Life Sciences BC News, October 17, 2024

LSBC works to understand the needs of our sector and offers programming to fill the gaps. One such initiative is BioBasics 101. This two-day course provides professionals without a scientific background with a foundational understanding of the underlying science that drives industry. Please join us on December 4-5 to become more knowledgeable, confident, and comfortable in life sciences roles. Register here.

During the conference, Premier Doug Ford announced the launch of Phase 2 of Ontario's Life Sciences Strategy with $146 million in funding. Congratulations to the Ontario life sciences community. In 2022, the government introduced a plan to grow Ontario’s life sciences sector and improve health outcomes. Phase two of the strategy builds on the success of the initial plan. Read more.

Wendy Hurlburt, our President & CEO also spoke at the OBIO Women Leaders in Life Sciences Breakfast in Toronto. The five incredible panelists highlighted the vital role and impact of women in the medtech sector.

We've confirmed more than 65 investors, 30 presenting companies, 12 partnering companies, and over 250 guests for LSBC’s signature Invest in BC. This is a great opportunity to get your business in front of investors and potential partners, including global pharmaceutical companies. Join us on October 29-30. Secure your spot, today.

Member Highlights 

Evonik to restructure its keto and pharma amino acid business. It will focus on its strategic core growth areas and evaluate strategic options, such as partnerships or divestment. Evonik will plan to discontinue its production of keto acids in Hanau by the end of 2025. Read more.

Lexaria doses humans in pilot study #3 for oral GLP-1. The study investigates Lexaria’s patented drug delivery technology, DehydraTECH™ on GLP-1. In two previous human pilot studies, Lexaria has shown that processing semaglutide (sold by Novo Nordisk® under the brands Rybelsus®, Ozempic®, and Wegovy®) with DehydraTECH and administered in an oral format, shows improvements in absorption rates and a reduction in both blood sugar and in adverse events. Read more.

Getinge elevates services with FleetView, a new web application to navigate large amounts of data and statistical insights from connected devices. Read more.

Labcorp announces the First to Know® Syphilis Test, a new diagnostic test for syphilis. This is the first over-the-counter blood test granted market authorization by the US FDA that can be performed by both physicians and patients. Read more.

Industry Highlights

The Government of Canada announced an investment of $37.6 million over five years, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, for the renewal of the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR). NEIHRs bring together researchers, Indigenous leaders, and the community to support health research grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing. Read more.

The Government of Canada has passed legislation for a first phase of national universal pharmacare. The Minister of Health will continue working with provinces and territories to reach bilateral agreements to provide universal, single-payer, first-dollar access to a range of contraception and diabetes medications as the first phase of a national universal pharmacare program. Read more.

The Government of Canada launched the first call for proposals for Health Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF). The fund will invest $150 million to help municipalities and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities address their urgent needs and support rapid responses to the toxic drug use and overdose crisis. Read more.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has established an External Expert Review Panel to study the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care's governance, mandate, and scientific review processes. Read more.

New LSBC Members

Medical Engineers sources medical technology talent for a range of organizations across the UK, US, and Canada. Learn more.

Borealis Biosciences was founded on the premise that a convergence of scientific and translational breakthroughs is enabling the field of RNA medicines to treat kidney diseases and beyond. Learn more.

Ediccare Inc. is a clinical stage company introducing a breakthrough system for gum disease. Learn more.

[Individual] Robin Tharakan has a Bachelors of Science in Genetics from Western University and a Doctorate in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Cincinnati. Learn more.

Kudos

Evonik has won this year’s CPHI Pharma Award in the category “Sustainability.” The winning innovation is the plant-based squalene, PhytoSquene®, which can be used for parenteral drug delivery applications, and is the first plant-based squalene available which complies with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Read more.

Congratulations to Dr. Slava Epelman, who has been named Stem Cell Network’s 2024 Till & McCulloch Award recipient, and Dr. Shenghui Liang who has received Stem Cell Network’s Drew Lyall Award of Excellence. Read more.

