January 15, 2026 - Hello BioLinks Readers!

This week:

• J.P. Morgan Healthcare week highlights
• Fundraising? Apply by January 19 for our Investor Showcase
• Apply by February 2 Strategy sessions for pre-seed and seed companies

We kicked off J.P. Morgan (JPM) Health Care Week with LSBC’s networking reception, which welcomed over 200 industry leaders from around the world. Congratulations to members of the BC delegation that participated and presented at the JPM Healthcare Conference, and at satellite events in San Francisco.

Biotech Sisterhood at Union Square

Wendy Hurlburt, Emma Costante (Blakes), and Allison Gaw (Amplitude Ventures) joined the Biotech Sisterhood at JPM. The Biotech Sisterhood is dedicated to empowering women in the C-suite and driving equitable representation at the highest levels of the biopharma industry. This annual event brought together over 800 women and allies in pink to support visibility, solidarity, and to celebrate women’s leadership across the sector.

Some Exciting News from Companies Invited to Present at the JPM Healthcare Conference:

AbCellera progresses ABCL635 for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms, or menopausal hot flashes, to Phase 2, and plans for five clinical programs in 2027. Read more.

Xenon approaches an important inflection point as they expect Phase 3 data of azetukalner in March 2026 followed by anticipated NDA submission in H2 2026. Read more.

Zymeworks outlines strategic priorities and 2026 outlook including positive Phase 3 results for Ziihera^®, up to $440.0 million in milestone payments, and execution of new strategy compounding long-term value by integrating royalty growth, strategic acquisitions, and continued internal R&D innovation. Read more.

Fundraising? Apply by January 19 for Our Investor Showcase

Innovate BC, in partnership with LSBC, is hosting an Investor Showcase on Monday, May 11, from 2:00 – 5:00 PM. The Investor Showcase is an afternoon of pitching, sector-specific spotlights, and direct engagement with a targeted audience of investors attending Web Summit Vancouver. Selected ventures can expect high-quality investor exposure, meaningful conversations with aligned capital partners, and visibility as part of BC’s investment-ready innovation community. 

Apply here  by January 19, 2026 (5:00 pm Pacific Time). Applicants should meet at least three of the following eligibility criteria:  

• $5M+ annual revenue, or 50%+ year-over-year growth 
• Series A or later, actively raising capital 
• HQ and executive leadership are located in B.C. 
• 10+ employees, or demonstrating consistent headcount growth 
• Generating sales and market opportunities outside Canada 

Apply by February 2: Strategy Sessions for Pre-seed and Seed Companies

This cohort-style program will include two strategic virtual sessions to build capacity and visibility by connecting early-stage companies with expert mentors, investors, and peers. Companies will receive tools and feedback related to fundraising and market expansion, and an invitation to an exclusive networking event during Web Summit.

 Session 1: Investment Readiness | March 4, 2026 10:00 am – 12:00 pm PT

 Session 2: Market Expansion | April 9, 2026 10:00 am – 12:00 pm PT

Apply here by February 2, 2026 (5:00 pm Pacific Time). Applying companies must be available for both virtual sessions and plan to attend Web Summit in May.

Member Highlights 

Variational AI and Rakovina Therapeutics expand collaboration to accelerate next-generation ATR inhibitors. Under the expanded scope, Variational AI will generate and prioritize multiple optimized compound designs to help Rakovina progress from early leads toward a clinical candidate faster, with the goal of achieving timelines measured in months rather than years. Read more.

Acuitas Therapeutics announced that it has acquired a majority stake in RNA Technologies & Therapeutics (RNA T&T). This investment will support the growth and development of RNA T&T, allowing it to further develop and scale its operations. Read more.

A Genome BC funded study at UBC has demonstrated for the first time how to reliably produce an important type of human immune cell — known as helper T cells — from stem cells in a controlled laboratory setting. Read more.

adMare BioInnovations announced the creation of Ocythera, a new biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for rare bone diseases. Based in Montreal, Ocythera originates from groundbreaking research by Dr. Martin Petkovich at Queen’s University. Read more.

Ecosystem Highlights 

Health Canada has opened public consultations on red tape reduction measures aimed at speeding up drug approvals and improving access to medicines in Canada. Read more

The Government of BC is expanding Access Central, a phone-based service that makes it easier for adults to access addiction care. Now available in Fraser Health and Island Health, the service provides a single point of contact, with clinical assessments offered within 24 hours and faster connections to treatment and ongoing support. Read more 

LSBC joins the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute in remembering Dr. Bernie Bressler, a distinguished academic, visionary research leader and trusted mentor, who passed in December 2025. Read more.

Kudos

Tony Hunter, Ph.D., has been named the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research. Read more

Lifelabs has been named Canada’s #1 Most Trusted Brand in Health Diagnostic Services for the fourth consecutive year, earning the prestigious 2026 BrandSpark Most Trusted Award. Read more

People on the Move

Zymeworks announced the appointment of Brian Cherry to its Board of Directors, bringing extensive experience in buyout and growth equity investments, with leadership roles across private and public company boards. Read more

Diana Papove has been appointed as the Vice President of Corporate Communications at Zymeworks. Read more

Congratulations to Laura O’Connor on her appointment as Chief Human Resources Officer at Zymeworks Inc. Read more

Applications Open

The DigiMSK Lab, under the supervision of Dr Clare Ardern, is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to lead development on prototypes of patient-centred generative AI tools that reduce musculoskeletal diagnostic delay and support access to musculoskeletal care. Read more

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

Member Spotlight

ESSA Pharma Inc. is developing an investigational treatment for prostate cancer, EPI-7386, which blocks the N-terminal domain, located on the opposite end of the androgen receptor from the ligand-binding domain. Through this novel mechanism of action, ESSA is focused on providing a potential meaningful clinical benefit to patients with prostate cancer at all stages of the disease. Learn more

Until next week!

