Life Sciences BC News, March 13, 2025

Are you struggling to stay competitive, accelerate your projects, and get to market faster because hiring challenges and retention issues are holding you back? BioTalent Canada’s National Compensation Guide is here to help. This year’s edition features enhanced data, providing even deeper insights into compensation and benefits trends that will help you attract, retain, and motivate top talent. This guide will help you structure your compensation strategy, offer competitive benefits, and align your workforce with industry standards.

We only have 20 electronic copies available, first come first serve. If you are an LSBC member, you can contact Joanne Lin at jlin@lifesciencesbc.ca to claim your free copy.

Join us in Victoria on April 2, 2025, for our Showcase Series that will highlight the exciting progress within life sciences on Vancouver Island. Explore the latest developments in the region and discover cutting-edge research and innovation happening on the Island. The event will feature sector-leading guest speakers from the life sciences ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

Did you know? LSBC Members receive discounts from our preferred vendors!

As an LSBC member, enjoy great travel discounts and preferred rates at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel and Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel. Learn more about our Member Discounts Program here.

Web Summit is coming to Vancouver on May 27 to 30, 2025, a premier global conference on technology and innovation where local companies will have the opportunity to connect with worldwide investors, entrepreneurs, media, and industry leaders. The conference is expected to attract over 15,000 attendees, including more than 600 investors and 750 startups. Day two of the conference will be a focus on life sciences. Stay tuned for more announcements around Web Summit! Learn more and apply for the start-up program here.

Member Highlights 

Augurex announces UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) Authorization for JOINTstat®, expanding access to cutting-edge Rheumatoid Arthritis testing in Great Britain. Read more.

Rakovina’s AI-driven ATR inhibitors enter preclinical testing. The company announced it has received the first synthesized batch of AI-generated ATR inhibitor compounds developed in collaboration with Variational AI, marking a significant step forward in Rakovina’s mission to accelerate drug discovery using advanced AI-driven platforms. Read more.

The Stem Cell Network and Capital BioVentures announce a new partnership to accelerate the development and commercialization of regenerative medicine innovations in Canada. Through this strategic collaboration emerging regenerative medicine biotechs will receive business advisory support and funding to advance their intellectual property, strengthen commercialization strategies, and attract investment. Read more.

Labcorp announces the acquisition of select assets of BioReference Health’s innovative oncology and related clinical testing services businesses. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Government of Canada announced $10 million in additional funding to the Gairdner Foundation through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), increasing the value of Gairdner’s flagship prize given to biomedical scientists. Read more.

Government of Canada announced a pledge of $675 million over the next five years (2026-2030), for Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, to provide more vaccines to vulnerable people. Read more.

The Honourable Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health, and the Honourable Mark McLane, PEI’s Minister of Health and Wellness, have announced a $40 million federal investment through two bilateral agreements aimed at improving Islanders' access to medications. Read more.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced a $62 million investment through the Strategic Innovation Fund to support Entos Pharmaceuticals in building a biomanufacturing facility and R&D centre in Edmonton. Read more.

Kudos

Congratulations to UBC Faculty of Medicine students for receiving the Molloy Medicine Awards. Read more.

Kudos to IQVIA for being recognized as a Leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Life Science R&D Decentralized Clinical Trial Technology Solutions and Consulting Services 2024 Vendor Assessment. Read more.

People on the Move

Santis Health welcomes Dr. Brendan Carr as its newest Senior Advisor. Read more.

Applications Open

Applications are open for the New Ventures BC Competition, a competition for startups with events, expert-led workshops, pitch coaching, and networking opportunities. Apply now to gain visibility, secure funding, and build a stance in BC's tech landscape. The deadline is March 31, 2025. Learn more.

Apply to In2novation 2025 Call for Projects to develop and implement health tech innovations. This program connects the French and Canadian innovation ecosystems, accelerates health tech solutions, and offers funding for R&D projects. The deadline is April 30, 2025. Learn more.

The Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) Summer Program Advancing Research Knowledge and Skills (SPARKS) offers undergraduate and medical students the opportunity to explore health research and gain hands-on experience with a VCHRI principal investigator. Apply by March 28, 2025. Learn more.

Apply to McMaster’s University Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology program. This online, part-time, course-based program covers essential topics in clinical epidemiology. The deadline is March 30, 2025. Learn more.

Join the Domestic Trade & Interprovincial Expansion Webinar to explore how businesses can reduce reliance on U.S. trade, interprovincial trade opportunities, overcome regulatory barriers, and expand within Canada. The webinar is on March 27, 2025. Learn more.

Attend the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s exclusive webinar on March 20, 2025, to explore opportunities in Hong Kong’s thriving life sciences and healthcare sector. Discover how Canadian businesses can tap into this market and unlock new growth potential. Learn more. 

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

Member Spotlight

STEMCELL Technologies - STEMCELL Technologies provides over 2,500 high-quality cell culture media, cell separation technologies, instruments, accessory products, and services to scientists around the world working on stem cell, immunology, cancer, regenerative medicine, and cellular therapy research. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, STEMCELL is Canada’s largest biotechnology company, with more than 2,400 employees globally. We are dedicated to improving lives by advancing knowledge and scientific discovery, fostering inclusion in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and investing in sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Learn more.

Arbutus Medical - Arbutus Medical Inc. is a commercial-stage medical device venture that streamlines surgical inefficiencies for the good of patient care. The company’s IP (DrillCover Technology™), capabilities designing high-precision surgical instruments, and strategic partnerships allow them to adapt DEWALT® power tools for sterile use as surgical drills, in both hospital and field settings. With this platform, Arbutus is building a portfolio of orthopaedic procedure kits that help save time, cost, and make it easier to do "decentralized" surgeries (in ERs, surgery centers, minor procedure rooms, field hospital settings, and low-resource environments). Learn more.

