November 13, 2025 - Hello BioLinks Readers!

This week:

• SR&ED Tax Credit Enhancements
• Canada’s New Rapid RNA Vaccine Platform: AVENGER
• Employers: Join Us For an LSBC + CASTL Trainee Info Sessions

François-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Finance Minister, Photo from the Logic

Key Updates to the SR&ED Tax Credit

The overhaul of the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit is among the most significant changes in over a decade, introduced in the 2025 Federal Budget. Plans to revamp SR&ED were stalled last year when the finance minister at the time, Chrystia Freeland, resigned before the document was tabled in Parliament.

Key Changes in SR&ED Overhaul

• The enhanced refundable tax credit expenditure limit is doubled from $3 to $6 million.
• The annual expenditure limit on which the enhanced credit can be earned has increased from $3 million to $4.5 million.
• Eligibility for the enhanced credit is extended to include eligible Canadian public corporations, not just private ones, broadening access significantly.
• Capital expenditures related to SR&ED activities, which had been ineligible since 2013, are reinstated for both investment tax credit claims and income deductions for property acquired after December 16, 2024.

The budget also introduces a pre-approval process for businesses that want to be certain their claims will be accepted. Pre-approvals will be available in April, with the ambition to cut approval times in half, from 180 days to 90 days.

“This additional government investment of $440 million on an ongoing basis is expected to catalyse private sector R&D investment, generating an economic output of $1.2 billion a year—about a three-time return for Canada’s economy,” the budget stated.

While there is new spending announced in the innovation sector, several other Trudeau-era programs are being cut as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) reduces its spending as part of budget cuts across the federal government. In total, ISED plans to save some $3 billion over four years by “recalibrating” its programs.

Lessons From the Pandemic: 
Canada’s New Rapid RNA vaccine platform – AVENGER

Dr. Anna Blakney, Assistant Professor, Michael Smith Laboratories and SBME and her team

Although it may seem like a distant lifetime ago, many will recall the story of how the Acuitas’ LNP technology enabled the BioNTech and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which has protected billions of people in more than 180 countries worldwide. 

Dr. Pieter Cullis, a pioneer of that enabling LNP technology will lead a team in establishing a national RNA vaccine platform. This will strengthen Canada’s pandemic preparedness and allow us to quickly develop and manufacture next-generation vaccines — for everything from viruses to superbug bacteria — in less than 100 days. The AVENGER team is developing a library of next-generation RNA LNP vaccine formulations that can be custom designed against viral and bacterial pathogens. Read more.

LSBC + CASTL On-The-Job Trainee Info Session December 2

Unlock new talent and training support for your team! Calling all hiring managers in industry and academia — discover how the CASTL Elevate BC Biosciences Reskilling Program can help you meet your workforce needs. Join us for a 30-minute virtual info session to learn how employers are successfully engaging CASTL On-the-Job Trainees — skilled individuals reskilled for roles in BC’s bioscience sector.

Speakers:

• Jennifer Lenentine, Director of Client Services, CASTL
•  Lee McKinley, Director of Learning & Development, CASTL

Learn about:

•  Core competencies developed through the Elevate BC program
•  Program supports for employers and trainees
•  Success stories from organizations hiring CASTL trainees

Email lcarver@lifesciencesbc.ca to receive the meeting link.



This initiative is supported by the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia.

Member Highlights 

Cytiva has unveiled its new Fibro dT platform, a high-capacity system designed to streamline mRNA purification. The platform delivers rapid sub-15-minute chromatography cycles, high binding performance, and reduced material waste thanks to its advanced fibre-absorber design. Read more

Hologic has expanded CE marking in the EU for its Genius Digital Diagnostics System, allowing it to digitally image both cell and tissue samples. This update lets labs use one platform for a wider range of pathology work, improving efficiency and supporting faster diagnostic review. Read more

Santis Health released insights about pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA)’s negotiation pathways to access public funding for new drugs. The pCPA formally announced two new expedited negotiation pathways – the Early Negotiation Process (ENP) and the Targeted Negotiation Process (TNP). Read more.

Ecosytem Highlights

Pfizer has officially closed the acquisition of obesity biotech Metsera for about $9.2 billion. A battle to secure the deal erupted after Novo Nordisk tried to usurp the New York pharma’s September bid. Pfizer won out because it was able to offer one thing Novo couldn’t: regulatory certainty. Analysts, and Metsera itself, concluded that Novo’s $10 billion offer would likely take about two years to clear regulatory review. Read more (BioSpace).

Kudos

Congrats to the recipients of BIV News C-Suite Awards, including Kathryn Hayashi, former CEO, TRIUMF Innovations, and Eva Fong, CFO, WELL Health Technologies.

