March 12, 2026 - Hello BioLinks readers!

This week:

• Xenon announces promising Phase 3 data ahead of FDA submission
• Building trust in immune-based innovations: Audience Q&A
• Congratulations to our 2026 Investor Readiness Program grads!

Photo: Tijana Martin/The Globe and Mail

Xenon Announces Promising Phase 3 Data Ahead of FDA Submission

Big congratulations to the entire Xenon team on the release of its latest Phase 3 data. The data speaks for itself, exceeding expectations across the board. The announcement solidifies Xenon’s position as Canada’s most valuable drug developer at US$5-billion market capitalization. With an FDA approval application for azetukalner planned later this year, Xenon is on track to become the standard of care based on the trial results. Exciting news for BC's biotech community, as an approval would mark yet another milestone in BC's growing reputation for bringing homegrown innovation to patients globally.

 “The magnitude of effect in X-TOLE2 and favorable safety profile, along with its differentiated KV7 mechanism of action and ease-of-use attributes, give us great confidence in azetukalner’s potential to become a preferred medication for patients living with uncontrolled seizures,” said Ian Mortimer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Xenon”. Read more.

Building Trust in Immune-based Innovations Session – Access to Innovation Q&A

At our 2026 Access to Innovation Conference, one of the most thought-provoking sessions of the day centered on science communication. We ran out of time before we could get to Q&A. Rather than let those questions go unanswered, we captured them all. Dr. Kelley Lee, Jia Hu, and Rackeb Tesfaye of the Bridge Research Consortium generously provided detailed follow-up responses covering everything from how Canada can protect trust in mRNA technology amid US political turbulence, to lessons learned from the pandemic, to the perennial challenge of competing with voices like Joe Rogan. Their answers are candid, evidence-based, and deeply relevant to anyone working at the intersection of life sciences, public health, and communication. Read more

Congratulations to Our 2026 IRP Grads and Thank You to Our Community

Yesterday we wrapped up the 2026 Investor Readiness Program, celebrating an incredible cohort of ten early-stage life sciences companies. Thanks to Brenda Irwin and Anne Stevens for hosting the online graduation. Over the course of the six-month program, founders deepened their knowledge, sharpened their pitches, and built the confidence to engage with investors. Thank you to our mentors and to NRC IRAP for their support in making this program possible. Congratulations to all ten companies — we can't wait to see what comes next!

Ascender Bioscience | Autochart.ai | eSense Health | FibroDynamx | Garde Bioscience | Lab 915 | Mindful Garden | Omni Biotech Innovations | Osmin Health | Resolve Nanotherapeutics

Member Highlights 

Michael Smith Health Research BC and the Conconi Family Foundation introduce inaugural BioDevice Innovation Fellow Dr. Sofia Arshavsky-Graham. Sofia is developing new tools to understand how cancer interacts with the immune system. Her project is developing miniaturized devices that mimic how tumours and immune cells communicate over time. The devices allow researchers to control fluid flow, bring tumour and lymph node cells together, and detect when the immune system isn’t working as strongly as it should. Read more.

Partners and collaborators got an exclusive first look at the newest adMare Innovation Centre in Mount Pleasant. The Sneak Peek offered a glimpse of what's to come. It was incredible to see the space come alive and the community come together. Watch for the grand opening on April 17, 2026. Read more.

Ecosystem Highlights 

The Government of Canada is investing over $900 million under its new Defence Industrial Strategy, supporting research and development in drones, quantum technologies, and biomedical countermeasures, while helping Canadian companies develop new dual-use technologies for defence and civilian applications. Read more

The Government of British Columbia is expanding women’s health services across the province, including broader medication coverage, improved reproductive care, and expanded screening options to help improve access and health outcomes. Read more 

The Government of Canada is investing $5.4 million to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services. The funding will support programs and resources that help expand care and reduce barriers for women and underserved communities across the country. Read more

Residents of British Columbia living near the Alberta border will once again be able to receive scheduled surgeries in Alberta through a renewed agreement between the two provinces. The partnership is intended to improve access to care and allow patients to receive treatment closer to home. Read more 

Health Canada is strengthening controls on fentanyl precursor chemicals to help prevent their use in the illegal production of synthetic opioids. The new measures increase oversight of these chemicals and support law enforcement efforts to disrupt the illegal drug supply and address Canada’s overdose crisis. Read more

Kudos

Congratulations to Dr. Gina Ogilvie, affiliate scientist at the BC Cancer Research Institute and senior scientist at the BC Centre for Disease Control, on receiving $2 million in funding from the Terry Fox Research Institute through the Bringing Biology to Cancer Prevention Team Grants program, led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Read more

