November 20, 2025 - Hello BioLinks Readers! | | |
This week:
- The Province Launches its Look West Strategic Plan
- Zymeworks Plans to Build Portfolio of Revenue-Generating-Assets
- CereCura Nanotherapeutics Announces Successful $1.4 Million Seed Round
- BCIT Micro-credential: Science for Non-scientists Course
| | The Province Launches its Look West Strategic Plan | | |
This week Premier Eby’s office launched Look West, a 10-year vision to deliver major projects faster, expand skills training, and grow key sectors, one of which is life sciences. The province has a goal to boost the economic impact of life sciences by 75% and double employment to 40,000 over the next 10 years. Look West looks to leverage the $6.6 billion announced in the recent federal budget for its defense industrial strategy and aims to secure hundreds of billions in investments. Read more.
“We support British Columbia’s Look West strategy and its investments in skills development and priority provincial sectors, including life sciences. As Canada’s fastest-growing life sciences sector, we remain committed to working with government to create high-quality employment, strengthen British Columbia’s economic competitiveness and advance innovative health technologies for patients and communities.”
| | -Wendy Hurlburt, president and CEO, Life Sciences British Columbia | | Zymeworks Plans to Build Portfolio of Revenue-Generating Assets | | |
Zymeworks evolves from a traditional biotech to a royalty-driven model differentiated by in-house R&D capabilities. This news comes off the positive clinical read-out of Ziihera® (zanidatamab-hrii) for the treatment of digestive system cancer, as well as another in-house asset progressing to Phase 3 clinical trials with its partner J&J.
Zymeworks is eligible to receive up to $440.0 million in potential near-term milestone payments upon successful global approvals of Ziihera®. Approved by the FDA a year ago for biliary tract cancer, Ziihera® represented a major breakthrough as the first treatment from Zymeworks’ bispecific platform. Now, new trial data suggest it could benefit a patient community up to twenty times larger—potentially expanding access to life-extending therapies where few options exist. Congratulations to Zymeworks and its partners Jazz Pharmaceuticals and BeOne on this incredible milestone.
We look forward to watching LSBC’s 2025 Company of the Year, Zymeworks, continue to build in BC, and what this will mean for patients around the world. Read more.
| | CereCura Nanotherapeutics Announces Successful $1.4 Million Seed Round | | |
Congratulations to CereCura on securing $1.4 million to tackle brain disorders. As part of our Growth Catalyst Program cohort, CereCura was co-founded by Dr. Pieter Cullis and is developing LNP-RNA technology to deliver new therapeutics to the brain.
CereCura’s all-equity seed round, which closed in September, was led by Vancouver’s WUTIF Capital, with support from eFund, UBC Venture Funds, undisclosed angels, and existing backer Hextwo Capital.
“We decided to invest in CereCura because we were incredibly impressed by the team, their accomplishments, and their vision for the future,” said Aaron Stuart, COO of WUTIF Capital. “We’re proud to support such a noble mission and see huge upside potential.” Read more (BetaKit).
Join us on November 27 at our McCarthy’s Spotlight Series and learn about the story of CereCura and our other 2025 Companies to Watch! Register today.
| | BCIT Micro-credential: Science for Non-scientists Course | | Discover how science, health, and business intersect in BC's thriving biotech sector with Bio Essentials: Foundational Science, a two-day introductory course from BCIT, December 3–4. Explore the core principles of biotechnology through fresh, BC and Canada-focused examples, and earn a recognized micro-credential to boost your career in life sciences. Learn more and register here. | | |
Genome BC, through its Genesolve Program, announces a project led by Dr. David Granville of UBC’s Faculty of Medicine, and Heather Mak of Vancouver Coastal Health, to facilitate the healing of bed sores. The team is developing natural compounds already approved by Health Canada into a clinically ready treatment that could move more quickly from the lab to the bedside. Read more.
NervGen Pharma announces closing of US$10 million private placement to support anticipated Nasdaq listing and advance NVG-291 development. Read more.
