Life Sciences BC News, November 14, 2024

Today is World Diabetes Day, marked on the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin with Charles Best in 1922. Dr. Banting, a Toronto-based researcher, received the Nobel Prize in 1923 with his supervisor John Macleod. More than a hundred years after this ground-breaking discovery, which has changed the lives of patients around the world, Canada continues to innovate in the field. 

Photo source: Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto

We also hosted our Preparing for J.P. Morgan (JPM) Healthcare Week webinar this morning with many tips on navigating what many refer to as “being thrown in at the deep end.” JPM is a high-intensity week of activity and comfortable water-resistant shoes are highly recommended! Companies should come prepared with a clear and concise key message. Many chance encounters in coffee shops and en route could lead to potential partnerships, so have your elevator pitch polished. Learn more about the webinar.

There are over 200+ networking opportunities during the week. Novateur Ventures has partnered with BIO to house that information conveniently in an app. Download from your app store or by using the QR code below.

LSBC has also negotiated member pricing for many of the conferences during JPM week including RESI, the Biotech Showcase, BIO Partnering at JPM, and the main conference itself. For more information, please contact our Manager, Memberships & Partnerships, Joanne Lin at jlin@lifesciencesbc.ca.

As highlighted in our webinar this morning, preparation is key to success at conferences like JPM. Part of that is being able to speak the language of science. If you’re a professional working within the sector and would like to hone your scientific knowledge at a foundational level, join us on December 4 & 5 for BioBasics 101, a two-day course that will cover the underlying science of biopharma. Early bird pricing ends November 17! Learn more and register here.

Member Highlights 

Moderna receives Health Canada approval for its RSV vaccine for seniors 60+. Read more.



UBC Faculty of Medicine researchers have developed a groundbreaking coating that could make medical devices safer for millions of patients, reducing the risks associated with blood clots and dangerous bleeding. Read more.

Zucara Therapeutics announces a strategic investment from Sanofi as part of its US$20 million Series B financing. Zucara is a diabetes life sciences company developing ZT-01, the first once-daily therapeutic to prevent hypoglycemia. As part of the agreement, Sanofi will receive an exclusive right of first negotiation. Read more.

GSK receives approval in Canada for the treatment of myelofibrosis in adults with anemia. Read more.

The MedTech Conference on October 15-17 was AdvaMed’s largest to date with 4,350 attendees, representing 1,926 companies from 48 countries. LSBC attended the conference, which highlighted Canada’s role as a medtech leader and a key life sciences collaborator with the United States and global partners. Ontario’s Premier attended and announced Phase 2 of the province’s Life Sciences Strategy. Read more.

Eupraxia reports a strong quarter advancing its Phase 1b/2a RESOLVE trial for EP-104GI as a treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis, reporting positive results from the fourth cohort. The company also raised C$44.5 million and anticipates its EP-104GI program is funded through Phase 2 development. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Premier David Eby has issued the following statement on the passing of John Horgan: “The news of John Horgan’s passing this morning in Victoria leaves us with heavy hearts. John loved this province and its people. He sought to address injustice wherever he saw it – using his time in office to help build a better, stronger British Columbia for everyone.” Read more

Along with many in BC, LSBC was saddened to hear of the passing of former premier John Horgan, and we send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Kudos

Congratulations to the two members of the GlycoNet community who were honoured at the 2024 ASTech Awards Gala: startup PanTHERA CryoSolutions (Innovation of the Year) and researcher Lara Mahal (Research Award in the category of Medical, Healthcare, and/or Pharmaceuticals). Read more.

Fasken and Gowling WLG have received a number of accolades in the 2025 edition of Legal 500 Canada. Fasken was recognized in over 30 practice areas (read more) and Gowling WLG earned accolades across 25 practice areas. Read more.

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS Post-Doctoral Fellow, Dr. Kathleen Inglis has been welcomed into the new cohort of Canadian Institutes of Health Research Fellows. Congratulations! Read more.

Kudos to the eight research teams from across the country who will receive a total of $2.2M from the Terry Fox Research Institute and the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network to develop, validate, standardize, and deploy new technologies that can help accelerate precision medicine for cancer. Read more.

People on the Move

Gilead Canada announced that Paul Petrelli joined the organization as Vice President and General Manager. In his new role, Petrelli will be responsible for leading the commercial organization for Gilead Canada. Read more.

