August 14, 2025 - Hello BioLinks Readers!

This week:

• FDA Grants 510(k) Clearance for Sonic Incytes’ Velacur ONE™
• AbCellera Doses First Participants in Phase 1 Clinical Trial for ABCL635
• Featuring LSBC Emerging Biotech Company of the Year: Variational AI
• Opportunity to Participate in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Consultations on Talent

FDA Grants 510(k) Clearance for Sonic Incytes’ Velacur ONE™

Congratulations on a pivotal milestone for BC’s Sonic Incytes, who announced that the FDA has granted 510(k) clearance for Velacur ONE™, its point-of-care ultrasound elastography device. Building on the success of its original model, Velacur™, Velacur ONE™ introduces an enhanced interface and features for improved portability and user experience. These improvements enable broader scalability to support Sonic Incytes’ accelerated US and global expansion strategy. Read more.

AbCellera Doses First Participants in Phase 1 Clinical Trial for ABCL635

In its most recent earnings call, AbCellera announced that the first participants in the Phase I Clinical study for ABCL635 were successfully dosed. ABCL635 is a potential non-hormonal, long-acting treatment for moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS), commonly known as hot flashes, associated with menopause. The initial safety and efficacy data from this study is expected to be presented in mid 2026. The team is working hard to bring new medicines to market and is entering a critical phase as a clinical-phase biotech. AbCellera’s Q2 2025 business results indicate it is well-positioned to continue executing on its strategy. Read more.

Awards Winners Series - Featuring LSBC Emerging Biotech Company of the Year: Variational AI

LSBC’s Awards Gala is coming up on October 2. Have you secured your ticket yet? Hundreds have already registered for BC's premier life sciences event that will bring together members of the industry's C-suite. Lock in your attendance today and get your tickets here. 

Each week, leading up to the event, we will be featuring a different Award Winner. Make sure you read BioLinks to learn more about the impact each recipient has had on our ecosystem. 

To kick things off, we are featuring LSBC Emerging Biotech Company of the Year, Variational AI.

Variational AI doesn’t screen for drugs; it creates them. The company is on a mission to answer the question, “how many life-saving blockbuster drugs exist in chemical space just waiting to be discovered?”. Variational AI leverages a powerful form of machine learning known as generative AI to generate de novo molecules with optimized properties to discover efficacious, safe, and synthesizable small molecule therapeutics in a fraction of the time and cost as the status quo.

Founded in September 2019, Variational AI is a team of experienced AI/machine learning researchers and medicinal and computational chemists applying state of the art generative AI to drug discovery in close collaboration with biopharmaceutical partners to redefine the unit economics of drug discovery and development.

Some exciting things Variational AI has accomplished this year include collaborations with Rakovina Therapeutics and Korean-based Oncocross, and an oversubscribed $5.5 million financing to launch its foundational model. 

The team is currently recruiting a Machine Learning Engineer and Cheminformatician. We look forward to celebrating with Variational AI on October 2! 

Watch for next week in BioLinks, where we will be featuring LSBC Emerging MedTech Company of the Year, Arbutus Medical!

Opportunity to Participate in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Consultations on Talent

Life sciences companies are invited to participate in the following consultations from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). As attracting foreign talent is critical to fill specific roles, particularly in leadership for life sciences companies, immigration is an important topic for many of our growing member organizations. There are currently two surveys open for participation (links and details below)

1. Economic priorities and categories for Express Entry in 2026, open until September 3.

Background information and survey link found here. The survey includes questions on proposed priorities and categories and provides interested parties opportunities to put forward alternative ideas for consideration.

2. Immigration Levels Plan, open until August 17, 2025. The Levels Plan sets targets for new permanent residents (including Provincial Nominees), temporary workers and international students. Survey link here: 2025 consultations on immigration levels - Canada.ca.

IRCC has advised it is engaging provinces and territories in parallel through consultations under the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration. LSBC and members of the Talent Council also continue to meet with representatives at provincial and federal levels.

Member Highlights 

Rakovina Therapeutics and NanoPalm Ltd. to form joint venture leveraging AI-discovered oncology therapies and novel lipid nanoparticle delivery technologies. NanoPalm Ltd. is a Saudi-based biotechnology company pioneering advanced patterned lipid nanoparticle (pLNP) delivery systems. Read more.

A new UBC Faculty of Medicine study has revealed how long-term, chronic heartburn can drive the earliest steps toward an aggressive form of esophageal cancer, suggesting new ways to detect the cancer sooner and potentially even prevent it from developing in the first place. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Johnson & Johnson is closing its JLabs innovation centre within MaRs Discovery District in Toronto, also winding down locations in Houston and DC. The company is reportedly divesting from some physical spaces and instead prioritizing virtual memberships. Read more (limited access, Endpoints News).

Kudos

Genome BC’s President and CEO Suzanne Grill has been recognized as BIV News's 500 Most Influential People in BC. Congrats! Read more.

Congratulations to the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Rahnuma Sara for being honoured with the 2025 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award! Read more.

Kudos to all the recipients of the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute Knowledge Translation Challenge Awards! Read more.