Michael Smith Health Research BC announces a new app for adults living with Type 1 Diabetes to connect with trained peer supporters, offering one-on-one and group support to reduce isolation and help manage the emotional challenges of the condition. Read more
| | New Brunswick establishes comprehensive, province-wide biomarker testing program for Multiple Sclerosis patients. Horizon Health Network, Vitalité Health Network and Roche Canada are joining forces to establish Neurofilament Light Chain testing, making New Brunswick the first province to implement a coordinated, province-wide approach to this innovative method. Read more. | | |
CSO Jayesh Kulkarni and Board Chair Pieter Cullis at NanoVation Therapeutics have again been named Highly Cited Researchers 2025, a distinction for publications in the top one percent globally. Their work continues to support the company’s progress in developing long-circulating LNP’s for extrahepatic delivery. Read more
The Health Research Foundation has announced its 2025 award recipients, recognizing Jeffrey Weitz for his groundbreaking work in thrombosis treatment and Juliet Daniel for advancing cancer research while championing diversity and equity in healthcare. Read more
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Dr. Sharmila Anandasabapathy has been appointed as the new Dean of UBC’s Faculty of Medicine and Vice President, Health. Read more
Becton, Dickson and Company (BD) announced that Robert Huffines and Jacqueline Wright will join its Board of Directors. Their appointments are part of BD’s strategy to enhance its leadership in healthcare, technology and digital transformation. Read more
Congratulations to Scott Platshon on being named Acting Chief Investment Officer at Zymeworks, where he will play a key role in shaping investment and advancing the company’s asset portfolio. Read more
Innovative Medicines has appointed Gaby Bourbara, President of AstraZeneca Canada, as Chair of its Board of Directors. Read more
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The TCS B2B Matchmaking Program at JPM Healthcare Week 2026 begins on January 12 and runs through show closing on January 15 in San Francisco. The applications are due on November 21, 2025. Read more
Innovate BC’s Go-To-Market Microgrant offers $10,000 - $50,000 to help BC tech companies accelerate early sales and marketing efforts, with applications open now and closing on November 30, 2025. Read more
The Discovery Foundation is seeking qualified agents to lead impactful science and technology education and training across BC as part of the 2026 Technology Education Program (TEP), supporting the province's innovation and ecosystem. Organizations are encouraged to review the TEP guidelines and submit proposals to admin@discoveryfoundation.ca by December 17, 2025.
The I.D.E.A.L. Bioscience Employer Recognition Program highlights Canadian bio-economy organizations that lead in inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, helping employers strengthen talent attraction and demonstrate a commitment to inclusive innovation. Applications close November 28. Read more
The SCN-Mitacs Internship provides 8-month placements that allow graduate students and postdocs to work with Canadian biotech companies and gain practical experience in stem cell and regenerative medicine. Read more
Applications are now open for the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program, which helps recent Canadian graduates under 30 gain full-time work experience in environmental STEM roles while providing employers funding to cover most of the intern's salary and training costs. Read more
| | See our expanded list of current life sciences opportunities on our website. | | |
| StarFish Medical is Canada's leading Medical Device Design company offering design, development, and manufacturing services based in Toronto and Victoria. StarFish Medical partners with innovative companies throughout North America to create and manufacture breakthrough products for a full range of medical specialty areas including stem cell therapies, biomanufacturing, assay integrations, microfluidic prototyping, and In-Vitro Diagnostics. Learn more | | |
Jason Wang - UBC IMBA, Investment Advisor at RBC Wealth Management. Jason and his team collaborate with innovators and entrepreneurs in the life sciences industry, helping them translate scientific success into lasting financial sustainability. Through RBC Wealth Management, Jason builds integrated investment, liquidity and intergenerational strategies that grow with their ventures and support long-term impact. Learn more
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Until next week!
LSBC Team
| | November 27 - The Life Sciences BC “McCarthy Spotlight Speaking Series” at McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Vancouver highlights innovative life sciences companies recognized as Companies to Watch, featuring their growth stories and future plans while fostering connection and collaboration across the sector. |
| December 3-4 - This two-day introductory course makes biotechnology clear, relevant, and exciting for professionals without a science background. You’ll gain a practical overview of how biotech drives healthcare, sustainability, and business innovation across British Columbia and beyond. | | |
ARC Presents Positive IPCOAT™ GLAD-01 Clinical Safety Data and Nonclinical Data at AAGL 2025
ARC Medical Inc. will present positive first-in-human safety data and supporting non-clinical results for its surgical adhesion-prevention device, IPCOAT™, at the 2025 AAGL Congress, highlighting progress toward preventing post-operative internal scar tissue... Read more
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Duncan Regional Hospital Becomes First in U.S. to Implement BD Alaris™ EMR Infusion Interoperability with MEDITECH
Duncan Regional Hospital in Oklahoma is the first in the U.S. to adopt BD Alaris infusion interoperability with the MEDITECH EHR, allowing infusion pumps and electronic records to share data seamlessly. This advancement cuts down on manual tasks, boosts documentation accuracy, and strengthens patient safety by streamlining medication-infusion workflows... Read more
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Waving Goodbye to Contamination: Testing NZTech’s Touchless Technology in the OR
NZ Technologies and PHC Ventures demonstrated two touch-free systems that let surgeons control images and equipment without touching any surfaces. The gesture-based tools help keep the operating room sterile, reduce contamination risks, and make workflows smoother and safer for both staff and patients... Read more