Congratulations to BD on being named one of the Top 100 Global Innovators for 2026 by LexisNexis. The recognition highlights BD’s strong global patent portfolio and its continued commitment to advancing healthcare technologies that improve patient care and clinical outcomes. Read more

Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth Clement and Dr. Aidan Synnott on receiving the 2026 Carraresi Foundation Early Career Clinician Investigator Award from Providence Research. The award recognizes their innovative research and supports early-career clinician-scientists working to advance healthcare and improve patient outcomes. Read more

Congratulations to Dr. Laura Schummers from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences on receiving the 2025 UBC Killam Research Prize. This award recognizes her outstanding research on how health policies and clinical practices influence reproductive health outcomes and patient care. Read more

People on the Move

Celebrating the contributions of James Brodie as he steps away from Johnson and Johnson after 28 years of leadership. Throughout his time with the organization, James helped advance medical technology and biopharmaceutical innovation while contributing to stronger healthcare systems and improved patient outcomes across Canada. Read more 

Anne Corona has been appointed as the CEO of North America at Aon, alongside Lori Goltermann on her new role as Vice Chair, and Farheem Dam as the CEO of Enterprise Clients and Chief Client Officer. These leadership appointments marks an exciting step forward for Aon as it continues to strengthen its client-focused strategy. Read more

Applications Open

The Student Work Placement Program from BioTalent Canada helps employers hire post-secondary students through paid internships and work placements. The program provides wage subsidies while giving students valuable hands-on experience in Canada’s life sciences and bio-economy sectors. Learn more

The AI Tools and Large Language Models for Principal Investigators in Regenerative Medicine is hosting a virtual workshop led by AI expert Jim Davies, the session will explore how research leaders can responsibly use AI and large language models in research, decision-making and lab management. The workshop will take place on March 24, 2026. Learn more

Federal Pre-Budget Consultations Now Open

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance is accepting submissions ahead of the 2026 federal budget. Organizations and individuals can submit one written brief of up to 2,000 words via the committee's website by April 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Note that submitting a brief also constitutes a request to appear before the committee. Learn more.

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

Membership Spotlight

Zucara Therapeutics is developing ZT-01, a first-in-class, once-daily therapeutic to prevent insulin-induced hypoglycemia in patients using insulin therapy. ZT-01 is designed to inhibit somatostatin, a pancreatic hormone that impairs the glucagon response to hypoglycemia in people with insulin dependent diabetes. ZT-01 restores glucagon secretion to prevent hypoglycemia, which could dramatically change diabetes disease management and improve both patient health and quality of life. Learn more

Until next week!

LSBC Team

March 30 - The Life Sciences BC Showcase Series: Vancouver Island highlights the latest life sciences research and innovation on the Island, bringing together sector leaders, researchers, and industry professionals for an evening of insights and networking.



May 11-14 - The Web Summit is one of the worlds largest and most influential technology gatherings. In collaboration with our partners, Life Sciences BC is supporting and initiating a range of activities around Web Summit Vancouver to facilitate connection, visibility, and engagement across the life sciences sector.

Argenx to Present New Data at 2026 AAN Annual Meeting that Continue to Transform Patient Outcomes in MG and CIDP and Build Upon Strength of Pipeline

argenx will present new data at the 2026 AAN Annual Meeting, highlighting progress in treatments for myasthenia gravis (MG) and CIDP, and continued advancements in its neurological disease pipeline...Read more

InMed Provides Update on BayMedica Operations and Strengthens Focus on Pharmaceutical Development Pipeline

InMed Pharmaceuticals announced it will wind down BayMedica’s commercial operations due to regulatory uncertainty. The company will refocus on advancing its pharmaceutical pipeline, including treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and age-related macular degeneration... Read more

Johnson & Johnson Announces U.S. FDA Approval of TECVAYLI® plus DARZALEX FASPRO® for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma, Offering a Potential New Standard of Care as Early as Second Line

Johnson & Johnson has received U.S. FDA approval for Tecvayli plus Darzalex Faspro to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, offering a potential new treatment option for patients... Read more

Xenon Announces Positive Topline Data from Phase 3 X-TOLE2 Study of Azetukalner in Focal Onset Seizures (FOS)

Xenon Pharmaceuticals reported positive Phase 3 results for azetukalner in treating focal onset seizures, showing significant reductions in seizure frequency and potential as a new epilepsy treatment... Read more

InMed Provides Update on Pharmaceutical Development Programs – Advancing Lead Drug Candidates Towards IND and Clinical Trial