Dr. Kishor Wasan and his team at UBC have been highlighted by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for their research in developing a treatment for “black fever” parasitic disease. Congratulations! Read more.

People on the Move

Hayley Woodin Hastings takes on the new role as Strategic Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, The Honourable Wendy Cocchia. Read more.

Zymeworks appoints Greg Ciongoli and Robert E. Landry to its Board of Directors. Read more.

Kapoose Creek Bio welcomes Dr. Stewart Fisher to its Board of Directors. Read more.

Ricardo Lima starts his new position as VP of Startups & Investors at Web Summit. Read more.

Raghwa Gopal is now the Chair, Board of Directors for the Jim Pattison Centre for Health Systems Learning + Innovation. Read more.

Applications Open

Apply to Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s 2025-26 Partnering for Impact Catalyst Grant, supporting the creation and strengthening of research partnerships that build trust, mutual understanding, and co-produced research. Each grant offers up to $125,000 for one year, with a request for additional funding. The deadline is October 23, 2025. Learn more.

Applications open for the Startup Spotlight at BIO-Europe. Take the opportunity to make a 6-minute pitch and participate in a live feedback session with a panel of judges of leading investors, pharma dealmakers, and biotech business key opinion leaders. The deadline is August 29, 2025. Learn more.

Are you a Canadian-based Life Science company from Pre-Seed to Series A that is looking for U.S. funding or market entry? Apply to CELS Valley Ready (VR) program, designed to immerse Canadian Life Science companies in Silicon Valley to help them achieve their local business objectives. The early-bird deadline is August 29, 2025. Learn more.

Applications open for the Fall 2025 Trade Accelerator Program in Vancouver and Vancouver Island. This structured, cohort-based program helps SMEs create a strategic export plan and become export-ready. Participants will develop a complete export plan and can access significant bursaries, with the program valued at $5,000. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

KPMG LLP - KPMG’s Canadian Life Science practice is dedicated to assisting businesses of all sizes from biotechnology start-ups to large multinational pharmaceutical, medical device and health technology companies. We take an enterprise-wide view to business transformation by assisting clients from strategy through to execution. 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.

FDA Grants 510(k) Clearance for Sonic Incytes’ Velacur ONE™, AI-guided Point of Care Ultrasound for the Management of Chronic Liver Diseases

Sonic Incytes Medical Corp, proudly announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance for Velacur ONE™, its point-of-care ultrasound elastography device...Read more.

Rakovina Therapeutics and NanoPalm Ltd. Sign Letter of Intent to Form Joint Venture Leveraging Al-Discovered Oncology Therapies and Novel Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery Technologies

Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. and NanoPalm Ltd. announced the signing of a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI)...Read more.

AbbVie Announces $195 Million Investment to Expand Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Manufacturing in the U.S.

AbbVie announced a $195 million investment in its North Chicago, Illinois manufacturing plant to expand domestic active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production in the U.S...Read more.

Seventy-year-old Parkinson’s Drug Shows Promise Against Tuberculosis

New UBC study reveals benztropine’s potential to treat the world’s deadliest infectious disease and combat growing antibiotic resistance...Read more.

The ISSCR and STEMCELL Technologies Partner to Launch Free, On-Demand Course on Standards for Human Stem Cell Use in Research

The International Society for Stem Cell Research and STEMCELL Technologies are proud to announce a new partnership to produce a free, on-demand course for researchers seeking to incorporate the ISSCR Standards...Read more.

Zymeworks Strengthens Board of Directors with Appointments of Greg Ciongoli and Robert E. Landry

 Zymeworks Inc. announced the appointments of Greg Ciongoli and Robert E. Landry to the Company’s Board of Directors, effective August 10, 2025...Read more.

Xenon Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results & Business Update

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, and provided a business update...Read more.

How Chronic Heartburn Can Drive Esophageal Cancer

A new UBC Faculty of Medicine study has revealed how long-term, chronic heartburn can drive the earliest steps toward an aggressive form of esophageal cancer...Read more.

AbCellera Reports Q2 2025 Business Results & First Participants Dosed in a Phase 1 Clinical Trial of ABCL635 for Vasomotor Symptoms

​AbCellera announced financial results for the second quarter of 2025 and that dosing has begun in a Phase 1 clinical trial of ABCL635 for the potential treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS)...Read more.

Scientist/Senior Scientist, Translational Biology & Pharmacology

You will leverage their kidney disease biology expertise to support the advancement of specific programs and/or exploratory projects, proactively representing the Translational Biology & Pharmacology team on cross-functional project teams...Learn more.

Research Associate II, Bioconjugation Chemistry

The key responsibilities for this position will be synthesizing and analyzing protein-oligonucleotide conjugates including antibodies, antibody fragments, and other target-binding scaffolds...Learn more.

VP, Pre-Clinical Research and Development

This role is responsible for the company’s pre-clinical research and development function for all Eupraxia products. They will be a key member of the R&D leadership team, responsible for defining and executing the preclinical strategy that advances the company’s therapeutic pipeline...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 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.

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