June 25, 2026 - Hello BioLinks readers

This week:

• Team BC at BIO San Diego
• Last chance: Apply to pitch at Invest in BC by July 6
• Life Sciences Showcase at BC Business House
• BC's new clinical trials strategy
• City of North Vancouver partners to advance Health Innovation District

This Week LSBC Leads BC Delegation at BIO San Diego

Thousands including 50 of BC’s top companies and organizations are at the BIO International Convention this week in San Diego. Wendy Hurlburt kicked off the week with the opening of the Canada Pavillion alongside Wendy Zatylny, President & CEO of BIOTECanada, premiers of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, as well as other government ministers and officials. We hosted our networking reception, welcoming guests from around the world. From strengthening international relationships to amplifying the visibility of BC companies on a global stage, LSBC is proud to support our members as they connect, collaborate, and drive innovation forward.

Life Sciences Investment Week: Apply to Pitch by July 6 for Invest in BC

The July 6 deadline for pitch applications is fast-approaching! Get your company in front of over 90 investors at Life Sciences Investment week in Vancouver. The week, November 2-5, 2026, will include an investor social, two-days of pitches and partnering at Invest in BC, and other satellite events. If you are looking for strategic partners or to raise funds this is an event you don’t want to miss. Learn more and apply to pitch today.

FIFA World Cup: BC Business House Showcases Life Sciences

Last Friday, as the world converged in Vancouver for the World Cup, LSBC was proud to showcase our life sciences sector at BC Business House. Thank you to our partners, including our life sciences collaborator Genome BC, all the speakers, and everyone who joined the event. The energy reflects the collaboration and momentum across BC’s life sciences community!

A New Strategy for Clinical Trials in British Columbia

BC is aiming to be a destination for clinical trials with the launch of a new provincial strategy. The strategy will enable a coordinated and efficient approach to clinical trials in the province. It focuses on reducing trial start-up times, embedding research more closely into healthcare delivery, strengthening the clinical trials workforce, and expanding access to trials for people throughout BC. Read more.

City of North Vancouver partners to advance Health Innovation District

Earlier today, Mayor Linda Buchanan and representatives from partner organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance the development of a Health Innovation District in Central Lonsdale. Along with the City of North Vancouver, the founding partners include Life Sciences BC, Capilano University, Vancouver Coastal Health, North Shore Division of Family Practice, Adera Development, Millennium Development Group, TELUS Health and Invest Vancouver. Read more.

Member Highlights 

Response Biomedical announced the launch of the RAMP Xpress™, a next-generation diagnostic platform designed to deliver fast, quantitative results for key metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers. The launch reflects Response’s strategy to expand its global diagnostics portfolio. Read more.

Labcorp announced nationwide availability of ColoSense®, the first FDA-approved RNA-based at-home colorectal cancer screening test. Read more.

Roche Canada and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) have successfully completed negotiations for Itovebi®. The pCPA negotiates on behalf of the provinces and territories, making the end of these negotiations a critical step in bringing Itovebi closer to public access across the country. Read more.

Ecosystem Highlights

The Government of Canada is investing more than $4.8 million in community projects aimed at preventing chronic diseases, improving access to healthy food and supporting better health outcomes across Canada. Read more.

Kudos

Congratulations to BD on being awarded a Vizient Innovative Technology contract for its CentroVena One™ Insertion System. This recognition highlights the systems potential to streamline central line procedures and support safer, more efficient care for both patients and healthcare teams. Read more.

Congratulations to the recipients of the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) Summer Program Advancing Research Knowledge and Skills (SPARKS). This program offers a unique opportunity for a select group of highly qualified undergraduate and medical students to explore their interest in health research and gain hands-on experience by undertaking a summer project with a VCHRI principal investigator. Read more.

People on the Move

Congratulations to Mike Pasterick for being appointed as the North American Health Leader of AON, where he will help clients navigate transformative trends across healthcare and benefits, including emerging therapies, evolving workforce wellbeing needs and technological innovation. Read more.

Applications Open

BC firms and organizations are invited to a July 7 webinar hosted by PacifiCan and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on recent updates to the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy. The session will cover what’s changing, why it matters, and what the updates could mean for industry and future procurement opportunities. Learn more.

CASTL’s BC Bioscience Reskilling Program is a free 10-week training opportunity for eligible BC youth interested in science, lab work, health, manufacturing, technical careers, or life sciences. Participants gain practical exposure to GMP, cleanroom protocols, lab operations, upstream and downstream processing, biomanufacturing techniques, and workplace readiness through blended online and hands-on training at CASTL’s Vancouver facility. Applications close July 20. Learn more.

