Life Sciences BC News, January 23, 2025

There is only one more week to apply to participate in our new Business Development (BD) course, provided in partnership with Novateur Academy. Join us on March 3-5 for a masterclass in BD where you will work directly with industry experts including several global pharma executives from Pfizer, Abbvie, and Takeda, to gain and practice skills to move the needle on strategic alliances. Learn more and apply today.

“The negotiation [component was the most valuable part of the course] – I don't think you can find an experienced pharma to do a mock negotiation with outside of this course.”

This course is targeted at biotech companies who are interested in partnerships and licensing with biotech/pharma companies. Firms should be working with the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) through an Industrial Technology Advisor.

Congratulations to CASTL and BCIT on the celebration and open house of the new BC Biomanufacturing Training Facility. Wendy Hurlburt joined industry stakeholders in touring the new facility that will provide much needed and essential training to our growing biomanufacturing industry.

LSBC’s annual Access to Innovation event is just over a month away. This much-anticipated conference brings together thought leaders from across the ecosystem including industry, academia, healthcare, government, and more. This year, one of the panels will discuss “The Promise of Cell and Gene Therapies”, one of the fastest-growing subsectors. Join the conference on February 26, 2025. Register here.

Member Highlights 

InMed Pharmaceuticals announces positive results from a long-term in vivo preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease (‘AD’) study. In the study, INM-901 demonstrated a reduction in several plasma and brain markers of neuroinflammation, a recognized contributor to Alzheimer’s disease development and progression. Read more.

Roche Canada announces that Health Canada has authorized Vabysmo® (faricimab injection) for use in the treatment of wet, or neovascular, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) and macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). These leading causes of vision loss affect around 70 million people worldwide. Read more.

Cytiva collaborates with Cellular Origins to deliver automated robotic manufacturing capabilities for cell and gene therapies. Currently, 47% of referred patients get access to CAR-T therapies. The personalized nature of CAR-T therapies and their clinical effectiveness have made them a game-changer for patients. However, current manufacturing practices heavily depend on manual labor, adding to the complexity and variability of the processes. Read more.

SFU and UBC announce they are co-leading the expansion of a nationally funded innovation program for Lab2Market (L2M), known as the Lab2Market Pacific Hub. The Lab2Market network received $32 Million in funding through grants administered by the Government of Canada. Read more.

HEALWELL AI has completed the equity tranche of its previously announced upsized $55 million bought deal financing, raising gross proceeds of $25.5M. Read more.

AbbVie completes acquisition of Nimble Therapeutics. The acquisition adds potential novel oral peptide IL23R inhibitor for psoriasis as well as a peptide synthesis, screening and optimization platform to strengthen AbbVie’s pipeline and R&D capabilities. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Government of Canada signs a bilateral agreement with New Brunswick to improve access to drugs for rare diseases. The first step in this bilateral agreement will be to deliver funding to support the province for four drugs under the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases. Read more.

The province, through the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), has invested $5.3 million into the design, construction, and deployment of new mobile MRI and CT scanners. Read more.

Kudos

Kudos to LifeLabs for being named Canada’s Most Trusted Health Diagnostic Service Provider by the 2025 BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards. Read more.

Sofia Graham, Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Govind Kaigala’s Lab, received a $60,000 grant from the Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada for her research project. Congratulations! Read more.

Congratulations to GlycoNet Investigator and University of Alberta professor Dr. Matthew Macauley on receiving the X-Chem Research Excellence Award. Read more.

People on the Move

The School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of British Columbia welcomes Dr. Yanpu He to its faculty roster as an Assistant Professor. Read more.

Applications Open

Apply to CASTL’s 2025 Course Catalogue, which offers a range of biomanufacturing training options. The course offers in-person or online lectures and hands-on workshops in various locations to tailor you and your team’s needs. Use the discount code NEWYEAR15 to save 15% off on desired courses. Learn more.

The Stem Cell Network and Mitacs offer the Mitacs Accelerate Program, an 8-month internship for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in biotech companies in the medicine research sector. Apply by February 28, 2025. Learn more.

Applications open for BioTalent Canada’s Career Starter program to benefit employers while helping youth transition into the job market. Employers participating can receive 60% of a youth’s salary, up to $20,000 in employer support. Learn more or contact askme@biotalent.ca.

Apply to GlycoNet’s Call for Abstracts to present your abstract at the upcoming Glyco27 conference. Showcase your findings in glycomics, glycobiology of disease, tools to drive glycobiology, glycans in immunology, or emerging concepts in glycans. The deadline is February 10, 2025. Learn more.

Need to get out there as a Medtech or Biotech startup? Apply to EFFERVESCENCE’s Start-Up Pitch Competition and get the opportunity to present at their annual conference. Increase your visibility, benefit from personalized coaching, have networking opportunities, and win prizes. The application is due on February 10, 2025. Learn more.

Join Innovate BC’s kick-off event Road to Web Summit Vancouver to gain insights into how BC startups can maximize their Web Summit Vancouver experience to support their growth. Register for the event on February 5, 2025. Learn more.

