Life Sciences BC News, November 7, 2024

LSBC was honoured to be recognized as a finalist for the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Business Distinction Awards in the category of non-profit of the year. Congratulations to the well-deserving recipient of the award, Canuck Place Children's Hospice and all the other category finalists: BC Centre for Ability, BC Parks Foundation, and Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland.

LSBC events are an excellent opportunity to build relationships with potential clients, partners, and investors. Many deals are the result of long-term engagements with multiple touchpoints and a timeline of months if not years. 

Our McCarthy Spotlight Speaking Series are a great way to network. Join us on November 19, 2024 and make some new connections or build existing ones. This event will feature the SMEs recognized as LSBC Companies to Watch at our Awards in September as well as Dr. Lakshmi Krishnan, VP of Life Sciences for the National Research Council Canada. Register here.

Another LSBC benefit that members have highlighted is savings and representation at international conferences such as BIO, MedTech, and the upcoming J.P. Morgan (JPM) Healthcare Conference on January 13-16, 2025. If this is your first time at the conference, or you would like a refresher, we are hosting a webinar, Preparing for J.P. Morgan Healthcare Week next week on November 14. Christian Barrow, Executive Director, Life Sciences at J.P. Morgan will be joining us. Register here.

Do you work in life sciences but don't have a scientific background?

Want to gain a foundational understanding and have more confidence when speaking with colleagues and clients?

Registration for our BioBasics 101 on December 4-5 is now open. Learn more.

Member Highlights 

Kapoose Creek Bio has secured an exclusive license of Adapsyn Bioscience’s preeminent chemical informatics platform, and has acquired its state-of-the art drug discovery lab and globally recognized talent. Read more.

Zymeworks Inc. has announced that the first patient has been dosed in the company’s first-in-human Phase 1 trial (NCT06555744) to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the investigational therapy ZW191 in the treatment of advanced folate receptor-⍺ (FR⍺)-expressing solid tumors. Read more.

Moderna and Novocol Pharma are proud to announce the inauguration of a new mRNA vaccine fill-finish production line at Novocol’s facility in Ontario. Originally announced in May 2023, this partnership is supported by the Ontario Together Fund. Read more.

StarFish Medical has acquired Omnica Corporation, a Southern California powerhouse in medical device design and engineering. Read more.

Molecular You and My Viva Inc. are pleased to introduce their strategic partnership,to provide personalized nutrition and wellness coaching – combining cutting-edge biological testing, comprehensive lifestyle medicine, and digital health programming. Read more.

UVic has announced that future students can now apply to the new Faculty of Health, with the first cohort of students starting in May 2025. The new faculty will help address the complexities of health care in Canada by bringing together expertise across campus that will have far-reaching impacts. Read more.

WELL Health will acquire Canadian clinical assets from Jack Nathan Medical Corp. including a network of 16 owned and operated clinics, which generated revenue of over $10 million in the past 12 months. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Government of Canada announced an investment of over $4.3M to help transform Canada’s health systems through the Health System Impact Program. This funding comes from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and partners, Michael Smith Health Research BC and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé. Read more.

New LSBC Members

PolyTide Technology Inc. is a full stack AI driven research and development Biotech company based in Vancouver, Canada. We restructure polypeptide/protein molecules, to innovate/develop new drugs and new enzymes for human health and industry uses. Learn more.

Kudos

Congratulations to UBC, which has been ranked 2nd in Canada and 41st globally in the 2025 THE World University Rankings. Read more.

Tochtech Technologies has been selected as one of 16 SMEs nationally to participate in the envisAGE national initiative, created to propel Canada to the forefront of the AgeTech sector and foster quality aging nationwide. Read more.

Kudos to the Republic of Lithuania, as its “Vilnius-Lithuania iGEM” team excelled at the iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) competition in France. The team earned a top ten place and won the award for Best Manufacturing Project. Read more.

Congratulations to Farris, which has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Law Firms by Best Lawyers (2025), ranked as highly specialized in 32 practice areas. Read more.

Colliers has been named by Forbes as one of the World’s Best Employers 2024 for the second consecutive year. This prestigious accolade highlights Colliers’ commitment to fostering a strong corporate culture and creating an exceptional workplace for its professionals around the world. Read more.

Kudos to the dedicated cancer researchers funded by the Terry Fox Research Institute who have raised $157,874 as a part of this year’s Terry Fox Run Challenge. Read more.

Two PhD students and two postdoctoral fellows have been awarded Terry Fox Research Institute’s 2024 Research Training Awards! PhD students will receive a total of $47,000 per year for two to four years, and postdoctoral fellows will receive up to $223,000 over three years. Read more.

Applications Open

Applications open soon for Michael Smith Health Research BC’s 2024 Research Trainee Competition. These awards support talented postdoctoral or health professional researchers to build their careers in British Columbia. Register for the webinar on November 19 from 10 AM – 11 AM PT to learn about the competition! Learn more.