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

Membership Spotlight

Mapmygenome is a leading global genomics and precision healthcare company leveraging advanced AI to transform clinical diagnostics and preventive medicine. In 2025, Mapmygenome expanded its North American footprint by acquiring Microbiome Insights, a premier Contract Research Organization (CRO) based in Richmond, British Columbia. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

September 9 - The 28th Annual Life Sciences BC Awards is a distinguished occasion that brings together British Columbia’s vibrant life sciences community to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our peers and recognize the tireless efforts of those who have devoted their careers to advancing health innovations.

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.

Labcorp Announces Nationwide Availability of ColoSense®, the First FDA-Approved RNA-Based At-Home Colorectal Cancer Screening Test

Labcorp has launched ColoSense®, the first FDA-approved RNA-based at-home test for colorectal cancer screening, giving adults 45 and older a simple, non-invasive way to screen from home… Read more.

Roche Canada and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) have successfully completed negotiations for Itovebi® (inavolisib), a targeted treatment for advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with a PIK3CA mutation

Roche Canada and the pCPA have finalized negotiations for Itovebi® (inavolisib), bringing this targeted treatment for a specific type of advanced breast cancer one step closer to patient access in Canada… Read more.

New Labcorp Studies Show Promise of Blood-Based Tests to Predict Liver Disease Risk and Progression

New Labcorp studies show that blood-based tests may help predict liver disease risk earlier, supporting faster detection and care… Read more.

Blood Cancer United and BeOne Medicines Announce Expanded Partnership to Advance Patient Support and Community for People Impacted by Blood Cancer

Blood Cancer United and BeOne Medicines are expanding their partnership to provide more support, education, and community resources for people living with blood cancer… Read more.

Response Biomedical Expands Global Diagnostics Portfolio with the Launch of the RAMP Xpress

Response Biomedical has introduced RAMP Xpress, a new diagnostic platform that expands its testing portfolio and supports faster, more accessible biomarker testing worldwide… Read more.

Gut Fungi may hold the key to Treating Asthma, Allergies Worldwide

New research from BC Children’s Hospital and the University of Calgary suggests gut fungi may influence asthma and allergies, offering promising insight into future treatments for children around the world… Read more.

FDU Vancouver Launched Their New Master of Health Administration

FDU Vancouver has launched a new Master of Health Administration program to help prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders with the skills needed to navigate a changing healthcare system… Read more.

CORCYM Receives FDA Clearance for MEMO 4D Curve, Completing the MEMO Platform for Mitral Valve Repair

CORCYM has received FDA clearance for MEMO 4D Curve, completing its mitral valve repair platform and giving surgeons another tool to support heart valve repair procedures… Read more.

Johnson & Johnson Advances Cardiac Ablation Technology in Europe with Availability of Dual Energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Platform

Johnson & Johnson has expanded access in Europe to its dual-energy cardiac ablation platform, providing physicians with another option for treating atrial fibrillation… Read more.

Gazyva® (obinutuzumab) Receives Positive Reimbursement recommendation from the Institut National D’excellence En Santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) for ersons with active Lupus Nephritis

Roche’s Gazyva has received a positive reimbursement recommendation for adults living with active lupus nephritis, helping move the treatment closer to broader public access in Canada… Read more.

Johnson & Johnson Begins Enrollment in Pivotal Studies Evaluating First-of-its-Kind Carotid IVL Platform

Johnson & Johnson has begun patient enrollment in key studies for its carotid IVL platform, a new technology aimed at improving treatment options for carotid artery disease… Read more.

UBC Researchers Explore how to Protect People with Schizophrenia from Extreme Heat

UBC researchers are exploring how to better protect people living with schizophrenia during extreme heat, helping address a growing public health risk linked to climate change… Read more.

Scientist / Senior Scientist, Bioconjugation

The role requires Designing, executing, and optimizing site-specific and stochastic bioconjugation reactions (e.g., maleimide–thiol, NHS-ester amine coupling, strain-promoted azide–alkyne “click” chemistry, enzymatic conjugation) to generate antibody–payload conjugates... Read more.

Research and Innovation Coordinator

The role supports the development and implementation of efficient processes, including automated workflows, tools and documentation to strengthen R&I program administration and post-award management, playing a key role in supporting the integration and effective use of Proposal Central across R&I and with Genome BC funded project teams. Learn more.

Contracts and Budgets Specialist, VCH Research Institute

This role requires supporting the (VCHRI) Office of Clinical Trials Administration providing contractual interpretation, negotiations, advice and support to ensure VCH’s and VCHRI’s compliance with the complex legal and regulatory framework for research on human subjects. Learn more.

If you haven't already, sign-up for this and our weekly events newsletter

Follow LSBC on Social Media