Life Sciences BC News, May 30, 2024

Today another cohort completed our BioBasics 101 program. This immersive 2-day classroom experience is designed for life sciences professionals without a scientific background to gain a foundational understanding of the science behind the industry. If you are interested in learning about our next session, please contact Joanna Caraan.

The much-anticipated BIO 2024 conference is next week. We're looking forward to connecting with the best in biotech in San Diego. Join us on Tuesday, June 4 from 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM PT in the Canada Pavilion for the BC Showcase. Featuring speakers from government, associations, and industry, this event will offer an in-depth overview of BC’s competitive advantage in the global ecosystem. Learn why we are the fastest-growing life sciences sector in Canada with speakers Wendy Hurlburt, Fazil Mihlar, Tamer Mohamed, and Linda Buchanan.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for the 2024 LSBC Awards, winners to our draw for a complimentary ticket to your choice of Speaker’s Series or Showcase event will be announced next week. We are excited to celebrate with the community this year and recognize individuals and organizations that have made an impact on the ecosystem.

One such individual, Nancy Harrison of Amplitude Ventures, was recently recognized with the Barry Gekyere Lifetime Legacy Award for her outstanding contributions to our industry over the past 30 years. Nancy is a longtime LSBC volunteer, past board member and chair, and is also an outstanding mentor for many in the ecosystem. She has mentored in our Investor Readiness Program (IRP) for four years, helping early-stage companies realize their potential. Find out more about our IRP program here, we will be accepting applications soon! 

Member Highlights 

Amplitude Ventures announces the close of its $263 million (US$192 million) Fund II. The new fund substantially exceeds the size of Amplitude’s inaugural fund and enables the firm to continue to invest with entrepreneurs and innovators. Read more.

Novartis and Clarius Mobile Health partner in efforts to improve early detection of psoriatic arthritis in Canada. With Clarius’s ultrasound technology, rheumatologists will be able to identify diagnostic markers sooner, and this may positively impact the timeline to diagnosis for patients. Read more.

AbbVie completes the acquisition of Landos Biopharma. This adds Landos’ lead investigational asset NX-13, a first-in-class, oral NLRX1 agonist currently in Phase 2 trials to AbbVie’s portfolio. Read more.

Kardium announces positive results of the 1-year outcomes of the First-in-Human PULSE-EU Trial. These findings were presented as late-breaking clinical data at the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) 2024 Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in the Heart Rhythm Journal. Read more.

Canary Medical’s Smart Spine Lumbar Cartridge Granted FDA “Breakthrough Device” Designation. Exciting news for Canary as it announces progress for yet another of its smart implants. This enhances the regulatory path and facilitates reimbursement to help important new technologies get to the patients who need them. Read more.

Zymeworks advances Zanidatamab with partner Jazz Pharmaceuticals. The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted bispecific antibody was granted priority review of the Biologics License Application (BLA) by the FDA. Read more.

Industry Highlights

Government of Canada invests over $800 million in funding to 24 science and research organizations across Canada. LSBC members adMare and Stem Cell Network were among the funding recipients. Read more.

New LSBC Member

Lock Search Group delivers comprehensive recruitment solutions across multiple sectors, including Life Sciences, Consumer Packaged Goods, Industrial & Operations, B2B, Insurance, and Technology. Learn more.

Optigo Bio's pipeline therapy for retinal neovascular diseases and platform technology to enhance durability of approved and future drugs to treat Geographic Atrophy aim to prevent vision loss from these blinding retinal diseases with far fewer injections into the eye. Learn more.

Kudos

Congratulations to Stephanie Willerth, CEO of Axolotl Biosciences, who was inducted as a Fellow of Biomaterials Science and Engineering by the International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Sciences and Engineering at the 2024 World Biomaterials Congress. Fellows are recognized as role models in biomaterials science who are committed to supporting and advancing the field. Read more.

The Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute announced the recipients of their 2024 Innovation and Translational Research Awards. These awards support investigational researchers working to improve the health and well-being of patients. Read more.

Time Magazine announced their list of the 100 Most Influential Companies 2024. Congratulations to LSBC members Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer, who were recognized on the list. Read more.

People on the Move

Alycia Calvert was named EY Canada Chair and CEO. Alycia has been with EY for over 25 years. The former Chair and CEO Jad Shimaly will be transitioning to Global Managing Partner- Client Service at EY. Read more.

BIOTECanada’s Board of Directors announced that BIOTE’s President and CEO Andrew Casey will be stepping down from his post effective December 31, 2024. Following his departure, Andrew will remain with BIOTE in an advisory role to support the transition to a new President. Read more.

Applications Open

CASTL recently launched a series of one-day workshops providing students with hands-on training in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The first two workshops will cover “Aseptic & Cell Culture Techniques” and “Bioreactor Operations." The first sessions are taking place on June 18 & 19. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

Chernoff Thompson Architects is a Vancouver-based architectural firm, established in 1981, offering services for building and tenant improvements for science (programming, feasibility studies, site selection, space planning and full architectural services). We are a firm that has focused for over 40 years on science projects. We take pride in working on complex science based projects where our exceptional attention to detail, discipline of documentation, and constructability knowledge is used every day. We bring significant experience from our completed project examples, and from current programming and design work. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

June 18 - Join us for our Blakes Breakfast Speaking Series: Tips, Traps & Trends in Company Formation,  on Tuesday, June 18 from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM PT.