UBC is developing its Master of Biomedical Visualization and Communication (MBMVC) program. This program trains graduates to simplify complex science into clear visuals for the biotech industry. Join their Zoom focus group to help align it with BC’s biotech needs. Apply by January 31, 2025. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

Genevant Sciences Corp. - Genevant Sciences is a technology-focused nucleic acid delivery company with world-class platforms, the industry’s most robust and expansive lipid nanoparticle (LNP) patent estate, and decades of experience and expertise in nucleic acid drug delivery and development. Genevant leverages extensive nucleic acid drug delivery and development experience and expertise to develop new medicines for patients who need them. This is done by selectively collaborating with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies who seek access to our platforms, technologies, systems and patent estate. Learn more.

[Individual] Vivek Balasubramanyam - Vivek's career in the US medical device industry includes roles in engineering, sales, marketing, product management, and business strategy at both early-stage startups and large manufacturers. Originally from Ontario, he is relocating to Vancouver after 25 years of working in respiratory diagnostics and diabetes monitoring in California. He looks forward to contributing his experience and learning about technology innovation in BC. Learn more.

DHR Global - DHR is a leading, privately-held provider of executive search, leadership consulting, and emerging leader search solutions in more than 50 markets spanning 22 countries. With expertise in more than 20 industries and functional areas, DHR pairs clients with resourceful consultants who have the most experience in their world. For more than 305 years, DHR Global has solved talent challenges by being connected, accountable, attentive, and prepared to hit the ground running to ensure clients have the best talent available.

Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

February 13 - Life Sciences BC's Preparing for Growth: IP Considerations and Methods of Going Public.

This event focuses on intellectual property (IP) in the growth of a company and how the strategic management of IP assets can advance the outcome and valuation of a deal. Learn more about IPs and taking your life sciences company to public from esteemed speakers, Lisa Thorne and Tara Amiri.

February 26 - Join us for our 10th Annual Access to Innovation conference.

This premier full-day gathering welcomes life sciences leaders and trailblazers from academia, research, health institutions, government, and industry to engage in insightful discussions on the ever-evolving trends, developments, and policies shaping British Columbia’s thriving sector.

AbbVie Completes Acquisition of Nimble Therapeutics

AbbVie announced that it has completed its acquisition of Nimble Therapeutics. With the completion of the acquisition, Nimble is now a part of AbbVie...Read more.

AbbVie and Neomorph Announce Collaboration to Develop Molecular Glue Degraders for Oncology and Immunology

AbbVie and Neomorph, Inc. announced a collaboration and option-to-license agreement to develop novel molecular glue degraders for multiple targets across oncology and immunology...Read more.

InMed Pharmaceuticals Announces Granting of Patent for Novel Compounds

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. announces it has been granted an international Patent Cooperation Treaty (‘PCT’) patent in the first of several jurisdictions where the patent has been filed...Read more.

Rakovina Therapeutics Comments on $500 Billion AI Infrastructure Investment and Its Implications for Healthcare Innovation

Rakovina Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of AI-driven drug discovery, commented on the announcement of a $500 billion private-sector investment into AI infrastructure...Read more.

HEALWELL AI Closes the $25.5M Equity Tranche of its Upsized Bought Deal Financing

 HEALWELL AI Inc. is pleased to announce that it has completed the first tranche (the “Initial Closing”) of its previously announced $55 million bought deal private placement financing...Read more.

LifeLabs Named Canada’s Most Trusted Health Diagnostic Service Provider for Third Consecutive Year by BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards

LifeLabs is proud to announce that it has been named Canada’s Most Trusted Health Diagnostic Service Provider for the third year in a row by the 2025 BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards...Read more.

InMed’s INM-901 Demonstrates Statistically Significant Reduction in Neuroinflammation in a Long-Term Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease Study

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. announces positive results from a long-term in vivo preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease (‘AD’) study...Read more.

GlycoNet Investigator Awarded X-Chem Research Excellence Award

The 2025 recipient of the X-Chem Research Excellence Award is GlycoNet Investigator and University of Alberta professor, Dr. Matthew Macauley, MCIC...Read more.

Nurse Home Visits for First-time Mothers Target Intimate Partner Violence to Boost Child Health Outcomes: SFU Study

A study of one such program in British Columbia showed a 16 per cent increase in annual income ($1,629.74) and fewer mental health problems for mothers by the time their children were age two years...Read more.

Health Canada Authorizes Vabysmo® (faricimab injection) Pre-Filled Syringe (PFS) for Three Leading Causes of Vision Loss

Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) is pleased to announce that Health Canada has authorized Vabysmo® (faricimab injection) for use in a 6.0 mg single-use pre-filled syringe...Read more.

SBME Welcomes Dr. Yanpu He

he School of Biomedical Engineering is pleased to welcome Dr. Yanpu He to our faculty roster as an Assistant Professor. Dr. He is the first faculty recruitment as a part of the B.C. MS Cell Therapies Translational Research Network…Read more.

Sofia Graham Awarded Grant from the Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada

Congratulations to Sofia Graham, Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Govind Kaigala’s Lab for receiving a $60,000 grant from the Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada for her research project...Read more.

