Life Sciences BC News, February 27, 2025

Gain visibility, upskill, and make connections to build your high-growth life sciences company. Apply for our Life Sciences Growth Catalyst Project. Companies should be at a stage with plans to expand their workforce over the next 2 years and/or pathway to revenue and/or be in an investment cycle of Seed or Series A/B with a raise goal of over $10 million. 

Apply today! Submit ten slides about your company science, recent milestones, team and board members, clinical stage (if applicable), market proposition, investment cycle details, and workforce growth goals to Ryan Butt, Director, Partnerships & Events rbutt@lifesciencesbc.ca, by noon on March 6, 2025.

Congratulations to BC companies presenting at the Bloom Burton & Co. Healthcare Investor Conference on May 5-6. 2025. Of the 66 companies invited to present, 14 are LSBC members, representing 21.5% of the total. Good luck to AbCellera, Abdera Therapeutics, Alpha-9 Oncology, Aspect Biosystems, Canary Medical, Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals, HEALWELL AI, NervGen Pharma, Reverb Therapeutics, Sonic Incytes, WELL Health Technologies, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Zucara Therapeutics, and Zymeworks!

Member Highlights 

Variational AI announces oversubscribed $5.5 Million financing to launch foundation model for small molecule drug discovery. Read more.

Reverb Therapeutics announces the successful completion of our $12 million seed financing, led by Amplitude Ventures. Read more.

UBC Faculty of Medicine and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine used a precision medicine approach—combining artificial intelligence, multi-omics and patient-centred strategies—to uncover a lifesaving treatment for rare inflammatory disease. Read more.

Michael Smith Health Research BC released a situational analysis of BC’s clinical trials ecosystem. The report identifies strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for enhancing BC’s clinical trial capabilities. We hosted a panel at this year’s Access to Innovation discussing how to put the report’s findings into action. Read the report here. 

CASTL, in partnership with BioTalent Canada and Future Skills Centre (FSC), has just released a timely report titled Future-Ready: Developing Key Competencies for Canada’s Biomanufacturing Workforce. The report addresses the critical workforce challenges in Canada’s rapidly growing biomanufacturing sector and offers actionable recommendations to help employers bridge the skills gap and build a future-ready workforce. Read the report here.

Zymeworks Inc. announces the achievement of a $14 million cash research milestone from GSK associated with a clinical milestone. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Government of Canada purchases avian influenza vaccine to secure supply and protect those vulnerable to health risks. Read more.

Kudos

IQVIA’s AI Assistant has been awarded a 2024 PM360 Innovation Award in the Artificial Intelligence category. Congratulations! Read more.

Kudos to Dr. Karolina Valente, CEO of VoxCell BioInnovation, for being recognized in The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business 2025 Changemakers Awards. Read more.

Congratulations to Laura Schummers from UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences on her 2025 Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia Early Career Award. Read more.

Applications Open

Apply for Canada-South Korea 2025-2026 collaborative industrial research and development (R&D) Call for Proposals. SMEs in Canada and South Korea can apply for co-innovation funding, with potential of up to 50% of project costs reimbursement and up to $600,000 in funding. The deadline is March 19, 2025. Learn more.

Applications open for Stem Cell Network’s RNA-seq Analysis Workshop, a program filled with hands-on experience and expert-led training focused on bulk and single-cell RNA-seq technologies. The deadline is April 16, 2025. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

VoxCell Bioinnovations - VoxCell is creating an extraordinary line of solutions for the drug development industry and the field of Oncology research by creating vascularized cancer tissue models. Learn more. 

DCx Biotherapeutics - DCx Biotherapeutics’ vision is to develop 1st-in-class Precision Drug Conjugates (PDC’s) against underserved cancers by designing biological synergies between antibodies and payloads to be more efficacious and significantly less toxic than traditional antibody drug conjugates. DCx is harnessing internal target discovery platforms combined with deep bioinformatics and translational sciences to advance a pipeline of immune-stimulatory PDCs to improve therapeutic outcomes against genetically-defined cancers. Learn more.

