC) alongside the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) at the Embassy of Canada to Mexico, is organizing a Canadian Life Sciences Mission to Mexico from November 3-5, 2026, focused on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology subsectors. The mission will allow participating companies to raise their profile in Mexico, building strategic partnerships, and exploring commercial, investment, and R&D collaboration opportunities with leading Mexican stakeholders. Participation in this initiative will require in-person travel to Mexico at your own expenses. Learn more.
| | See our expanded list of current life sciences opportunities on our website. | | |
| Sino Biological/SignalChem Biotech is an international reagent supplier and service provider. Their company specializes in recombinant protein production and antibody development. All of their products are independently developed and produced, including recombinant proteins, antibodies and cDNA clones. Learn more. | | |
| Honieh Barzegari is a physician and strategic leader with 20+ years of experience spanning life sciences, biopharmaceuticals, health technology, healthcare, and government. As a consultant at Earnscliffe, she brings experience in government affairs, health policy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships. She has taught medical and health sciences at university and college levels and currently serves on the Langara College Board and co-chairs KPU’s Health and Science Committee. 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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Labcorp Launches Next Generation of Labcorp Global Trial Connect™ to Help Sponsors and Investigator Sites Navigate Clinical Trial Complexity
Labcorp has announced the enhancements to the digital experience of Labcorp Global Trial Connect, which is the companys portfolio of trail services, data and technology that enhances and accelerates delivery… Read more.
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Health Canada Authorizes Moderna’s Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Targeting XFG Omicron Variant
Moderna has announced that Health Canada has authorized their newest updates for their COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, Spikevax®... Read more.
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Study finds early Molecular differences in newborns with Sickle Cell Trait
A recent study led by Providence Researcher Abhinav K. Checkervarty suggests that Sickle Cell Disease within infants shows distinct biological differences, challenging long-held assumptions... Read more.
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Moderna Announces Initiation of Phase 1 Clinical Trial of mRNA-1469, Moderna’s Investigational Vaccine Against Bundibugyo Ebolavirus
Following Health Canada's authorization, Moderna initiated Phase 1 of their study on evaluating mRNA-1469, with first participants vaccinated... Read more.
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Ziihera® (zanidatamab-hrii) plus Chemotherapy Demonstrates Statistically Significant Overall Survival Benefit Versus Trastuzumab plus Chemotherapy in First-Line HER2+ Advanced GEA
Zymeworks announced that overall survival (OS) results from their Phase 3 trial show that Ziihera® in combination with chemotherapy demonstrated significant and clinically meaningful improvements... Read more.
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Bausch Health Announces Availability of Solta Medical's Fraxel FTX® in Australia
Bausch Health is expanding access to its latest skin resurfacing technology to Australian health care practitioners... Read more.
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Vertex Completes Acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals and Announces Expansion of Executive Leadership Team
Vertex grows through the acquisition Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, a global pharmaceutical company, and the expansion of its executive team... Read more.
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New Data Confirms Innovative Pharmaceutical Industry is a Major Economic Engine for Canada
Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) welcomes Deloitte Canada’s report showing the pharmaceutical industry is an important sector for Canada’s economic growth and productivity... Read 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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| 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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