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Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Reports Additional 52-week Follow-up Data from the RESOLVE Trial in Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Demonstrating Consistent Results after Dosing with EP-104GI
Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals reported that patients in its RESOLVE trial continued to show lasting improvement a year after receiving EP-104GI, with no serious side effects, suggesting the treatment may offer long-term relief for Eosinophilic Esophagitis... Read more
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CereCura Secures $1.4 million to Tackle Brain Disorders with COVID-era Vaccine Tech
CereCura Nanotherapeutics raised $1.4 million to use COVID-era LNP-RNA technology to deliver treatments into the brain. The funding supports developing new therapies for difficult brain disorders, including neuronopathic Gaucher’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s... Read more
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Augurex Life Sciences Corp. Announces the Launch of the 14-3-3eta Test for Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis and Monitoring with Sonic Reference Laboratory
Augurex Life Sciences has partnered with Sonic Reference Laboratory to offer its 14-3-3eta (JOINTstat®) blood test in the U.S., expanding access to an early and precise diagnostic and monitoring tool for rheumatoid arthritis... Read more
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LUPRON DEPOT® New Strength receives Health Canada Approval for the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer
LUPRON DEPOT® (leuprolide acetate for extended-release injectable suspension) has received approval from Health Canada for a new 6-month (45 mg) dose for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, expanding its dosing options in Canada to include 1-month, 3-month, 4-month and now 6-month formulations... Read more
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Zymeworks - Announces Positive HERIZON-GEA-01 Phase 3 Results Supporting Ziihera® (zanidatamab-hrii) as HER2-Targeted Agent-of-Choice and New Standard of Care in First-Line HER2-Positive Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma
Zymeworks’ Phase 3 results show Ziihera® significantly improves outcomes in HER2-positive advanced gastroesophageal cancer... Read more
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AbbVie Announces U.S. FDA Approval of EPKINLY® (epcoritamab-bysp) in Combination with Rituximab and Lenalidomide for Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma
AbbVie announced that the FDA has approved EPKINLY® (epcoritamab-bysp) in combination with Rituximab and Lenalidomide for adults with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, introducing the first bispecific antibody regimen for this condition... Read more
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BD Onclarity™ HPV Assay for BD COR™ and BD Viper™ LT Systems Receive WHO Prequalification
BD announced that its Onclarity HPV Assay for the BD COR and BD Viper LT systems has received WHO prequalification, supporting broader global access to cervical cancer screening... Read more
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InMed Announces Successful Completion of Pharmacokinetic Studies in Large Animal Model for Its Alzheimer’s Disease Candidate INM-901
InMed Pharmaceuticals has completed large-animal pharmacokinetic studies for its Alzheimer’s candidate INM-901, showing strong oral bioavailability and expected therapeutic exposure, with no observed safety concerns. The results help advance the program toward first-in-human testing... Read more
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NervGen Pharma Announces US$10 Million Non-Brokered Private Placement to Support Anticipated Nasdaq Listing and Advance NVG-291 Development
NervGen Pharma has secured US $10 million in a private placement to help fund its planned Nasdaq listing and further the development of its lead neurorepair drug candidate, NVG-291... Read more
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New Brunswick establishes Comprehensive, Province-wide Biomarker testing Program for Multiple Sclerosis Patients
New Brunswick has introduced a province-wide program offering neurofilament light chain (NfL) biomarker testing for Multiple Sclerosis patients, improving access to timely results and supporting more informed treatment decisions... Read more
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$14.5 Million will move Research in Sarcomas, Bladder Cancer and High-risk Brain Cancer Beyond One-size-fits-all Cancer Care
The Terry Fox Research Institute is investing CA $14.5 million in four Canadian teams to advance precision-medicine research in sarcomas, bladder cancer and high-risk brain tumours, aiming to improve outcomes beyond traditional one-size-fits-all approaches... Read more
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New Long-term Data Reinforces TREMFYA® (guselkumab) as the only IL-23 Inhibitor Proven to Substantially Inhibit Structural Joint Damage in Active Psoriatic Arthritis
Long-term findings from the Phase 3b APEX study show that Tremfya (guselkumab) significantly slows structural joint damage in adults with active psoriatic arthritis, making it the only IL-23 inhibitor currently proven to provide this degree of joint protection... Read more
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3D Bioprinting Neutral Tissues Using a Fibrin Bioink Containing Drug Releasing Microspheres
A fibrin-based bioink infused with drug-releasing microspheres enabled 3D-printed neural cells to survive better and develop into dopaminergic neurons... Read more
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AI at the Heart of new SFU Gel-free ECG System for Faster Diagnoses
A new AI-powered, gel-free ECG belt uses reusable 3D-printed dry electrodes to monitor heart rhythms comfortably and quickly, enabling faster diagnosis of arrhythmias... Read more
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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
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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
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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
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