Mintz has achieved 2023-2024 Mansfield Certification from Diversity Lab. The Mansfield certification process is designed to ensure all qualified talent at participating law firms has a transparent, fair, and equal opportunity to be considered for advancement into leadership. Read more.

People on the Move

An Van Gerven has been appointed to the role of President of Pfizer Canada. Prior to this role, An was Country Manager, Pfizer Belgium Luxembourg. Read more. She will be succeeding Najah Sampson, who held the position since May 2022 and has been appointed US Commercial Hospital Lead, Specialty Care at Pfizer. Read more.

McCarthy Tétrault has announced the appointments of Eva Bellissimo as National Practice Group Leader, Business Law, and Tom Sutton as National Practice Group Leader, Litigation, effective immediately. Read more.

Aon has named Emma Crookes as global head of the insurance vertical. Emma most recently led Aon’s UK insurance vertical. In her new role, she will expedite the development of Aon’s client leadership model to bring such capabilities to insurers in a coordinated way across the firm. Read more.

Lauren Melzer has joined Hub International Limited (HUB) as Chief Marketing Officer for HUB’s Specialty Carriers. In this new role, Lauren will be responsible for developing and executing a strategic plan to deepen HUB’s relationship with specialty markets. Read more.

Alpha-9 Oncology has appointed industry veterans Jean-Jacques Bienaimé and Steven Stein, MD to its board of directors. Jean-Jacques’s experience leading BioMarin, combined with Dr. Stein’s success in clinical development at Incyte, add extensive operational and clinical expertise to the company. Read more.

Applications Open

Apply now for the Globalstars Japan call for projects! The national funding bodies from Japan, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Singapore, and United Kingdom have allocated funding for organizations collaborating on international R&D projects. Submit your application by December 4. Learn more.

Genome Canada has launched a new funding opportunity for the generation of population-level genomic data, which will be the first pillar of its soon-to-be-announced large-scale precision health initiative. Check your eligibility and submit your draft letter of intent to Genome BC by 9:00 AM, October 28. Learn more.

Applications for the SFU-UBC Implementation Science Training Initiative are now open! The SFU-UBC Implementation Science (IS) Training Initiative offers a unique two-year program to build core IS competencies, collaborate with peers, and contribute to BC's research capacity in IS. Apply by December 15! Learn 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

October 29 & 30 - Life Sciences BC is pleased to announce the 9th annual Invest in BC presented by Lumira Ventures conference.

This highly anticipated event serves as a premier gathering for healthcare innovators in British Columbia, connecting them with global investors. This year we’ve reimagined the conference, offering attendees a dynamic two-day program featuring 30+ company pitches from pre-seed to public.

December 4 & 5 - Life Sciences BC, in partnership with Biotech Primer, is pleased to present BioBasics 101: The Biology of Biotech for the Non-Scientist.

This intensive two-day ‘master course’ is designed to help non-scientists gain a foundational understanding of the science that forms the backbone of biopharma so that you can converse more effectively with colleagues, clients, regulators, and scientists.

Inaugural Lexpert Special Edition: Insolvency and Restructuring Recognizes 21 McCarthy Tétrault Lawyers

Lexpert has included 21 McCarthy Tétrault lawyers in its inaugural Special Edition: Insolvency and Restructuring...Read more.

Lexaria Announces $5 Million Registered Direct Offering Priced At-The-Market Under Nasdaq Rules

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the purchase and sale of 1,633,987 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $3.06 per share...Read more.

Lancet Rheumatology Publishes Phase 2b Data on Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals’ EP-104IAR for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that Lancet Rheumatology recently published Eupraxia’s Phase 2 data from its SPRINGBOARD trial evaluating EP-104IAR for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis...Read more.

