July 3, 2025 - Hello BioLinks Readers!

This week:

• $340M Raise for Kardium
• Four Days to Apply to Pitch at Invest in BC
• Community Celebration: Summer Social in Photos

$340M Raise Positions Kardium for Commercial Success

Around this time last year, the Kardium logo was seen in Times Square in New York with a congratulations from Nasdaq on it’s $104 million financing in 2024. This week, Kardium makes headlines in the Globe & Mail with another meaningful fundraise, to the tune of $340 million. 

Kardium is positioned for rapid commercial success following the fundraise and with the release of compelling clinical data. CEO Kevin Chaplin said he expects to receive Class 3 medical device approval from the FDA this year. 

“This is a huge market, and it’s one of the fastest-growing areas in medtech,” Mr. Chaplin said.

Boston Scientific Corp. generated US$1-billion in sales from its PFA device in 2024, after winning FDA approval that year. Medtronic plc, an American-Irish company, expects similar sales for its PFA product. Kardium has generated better clinical results than both rivals. Read more (Globe & Mail subscription required).

Photo from 2024.

Four Days to Apply to Pitch at Invest in BC

Only four more days to apply to pitch for Invest in BC, and LSBC members pitch for free! This is where growth meets opportunity. Invest in BC on October 28-29, brings together the key players needed for meaningful business partnerships to flourish. Through strategic pitch presentations, thoughtful programming, and our signature one-on-one meeting platform, we're building the connections that matter—with 440+ successful meetings facilitated in 2024 alone. Get your tickets and/or apply to pitch here.

Community Celebration: Summer Social in Photos

We look forward to welcoming back the community in the fall. Our Annual Awards Gala is on October 2. Get your tickets before the early bird deadline on July 31 here.

Until then, enjoy highlights from our celebrated annual Summer Social, the last event in LSBC’s calendar year!

Member Highlights 

Axolotl Biosciences, a Victoria-based start-up with funding competition support from Genome BC announces an exciting project that will use genomics-informed bio-inks to 3D-print heart tissue to better model disease and test drugs—paving the way for safer, more personalized treatments. Read more.

AbbVie acquires Capstan Therapeutics for up to $2.1 billion. The acquisition includes CPTX2309, a potential first-in-class CAR-T therapy candidate, currently in Phase 1, in development for the treatment of B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. Additionally, AbbVie will acquire Capstan’s proprietary tLNP platform technology designed to deliver RNA payloads. Read more.

AstraZeneca Canada announces Health Canada approval of Calquence® with the Addition of Chemoimmunotherapy for patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma. Read more.

STEMCELL introduces STEMprep™ tissue dissociator system, a new benchtop instrument that automates, standardizes, and streamlines tissue dissociation, the process of breaking down tissue samples into single-cell suspensions for research purposes. Read more.

Getinge announces the extension of its Servo-c ventilator with a neonatal option, transforming it into a universal solution that supports respiratory care for all patient categories – from fragile premature newborns to fully grown adults. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Health Canada launched a 45-day public consultation on proposed regulatory changes to tighten oversight of precursor chemicals and drug-manufacturing equipment like pill presses and encapsulators. The goal is to strengthen controls under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Precursor Control Regulations. Read more.

BC has launched its first virtual cardiac rehab program at Vancouver General Hospital. The virtual program allows patients in rural and remote communities to access care without having to travel to the Lower Mainland. Read more.

Kudos

Congratulations to Terry Fox Research Institute supporter, leader, and advocate, Dr. Nadine Caron for her induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Read more.

Kudos to the UBC Faculty of Medicine members honoured with the 2025 Distinguished Achievement. Read more.

People on the Move

Dr. Huawei Li joins UBC School of Biomedical Engineering to lead the Conconi Family Biodevice Foundry, a shared use core facility that supports cutting-edge life sciences research. Read more.

Jade Biosciences appoints Brad Dahms as Chief Financial Officer. Read more.

Miranda Lam has started a new position as President & Chief Legal Officer at Acuitas Therapeutics. Read more.

Applications Open

Apply to Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program to receive funding in research and development projects that support public-private innovation. These projects leverage public funding to drive industry investment in genomics and biotechnology research in Canada. Learn more.

Applications open for CQDM and CPDC’s Call for Ideas to support radiopharma innovations with commercial potential. Proposals should focus on enhancing the development of new radiopharmaceuticals, improving medicinal products, and advancing patient outcomes. The deadline is July 8, 2025. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

eSenso Biotech Inc. – R&D – oriented scientific entrepreneur, focusing on the application of bio-sensing technology into the field of testing and monitoring public health related biomarkers, aiming to transform and commercialize science and technology into social and economic values. Learn more.

Azor Biotek – We are engaging valuable, underexploited drug targets with the most clinically relevant training data.