Pullan Consulting - Pullan Consulting provides consultation for biotech partnering, outreach, presentation decks, value proposition messages, market analysis, valuations, deal models and financial terms as well as licensing negotiations from deal initiation to term sheets to final agreements. Learn more.

Carlee Harrison - Carlee is a business development professional here in the Vancouver area with expertise and focus on talent resourcing and outsourced solution to support customers in a flexible way. She has a passion for learning and keen investment in the life science space across BC as it continues to grow the ecosystem locally. She is excited to be apart of this group to continue to learn about what is important to the different stakeholders in this community. Learn more.

Dr. Marco Retzlaff - How can Life Science companies build stronger, more effective quality management and compliance processes, quickly and reliably? That’s the question I help answer. With over a decade in pharmaceuticals and biotech, I bring a pragmatic, innovative approach focused on delivering value, ensuring speed, and being a reliable partner every day. I’m excited to share insights that drive operational excellence and lasting impact for LSBC members. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

March 6 - Join us for Blakes Breakfast Speaking Series: Going Public Strategies: Insights, Methods and Preparedness in Today’s Market

Join us for this hybrid event, featuring insights from across the financial and legal sectors. Hear from US and Canadian lawyers, bankers, and a company that has successfully completed its IPO. Gain valuable perspectives on the latest in industry trends, regulatory landscapes, and methods to take your company public – all in one dynamic event.

April 2 - Attend the Life Sciences BC Showcase Series: Vancouver Island event 

The Life Sciences BC Showcase Series: Vancouver Island event offers a unique opportunity to explore the latest developments in the region and discover cutting-edge research and innovation happening on the Island. The event will feature sector-leading guest speakers from the life sciences ecosystem.

How the Brain Heals Itself After a Stroke

The study, recently published in Nature Neuroscience, investigated the role of stromal progenitor cells (SPCs), a group of brain cells that includes pericytes and perivascular fibroblasts...Read more.

Getinge’s New DPTE®-FLEX Alpha Port Enables Gloveless Component Transfer, Minimizing Human Intervention and Contamination Risks in Pharmaceutical Production

Getinge is introducing its new DPTE®-FLEX, a manual, externally openable port...Read more.

Zymeworks Announces Achievement of $14 Million Milestone from GSK Collaboration

Zymeworks Inc. announced achievement of a $14 million cash research milestone from GSK associated with a clinical milestone...Read more.

Rakovina Therapeutics and Variational AI Strengthen Partnership

Rakovina Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company advancing cancer therapies based on DNA-damage response technologies, proudly reaffirms its strategic partnership with Variational AI…Read more.

GSK’s Nucala (mepolizumab) Accepted for Review by Health Canada for the Treatment of COPD

GSK has submitted a Supplementary New Drug Submission to Health Canada to expand the use of Nucala (mepolizumab) to include add-on maintenance treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease...Read more.

Ultrasound Improves Cancer Detection in Women with Dense Breasts

The study found that supplemental ultrasound screening following a normal mammogram led to the detection of 32 breast cancers...Read more.

National Survey Reveals Low Understanding of Shingles Risk Factors and Lack of Concern Among Those at Increased Risk

A new national survey of Canadian adults reveals significant gaps in understanding of shingles risk factors and a lack of concern among those most at risk of the viral infection...Read more.

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Data from RESOLVE Phase 1b/2a Trial of EP-104GI for Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced additional positive clinical data from its ongoing RESOLVE Phase 1b/2a trial evaluating EP-104GI for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (“EoE”)...Read more.

Labcorp Announces Clinical Availability of Liquid Biopsy Test to Guide Personalized Treatment Plans for Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors

Labcorp, a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, announced the clinical availability of Labcorp® Plasma CompleteTM, a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)...Read more.

IQVIA AI Assistant wins 2024 PM360 Innovation Award for Artificial Intelligence

IQVIA announced that IQVIA AI Assistant has been awarded a 2024 PM360 Innovation Award in the Artificial Intelligence category...Read more.

