November 27, 2025 - Three weeks left in the LSBC year! | | |
This week:
- Wendy Hurlburt at the BC-PQ Biotech Connect event
- Pathway to Cures Invests in SeraGene Therapeutics
- Students and Job Seekers: Find Your Next Opportunity at Career Connect Day
- Discover how CASTL Elevate BC Can Help Meet Your Workforce Needs
- Access to Innovation - Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available!
| | Wendy Hurlburt at the BC-PQ Biotech Connect event | | LSBC President & CEO Wendy Hurlburt shared insights on BC’s life sciences sector at the BC-PQ Biotech Connect event on November 26, 2025, emphasizing collaboration opportunities between Quebec and British Columbia. Building on the LSBC–BIOQuébec MOU announced in May this year, she highlighted how the provinces can leverage complementary strengths to accelerate innovation, investment, talent mobility, and commercialization. This strategic partnership and growing interprovincial ties strengthen Canada’s position as a global life sciences leader, advancing shared healthcare and economic goals. | | Pathway to Cures Invests in SeraGene Therapeutics | | |
Pathway to Cures, the venture philanthropy fund of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation announces an investment in SeraGene Therapeutics. Co-founded by Dr. Pieter Cullis, SeraGene’s uses advanced lipid nanoparticles to transport RNA directly to liver cells, unlocking greater treatment precision and reducing frequent dosing compared to traditional approaches. The investment reflects confidence in SeraGene's technology. Read more.
The potential for SeraGene’s innovative therapies to improve lives in our bleeding disorders community, especially for women and girls, makes this an exciting partnership for us,” said Teri Willey, Managing Director and Officer of NBDF’s Pathway to Cures venture fund.
| | Students & Job Seekers: Find Your Next Opportunity at Career Connect Day | | Join us on January 23 and start the year off by connecting with some of the leading life sciences employers at LSBC's Career Connect Day. Make meaningful connections that can transform your future! In the afternoon explore our extensive job exhibition and make an impression in person. Build your network and explore what roles are currently in demand. Learn more and register today. | | Discover how the CASTL Elevate BC Program Can Help Meet Your Workforce Needs | | Join us for a 30-minute virtual info session on December 2 to learn how employers are successfully engaging CASTL On-the-Job Trainees, skilled individuals reskilled for roles in life sciences. Learn more and sign-up for the info session here. | | Access to Innovation - Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available! | | |
Join us on February 25, 2026, for our annual Access to Innovation Conference, showcasing how cutting-edge research is translated into real-world health and economic impact. Centered on the theme “Discovery to Impact: Life Sciences in Action,” the event explores the journey from early discovery through development, and adoption, with a particular emphasis on the transformative role of AI across the sector. Register here.
There is still ample opportunity to help shape the content of this event by getting involved as a sponsor. Contact Kareena Jassal at membership@lifesciencesbc.ca.
| | |
BeOne announces FDA priority review for sonrotoclax for the treatment of relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. Read more.
ARC Medical announced the successful deployment of JOCOAT™ in its 20th orthopedic surgery patient. Early clinical data suggest there may be an improvement in the affected joint’s range of motion and patient mobility. Based on these promising results, ARC is now initiating a clinical trial in knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair surgeries. Read more.
| | AbbVie Canada and adMare BioInnovations Announce New Biotech Innovators Award | | |
Congratulations to AbbVie Canada and adMare BioInnovations for launching the AbbVie Biotech Innovators Award, which will provide one promising early-stage Canadian biotech startup with one-year of laboratory space, office space and access to shared equipment at adMare’s Montreal Innovation Centre at no cost. The recipient will also benefit from mentorship by AbbVie’s scientific and business executives. Learn more.
Canada lifts the visa requirement for Qatari citizens. Introducing visa-free travel for Qatari citizens makes it faster and easier for travellers to visit Canada for business or leisure. This milestone underscores the strength of our bilateral cooperation, and helps boost growth in tourism, business, and investment. Read more.
Canada announces commitment to the global fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. Canada pledges to the Global Fund’s eighth replenishment – a total of $1.02 billion over three years. Read more.
| | |
Kardium Inc. was named Business of the Year by the Burnaby Board of Trade, recognizing the company’s strong innovation and growth. Read more
Congrats to Dr. David Huntsman on receiving the Terry Fox Medal. His groundbreaking work gynecologic cancer research is making a real difference. Read more.
| | |
Amy Rudolph, a seasoned pharma leader, has joined the board of Thryv Therapeutics. Her experience in drug development will help support the company as it works on new treatments for serious heart conditions. Read more
Labcorp has added Victor Bulto, President of Novartis U.S., to its Board. His long experience in healthcare leadership will help support LabCorp’s future growth and innovation. Read more
Novartis Canada appointed Dimitri Gitas as new Country President. With two decades of international healthcare experience, he will guide the company’s efforts to advance innovation and broaden patient access to its treatments in Canada. Read more
The Stemcell Network has appointed a new Board Chair Tamer Mohamed and Vice-Chair Nadine Beauger, and welcomed four new board members, John Alho, Wayne Critchley, Susan Marlin, and Liz Williams. Former Chair Declan Hamill will stay on the board for one more year to support the transition. Read more
Dr. Mary Jung has been appointed the new Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, starting January 2026. She’s a UBC Okanagan professor known for her work in diabetes prevention programs. Read more
| | |
Biotech Showcase 2026 during J.P. Morgan Healthcare week offers presentation opportunities for biotech, seed-stage, and tech bio companies. Applications run from August 2025 to January 2026, giving innovators a chance to gain visibility with investors and potential partners. Read more
CASTL’s BIS programs offer online training to help people start careers in Canada’s life sciences field. The Foundations program is for those with science experience, and Industry Essentials is for those without. Both include interactive learning, and Foundations offers an optional hands-on biomanufacturing add-on. Read more
The BioTalent Canada Career Starter Program helps youth facing barriers get their first job in Canada's bio-economy. Employers can receive funding up to $20,000 to support hiring and training, making it easier to bring new talent into the industry. Read more.
