Life Sciences BC News, March 6, 2025

Join us on March 27 for our first seminar on Media and Spokesperson Training, which provides you with essential skills to help confidently communicate your company's story. Ready to maximize your Web Summit Vancouver experience? Take advantage of this program that is open to all. Get your free tickets here.

We wrapped up two and a half days of high impact Biotech Business Development and Licensing education with our partner Novateur Academy. The course brought together global pharma, industry leaders, and early-stage companies for a masterclass with real-world examples and insight. Judges were impressed by the caliber of pitches and discussions that participants produced with only the case study prompt. We’re hoping for many continued relationships and deals that are a result of this course. Thank you to NRC IRAP for supporting the program in part with funding, and to our generous hosts and supporters Blakes and EY. 

This morning, we enjoyed a panel discussion on navigating today's markets, including strategies for going public, at the beautiful Blakes office. We gained valuable insights into the latest market updates and the uncertainties shaping the current economic climate. The speakers walked us through various pathways to going public, highlighting key considerations and potential risks. Thank you to those who joined us, in-person and online, and the speakers for providing us with an insightful discussion. Thank you to Blakes for this wonderful event!

Member Highlights 

AbbVie enters the obesity market with a license agreement with Gubra. Agreement will enable the incorporation of GUB014295, an amylin peptide discovered and developed by Gubra, into AbbVie’s global infrastructure for developing and commercializing therapies for patients in need. Read more. 

Biogen announces conditional marketing authorization from Health Canada as the first ALS treatment targeting a genetic cause. Read more.

IQVIA Laboratories launches an advanced suite of solutions that automates and streamlines lab workflows for clinical trial sponsors and investigator sites. Read more.

PHC Corporation of North America (PHCNA) launches a next-generation high-heat CO2 incubator with industry-leading contamination protection for research samples. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Pacific Economic Development Canada announced $18.3 million in PacifiCan funding to help seven BC companies expand, create jobs, and scale globally - two of the seven are life sciences companies. Read more.

Ms. Anie Perrault has assumed the duties of acting Chairperson of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) until the Governor appoints a permanent replacement in Council. Read more.

Kudos

Congratulations to UBC Faculty of Medicine community members, Giovanna Boniface and Skylar Bown, on receiving the 2024-2025 UBC Alumni Builder Awards. Read more.

Kudos to Dr. Amy Wong, Chair at Stem Cell Network, for receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her work in stem cell and lung health. Read more.

Keeley McCormick, CEO of Revyn Medical Technologies Inc, has been named one of BCBusiness's 30 under 30. Congrats! Read more.

Congratulations to Dr. Arielle Elkrief on being the recipient the 2025 Terry Fox New Investigator Award. Read more.

People on the Move

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada welcomes new members, Dr. Jean-Pierre Perreault, Dr. Madison Rilling, and Dr. Nur Zincir-Heywood, to its council. Read more.

NanoVation Therapeutics appoints Kaley Wilson as Vice President, Business Development. Read more.

Applications Open

Applications for 2025 UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Alumni Agent of Change Award are now open. These awards recognize the dedication, innovation and impact of graduates in the fields of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. The deadline is March 28, 2025. Learn more.

Are you a life sciences company looking for interns? UBC Science Co-op is offering 4-, 8-, or 12- month co-op terms to students in the science field. Connect with motivated students eager to gain hands-on experience and contribute to your organization's success. Submit your job postings for Summer 2025 by emailing info@sciencecoop.bc.ca or learn more. 

Apply to In2novation 2025 Scope Health Call for Projects to develop and implement health tech innovations. The collaborative research projects will be funded over a two-year period with up to $25,000 CAD. The deadline is March 31, 2025. Learn more.

Apply to Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Metascience and AI Postdoctoral Fellowship. This program provides grants up to $250,000 USD to support early-career researchers in social sciences and humanities. It aims to help those exploring the implications of AI on the science and research ecosystem. Learn more.

Applications are now open for the Developing Medicines through Open Science (DMOS) program, which provides support and partnership opportunities for preclinical drug development in underserved disease areas. Learn more.

Trade Accelerator Program is a 5-day program designed to help SMEs reach their full export potential. Expand your knowledge in the global trade ecosystem and gain insights on market entry strategies. The application deadline is March 19, 2025. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

VWR International Ltd. (Avantor) - Avantor®, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences, advanced technologies and applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 225,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. Learn more.

MapmyGenome - MapmyGenome is a leading genomics company providing DNA testing-based products for health, wellness, fitness, gut health, skincare, ancestry and prevention, genetic counseling and diagnostic tests for mother and childcare, cancer, rare diseases and other genetic tests. 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.

IQVIA Laboratories Launches Site Lab Navigator with Breakthrough e-Requisition Innovation to Transform Clinical Trials

IQVIA Laboratories announces the launch of Site Lab Navigator, an advanced suite of solutions that automates and streamlines lab workflows for clinical trial sponsors and investigator sites...Read more.

SKYRIZI® (risankizumab) Now Available for Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis, Expanding AbbVie’s Portfolio Across Inflammatory Bowel Disease

AbbVie announced that SKYRIZI® (risankizumab) is now available in Canada for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis...Read more.

PHC Launches Next-Generation CO2 Incubator Combining Advanced Antimicrobial Technology with Eco-Conscious Design

PHC Corporation of North America (PHCNA) has launched a next-generation high heat CO2 incubator that offers laboratories new industry-leading contamination protection for valuable research samples...Read more.

Nimbus Synergies Invests in EmergConnect to Transform Emergency Department Access in Canada and Beyond

Nimbus Synergies is pleased to announce its investment in EmergConnect, a pioneering digital health platform addressing Canada’s emergency department (ED) crisis...Read more.

QALSODY™ (tofersen injection) Receives Conditional Marketing Authorization from Health Canada as the First ALS Treatment Targeting a Genetic Cause

Biogen Canada Inc. announced that Health Canada has issued marketing authorization with conditions (Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOC/c)) for QALSODY™...Read more.

AbbVie and Gubra Announce License Agreement to Develop an Amylin Analog for the Treatment of Obesity

AbbVie announced a license agreement to develop GUB014295, a potential best-in-class, long-acting amylin analog for the treatment of obesity...Read more.

Vertex Receives CHMP Positive Opinion for Expanded Label for KAFTRIO® in Combination With Ivacaftor for People With Cystic Fibrosis to Include Rare Mutations

Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion for the label expansion of KAFTRIO®...Read more.

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position in Nanomedicine or Chemical Biology

The major focus of this position will be the development of a cutting-edge, externally-funded, world-class research program. Other responsibilities will include teaching nanomedicine/drug delivery or chemical biology and other related topics...Learn more.

Manager, Supply Chain

We are seeking a Manager, Supply Chain, who will be working directly with our VP Commercial Operations in leading Augurex’s manufacturing operations, optimizing supply chain processes and ensuring compliance with our Quality Management System...Learn 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.

Education Engagement Coordinator

Customer-focused, highly organized Education Engagement Coordinator to expand the reach and impact of our Geneskool® program. You excel at building relationships and will connect educators, host institutions and volunteers with engaging life sciences experiences...Learn more.

Lead Histology Technician

The Lead Histology Technician will conduct and manage routine histology tasks, perform and optimize immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays, and analyze histological images to support our various preclinical programs...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.

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