Alpha-9 Oncology Appoints Jean-Jacques Bienaimé and Dr. Steven Stein to its Board of Directors

Alpha-9 Oncology announced the appointment of industry veterans Jean-Jacques Bienaimé and Steven Stein, MD to its board of directors...Read more.

Aon Forecasts 10 Percent Average Increase in Medical Plan Costs for 2025 Globally

Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, forecasts medical plan costs across the world will rise on average 10.0 percent in 2025, according to its 2025 Global Medical Trend Rates Report...Read more.

Key Market Relations Leader, Lauren Melzer, Joins HUB International as Chief Marketing Officer for Specialty Practices

Hub International Limited (HUB), a leading global insurance brokerage, announced that Lauren Melzer has joined as Chief Marketing Officer for HUB’s Specialty Carriers...Read more.

Evonik to Restructure its Keto and Pharma Amino Acid Business

Evonik will evaluate strategic options, such as partnerships or divestment, for developing its keto and pharma amino acid production sites in Ham and Wuming...Read more.

Aon Names Emma Crookes as Global Insurance Vertical Leader

Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, named Emma Crookes as global head of the insurance vertical...Read more.

McCarthy Tétrault Appoints Eva Bellissimo to Lead Business Law Group, Tom Sutton to Lead Litigation Group

We are pleased to announce the appointments of Eva Bellissimo as National Practice Group Leader, Business Law, and Tom Sutton as National Practice Group Leader, Litigation, effective immediately...Read more.

Labcorp Expands Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Test Offerings with Rapid Syphilis Test

Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, announced it has expanded its portfolio of sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing options to include the First to Know® Syphilis Test...Read more.

BIOTECanada Welcomes Three New Members to its Board of Directors

BIOTECanada is pleased to announce three new members joining the Board of Directors: Anne Woods, Tamer Mohamed, and Karen Heim...Read more.

WELL Health Announces Positive Findings from AI Scribe Evaluation Study Conducted by OntarioMD

WELL Health Technologies Corp. is pleased to announce the publication of the final report from the AI Scribe Evaluation Study, conducted by OntarioMD…Read more.

Mintz Achieves 2023-2024 Mansfield Certification from Diversity Lab

Mintz achieved 2023-2024 Mansfield Certification from Diversity Lab. The Mansfield certification process is designed to ensure all qualified talent at participating law firms has a transparent, fair, and equal opportunity...Read more.

Dr. Slava Epelman to Receive the 2024 Till & McCulloch Award for his Research Creating an Improved Model of Human Heart Development

Dr. Slava Epelman has been named the 2024 Till & McCulloch Award recipient, recognized for his paper published in Nature Cardiovascular Research...Read more.

Lexaria’s GLP-1 Human Pilot Study #3 Begins Dosing

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. is pleased to announce that dosing has begun, for human pilot study #3, investigating a DehydraTECH-processed version of the dual action GLP-1 + GIP Zepbound® in an oral dose format...Read more.

Data from New National Study Exposes Oral Corticosteroids Overuse in Canadian Patients with Severe Asthma

The data from the real-world evidence study “Characterizing uncontrolled severe asthma in Canada” was recently presented...Read more.

FleetView by Getinge Elevates Service with Connected Devices

Building on over 15 years of experience in connected devices, Getinge now introduces FleetView. This web application represents the next step in data-driven device lifecyle management…Read more.

Evonik Wins CPHI Pharma Award for its Plant-based Squalene PhytoSquene®

Evonik has won this year’s CPHI Pharma Award in the category “Sustainability”. The winning innovation is the plant-based squalene, PhytoSquene®, which can be used for parenteral drug delivery applications...Read more.