Applications are open for the 2025 edition of Science Meets Parliament (SMP), which continues to strengthen the connection between the science and policy communities. This program provides an excellent opportunity for researchers to learn about the inclusion of scientific evidence in policymaking in Parliament. Apply by November 22. Learn more.

Apply now for the National Research Council Canada’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program! This program offers promising scientists access to world-class facilities and the opportunity to work alongside multidisciplinary teams of expert researchers and technicians on projects of critical importance to Canada. Apply by December 18. Learn more.

Are you a student, postdoctoral fellow, early career researcher, or knowledge user who wants to attend a conference or event to present your research? Apply for the ICS Travel Awards to help cover your travel costs. Applications are due January 7. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. - Roche Pharmaceuticals is focused on translating excellence in science into effective medicines for patients in oncology, neurosciences, rare diseases, immunology, infectious diseases, hematology, hemophilia, and respiratory diseases. We combine cutting-edge research at Roche, Genentech in the U.S., Chugai in Japan and over 150 partners worldwide with strength in clinical development, manufacturing, and commercial operations.

We look for first-in-class or best-in-class opportunities that address diseases of unmet medical need and have the potential to revolutionize the standard of care. Thanks to our Pharmaceuticals Division’s broad-based portfolio, we are one of the world’s leading providers of clinically differentiated medicines. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

November 19 - Join us for the upcoming McCarthy Spotlight Speaking Series event.

Hear from our keynote speaker, Dr. Lakshmi Krishnan, Vice President of Life Sciences for National Research Council Canada.

This event also features the winners of LSBC’s 2024 Companies to Watch – Recognition Honour Roll! Meet the visionary leaders behind these companies as they share their success stories, achievements and what’s next.

December 4 & 5 - Life Sciences BC, in partnership with Biotech Primer, is pleased to present BioBasics 101: The Biology of Biotech for the Non-Scientist.

This intensive two-day ‘master course’ is designed to help non-scientists gain a foundational understanding of the science that forms the backbone of biopharma so that you can converse more effectively with colleagues, clients, regulators, and scientists.

Zymeworks Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 1 Clinical Trial Evaluating ZW191 in Folate Receptor-⍺ Expressing Advanced Solid Tumors

Zymeworks Inc. announced that the first patient has been dosed in the company’s first-in-human Phase 1 trial (NCT06555744)...Read more.

Expanded Age Indication for GSK’s AREXVY, the First Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine Approved in Canada for Adults Aged 50-59 at Increased Risk

GSK’s AREXVY has been approved in Canada for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by respiratory syncytial virus in adults 50-59 years of age who are at increased risk for RSV disease...Read more.

Colliers Named one of Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2024

Leading diversified professional services and investment management company Colliers (NASDAQ and TSX: CIGI) has been named by Forbes as one of the World’s Best Employers 2024 for the second consecutive year...Read more.

UVic Researchers Identify a Pathway to Better Cognitive Health for Diabetics

Interleukin-10 is a naturally occurring protein in mammals and it’s generally considered to be anti-inflammatory. However, a University of Victoria research team has shown that sometimes it actually creates a problem...Read more.

WELL Health to Acquire Canadian Clinical Assets of Jack Nathan Health and Begin Operating Clinics in Wal-Mart Stores to Grow Healthcare Clinic Network Across Canada

WELL Health Technologies Corp. is pleased to announce that it has entered into definitive agreements for the acquisition of the Canadian clinical assets of Jack Nathan Medical Corp....Read more.

New UVic Faculty at the Heart of Healthy People, Place and Planet

The University of Victoria’s new Faculty of Health will help address the complexities of health care in Canada by bringing together expertise across campus...Read more.

Stem Cell Network Welcomes Over 500 Delegates to Montréal for the 2024 Till & McCulloch Meetings

The Stem Cell Network is excited to welcome over 500 researchers, clinicians, and industry experts to Montréal for the 2024 Till & McCulloch Meetings (TMM), Canada’s premier stem cell and regenerative medicine conference...Read more.

Medtech Developer StarFish Medical Acquires California-based Omnica Corporation, Strengthening Base in a Major Market

StarFish Medical announced that it has acquired Omnica Corporation, a Southern California powerhouse in medical device design and engineering...Read more.

Collaboration Between My Viva Inc. and Molecular You to Elevate Preventive Care and Chronic Disease Management

My Viva Inc. and Molecular You are pleased to introduce their strategic partnership, which includes Revive Wellness, My Viva’s “living lab” and provider of personalized nutrition and wellness coaching...Read more.

Lithuanian Team Wins Gold Medal and Two Major Awards at iGEM

Lithuania has made a remarkable impression at the prestigious international synthetic biology competition, iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine), held in France...Read more.

Completion of Moderna’s Vaccine Production Line at Novocol Pharma Enhances Ontario’s Biomanufacturing Strength

Moderna and Novocol Pharma are proud to announce the inauguration of a new mRNA vaccine fill-finish production line at Novocol’s facility in Cambridge,

Ontario...Read more.