We design novel small molecules to address any treatment needs, specializing in microRNA-targeted, and other multimodal drugs with the potential for profound treatment response. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

May 27-30 - Join us for our 27th Annual Life Sciences BC Awards

This distinguished occasion brings together British Columbia’s vibrant life sciences community to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our peers and recognize the tireless efforts of those who have devoted their careers to advancing health innovations.

October 28 - 29 - Join us for our 10th Annual Invest in BC presented by Lumira Ventures

Life Sciences BC is pleased to announce the 10th annual Invest in BC presented by Lumira Ventures. This highly anticipated event serves as a premier gathering for life sciences innovators in British Columbia, connecting them with investors and potential partners locally, nationally, and around the world.

Vertex Presents Longer-Term Data at the 2025 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress Demonstrating Durability of CASGEVY® and Provides Update on Expanding Global Access to CASGEVY

Vertex Pharmaceuticals recently announced positive longer-term data for PrCASGEVY® from global ongoing pivotal clinical trials in people with severe sickle cell disease or transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia...Read more.

Quebec Implements Public Reimbursement of Pluvicto® – A Defining Milestone for Radioligand Therapy in Canada

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. is pleased to announce that Pluvicto® is publicly reimbursed in Quebec for eligible patients with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer...Read more.

Jade Biosciences Appoints Brad Dahms as Chief Financial Officer

Jade Biosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing best-in-class therapies for autoimmune diseases, announced the appointment of Brad Dahms as Chief Financial Officer...Read more.

AbbVie to Acquire Capstan Therapeutics, Further Strengthening Commitment to Transforming Patient Care in Immunology

AbbVie and Capstan Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing in vivo engineering of cells, announced a definitive agreement under which AbbVie will acquire Capstan...Read more.

Getinge Extends the Servo-c Ventilator with a Neonatal Option

Getinge announces the extension of its Servo-c ventilator with a neonatal option, transforming it into a universal solution that supports respiratory care for all patient categories...Read more.

Dr. Huawei Li Joins SBME to Lead the Conconi Family Biodevice Foundry

The Conconi Family Foundation was motivated by a similar sense of care as Dr. Li. Their belief in community investment and the need to accelerate the innovation and delivery of better care...Read more.

STEMCELL Technologies Introduces STEMprep™ Tissue Dissociator System to Accelerate Research Discoveries

To help scientists accelerate their workflows, STEMCELL Technologies has commercially launched the STEMprep™ Tissue Dissociator System—a new benchtop instrument...Read more.

Health Canada Approves Calquence® with the Addition of Chemoimmunotherapy for Patients with Previously Untreated Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)

Health Canada has granted a Notice of Compliance (NOC) for CALQUENCE® in combination with bendamustine and rituximab for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma...Read more.

TFRI Celebrates Induction of Dr. Nadine Caron into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

​A long-time Terry Fox supporter and prominent surgeon, leader and advocate for Indigenous health and research, Dr. Nadine Caron has been inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame...Read more.

Manager/Senior Manager, Quality Assurance, GMP

The selected candidate will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and ensure adherence to GMP regulations and regulatory requirements in support of Xenon’s clinical development programs and NDA preparation...Learn more.

Director, IR and Corporate Communications

Responsible for the co-ordination & execution of all internal and external communication for the company. Key stakeholders include financial regulators, potential investors, shareholders, Board Members and employees...Learn more.

Manager, Strategic Initiatives

The Project Manager is responsible for overseeing a portfolio of strategic research, infrastructure, and training projects and cross-sector initiatives that enhance lab space, technology platforms, early-stage biomanufacturing, and clinical trials capacity....Learn more.

Clinical Supplies Manager

This role is responsible for coordinating the labeling, packaging, and global distribution of clinical trial materials to sites and depots across multiple countries, including both investigational medicinal products and ancillary supplies...Learn more.

Head of HR

This position is responsible for shaping HR strategy, ensuring compliance with Canadian (including provincial) and US labour laws, supporting talent acquisition and development, driving employee engagement, and fostering a compliant and inclusive workplace culture...Learn more.

Senior Biopharmaceutical Statistician

We are seeking a sharp, flexible, and innovative Senior Biostatistician to lead the statistical strategy for our clinical development programs and oversee data management. This is a hands-on, high-impact role...Learn more.

Procurement Specialist (Part-Time Contract)

This role is essential in managing procurement processes for capital expenditures, accessories, and consumables while establishing supplier relationships and ensuring smooth operations...Learn more.

Principal Scientist/Associate Director, Biologics

Abdera Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated and skilled leader in antibody discovery with a proven track record of antibody campaigns. This position will provide an exciting and dynamic opportunity to positively contribute to and lead research programs and teams...Learn more.

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