Taso Tsonis has been promoted to the role of Chief Financial Officer at Response Biomedical Corp. With over 13 years of dedicated service to Response, Taso’s leadership in financial strategy has helped fuel the company’s growth and deepen its commitment to global health. Read more.

Getinge has appointed Alexandra Holland as the new Executive Vice President of Communications. Alexandra will become a member of the Getinge Executive Team and lead the development, advancement, and execution of the company’s communications and public affairs strategy. Read more.

Michelle Seltenrich has joined Rakovina Therapeutics as Director Corporate Development. Read more.

Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researchers Drs. Lynn Raymond and Shernaz Bamji have been re-appointed as co-directors of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. Read more.

Applications Open

Applications close soon for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grants. These grants support the purchase of research equipment to foster college partnerships with industry and other sectors. Applications are due November 20 before 8 PM ET. Learn more.

Do you or someone you know have a medical device that you’re struggling to take to the next level? The I-CREATE Accelerator + Prize Challenge offers an outstanding, no-cost opportunity for innovators worldwide in the medical device field to accelerate their journey to market. Applications are open until November 25. Learn more.

Join the GlycoNet Trainee Association Executive Committee (GTA-EC)! All graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, technicians, and research associates from GlycoNet investigator labs are eligible to apply. Applications close December 1. Learn more.

The Discovery Foundation is now accepting submissions for its Technology Education Program (TEP) 2025. The program provides funds to selected Agents to deliver

educational programs and training on behalf of the Discovery Foundation. Apply by December 18 at 5 PM PT. Email admin@discoveryfoundation.ca​ for additional information.

Apply now for the AbbVie Biotech Innovators Award! Funded by AbbVie and offered in collaboration with SpinUp, the award will provide one early-stage biotech recipient with one year of free lab space, in addition to access to SpinUp’s core equipment, services, research talent community, and more. Apply by January 17, 2025. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) works with partners to deliver a national platform for innovation. We conduct research, support small and medium-sized enterprises to help them scale up and compete, and connect Canadian innovators to leading R&D capabilities. We also enable cross-sector partnership and collaboration in Canada and abroad.

The NRC supports industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge, and government priorities. We collaborate with over 1,000 companies a year, applying research and development (R&D) to their pressing challenges and opportunities. We provide advice and funding through our Industrial Research Assistance Program to thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

November 19 - Join us for the upcoming McCarthy Spotlight Speaking Series event.

Hear from our keynote speaker, Dr. Lakshmi Krishnan, Vice President of Life Sciences for National Research Council Canada.

This event also features the winners of LSBC’s 2024 Companies to Watch – Recognition Honour Roll! Meet the visionary leaders behind these companies as they share their success stories, achievements and what’s next.

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.

The Legal 500 Canada 2025 Recognizes Gowling WLG Across 26 Practice Areas

In the 2025 edition of The Legal 500 Canada, Gowling WLG has been ranked across 26 practice areas...Read more.

Fasken Recognized in the 2025 Edition of Legal 500 Canada

Fasken has received a number of accolades in the 2025 edition of Legal 500 Canada.The Firm was highlighted in over 30 practice areas, showcasing the range of our proficiency...Read more.

Blood Vessel-like Coating Could Make Medical Devices Safer for Patients

UBC Faculty of Medicine researchers have developed a groundbreaking coating that could make medical devices safer for millions of patients, reducing the risks associated with blood clots and dangerous bleeding...Read more.

Eight Pan-Canadian Research Teams Receive Newly Created TFRI-MOHCCN Technology Development Awards

Eight outstanding research teams from across the country will receive a total of $2.2M from the Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) and the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN)...Read more.

MedTech Conference 2024 Highlights and Video Recap

On Oct. 15-17, 2024 in Toronto, AdvaMed concluded its largest annual MedTech Conference to date–with record-breaking attendance!...Read more.

Labcorp Launches New Global Trial Connect Enhancements to Streamline Site Workflow

Labcorp announced enhancements to Global Trial Connect, a suite of digital, data and operational solutions available to Labcorp Central Laboratory clients...Read more.

Ojjaara (Momelotinib) Approved in Canada for the Treatment of Myelofibrosis in Adults who have Moderate to Severe Anemia

GSK announced that Health Canada has approved Ojjaara (momelotinib) for the treatment of splenomegaly and/or disease-related symptoms...Read more.