[Individual] Melissa Bomben - Melissa is a Fractional COO and strategic growth advisor, engaged in competitive positioning and operational transformation projects, with deep cross-border expertise. Helps biotech, pharma, and CROs navigate change, scale, optimize clinical trials, and attract investment. Advises VC and PE firms on clinical stage investments, ensuring strategic and operational success. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

March 27 - Join us for Road to Web Summit Vancouver: Media and Spokesperson Training Session

In partnership with Innovate BC, we’re launching Road to Web Summit Vancouver, Powered by Innovate BC (R2WSV) – an exclusive program series designed to help B.C. startups enhance their skills in communication strategies, pitch preparedness and investor readiness. This initiative will equip participants with the tools and insights needed to maximize their Web Summit Vancouver experience. 

April 2 - Attend the Life Sciences BC Showcase Series: Vancouver Island event 

The Life Sciences BC Showcase Series: Vancouver Island event offers a unique opportunity to explore the latest developments in the region and discover cutting-edge research and innovation happening on the Island. The event will feature sector-leading guest speakers from the life sciences ecosystem.

Next-Gen Cancer Treatment: Rakovina’s AI-Driven ATR Inhibitors Enter Preclinical Testing

Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. announced that the company has received the first synthesized batch of AI-generated ATR inhibitor compounds developed in collaboration with Variational AI...Read more.

Labcorp Announces Acquisition of Select Assets of BioReference Health’s Innovative Oncology and Related Clinical Testing Services Businesses

Labcorp and OPKO Health, Inc. announced that they have entered into an agreement for Labcorp to acquire select assets of BioReference Health...Read more.

HEALWELL Signs $50M Credit Agreement Led by Scotiabank and RBC to Support Orion Acquisition, and Commences Pre-Closing Procedures

HEALWELL AI Inc. is pleased to announce that it has entered into a $50 million credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) to support the proposed acquisition of and subsequent use by Orion Health Holdings Limited...Read more.

IQVIA Recognized as a Leader in IDC MarketScape’s 2024 Assessment for Decentralized Clinical Trial Technologies and Consulting Services

IQVIA has been named to the “Leaders” category of the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Life Science R&D Decentralized Clinical Trial Technology Solutions and Consulting Services 2024 Vendor Assessment...Read more.

Augurex Announces UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) Authorization for JOINTstat®, Expanding Access to Cutting-Edge Rheumatoid Arthritis Testing in Great Britain

Augurex Life Sciences, a leader in autoimmune biomarker-based diagnostics, announced that JOINTstat®, the Company’s blood test for 14-3-3eta, has received UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking...Read more.

Stem Cell Network and Capital BioVentures Announce a Strategic Partnership to Drive Canadian Regenerative Innovations Forward

The Stem Cell Network (SCN) and Capital BioVentures (CBV) are pleased to announce a new partnership to accelerate the development and commercialization of regenerative medicine innovations in Canada...Read more.

Alberta Sets a New Standard for Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment with Public Reimbursement of Pluvicto™

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. welcomes the Government of Alberta’s decision to publicly reimburse Pluvicto™ (lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan injection) for eligible patients...Read more.

Laboratory Technician

The Laboratory Technician will conduct accurate diagnostic specimen testing and reporting, reinforcing our position as a pioneer in autoimmune diagnostics. This role demands meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality and efficiency to uphold our high standards...Learn more.

Business Development Officer

We require a technically sound individual to present the available services and to convert leads into partners, leveraging a diverse array of grants and other funding options...Learn more.

Project Manager: High Growth Accelerator

The role manages our new accelerator program. To fill this position, we are looking for an energetic and positive individual who is efficient, great with details, and solutions-oriented, and someone who enjoys working in an exciting, fast-paced environment...Learn more.

Vice President, Business Development

This is a senior role in the Business Development team and will take a leading role in partnering Eupraxia’s products and technology, commercial, strategic and portfolio planning, alliance management, financial analysis and modelling, and business development operations...Learn more.

Principal Scientist, CMC, Drug Product

The candidate will be responsible for leading the development of suitable formulations for the in vivo assessment (including for GLP toxicology studies) of novel chemical compounds originating from our Discovery team...Learn more.

Program & Partnerships Coordinator

This role will assist with preparations and execution of International Conferences and Invest in BC. They will lead on member reach out and recruitment for these conferences. Another key role will be tracking on global investors and companies in the Catalyst Growth Program...Learn more.

Engineer I

The Engineer I is responsible for supporting engineering, production, and shop activities within the Process Equipment Design group. This includes the assembly, testing, packaging, and inventory management of LIPEX® products and equipment...Learn more.

Director of Formulation & Process Development

The Director will drive Vancouver Laboratories (VAN) activities in support of contract lipid-based drug product development. Will lead multifunctional teams ensuring the successful delivery of complex customer projects...Learn more.

Senior Scientist – Structural Biology

The Structural Biology laboratory provides comprehensive molecular insights and structure-based design for drug-target assessment, mechanism of action, protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions, as well as protein engineering to facilitate drug discovery across various therapeutic areas...Learn more.

Scientist – Immunology

The candidate will be responsible for leading a small team in the development of novel mRNA-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease...Learn more.

Chief Executive Officer

As CEO, you will provide strategic vision, leadership, and influence to drive Health Research BC’s mission forward. Reporting to the Board of Directors, you will engage with a diverse range of partners to enhance the province’s health research ecosystem...Learn more.

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