July 17, 2025 - Hello BioLinks Readers!

This week:

·      Premier Eby Shifts his Cabinet

·      SFU and Fraser Health Launch New Health Research Institute

·      Awards Early-bird Tickets End Soon

Premier Eby Shifts his Cabinet

This morning Premier David Eby shuffled some cabinet members, moving two new people into cabinet and moving six cabinet ministers to new portfolios. Ravi Kahlon, returns to the renamed Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth. The two new members of cabinet are Nina Krieger (Victoria-Swan Lake) who is the new Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Jessie Sunner (Surrey Newton) who takes over as Minister of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills. The shuffle did not include the Health or Finance Ministers. Diana Gibson will now be BC's Minister of Citizens' Services. Read more.

The new cabinet roles are:

• Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs;
• Spencer Chandra-Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation;
• Diana Gibson, Minister of Citizens’ Services;
• Rick Glumac, Minister of State for AI and New Technologies.
• Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth;
• Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport;
• Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General; and
• Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills

SFU and Fraser Health Launch New Health Research Institute

The SFU-FH Health Research Institute (SFHRI) will bring together expertise from the two institutions to build collaboration and expand research opportunities. The institute seeks to bridge the gap between health care and innovation to ensure people in the Fraser Health region can access sustainable care in the long term. With the fastest growing population in BC and a diverse demographic, Fraser Health is an ideal environment in which to collaborate on new ideas and high-impact research. The new research institute will enable patients, clinicians and researchers to share knowledge and build an integrated culture of research and care across the institutions. Read more.

Awards Early-bird Tickets End Soon

We're excited to celebrate the 2025 LSBC Awards winners at our gala on October 2 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This year's exceptional roster includes Zymeworks, Variational AI, Arbutus Medical, Providence Health Care Ventures, and NanoVation Therapeutics, alongside individual honorees Dr. Michael Hayden, Ali Ardakani, Dr. Poul Sorensen, and Dr. Fiona Brinkman.

"We're proud to recognize individuals and organizations that have dedicated their talents to advancing our sector," said Wendy Hurlburt, President & CEO of Life Sciences BC. "Advances in therapeutics, AI in drug discovery, medical devices, technology commercialization, and lipid nanoparticles stood out this year. Congratulations to all recipients for their incredible leadership within our vibrant life sciences community."

Special recognition also goes to our Companies to Watch: Avee Health, CereCura Nanotherapeutics, GuideStar Medical Devices, Optigo Biotherapeutics, and Phyton Biotech.

Don't miss your chance to celebrate these ecosystem leaders—early-bird ticket pricing ends soon. Get your tickets here.

Member Highlights 

Aspect Biosystems releases preclinical data highlighting the potential of Aspect’s adrenal bioprinted tissue therapeutics to restore adrenal function and treat primary adrenal insufficiency. Read more.

SBME researchers are leading 9 projects awarded new funding from the Government of Canada. The awards are part of a major $1.3 billion federal investment in Canadian research announced July 9 by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. Read more.

ESSA Pharma Inc. announces acquisition by XenoTherapeutics, backed by XOMA Royalty Corporation in all-cash transaction. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Canada and European Union launch new industrial policy dialogue. This partnership was announced at the Canada–European Union Leaders’ Summit in Brussels on June 23 by the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada; António Costa, President of the European Council; and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Read more.

People on the Move

NervGen appoints Chairman Dr. Adam Rogers as Interim CEO following landmark positive chronic spinal cord injury trial results. Read more.

Applications Open

BioFuture 2025 on  October 13-15 in New York City is a forward-looking, global business development and investor conference focused on the "mashup" that is underway between biopharma, biotech, and techbio which will dramatically change healthcare in the next 5, 10 and 15 years. LSBC Members are eligible for presenting company discounts and attendee registration discounts. Contact Joanne Lin, LSBC Manger of Membership & Sponsorships at jlin@lifesciencesbc.ca.

UK–France FemTech Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA)

This hybrid CTA program (October–December 2025) supports high-potential Canadian FemTech companies with validated technologies and market traction. The program includes expert mentoring, curated B2B and investor meetings, and in-market exposure in the UK and France. Apply by August 15, 2025. Learn more.

Join the Canadian delegation to BioJapan 2025 (October 6–10, 2025) in Yokohama, Japan’s largest biotech partnering event. Participants will gain access to major global stakeholders across pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, digital health, and healthy aging. NRC IRAP clients may be eligible for travel funding. Selected participants are eligible for NRC -IRAP funding of up to $5000 to support travel for this mission. Application Deadline: July 21, 2025. Learn more.