InMed Pharmaceuticals shared an update on its drug development programs, reporting progress in advancing its lead candidates toward regulatory review and future clinical trials for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and eye disorders... Read more

WAT Medical’s EmeTerm Wearable Device Demonstrates Superior Control of Moderate to Severe Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in JAMA Surgery–Published Clinical Trial

WAT Medical reported positive clinical trial results for its EmeTerm wearable device, showing it effectively reduced moderate to severe postoperative nausea and vomiting. The findings, published in JAMA Surgery, highlight its potential as a non-drug treatment option for patients recovering from surgery... Read more

BD Advances Iliac Artery Treatment Across the European Union

BD has received CE Mark approval in the EU for its Revello™ Vascular Covered Stent, a device designed to treat iliac artery disease and help improve blood flow in patients with peripheral artery disease... Read more

Statement on Biomedical Countermeasures Initiative

A new Biomedical Countermeasures Initiative aims to strengthen Canada’s preparedness for future health threats by accelerating the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments while expanding the country’s biomanufacturing and research capacity... Read more

Idorsia Expands QUVIVIQ’s Global fFotprint Through New Partnership with Pharmalink

Idorsia has partnered with Pharmalink to expand access to its insomnia treatment QUVIVIQ across several Gulf countries, increasing availability for patients in the region... Read more

European Commission Approves AKEEGA® (niraparib and abiraterone acetate dual action tablet) for the Treatment of Patients with BRCA1/2-mutated Metastatic Hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC)

The European Commission has approved AKEEGA, a dual-action tablet for patients with BRCA-mutated metastatic prostate cancer, offering a new targeted treatment option for advanced disease... Read more

Lonza Completes its Transformation to a Pure-Play CDMO with Agreement to Divest Capsules & Health Ingredients

Lonza is selling its Capsules and Health Ingredients business to focus fully on its core pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services as a CDMO... Read more

TECVAYLI®▼ (teclistamab) Monotherapy Application Submitted to the EMA for Relapsed/refractory Multiple Myeloma after at least One Prior Yherapy

A regulatory application has been submitted to the EMA to expand the use of TECVAYLI (teclistamab) for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after at least one prior therapy... Read more

Lonza and Genetix Biotherapeutics Extend Commercial Manufacturing Agreement for ZYNTEGLO™

Lonza and Genetix Biotherapeutics have extended their manufacturing agreement to support production of ZYNTEGLO™, a gene therapy for beta-thalassemia, helping ensure continued supply for patients...Read more

Building Better Ways to Study Cancer

Researchers in British Columbia are developing improved models and technologies to better study cancer and understand how tumors grow and respond to treatments. These approaches aim to accelerate discoveries and support the development of more effective cancer therapies... Read more

CHUM and Roche Diagnostics Canada Inaugurate A New Era of Clinical Diagnostics

CHUM and Roche Diagnostics Canada have launched a new collaboration to advance clinical diagnostics. The partnership will integrate innovative testing technologies and research to improve disease detection and support better patient care... Read more

BD and Sinteco Expand Advanced Robotics Offering to Streamline Pharmacy Operations and Care Quality
BD and Sinteco are expanding their partnership to bring advanced robotics to hospital pharmacies. The technology helps automate medication preparation and packaging, improving efficiency, reducing errors, and supporting safer patient care... Read more

Vertex Announces Positive Week 36 Interim Analysis Results for Primary and All Secondary Endpoints in the RAINIER Phase 3 Trial of Povetacicept in Adults With IgA Nephropathy

Vertex reported positive interim results from its Phase 3 RAINIER trial of povetacicept for adults with IgA nephropathy. The treatment reduced a key marker of kidney damage and met all major study goals, supporting its potential as a new therapy for the disease... Read more

Business Development and Sales Associate

This role requires supporting client outreach, build partnerships, and help grow business opportunities within the life sciences sector... Learn more

Animal Care Contractor

The role includes monitoring animal health, maintaining facilities, and assisting with research activities... Learn more

Memberships and Sponsorships Specialist Co-op

This role offers a dynamic blend of tasks and projects, providing a fantastic opportunity for the selected candidate to immerse themselves in the operations of a professional sciences industry association. A Memberships and Sponsorships Specialist (Co-op) supports member engagement, sponsorship coordination, and event initiatives... Learn more

Logistics Specialist (Part-Time)

SignalChem Biotech Inc. is seeking a part-time Logistics Specialist to support inventory coordination, shipments, and order fulfillment. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in logistics or supply chain operations... Learn more

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