August 28, 2025 - Hello BioLinks Readers!

This week:

• ICYMI: Wendy Hurlburt Live on CKNW Radio 
• Sep 17: Get Ready for Invest in BC Webinar
• Genome BC Supports CereCura Nanotherapeutics with $250,000
• Moderna Receives Health Canada and FDA Approval for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine
• Featuring LSBC Company of the Year: Zymeworks

ICYMI: Wendy Hurlburt Talks Life Sciences, Invest in BC - Live on CKNW Radio 

hear from 31 companies selected across MedTech, Digital Health and Biotech. The afternoons on both days present an unparalleled opportunity to set up partnering meetings and discuss business. Be sure to get your ticket for this flagship event that will attract life sciences leaders from around the world to Vancouver. Learn more and get your tickets here.

September 17: Free Get Ready for Invest in BC Webinar

Not sure what to expect for Invest in BC? Join us on Sep 17 for a free webinar as we walk you through the event highlights, insider tips to maximize your experience, and a live demo of the partnering system that opens for meeting requests on Sep 16. Sign up for the webinar here. 

Genome British Columbia Supports CereCura Nanotherapeutics with $250,000

Recently Genome British Columbia announced funding for UBC spin-off CereCura Nanotherapeutics. The project brings together neuroscience experts, Dr. MacVicar, Dr. Weilinger, and Dr. Bernier in collaboration with Dr. Pieter Cullis, to test next-generation nanomedicines for neuronopathic Gaucher disease, a rare and fatal neurological disorder with no effective treatments currently available. In this novel approach, the team proposes to temporarily transform certain brain cells into therapeutic protein “factories,” with the vision of enabling a patient’s brain to produce its own medicine. Read more. 

Moderna Receives Health Canada and FDA Approval for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

Image © Adobe Stock, Source:www.poundsterlinglive.com

Moderna announced that the FDA has approved the supplemental Biologics License Applications for the 2025-2026 formulas for Spikevax® and mNEXSPIKE®, targeting the LP.8.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 to help prevent COVID-19. Moderna also announced Health Canada approval for the vaccine last week. Read more here and here.

Featuring LSBC Company of the Year: Zymeworks

We are nearly 80% sold out of tickets for our upcoming Awards Gala. Secure your tickets today here. 

This week, we’re featuring our 2025 Company of the Year, Zymeworks, a leader in developing highly differentiated antibody-based therapeutics.

Zymeworks has made significant progress in advancing its pipeline over the past year. In November of 2024, Zymeworks received FDA approval for Ziihera® (zanidatamab-hrii), a massive milestone marking the culmination of more than a decade of research and development. The approval was accelerated based on exceptional clinical results. Zanidatamab also received approval in China in May 2025. Other recent achievements include IND clearance for ZW251, preclinical data presented for ZW1528, and a $14 million milestone received for its GSK collaboration. 



We look forward to celebrating with the team on October 2, 2025!

Member Highlights 

AbCellera doses first participants in a Phase 1 clinical trial of ABCL575. ABCL575 is a next-generation investigational antibody therapy being developed for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, with potential applications for other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Read more. 

ViewsML partners with iProcess Global Research, a leading provider of biospecimen and clinical research solutions to accelerate delivery of AI-powered virtual biomarker testing. Read more.

AbbVie acquires Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals’ lead candidate, a novel, investigational therapy for major depressive disorder, expanding AbbVie’s psychiatry pipeline. Bretisilocin is a novel, next-generation psychedelic compound designed to address development challenges observed within this class of compounds. Read more.

Roche’s Columvi® (glofitamab) approved by Health Canada as the first bispecific antibody in Canada for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Government of Canada announced over $10 million in funding to support initiatives that empower Canadians to adopt healthy behaviours, such as being active, eating nutritious foods, and avoiding smoking, that lead to a longer and improved quality of life. Read more.

Engineering students at Camosun College have designed and built a pediatric MRI stimulator, which offers benefits for young patients who experience stress or anxiety when receiving an MRI scan. This stimulator will be put to work in Victoria General Hospital’s pediatric unit. Read more.

Kudos

Congratulations to the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute’s recipients of the 2025 Research Challenge! Read more.

People on the Move

UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences announces the appointment of Dr. Aaron Beedle as Associate Dean, Academic. Read more.

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS’s Dr. Zabrina Brumme has been appointed as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). Read more.

Aspect Biosystems welcomes Kim Kiloh as the Head of Team Development. Read more.

Applications Open

Applications open for adMare’s Academy’s eighth cohort of its exclusive Executive Institute, a premier leadership program for senior life sciences professionals. Gain the skills, network, and insights to scale your organization and strengthen Canada’s life sciences ecosystem. The deadline is September 5, 2025. Learn more.



Applications open for IMPaCT Training Awards, a program to give doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows and early career researchers the skills and network to design, conduct, and communicate about clinical trials with children and pregnant people. Receive up to $70,000 in funding for your research. The deadline is October 17, 2025. Learn more.

Apply to 2025 UBC AI and Health Network Fellows Program, a program that aims to enhance the delivery of advanced training and mentorship. Receive funding for projects that bring innovation and transformation in healthcare through artificial intelligence. The deadline is September 8, 2025. Learn more.