Cellular Origins and Cytiva are Collaborating to Deliver Automated Robotic Manufacturing Capabilities for Cell and Gene Therapies

Cytiva and Cellular Origins have entered into a collaboration designed to revolutionize the manufacture of cell therapies...Read more.

Focusing on the Wellbeing of Long-term Care Residents

Sitting in front of a TV all day isn’t what we envision for our loved ones in long-term care. Without social connections and strong support, long-term care can be lonely and isolating for many residents...Read more.

First Patient in Ontario Treated with Publicly Funded Pluvicto™ in a Major Step Forward for Advanced Prostate Cancer Care

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. (Novartis) is pleased to announce that eligible patients in Ontario now have access to Pluvicto™...Read more.

Building Futures: How Colliers Facilitated a Milestone Cancer Care Transaction

In the heart of Toronto’s Discovery District, life-changing and life-saving research is a part of daily life amidst Toronto’s hospital row along University Avenue...Read more.

Regulatory Affairs Associate

We are currently seeking for a dynamic Regulatory Affairs Associate who will be responsible to register and maintain regulatory approvals in the global markets that the RAMP products are sold in to support the core purpose of saving lives globally through providing tools that aid in diagnosis in acute care settings...Learn more

Administrative Coordinator

The Administrative Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the efficient and smooth operation of the office including supporting shipping, receiving, courier activities, and providing broad support to the Genevant team as required...Learn more

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position in Nanomedicine or Chemical Biology

The major focus of this position will be the development of a cutting-edge, externally-funded, world-class research program. Other responsibilities will include teaching nanomedicine/drug delivery or chemical biology and other related topics...Learn more

Center of Excellence Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunogenecity Mitigation and Immunopeptidomics

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow with previous training in immunology and biochemistry to help develop the next generation of screening tools to identify and quantify the presence of immunogenic sequences, motifs, and structures in candidate therapeutic molecules...Learn more

Detector Product Engineer

In this position you will have a hands-on role in ensuring we fully understand our detector performance. The duties and responsibilities include production validation and application engineering, product verification, problem solving, and more...Learn more

R&D Process Development Engineer

Join our R&D Process Development team in a hands-on position where you will work with semiconductor manufacturing tools, execute advanced data and root cause analyses to develop novel techniques that advance our technology development...Learn more

Hardware Test Engineer

This role is crucial in designing test hardware, maintaining production equipment, troubleshooting issues, and conducting user training to ensure a robust and reliable test system infrastructure...Learn more

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

As a member of the Manufacturing Engineering team, you will be expected to have a wide breadth of knowledge of all production processes and act as the first point of contact for any feedback or problems raised by the manufacturing team...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

Director, Diagnostics Manufacturing

The Director, Diagnostics Manufacturing will be a key driver of Augurex’s commercial success, positioning the company as a leader in autoimmune diagnostics...Learn more

Director, Finance

This role is a steppingstone to the senior leadership team, and an ideal role for an ambitious, hands-on finance professional with a breadth of skills and desire to apply their financial and business acumen in a rapidly growing company...LLearn more

Senior Research Associate II, In Vitro Biology

The In Vitro Biology group is responsible for the in vitro functional characterization and advancement of Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) therapeutic candidates and platform technologies...Learn more

Procurement manager

The Procurement Manager will be responsible for overseeing the sourcing and purchasing of critical materials, services, and technologies. The candidate will be responsible for managing relationships with Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and other critical vendors...Learn more

Post Doctoral Fellow

We are seeking a Biologist with experience in immunology, oncology and/or molecular biology to work across multiple program areas for the development of novel therapeutics...Learn more

Animal Care Technician

Reporting to the Scientist, In Vivo, you will play a crucial role in supporting various research programs by providing essential technical support and expertise...Learn more

Associate, Histology

Reporting to the Scientist II, you will conduct routine histology, perform immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays and analyze histological images to support our various preclinical programs...Learn more

Associate II, In Vivo

Reporting to the Director, In Vivo Sciences, you will be responsible for performing surgical procedures and ensuring the highest level of animal care. This role offers the exceptional chance to broaden your technical expertise in animal surgery...Learn more

Senior Scientist, Cryopreservation Process Development

In this pivotal role, you will develop and optimize packaging processes, with a key focus on cryogenic preservation, formulation, stability, and shipping logistics to ensure the integrity and viability of our BTTs across all stages of operation...Learn more

Manager, Quality Control Microbiology

Reporting to the CTOO, you will oversee and execute essential activities to ensure microbial control across materials, environments, and processes for Aspect’s bioprinted tissue therapeutics...Learn more

Senior Health Economist

In this role, you will conduct critical economic analyses, quantitative/qualitative health economics and health services research, develop and execute analytic models for economic evaluation, use research and design tools, and prepare and present your reports...Learn more

Indigenous Pathways Project Coordinator (Contract Position)

The Indigenous Pathways Project Coordinator is responsible for leading project management of Indigenous pathways into genomics programs, coordinating projects and portfolio efforts related to SING Canada initiatives, and managing Indigenous governance initiatives...Learn more

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