May 21, 2026 - Hello BioLinks readers

This week:

• Spring Growth Catalyst Program cohort meeting
• LSBC at BIO 2026 – a month away!
• Investor Readiness Program applications now open

Growth Catalyst Takes an International Lens with Spring Cohort Meeting 

The focus of the spring cohort meeting for LSBC’s Growth Catalyst Program was international expansion, with an opportunity for companies to connect with trade and investment representatives visiting Vancouver for Web Summit. We heard from David Tsui (Australia, Global Affairs Canada), Grace Lau (Invest Hong Kong), Lisa Qiu (Singapore/ASEAN), Penny Harwood (London & Partners), Prateek Bhatia (India, Global Affairs Canada), Rhoda Campbell (Europe, Trade & Invest BC), and Tomoko Nakasuji (Japan, Trade & Invest BC) about life sciences trends, cultural touchpoints, areas of opportunity, and strategies for engagement in their respective markets.

Take a deeper dive into the cohort companies in our new digital program flipbook. The Growth Catalyst Program is supported in partnership with Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan). 

LSBC at BIO 2026

We’re excited to be a Canada Pavilion partner again this year at the BIO International Convention coming up next month. We will be supporting the BC delegation and promoting our world-class life sciences sector. A reminder that companies who would like to be featured in our delegation booklet must confirm company information by June 8, 2026. Please email any questions about the booklet to Rosabel at rbong@lifesciencesbc.ca.

Investor Readiness Program Applications are Now Open

The Investor Readiness Program (IRP) helps early-stage BC life sciences companies build the skills, strategy, and confidence needed to engage with investors and prepare for future fundraising opportunities. Over six months, participants receive personalized coaching, mentorship from experienced Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), educational sessions, peer feedback, and valuable industry connections. The program concludes with an opportunity to pitch directly to a group of pre-qualified investors. Apply by June 19, 2026.

Member Highlights 

InMed Pharmaceuticals has entered a definitive merger for an all-stock transaction with Mentari Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company developing therapies for migraine prevention. The merger brings together Mentari’s differentiated migraine pipeline with InMed’s public market infrastructure. The combined entity will operate as Mentari Therapeutics and trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under a new ticker. Read more.

Variational AI and 3C Therapeutics launch generative AI collaboration to design next-generation degrader antibody conjugates, supported by Innovate BC. The collaboration brings together two complementary BC innovations at the frontier of precision oncology. Read more.

Health Research BC spotlights the work of Dr. Theodore Cosco, which began with his grandmother’s journey with dementia. His work sits at the intersection of health and technology, seeking positive and practical ways for us to stay healthier and happier for longer. Read more.

Ecosystem Highlights

The Government of BC is investing more than $5.3 million through the Integrated Marketplace Health Testbed to help BC companies test innovative health-care technologies in real-world settings. Projects include AI-powered cancer drug discovery, touch free hospital technology, digital pathology tools, autonomous, medical supply drones, and AI systems designed to improve diagnostics, reduce administrative workload, and support patient care across the province. Read more.

Cohere has acquired Montreal’s Reliant AI to strengthen its AI tools for the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, helping researchers analyze data and speed up drug discovery. Read more.

Kudos

Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth Nethery, a postdoctoral fellow at UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, on being selected as one of the 42 recipients of the 2026 Health System Impact Fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Read more.

People on the Move

Dr. Gillian Hanley has been appointed as the Executive Director of Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI), where she will oversee WHRI operations, including research programs, funding and compliance, staff and resource management, and strategic planning, while ensuring alignment with UBC, PHSA, and Health Authority priorities.  Read more.

David Wood has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer (fractional) at 3C Therapeutics. Read more.

Applications Open

The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) Service is pleased to open applications for the Oncology Accelerator in France, taking place from September 21–24, 2026. This mission is designed for innovative Canadian SMEs and scale-ups in oncology looking to accelerate their expansion into the French and European markets through meetings with leading pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, and key players in the French ecosystem. Applications are open until June 21, 2026 Learn more.