Research Associate 1 or 2, Biology

We are seeking Research Associate 1 or 2, Biology with experience in brain slice electrophysiology to join our team for a nine-month contract...Learn more

Training and Education Specialist

 The specialist is responsible for working with Global Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to plan, coordinate, and execute training programs for professionals within the cell and gene therapy sector...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

Senior Animal Care Technician (18 month contract)

The Sr. Animal Care Technician reports to the Director, In Vivo Resources and is responsible for the various technical procedures that support the scientific research conducted during the execution of in vivo studies and the general husbandry and care of animals in Genevant’s Core Facility...Learn more

Vice President, Business Development

NanoVation Therapeutics (NTx) is looking for a collaborative and results-driven Vice President, Business Development to lead our business development and marketing portfolios...Learn more

Regulatory Affairs Associate

We are currently seeking for a dynamic Regulatory Affairs Associate who will be responsible to register and maintain regulatory approvals in the global markets that the RAMP products are sold in to support the core purpose of saving lives globally...Learn more

Technologist

Bodycomp Imaging is looking for a full-time and a part-time technologist at Bodycomp Imaging. Both technologists will be responsible for operating and maintaining DEXA scanners, performing body composition scans, and ensuring accurate and precise data collection...Learn more

Senior Manager, CMC, Quality Control

The Senior Manager, CMC, Quality Control will work flexibly across several small molecule drug development programs with an emphasis on managing outsourced testing and stability program for the cGMP API and drug product (DP) manufacturing and testing campaigns...Learn more

Senior 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

HR Coordinator/Senior HR Coordinator

The Human Resources Coordinator/Sr. Human Resources Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the entering and coordination of data, documents and processes into the various HR systems in an accurate and timely manner to ensure flawless execution...Learn more

Senior Administrator, Human Resources

The Senior Administrator will be responsible for coordinating recruitment scheduling for executive level positions, scheduling Senior Hire orientations and supporting training events for department heads, supporting contracts and Statements of Work...Learn more

Scientific Liaison and Solutions Lead

We are seeking a highly motivated and scientifically minded individual with a strong background in precision medicine, spatial omics, oncology, and/or pathology to join our team...Learn more

Specialist, Quality Assurance

We are seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist to be responsible for implementing and maintaining Augurex’s electronic Quality Management System (eQMS) in accordance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, internal quality requirements and specifications...Learn more

Sr. Manager, Regulatory Affairs

We are seeking a Sr. Manager, Regulatory Affairs to be responsible for working directly with our Global Head of Product R&D and external regulatory consultants on the FDA 510(k) submission for SPINEstat®...Learn more

Team Lead, Clinical Genotyping

Reporting to the Assistant Laboratory Director, the Team Lead, Clinical Genotyping coordinates and provides work direction to the Clinical Laboratory Drug Resistance Testing and Genotyping team...Learn more

Founded in 2008, Medical Engineers sources medical technology talent for a range of organizations across the UK, US, and Canada.

Our laser focus on medical device & diagnostics, biotechnology & digital health allows us to provide unrivalled insights, expertise, and added value to every business and professional we work with. Learn more.

Borealis Biosciences was founded on the premise that a convergence of scientific and translational breakthroughs is enabling the field of RNA medicines to treat kidney diseases and beyond.

The company is backed by founding investor Versant Ventures and Novartis AG, and has a strategic collaboration with the pharma. Learn more.

Ediccare Inc. - We are a clinical stage company introducing a breakthrough system for gum disease. Our topical leave-in gel is made of edible biopolymers which can be used safely at home as an adjunctive therapy to our current oral care routine to specifically address our gum health issues. User testimonials have shown reduced gum discomfort within two weeks, and reduced inflammation and bleeding after one month application.

Our product works non-invasively on the dental biofilm to prevent plaque build up and keep the oral microbiome in balance. We are currently seeking collaborations and/or partnerships with dental and medical professionals, along with researchers to explore the full potential of this system and expand our trials. We are also looking for seed funding to accelerate regulatory application and commercialization. Learn more.

[Individual] Robin Tharakan has a Bachelors of Science in Genetics from Western University and a Doctorate in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Cincinnati. Robin moved to Vancouver after conducting research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and working as a Project Manager at NanoString. Learn more.

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