Tochtech Technologies Selected for envisAGE Canada-wide AgeTech Initiative

Tochtech is thrilled to be selected as one of 16 SMEs nationally to participate in the envisAGE national initiative, created to propel Canada to the forefront of the AgeTech sector and foster quality aging nationwide...Read more.

Labcorp Announces Availability of First Companion Diagnostic Assay to Identify Gastric Cancer Patients Eligible for Targeted Treatment with VYLOY™

Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, announced its readiness to begin providing the Roche VENTANA® CLDN18 (43-14A) RxDx Assay in the United States...Read more.

Eyam Expands Strategic Partnerships in Animal Health Driving Commercial Growth

Eyam Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics is excited to announce a new partnership with a global leader in animal health...Read more.

ESSA Pharma Announces Termination of Phase 2 Study Evaluating Masofaniten Combined with Enzalutamide in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

ESSA Pharma Inc. a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for the treatment of prostate cancer, announced that it has made the decision to terminate the Phase 2 clinical trial...Read more.

AbbVie and EvolveImmune Therapeutics Announce Collaboration and Option-to-License Agreement to Develop Next-Generation Cancer Biotherapeutics

AbbVie and EvolveImmune Therapeutics announced a collaboration and option-to-license agreement to develop multispecific biologics for multiple targets in oncology...Read more.

TFRI Partners with the Canadian Cancer Society to Co-fund Four Research Training Awards

The Terry Fox Research Institute has once again partnered with the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) to co-fund two PhD students and two postdoctoral fellows as part of the 2024 Research Training Awards...Read more.

Researchers Raise More than $157k for Cancer Research in 2024 Terry Fox Run Challenge

Dedicated cancer researchers funded by the Terry Fox Research institute continue to push the limits, raising $157,874 as part of this year’s Terry Fox Run Challenge...Read more.

Merck Canada Marks Health Literacy Month by Publishing a Roundtable Report on Immunization

Merck is marking the end of Health Literacy Month by publishing an immunization roundtable report featuring key recommendations from both federal and provincial policymakers and stakeholders...Read more.

Lumira Ventures Invests in Axonis Therapeutics Oversubscribed $115 Million Series A Financing, Advancing Canadian-led Research in Neurological Disorders

Axonis Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on the development of novel neuromedicines, announced the successful completion of an oversubscribed $115 million Series A financing…Read more.

Kapoose Creek Bio Acquires Exclusive License to Adapsyn Bioscience’s World-Leading AI Technology for Drug Development

Kapoose Creek Bio announced an exclusive license of Adapsyn Bioscience’s preeminent chemical informatics platform, and the acquisition of its state-of-the art drug discovery lab and globally recognized talent...Read more.

Kapoose Creek Bio Expands Canadian Presence with AI-Powered Drug Discovery Lab at McMaster Innovation Park

Vancouver-based Kapoose Creek Bio is expanding its Canadian presence with the opening of a new office and natural products drug discovery laboratory at McMaster Innovation Park...Read more.

Senior Human Resources Coordinator

The Senior Human Resources Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the entering and coordination of data, documents and processes into the various HR systems in an accurate and timely manner to ensure flawless execution...Learn more

Senior Director/Executive Director, Analytical Development

We are seeking a Senior Director/Executive Director, Analytical Development to join our CMC team. The incumbent will be responsible for leading a team of analytical development scientists and external FTEs and for ensuring that robust analytical methodology is developed and validated...Learn more

Data Science and Pharmacokinetic Modeling Scientist

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Data Science and Pharmacokinetic Modeling Scientist to cover a maternity period of not less than 12 months to maintain and evolve our programs designed to deliver appropriate, robust and defensible data in a readily understandable manner...Learn more

Industry Relations Associate

The industry relations associate reports to the manager, industry & business development and leads various pipelines of the society’s revenue generation activities such as ISCT Annual and Regional Conferences...Learn more

Research Associate 1 or 2, Biology

We are seeking Research Associate 1 or 2, Biology with experience in brain slice electrophysiology to join our team for a nine-month contract...Learn more

Training and Education Specialist

 The specialist is responsible for working with Global Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to plan, coordinate, and execute training programs for professionals within the cell and gene therapy sector...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

Senior Animal Care Technician (18 month contract)

The Sr. Animal Care Technician reports to the Director, In Vivo Resources and is responsible for the various technical procedures that support the scientific research conducted during the execution of in vivo studies and the general husbandry and care of animals in Genevant’s Core Facility...Learn more

Vice President, Business Development

NanoVation Therapeutics (NTx) is looking for a collaborative and results-driven Vice President, Business Development to lead our business development and marketing portfolios...Learn more

PolyTide Technology Inc. is a full stack AI driven research and development Biotech company based in Vancouver, Canada. We restructure polypeptide/protein molecules, to innovate/develop new drugs and new enzymes for human health and industry uses.

We focus on small protein medication development and leveraging computational methods to create new therapies. This new approach has unlimited potential to treat human diseases. We believe our development will make a meaningful impact for patients and humans.

Learn more.

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