Eva Fong is recognized as an M&A powerhouse with over 20 years of experience. As Chief Financial Officer of WELL Health, she has played a major role in driving the company’s growth toward the $1 billion revenue mark, and has estimated that she helped the company execute more than 100 acquisitions.

Kathryn Hayashi has been recognized for her outstanding leadership in transforming research into real-world impact. With over 25 years of experience in finance, strategy, and commercialization, she has played a key role in bridging science and industry, from her time as founding CFO of the Centre for Drug Research and Development (now adMare BioInnovations) to leading TRIUMF’s innovation arm.

Dr. Andrea Gingerich, Associate Professor with the UBC Northern Medical Program, has been named a 2025 KIPRIME Fellow, joining an international group of researchers focused on advancing medical education. She is the sole Canadian selected for this year's cohort, highlighting her leadership and impact in the field. Read more

People on the Move

 The appointment of Nobel Prize-winning cancer researcher Dr. William G. Kaelin Jr. to IQVIA’s Board of Director adds significant expertise, strengthening the company’s efforts to advance healthcare and life-science innovation. Read more

AbCellera announced the appointment of Dr. Stephen Quake to its Board of Directors. Dr. Quake is currently a Professor at Stanford University and was the founding co-president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub. He has cofounded more than a dozen companies in fields of microfluidics, genomics, molecular diagnostics, and therapeutics. Read more

Alpha-09 Oncology Inc. announced the appointment of Paul Blanchfield as it’s new Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors. Read more

Congratulations to Dr. Robert Bell, who has been re-appointed to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Governing Council by the Government of Canada. Read more

Applications Open

The Merck Digital Science Studios (MDSS), is having a nine-month accelerator for early-stage health-tech startups advancing digital drug discovery. Get seed funding, expert mentorship, and access to Merck’s global network. Applications close November 28. Read more

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

Member Spotlight

Rakovina Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical research company focused on the development of innovative cancer treatments. Our work is based on unique technologies for targeting the DNA-damage response powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) using the proprietary Deep-Docking™ platform. By using AI, we can review and optimize drug candidates at a much greater pace than ever before. Learn more

Sino Biological/SignalChem Biotech is an international reagent supplier and service provider. Our company specializes in recombinant protein production and antibody development. All of our products are independently developed and produced, including recombinant proteins, antibodies and cDNA clones. Sino Biological/SignalChem Biotech is the researchers' one-stop technical services shop for the advanced technology platforms they need to make advancements. Learn more

OdysseaBio is a women-owned strategic partnership dedicated to transforming complex science into trusted narratives that reduce risk and drive confident decisions across the innovation journey. We partner with biotech, pharma, advocacy, and health decision-makers to ensure clarity, alignment, and impact at every stage. Learn more

Until next week!

LSBC Team

November 27 - The Life Sciences BC “McCarthy Spotlight Speaking Series” at McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Vancouver highlights innovative life sciences companies recognized as Companies to Watch, featuring their growth stories and future plans while fostering connection and collaboration across the sector.

December 3-4 - This two-day introductory course makes biotechnology clear, relevant, and exciting for professionals without a science background. You’ll gain a practical overview of how biotech drives healthcare, sustainability, and business innovation across British Columbia and beyond.

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Rezurock® Now Covered in Quebec for People Living with Chronic Graft-versus-host Disease (GVHD)

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Eight out of 10 Infants and Newborns in Canada have Access to RSV Prevention with Beyfortus® this Season

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Hologic Introduces Digital Pathology Capabilities with Expanded CE Marking

Hologic has received expanded CE marking in the EU for its Genius Digital Diagnostics System, now cleared to digitize and review both cell and tissue samples. This enhancement allows laboratories to manage a wider range of pathology work within a single, streamlined platform... Read more

Chief Business Officer

This role involves leading TRIUMF’s commercialization and partnership strategy, guiding technology transfer, licensing, and new venture development. The Chief Business Officer will build industry and government relationships to translate research into real-world impact and support long-term organizational growth... Learn more

Research and Innovation Manager, Mining and Energy

This role requires leading genomics and biotechnology projects in the mining and energy sectors, managing partnerships, securing funding, and guiding research from concept to commercialization to drive sustainable innovation at Genome BC... Learn more

Research Scientist 2, CMC, Analytical Chemistry

This role involves developing and validating analytical methods for small-molecule drug development, including dissolution and impurity testing, while collaborating with CMC teams to support formulation and quality control at Xenon Pharmaceuticals... Learn more

Senior Software Engineer – Platform Technology

HTuO Biosciences is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to develop high-performance software for molecular modeling and drug discovery. The role includes building scalable platforms, optimizing algorithms, and improving system performance. Requires expertise in C++, Python, and CUDA.... Learn more

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