Applications are open for Eureka’s Canada and Singapore Call for Projects 2025. Canadian and Singaporean partners can receive funding for R&D projects that focus in the areas of transformative technology sectors, such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology. The deadline is September 1, 2025. Learn more.

Terry Fox Research Institute is excited to launch the $25-million Digital Health Innovation Fund. The deadline for LOI is September 15, 2025. Funding supports development of the Digital Health and Discovery Platform for AI and machine learning solutions to advance precision medicine. The RFA is open to private-sector and public organizations from across Canada; matchmaking assistance is available to enable collaboration. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

McCarthy Tetrault - Canada’s largest National law firm, offers comprehensive legal services to the hi-tech community, with specialized practice groups focussing on each of biotechnology and IT.

McCarthy Tetrault represents a number of biotechnology clients (based in each of Canada, USA, and Europe), and provides advice on local, national and international biotech-related business matters including public and private financings, corporate reorganizations, joint ventures, technology licensing, intellectual property protection, employment agreements/stock option plans, litigation, and tax matters. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

October 2 - 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.

Moderna Receives U.S. FDA Approval for Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Targeting LP.8.1 Variant of SARS-CoV-2

Moderna, Inc. announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the supplemental Biologics License Applications (sBLA) for the 2025-2026 formulas for Spikevax® and mNEXSPIKE®...Read more.

AbCellera Doses First Participants in a Phase 1 Clinical Trial of ABCL575

AbCellera announced it has dosed the first participants in its Phase 1 clinical trial of ABCL575, a next-generation investigational antibody therapy being developed for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD)...Read more.

RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) Receives Health Canada Notice of Compliance (NOC) for Giant Cell Arteritis in Adults

AbbVie announced that Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance for RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) for the treatment of adults with giant cell arteritis (GCA), both used in combination with...Read more.

Abdera Therapeutics to Present Early Pharmacokinetics, Dosimetry and Safety Data from Ongoing Phase 1 Trial of ABD-147 at the IASLC 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer and Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences

Abdera Therapeutics Inc. announced that initial pharmacokinetics, dosimetry and safety data from the company’s ongoing first-in-human Phase 1 dose-escalation trial of ABD-147...Read more.

AbbVie to Acquire Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals’ Bretisilocin, a Novel, Investigational Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder, Expanding Psychiatry Pipeline

AbbVie and Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Gilgamesh”) announced a definitive agreement under which AbbVie will acquire Gilgamesh’s lead investigational candidate, currently in clinical development...Read more.

Health Canada Approves Updated Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Targeting LP.8.1 Variant

Moderna, Inc. announced that Health Canada has authorized its updated COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, Spikevax®, targeting the SARS-CoV-2 LP.8.1 variant, for individuals six months of age and older...Read more.

Health Canada Approves Roche’s Columvi® (glofitamab) as the First Bispecific Antibody in Canada for Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma after Initial Therapy

Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) is pleased to announce that Health Canada has granted market authorization for Columvi® (glofitamab for injection) in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx)...Read more.

Leqvio® Advances Toward Broader Access with Agreement Between Novartis and The Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) for the public reimbursement of Leqvio®...Read more.

NervGen Pharma’s NVG-291-R Demonstrates Significant Functional Recovery in Department of Defense-Sponsored Preclinical Models of Traumatic Hearing Loss and Peripheral Nerve Injury

NervGen Pharma Corp. announced positive preclinical results of two Department of Defense sponsored studies in models of blast-induced sensorineural hearing loss and peripheral nerve injury...Read more.

Bausch Health, Canada Inc. Treatment for Acne Vulgaris, PrCABTREOTM (Clindamycin Phosphate, Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide gel), Now Available Through Public Drug Plans of Quebec and Saskatchewan

​Bausch Health, Canada Inc., part of Bausch Health Companies Inc. announced that PrCABTREOTM gel 1.2% w/w, 0.15% w/w and 3.1% w/w, for the treatment of acne vulgaris...Read more.

Principal Immunoengineer – Protein Design & Immunogenicity (Large Molecule Discovery)

You will lead translational efforts in protein design with a mission to eliminate or reduce immunogenicity in large molecule therapeutics. This pivotal role bridges experimental immunology and computational science to ensure novel biologics are safe and effective from the outset...Learn more.

Senior Scientist – Directed Evolution & Protein Design, Large Molecule Discovery Open detailed view

This role will specifically involve leading our enzyme engineering efforts around discovering novel therapeutics for rare and genetic diseases. Such efforts will entail the use of directed molecular evolution and rational design, including computational approaches...Learn more.

QC Team Coordinator

Proactively collaborate with stakeholders of various functional groups to prioritize the work for QC to meet the business needs to achieve the best-in-class operation for a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO)...Learn more.

Associate Scientist, Purification Analytics (12 Month Contract)

This specialized group is responsible for the high-throughput generation of tool and lead candidate large molecules for therapeutic discovery programs. It leverages a state-of-the-art, fully automated Biofoundry to produce recombinant DNA and protein...Learn more.

Research Associate I, Translational Biology & Pharmacology

The successful candidate will spend the majority of their time performing, analyzing, and interpreting endpoint assays to support in vivo pharmacology workflows, generating critical data to inform go/no-go decisions in platform development and preclinical drug discovery activities...Learn more.

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