Precision Medicine Finds Lifesaving Treatment for Rare Inflammatory Disease

In a new study, researchers from the UBC Faculty of Medicine and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine used a precision medicine approach to uncover a lifesaving treatment...Read more.

Variational AI Announces Oversubscribed $5.5 Million Financing to Launch Foundation Model for Small Molecule Drug Discovery

Variational AI, the company behind Enki™, an advanced foundation model for small molecule drug discovery, announced the completion of its oversubscribed $US5.5 million Seed extension round...Read 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.

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.

Research Associate I, In Vitro Biology

The In Vitro Biology is responsible for the in vitro functional characterization and advancement of Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) therapeutic candidates and platform technologies. The candidate supports pipeline program advancement and contributes to platform technology improvements and innovation...Learn more.

Senior Site Reliability Engineer

Design, develop, and maintain tools, pipelines, and infrastructure to streamline continuous software delivery for internal scientific software, support computing clusters and web applications, oversee research-supporting software, and manage standardized development environments...Learn more.

Research Assistant – Lab Coordinator

The role primarily focus on maintaining the daily operational functions of the laboratory, ensuring the delivery of consistent and reliable lab services. The candidate will assist with the recruitment and enrolment of ongoing industry, grant funded and Investigator-initiated clinical trials...Learn more.

Director, Business Operations

This role drives operational efficiency, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration. The individual will oversee core business processes, lead initiatives to optimize workflows, and ensure alignment with corporate goals, compliance standards, and financial objectives...Learn more.

Director, Medical Affairs

This role is responsible for defining and implementing KOL strategies to develop and maintain positive KOL endorsement and product champions for Eupraxia in all aspects of Ep104 use. The role will also lead Eupraxia medical education initiatives and conference activities...Learn more.

Laboratory Technician

The Laboratory Technician will conduct accurate diagnostic specimen testing and reporting, reinforcing our position as a pioneer in autoimmune diagnostics. This role demands meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality and efficiency to uphold our high standards...Learn more.

Education Engagement Coordinator

Customer-focused, highly organized Education Engagement Coordinator to expand the reach and impact of our Geneskool® program. You excel at building relationships and will connect educators, host institutions and volunteers with engaging life sciences experiences...Learn more.

Lead Histology Technician

The Lead Histology Technician will conduct and manage routine histology tasks, perform and optimize immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays, and analyze histological images to support our various preclinical programs...Learn more.

Business Development Officer

We require a technically sound individual to present the available services and to convert leads into partners, leveraging a diverse array of grants and other funding options...Learn more.

Project Manager: High Growth Accelerator

The role manages our new accelerator program. To fill this position, we are looking for an energetic and positive individual who is efficient, great with details, and solutions-oriented, and someone who enjoys working in an exciting, fast-paced environment...Learn more.

Vice President, Business Development

This is a senior role in the Business Development team and will take a leading role in partnering Eupraxia’s products and technology, commercial, strategic and portfolio planning, alliance management, financial analysis and modelling, and business development operations...Learn more.

Principal Scientist, CMC, Drug Product

The candidate will be responsible for leading the development of suitable formulations for the in vivo assessment (including for GLP toxicology studies) of novel chemical compounds originating from our Discovery team...Learn more

Program & Partnerships Coordinator

This role will assist with preparations and execution of International Conferences and Invest in BC. They will lead on member reach out and recruitment for these conferences. Another key role will be tracking on global investors and companies in the Catalyst Growth Program...Learn more.

Engineer I

The Engineer I is responsible for supporting engineering, production, and shop activities within the Process Equipment Design group. This includes the assembly, testing, packaging, and inventory management of LIPEX® products and equipment...Learn more.

Director of Formulation & Process Development

The Director will drive Vancouver Laboratories (VAN) activities in support of contract lipid-based drug product development. Will lead multifunctional teams ensuring the successful delivery of complex customer projects...Learn more.

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