Announcing Canada’s first Inclusive Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) program. The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) and Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT) are pleased to recruit export-ready companies led by persons of diverse backgrounds to participate in the upcoming Taipei inclusive trade for multi-sector technologies. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP – With Gowling WLG as your legal partner, you can rely on our Life Sciences team of over 150 professionals worldwide to fully support your business in the rapidly evolving life sciences sector. What sets us apart is our deep immersion in the industry. Many of our practitioners hold degrees in related fields and have spent time in their careers as scientists. This hands-on experience enables us to thoroughly understand your operational environment and commercial needs. Learn more.

Amplius Business Design is a Canadian boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic services and distinctive business model development for biotech, medtech, and life sciences ventures. We assist science-driven startups in transforming innovative research into viable, investable businesses. Our team connects science with business through customized tools for every growth stage—from initial validation to investor readiness and scale-up. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

May 27-30 - Join us for our 27th Annual Life Sciences BC Awards

This distinguished occasion 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.

October 28 - 29 - Join us for our 10th Annual Invest in BC presented by Lumira Ventures

Life Sciences BC is pleased to announce the 10th 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.

SFU teams up with Fraser Health to launch new health research institute

The SFU-FH Health Research Institute (SFHRI) will bring together expertise from the two institutions to build collaboration and expand research opportunities...Read more.

NervGen Announces Leadership Transition to Support Strategic Growth and Expansion

Chairman Dr. Adam Rogers Appointed Interim CEO Following Landmark Positive Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Trial Results...Read more.

Johnson & Johnson receives U.S. FDA Priority Review for TAR-200 NDA in high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Johnson & Johnson announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Priority Review to the New Drug Application (NDA) filed for TAR-200, an intravesical gemcitabine releasing system, for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer...Read more.

Children with chronic medical conditions at greater risk of hospitalization from RSV

Children with chronic medical conditions face a significantly higher risk of hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in their first two respiratory virus seasons, according to a recent study by researchers at the UBC Faculty of Medicine, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) and BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)...Read more.

Rakovina Therapeutics Granted DTC Eligibility to Expand U.S. Investor Access

Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. a biopharmaceutical company advancing next-generation cancer therapies through artificial intelligence (AI)-powered drug discovery, is pleased to announce that its shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through The Depository Trust Company (DTC)...Read more.

Acuitas Therapeutics Presents New Method for mRNA-LNP Production Using Preformed Vesicles at CRS 2025

Acuitas Therapeutics announced a poster presentation at the 2025

Control Release Society (CRS) Annual Meeting and Exposition, highlighting an alternative process by which to manufacture RNA lipid nanoparticles (LNP)...Read more.

ESSA Pharma Inc. Announces Definitive Agreement to be Acquired by XenoTherapeutics, Inc., Backed by XOMA Royalty Corporation in All-Cash Transaction

ESSA Pharma Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with XenoTherapeutics, a non-profit biotechnology company, under which Xeno will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of ESSA ...Read more.

Preclinical data highlight the potential of Aspect’s adrenal Bioprinted Tissue Therapeutics to restore adrenal function and treat primary adrenal insufficiency

​Aspect Biosystems, a biotechnology company pioneering the development of Bioprinted Tissue Therapeutics (BTTs) as a new category in regenerative medicine, today announced new preclinical data at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting held in San Francisco...Read more.

Clinical Supplies Manager

This role is responsible for coordinating the labeling, packaging, and global distribution of clinical trial materials to sites and depots across multiple countries, including both investigational medicinal products and ancillary supplies...Learn more.

Head of HR

This position is responsible for shaping HR strategy, ensuring compliance with Canadian (including provincial) and US labour laws, supporting talent acquisition and development, driving employee engagement, and fostering a compliant and inclusive workplace culture...Learn more.

Senior Biopharmaceutical Statistician

We are seeking a sharp, flexible, and innovative Senior Biostatistician to lead the statistical strategy for our clinical development programs and oversee data management. This is a hands-on, high-impact role...Learn more.

Procurement Specialist (Part-Time Contract)

This role is essential in managing procurement processes for capital expenditures, accessories, and consumables while establishing supplier relationships and ensuring smooth operations...Learn more.

Principal Scientist/Associate Director, Biologics

Abdera Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated and skilled leader in antibody discovery with a proven track record of antibody campaigns. This position will provide an exciting and dynamic opportunity to positively contribute to and lead research programs and teams...Learn more.

Analytical Chemist

Pharma Inventor, Inc. is seeking an energetic, result-oriented individual with proven track records of success to join our dynamic team. The successful candidate is expected to have extensive experience in Analytical Chemistry to work independently within a team structure, design and execute analytical testing and troubleshoot when needed...Learn more.

Research Associate – Medicinal Chemistry

Pharma Inventor, Inc. is seeking energetic, result-oriented individuals with proven track records of success to join our dynamic team. The successful candidate is expected to have extensive experience in modern organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry...Learn more.

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