May 29, 2025 - Hello BioLinks Readers!

This week :

• Clinical Trials in BC Get a Boost with New Unit at VGH
• Web Summit Vancouver: A Milestone Moment for Innovation in YVR
• Kicking Off with Momentum: Innovation & Insider Tours
• Spotlight on Life Sciences 
• LSBC & BIOQuébec Announce Collaboration
• Members & IRP Alumni Take the Stage
• Early-stage Companies are Invited to Apply for our IRP

If you joined us at our annual Access to Innovation conference back in February, you’ll remember that clinical trials sparked an important conversation. Around that time, Health Research BC had just released a situational analysis of BC’s clinical trials ecosystem, setting the stage for progress.

Fast forward to today, and we’re thrilled to share some incredible news: Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute has launched a brand-new inpatient clinical trials unit at Vancouver General Hospital. This is the first of its kind in BC dedicated to early-phase therapies for blood cancers.

This state-of-the-art unit is designed to support both industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated trials, offering flexibility while keeping patient-centered care at the core. It’s a major milestone for clinical research in BC and a huge step forward for Canada’s innovation landscape. A big win for research, for care, and most importantly, for patients. Read more.

After months of anticipation, planning, and a series of dynamic road-to and runway-to events, Web Summit has officially landed in Vancouver (May 27–29). The energy on opening night was electric. From the immersive lighting and music, to the buzzing crowd, it was clear this is more than a conference. It’s a catalyst for global innovation.

We launched the week by welcoming global investors and strategic partners on our Innovation & Insider Bus Tours, offering an insider’s look at Metro Vancouver’s thriving innovation ecosystem. We visited leading life sciences companies including AbCellera, Kardium, and Gandeeva Therapeutics.

Life Sciences Day at the BC Pavilion was a standout, featuring a full day of panels, startup pitches, and thought leadership. A big congratulations to the winners of the LSBC Pitch Competition, VoxCell BioInnovation and Arbutus Medical!

In a move to further strengthen interprovincial collaboration, we’re proud to announce a new agreement with BIOQuébec: going forward, LSBC and BIOQuébec members will enjoy reciprocal member pricing on events hosted by either organization. This partnership marks a key step in fostering deeper ties between BC and Quebec’s life sciences ecosystems.

Celebrating Startup Excellence

We’re thrilled to see several LSBC members and Investor Readiness Program (IRP) alumni participating in Web Summit’s highly competitive startup program. Congratulations to:

• Ediccare Inc.
• EyeCareX (IRP alum)
• FLOORSPACE
• Garde Bioscience
• Redwood AI
• Tochtech Technologies (IRP alum)
• VoxCell BioInnovation (IRP alum)

These companies exemplify the innovation and excellence emerging from BC’s life sciences.

Applications Now Open: LSBC's Investor Readiness Program

Are you an early-stage life sciences company ready to scale? LSBC’s Investor Readiness Program (IRP) is now accepting applications for its sixth cohort! This six-month program is designed to prepare you for your next stage of growth, helping you confidently fundraise and communicate with investors.

What sets IRP apart is its hands-on, tailored approach. You'll benefit from the expertise and guidance of seasoned life sciences professionals through individualized coaching and mentorship. Join a growing network of successful alumni and take the next step in your growth journey. Learn more and apply today.

Member Highlights 

Roche Canada, and its innovative partners have delivered cancer immunotherapy administered by a nurse for the first time in the comfort of a patient’s home. The study was initially designed to bring care closer to communities. However, Dr. Abdelsalam challenged the team to go further — to “close the last mile” by delivering modern cancer therapies directly to patients’ home. This trial signifies how cancer care is changing and improving for patients, becoming more convenient, with reduced travel and treatment time. Read more.

AbbVie presents new data highlighting significant progress in its robust oncology pipeline across a range of difficult-to-treat solid tumors and blood cancers, expanding its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) portfolio. Read more.

The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), and the Pharmaceutical Sciences Group announced a partnership to jointly offer training programs for Canada’s life sciences sector. As a first phase of their partnership, the two organizations have codeveloped a biomanufacturing training course focused on regulatory compliance. Read more.

Kudos

Congratulations to Novateur Ventures, for 10 years of community building, growth, and success!

AbbVie and the University of Toronto’s SpinUp announce Neuropeutics Inc. as the first recipient of the AbbVie Biotech Innovators Award. Congratulations! Read more.

Kudos to Fasken for being named Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Firm of the Year at the 2025 Lexology North America Awards. Read more.

Arbutus Medical Inc. has been recognized by the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) as Canada’s Top 20 Moonshot Ventures™. Read more.

People on the Move

BeiGene, Ltd., has officially renamed to BeOne Medicines (Canada) ULC, reflecting its global vision to eliminate cancer through collaboration and expanded patient access. Read more.

BIOTECanada welcomes Ian Mortimer, President and CEO of Xenon Pharmaceuticals, to its Board of Directors. Read more.

Aspect Biosystems announced the appointment of Andrew Booth, CFO of AbCellera, to its Board of Directors. Read more.

Applications Open

Applications are now open for the Canadian AI in Life Sciences Innovation R&D Partnering Delegation to South Korea, taking place in Seoul from September 23 to 25, 2025. This initiative connects Canadian SMEs using AI in life sciences with potential South Korean partners for R&D collaboration and market growth. The deadline is June 15, 2025. Learn more.