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

Membership Spotlight

Exquisite Biomedical Consulting (EBC) is an award-winning Medical Affairs consulting firm based in Vancouver, BC.EBC offers custom-tailored Medical Affairs solutions to propel the trajectory of novel medical products. Our primary focus is to help clients navigate regulatory and reimbursement pathways, ensure safe and effective adoption of their product in the market, while also enhancing the viability of their ventures through Medical Affairs initiatives Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

June 4 - Summer Social LSBC’s most anticipated event! It’s a lively evening of relationship-building with different teams, past colleagues, business partners, and friends. It’s an excellent opportunity to meet people and expand networks.

June 22-25 - The BIO International Convention will be held in San Diego, US for four exciting days of networking, programming, and partnering opportunities that will shape the future of our industry and celebrate the scientific discoveries transforming our world.

Groundbreaking Global Survey Captures the Significant Patient Burden experienced with current standard-of-care Bladder Cancer treatments, underscoring urgency for continued innovation

A new global survey highlights the heavy burden many bladder cancer patients face with current treatments, underscoring the need for better treatment options and continued innovation… Read more.

Sustained Therapeutics – Presents Positive Phase 2 Data for ST-01 in Podium Presentation at the American Urological Association 2026 Annual Meeting

Sustained Therapeutics shared positive Phase 2 results for ST-01, showing the treatment may help reduce chronic scrotal pain and support a longer-lasting, non-opioid treatment option… Read more.

InMed Pharmaceuticals & Mentari Therapeutics Announce Merger to Advance Migraine Prevention Therapies

InMed Pharmaceuticals and Mentari Therapeutics are merging to advance the development of new migraine prevention treatments… Read more.

Lexaria Receives Independent Review Board Approval to Begin Human Pilot Study #7

Lexaria received approval to launch a new human study testing its oral delivery technology for weight loss and diabetes treatments, designed to improve how these medications are absorbed by the body… Read more.

3C Therapeutics and Variational AI Launch Generative AI Collaboration to Design Next-Generation Degrader Antibody Conjugates, Supported by Innovate BC

3C Therapeutics and Variational AI are partnering to use generative AI to develop next-generation cancer treatments, with support from Innovate BC… Read more.

Cytiva introduces next-generation Biacore 8 series SPR systems for faster, more confident drug discovery

Cytiva launched its new Biacore 8 series systems to help researchers accelerate drug discovery with faster, more accurate analysis technology… Read more.

GSK and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) initiate negotiations for Blenrep for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

GSK and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance have begun discussions to help expand access to BLENREP for patients living with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in Canada… Read more.

Labcorp Launches MyLabcorp™, a New AI-Powered Mobile App Designed to Help Consumers Understand Lab Results and Track Health Trends Over Time

Labcorp launched a new AI-powered mobile app that helps users easily understand lab results, track health trends, and manage their health information in one place… Read more.

BD Delivers Kidney Stone Care for Urology Teams with the Elyra™ Thulium Fiber Laser System

 BD has launched the Elyra Thulium Fiber Laser System, designed to help urology teams improve kidney stone treatment with advanced, efficient laser technology… Read more.

Johnson & Johnson Advances Creation of Global Intelligent OR Network in collaboration with Department of Health – Abu Dhabi

Johnson & Johnson is collaborating with the Department of Health to help build a global intelligent operating room network, using advanced digital technologies and data insights to improve surgical workflows, efficiency, and patient care… Read more.

Head of RNA Chemistry

This role will oversee the design, synthesis, conjugation, purification, bioanalysis and SAR activities of RNA-based conjugates. They will develop, acquire, integrate and optimize techniques and technologies required to rapidly advance a portfolio of antibody-RNA conjugates… Learn more.

Technical Program Manager

This role requires being the lead of cross-functional execution across early-stage product development programs including pre-clinical, clinical and investigative studies… Learn more.

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