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Data from Fifth Cohort of RESOLVE Phase 1b/2a Trial of EP-104GI for Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced additional positive clinical data from its RESOLVE Phase 1b/2a trial, which is evaluating the safety and efficacy of EP-104GI as a treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis (“EoE”)...Read more.

Introducing FlexFactory to Poland, Delivered by Cytiva and Operated by SyVento Biotech

SyVento Biotech has opened its new mRNA manufacturing facility, a FlexFactory delivered by Cytiva, spanning over 7 000 m2, including lab and production areas, offices, and shared spaces...Read more.

Zucara Therapeutics Announces Strategic Investment from Sanofi as Part of US$20 Million Series B Financing

Zucara Therapeutics Inc. announced that Sanofi has made a strategic investment in Zucara as part of the Company’s US$20 million Series B financing...Read more.

AbbVie Provides Update on Phase 2 Results for Emraclidine in Schizophrenia

AbbVie announced that its two Phase 2 EMPOWER trials did not meet their primary endpoint of showing a statistically significant reduction in the change from baseline in the PANSS total score...Read more.

GlycoNet Community Members Honoured at 2024 ASTech Awards

It was an exciting night for glycomics at the 2024 ASTech Awards Gala on November 1 with two awards going to members of the GlycoNet community: startup PanTHERA CryoSolutions and researcher Lara Mahal...Read more.

Bringing Innovative Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease to Patients

UBC Faculty of Medicine professor Dr. Laura Sly and her team are accelerating the development of innovative new drugs for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)...Read more.

Moderna’s mRNA RSV Vaccine Receives Health Canada Approval For Adults Aged 60 Years And Over

Moderna, Inc. announced Health Canada has approved mRESVIA™ for active immunization for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults 60 years of age and older...Read more.

Augurex to Present Axial Spondyloarthritis Data and Exhibit at ACR Convergence 2024 in Washington, DC

Augurex Life Sciences Corp. announced its participation at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2024, taking place in Washington, DC from November 14-19...Read more.

Centre for Brain Health Co-directors to Strengthen Interdisciplinary Collaborations

Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researchers Drs. Lynn Raymond and Shernaz Bamji have been re-appointed as co-directors of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health...Read more.

Canada’s Drug Agency Recommends WINREVAIR® (sotatercept) for Reimbursement

Merck announced that Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA) has recommended WINREVAIR® (sotatercept) for reimbursement in combination with standard pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) therapy...Read more.

Lexaria Updates Fast-Moving GLP-1 ‘Arm’s Race’ Developments

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ:LEXX)(NASDAQ:LEXXW) (the “Company” or “Lexaria”), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms provides the following glucagon-like peptide-1 (“GLP-1”) industry update…Read more.

Alexandra Holland Appointed as EVP Communications at Getinge

Getinge appoints Alexandra Holland as the new Executive Vice President of Communications effective November 11, 2024. Alexandra will become a member of the Getinge Executive Team...Read more.

Gilead Sciences Appoints Paul Petrelli to Vice President and General Manager in Canada

Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc. (Gilead Canada) announced that Paul Petrelli joined the organization as Vice President and General Manager...Read more.

Senior / Research Technician, Preclinical

Reporting to the Scientist II, Preclinical, our Senior/Research Technician, Preclinical will be responsible for designing, executing, analyzing, and making recommendations on research protocols for our internal projects...Learn more

Sr. Research Associate, Oligonucleotide Chemistry

Borealis Biosciences is seeking a skilled and team-oriented senior research associate with expertise in oligonucleotide chemistry to join the chemistry group in Vancouver, BC...Learn more

Scientist, Bioconjugation Chemistry

Borealis Biosciences is seeking a skilled and team-oriented scientist with expertise in bioconjugation chemistry to join the chemistry group in Vancouver, BC...Learn more

Senior Human Resources Coordinator

The Senior 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 Director/Executive Director, Analytical Development

We are seeking a Senior Director/Executive Director, Analytical Development to join our CMC team. The incumbent will be responsible for leading a team of analytical development scientists and external FTEs and for ensuring that robust analytical methodology is developed and validated...Learn more

Data Science and Pharmacokinetic Modeling Scientist

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Data Science and Pharmacokinetic Modeling Scientist to cover a maternity period of not less than 12 months to maintain and evolve our programs designed to deliver appropriate, robust and defensible data in a readily understandable manner...Learn 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

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

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