| | See our expanded list of current life sciences opportunities on our website. | | |
| Zucara Therapeutics is developing ZT-01, a first-in-class, once-daily therapeutic to prevent insulin-induced hypoglycemia in patients using insulin therapy. ZT-01 is designed to inhibit somatostatin, a pancreatic hormone that impairs the glucagon response to hypoglycemia in people with insulin dependent diabetes. ZT-01 restores glucagon secretion to prevent hypoglycemia, which could dramatically change diabetes disease management and improve both patient health and quality of life. Learn more | | |
Cadena Research is a CRO created by the CPDC (Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization) to accelerate the development of radiopharmaceuticals. We offer laboratory services to support the preclinical development of radiopharmaceuticals, and our advisory services help you navigate the drug development and approval process. Learn more
| | |
Until next week!
LSBC Team
| | January 23 - The Life Sciences BC’s 7th Annual Career Connect Day brings together life-sciences employers, students, and job-seekers for a full day of career talks, company training program previews, and networking. It includes presentations about jobs and leadership in the sector plus a job fair and exhibitor hall. |
| February 25 - The 11th Annual Access to Innovation conference brings together leaders from industry, research, government and health care to discuss how BC’s life-sciences innovations move from discovery to real-world impact. This year focuses on trends shaping the sector, including the growing role of AI, and offers talks, panels and networking opportunities. | | |
Merck Canada and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) successfully complete negotiations for WINREVAIR® (sotatercept)
Merck Canada and the pCPA have completed negotiations to advance public reimbursement for WINREVAIR®, a new treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension... Read more
| | |
| |
ARC Medical Announces JOCOAT™ Successfully Deployed in 20th Orthopedic Surgery Patient
ARC Medical announced that its JOCOAT device has now been successfully used in 20 orthopedic surgeries. Early results suggest it may help improve movement after surgery, and a clinical trial for knee patients is underway... Read more
| | |
| |
BD, NAFC and MedShare Expand Health Access, Bring Critical Ultrasound Technology to Free and Charitable Clinics in 30 States
BD, the NAFC, and MedShare have supplied portable ultrasound devices to clinics in 30 states to improve imaging access for underserved patients... Read more
| | |
| |
CASTL Launches BioWorks Accelerate Program to Strengthen Canada’s Biomanufacturing Workforce
CASTL has launched the BioWorks Accelerate Program, a four-week training course that helps new and transitioning workers gain practical skills for entry-level roles in Canada’s biomanufacturing sector... Read more
| | |
| |
Getinge introduces New Version of Solsus 66 to Meet CSSD Efficiency Needs
Getinge has introduced an updated Solsus 66 steam sterilizer with a simpler interface, flexible steam options, and improved energy and water efficiency for hospital sterile departments... Read more
| | |
| |
BD Surgiphor™ Surgical Wound Irrigation System Expands to Europe to Help Hospitals Improve Patient Safety
BD has introduced its Surgiphor wound-cleaning system to Europe after earning safety approval. It’s a ready-to-use sterile solution that helps surgeons clean wounds during operations, reducing germs and lowering the risk of infection to keep patients safer... Read more
| | |
| |
NervGen Pharma – Announces Expanded CONNECT SCI Study Data Demonstrating Unprecedented Durable Improvement in Function, Independence, and Quality of Life in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
NervGen Pharma says its drug NVG-291 helped people with long-term spinal cord injuries improve movement and everyday independence, with the benefits lasting well after treatment... Read more
| | |
| |
New Clinical Evidence on Hologic’s AI-Powered Mammography Solutions Will Be Unveiled at RSNA
Hologic is sharing new research showing that its AI tools can help doctors review mammograms more quickly while still detecting breast cancer effectively... Read more
| | |
| |
U.S. FDA Grants Priority Review to Sonrotoclax for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma
The FDA is fast-tracking Sonrotoclax, a new drug that shows strong early results for treating mantle cell lymphoma after other treatments stop working... Read more
| | | | |
UBC ‘Body-Swap’ Robot helps Reveal how the Brain Keeps us Upright
UBC researchers used a robot to learn how the brain keeps us balanced, showing that timing and body signals work together to help us stay upright.... Read more
| | |
| |
Chief Business Officer
This role involves leading TRIUMF’s commercialization and partnership strategy, guiding technology transfer, licensing, and new venture development. The Chief Business Officer will build industry and government relationships to translate research into real-world impact and support long-term organizational growth... Learn more
| | |
| |
Senior Software Engineer – Platform Technology
HTuO Biosciences is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to develop high-performance software for molecular modeling and drug discovery. The role includes building scalable platforms, optimizing algorithms, and improving system performance. Requires expertise in C++, Python, and CUDA.... Learn more
| | |
| Post a Job on the LSBC Website | |
LSBC Membership Discounts on Job Postings
As an LSBC member, your first five job postings can be reposted on BioTalent Canada's The Petri Dish. Want more info? Contact membership@lifesciencesbc.ca
| | If you haven't already, sign-up for this and our weekly events newsletter | | Follow LSBC on Social Media | | | | |