Apply for the 2025 Leadership Award for Excellence in Vaccine Research for Infectious Diseases of Epidemic Potential competition. Receive funding of up to $300,000 for three years to support up to six mid-career investigators conducting vaccine-related research across various focus areas. The expression of interest deadline is July 16, 2025. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

Westlab Spaces - Based in metro Vancouver, Westlab focuses on supporting life science companies as they pursue breakthrough discoveries. From designing and furnishing laboratories with casework solutions and fume hoods to equipping and supplying with laboratory equipment and consumables. The Westlab team is passionate about supporting the blossoming BC life sciences sector and is excited to be a helpful resource to any company that is looking to expand and grow in BC. Learn more.

New Member Welcome

Avee Health - Avee Health offers a virtual care platform that connects people with licensed doctors quickly and easily, often within just a few hours. Based in British Columbia, Avee Health has grown rapidly by partnering with hundreds of pharmacies and building a large network of physicians. The service is publicly funded and free to use for residents with a valid provincial health card, making it both accessible and sustainable. Behind the scenes, Avee is developing advanced technology to better match supply with demand, improve workflows, and support clinical decision-making. With strong early growth and a clear vision for the future, Avee Health is shaping a new standard for how healthcare can and should work: fast, flexible, and centred on real needs. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

May 27-30 - Join us for Web Summit Vancouver

Web Summit Vancouver is one of the most anticipated global technology conferences, bringing together industry leaders, startups, investors, innovators. Attending this event offers companies unparalleled networking opportunities, access to cutting-edge insights, and exposure to potential business growth avenues.

June 25 - Join us for Summer Social

LSBC’s most anticipated event of the summer is the Annual Summer Social! It’s a lively evening of relationship-building with different teams, past colleagues, business partners, and friends. It’s an excellent opportunity to meet people and expand networks. The spirit of collaboration in BC continues to set us apart from other clusters, and this occasion is a chance to gather as a community. We celebrate the life sciences sector and kick off the summer together.

New Study Led by Horizon and Supported by Roche Canada Delivers Cancer Treatment in the Comfort of a Patient’s Home

For the first time in Canada, a patient has received cancer immunotherapy by subcutaneous injection in their home, thanks to an innovative research initiative by Horizon Health Network, in collaboration with Roche Canada...Read more.

BIOTECanada Welcomes Xenon CEO, Ian Mortimer, to Board of Directors

BIOTECanada is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Mortimer, President and CEO of Xenon Pharmaceuticals, to its Board of Directors...Read more.

Aspect Biosystems Appoints Andrew Booth to its Board of Directors

Aspect Biosystems, a biotechnology company pioneering the development of bioprinted tissue therapeutics as a new category in regenerative medicine, appoints Andrew Booth to its Board of Directors...Read more.

New Inpatient Clinical Trials Unit Launches at Vancouver General Hospital, Advancing Blood Cancer Treatment Across B.C.

Located at VGH, the new Hematology Research Unit will deliver revolutionary therapies to patients with relapsed or treatment-resistant hematological diseases...Read more.

PSG and CASTL Partner to Deliver Biomanufacturing Regulatory Compliance Program

​The Pharmaceutical Sciences Group (PSG) and the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), announced a partnership to jointly offer training programs for Canada’s life‑sciences sector...Read more.

AbbVie Features New Data Across Difficult-to-Treat Solid Tumors and Blood Cancers at ASCO 2025, Highlighting Breadth and Depth of its Oncology Portfolio

AbbVie announced that key data from its broad oncology portfolio will be showcased across multiple oral presentations and posters at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting...Read more.

GSK’s Depemokimab Accepted for Review by Health Canada for the Treatment of Asthma with Type 2 Inflammation and for Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Across the SWIFT and ANCHOR clinical trials, the overall incidence and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events were similar in patients treated with either depemokimab or placebo...Read more.

Fasken Named Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Firm of the Year at 2025 Lexology North America Awards

Fasken claimed the Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Firm of the Year award at the 2025 Lexology North America Awards in New York City, highlighting the sterling reputation of our Life Sciences and Health Law groups...Read more.

Zymeworks Announces Presentations Highlighting Breadth of Oncology Portfolio at Upcoming Medical Conferences

Zymeworks Inc. announced multiple presentations related to its oncology programs at upcoming medical conferences...Read more.

AbbVie and U of T Mississauga’s SpinUp Announce Neuropeutics Inc as First AbbVie Biotech Innovators Award Recipient

AbbVie with the University of Toronto’s SpinUp, are pleased to announce Neuropeutics Inc as the recipient of the AbbVie Biotech Innovators Award, a national prize to help foster innovation and support growth...Read more.

Scientist – Chemoinformatics & Computational Chemistry

This position includes responsibilities such as lead data pipeline automation, benchmarking, and platform parameterization for drug design, while managing a data science team and cross-functional collaboration....Learn more.

Associate Director, AI and Advanced Analytics, VCHRI

The Associate Director, AI and Advanced Analytics, is a visionary leader who will establish and direct our artificial intelligence (AI) research program, positioning VCHRI as a national leader in healthcare AI innovation...Learn more.

Plant Engineer

This position is responsible for providing facility and process engineering support for the manufacturing of drug products. This role is part of the Site Engineering department at Vancouver whose responsibilities include maintaining and strategic improvement planning for plant and assets...Learn more.

Manager, Fianacial Planning & Analysis

You will be a key contributor to the budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning processes, delivering actionable insights to drive business performance. You will partner cross-functionally to support financial decision-making, prepare executive-level reports, and analyze financial trends...Learn more.

Corporate Relations Manager – Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR)

This role is one of the main cross-functional points of contact for: the agricultural and natural resources industries and corresponding provincial government representatives, as well as Genome BC Research & Innovation Director(s)...Learn more.

Scientist II, Discovery Biology

The successful candidate will play a key role in leading biological strategies and lab activities supporting platform development and preclinical drug discovery programs...Learn more.

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