LSBC Team

January 23 - The Life Sciences BC’s 7th Annual Career Connect Day brings together life-sciences employers, students, and job-seekers for a full day of career talks, company training program previews, and networking. It includes presentations about jobs and leadership in the sector plus a job fair and exhibitor hall.

February 25 - The 11th Annual Access to Innovation conference brings together leaders from industry, research, government and health care to discuss how BC’s life-sciences innovations move from discovery to real-world impact. This year focuses on trends shaping the sector, including the growing role of AI, and offers talks, panels and networking opportunities.

Variational AI and Rakovina Therapeutics Expand Collaboration to Accelerate Next-Generation ATR Inhibitors

Variational AI and Rakovina Therapeutics have expanded their partnership to use AI to accelerate the development of next-generation ATR cancer therapies... Read more

Acuitas Therapeutics Expands Collaboration with RNA Technologies & Therapeutics Through Strategic Investment

Acuitas Therapeutics has expanded its partnership with RNA Technologies & Therapeutics through a strategic investment, strengthening RNA design and delivery capabilities... Read more

Stem Cell Engineering breakthrough Paves Way for Next-generation living Drugs

A new stem cell engineering breakthrough could enable scalable “living drug” therapies, helping make next-generation cell treatments more accessible and affordable... Read more

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive Tissue Health Data from its Ongoing RESOLVE Trial in Eosinophilic Esophagitis Demonstrating Near-Complete Improvement on Biopsy

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals reported positive RESOLVE trial results in eosinophilic esophagitis, showing near-complete improvement in tissue health with a strong safety profile... Read more

AbCellera Announces First Patients Dosed in Phase 2 Portion of its Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of ABCL635 for the Treatment of Vasomotor Symptoms Due to Menopause

AbCellera has dosed the first patients in the Phase 2 portion of its trial for ABCL635, a potential non-hormonal treatment for menopause-related hot flashes... Read more

Nature Communications reports Promising Effect of Idorsia’s Lucerastat on Kidney Function in Fabry Disease

New research published in Nature Communications suggests Idorsia’s lucerastat may help slow kidney function decline in people with Fabry disease, highlighting its potential as a disease-modifying treatment... Read more

RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw) longer-term Results Show Promising and Durable Responses in Difficult-to-treat Colorectal Cancer

New study results show RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw) delivers durable and promising responses in hard-to-treat metastatic colorectal cancer when combined with standard chemotherapy, with encouraging activity and a manageable safety profile... Read more

Health Canada approves RYBELSUS® (semaglutide tablets) to Reduce the Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Health Canada has approved RYBELSUS (semaglutide tablets) to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk, marking a key milestone for oral GLP-1 therapies in Canada... Read more

Aon’s Latest GLP-1 Research Reveals Long-Term Employer Cost Savings and Significant Reductions in Cancer Risk for Women

Aon’s latest research shows that long-term GLP-1 use can reduce healthcare costs and lower cancer and cardiovascular risks, particularly for women... Read more

argenx Announces FDA Acceptance of Supplemental Biologics License Application with Priority Review for VYVGART in AChR-Ab Seronegative gMG

argenx announced that the FDA has accepted its application for priority review to expand VYVGART for adults with AChR-Ab seronegative generalized myasthenia gravis, a rare condition with limited treatment options... Read more

Labcorp Expands MRD Testing for Breast, Lung and Colon Cancer Recurrence Risk

Labcorp has expanded its MRD blood tests to help doctors spot signs of breast, lung, and colon cancer coming back earlier than standard scans, by detecting tiny bits of tumor DNA in the blood after treatment...Read more

BD Announces $110 Million to Support U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain for Biologic Drugs

BD is investing $110 million to expand U.S. manufacturing of prefillable syringes, strengthening the pharmaceutical supply chain for biologic medicines... Read more

adMare BioInnovations Launches Ocythera: A New Canadian Life Sciences Company Advancing Therapies for Rare Bone Diseases

Admare BioInnovations has launched Ocythera, a new Canadian biopharma company focused on developing novel therapies for rare bone diseases. Based on research from Queen’s University, Ocythera aims to advance targeted treatments to address significant unmet patient needs... Read more

BD Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for EnCor EnCompass™ Breast Biopsy and Tissue Removal System

BD has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its EnCor EnCompass Breast Biopsy System, a new device designed to support more flexible and efficient breast biopsies across multiple imaging modalities... Read more

Research Scientist/Senior Research Scientist

The Research Scientist/ Senior Research Scientist role requires a well-qualified and experienced scientist with strong expertise in E. coli/yeast expression and protein purification, as well as the potential to lead CRO projects... Learn more

Product Manager

The Product Manager’s role includes collaboration with cross-functional teams to define and prioritize product features, enhancements, and integrations that align with the needs of our commercial and R&D partners... Learn more

Scientific Writer

The Scientific Writer is responsible for authoring expert-level scientific and industry content, validating the complex biological relationships within proprietary database, and identifying external subject matter experts to expand the knowledge base... Learn more

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