Demystify the process of company creation, understand the importance of IP, and learn about some of the tips and potential pitfalls from a legal perspective.

September 10 - Join us on September 10, 2024, as we celebrate excellence in life sciences at the 26th Annual Life Sciences BC Awards, presented by Farris.

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.

Kardium Announces Positive 1-year Outcomes for PULSE-EU Trial with the Globe® System, Showing Promise for Improving the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

 Kardium Inc. announced positive results of the 1-year outcomes of the First-in-Human PULSE-EU Trial. These findings were presented as late-breaking clinical data at the Heart Rhythm Society 2024 Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in the Heart Rhythm Journal...Read more.

GlycoNet and NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT) Sign MOU to Collaborate and Advance the Next Frontier of Bioinnovation

GlycoNet, one of the world’s leaders in glycomics, has signed a memorandum of understanding agreement with the NOVA School of Science and Technology to collaborate and advance the fields of glycomics and glycoscience, which involve the study of carbohydrates or sugars in biological systems...Read more.

First Systemic Therapy Patient Enrolled in a Clinical Trial in Prince George

Prince George celebrated a significant milestone in early 2024 with the opening of a new clinical trial called CIRCULATE-NORTH-AMERICA, or CRC10, which marked the first time a systemic therapy clinical trial has been offered in northern B.C. to people with cancer...Read more.

Amplitude Ventures Closes $263 Million Precision Medicine Venture Fund

Amplitude Ventures announced the close of its $263 million Fund II. The new fund substantially exceeds the size of Amplitude’s inaugural fund and enables the firm to continue to invest with entrepreneurs and innovators...Read more.

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Presents Data from Phase 2 X-NOVA Clinical Trial of Azetukalner in Major Depressive Disorder at the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology 2024 Annual Meeting

Xenon Pharmaceuticals announced data presentations highlighting azetukalner clinical data in major depressive disorder at the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology 2024 Annual Meeting in Miami, FL...Read more.

Novartis Canada and Clarius Mobile Health Challenge Standard of Care for Psoriatic Arthritis with New Partnership

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada is pleased to announce a partnership with Clarius Mobile Health as part of a dedicated effort to aid in early detection of psoriatic arthritis in Canada...Read more.

Getinge’s New Lab Sterilizer Lancer LSS Offers Unmatched Efficiency and Intuitive Control

Getinge introduces Lancer LSS, an innovative lab sterilizer where cutting-edge technology meets refined design. Its connectivity and control system are modern and state of the art which ensures data integrity, supports robust reporting, and enables predictive maintenance...Read more.

AbbVie Showcases Robust Solid Tumor Pipeline at ASCO 2024 with New Data from Its Innovative Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) Platform

AbbVie announced that new data from its innovative antibody-drug conjugate platform will be showcased across three oral presentations at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting...Read more.

AbbVie Completes Acquisition of Landos Biopharma

AbbVie announced that it has completed its acquisition of Landos Biopharma. With the completion of the acquisition, Landos is now part of AbbVie. This move adds first-in-class investigational asset, NX-13, to AbbVie’s pipeline with the potential to offer a novel approach to the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease...Read more.

New Initiative Aims to Close Healthcare Gaps in Rural Ontario Through In-home Care Powered by AI Technology

Gotcare partnered with Quinte Health and the Reach Alliance at the University of Toronto to launch their AI-enabled Health Ambassador care platform in the Hastings region. DIGITAL is providing co-investment of $1.5m to support the total $3.1m initiative. The organizations are working together to ensure that no resident gets left behind...Read more.

CASTL Launches Hands-on Training Workshops in Aseptic & Cell Culture Techniques and Bioreactor Operations

CASTL is excited to launch a series of one-day workshops designed to provide students with intensive, hands-on training in specific areas of biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The workshops are intended to enhance practical skills and industry readiness by focusing on experiential learning...Read more.

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

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals announced that regulators in Australia and Canada have cleared the Company’s request to expand its Phase 1b/2a RESOLVE trial, which is evaluating the safety and efficacy of EP-104GI as a treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis...Read more.

Associate Scientist, Preclinical Development

This is a full-time Associate Scientist role on the Preclinical Development team at Integrated Nanotherapeutics Inc. involving work across multiple laboratory sites and flexibility for hybrid remote work. The successful candidate will contribute to our R&D programs in antigen-specific immune tolerance...Learn more

Manager, Lab Operations

The Manager, Lab Operations will be responsible for managing the lab operations team, working with individuals and leadership in R&D to understand laboratory needs, securing and maintaining required Material Transfer Agreements, licenses and permits...Learn more

Scientist, Immunology- BC Cancer Research- Vancouver

The BC Cancer Research Institute is seeking a Research Scientist at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, to develop an independent research program in the general areas of basic and translational immunology, immunotherapy and cancer biology...Learn more

Associate Director, Immunology

The responsibilities of the Associate Director, Immunology include working with a team of researchers to develop a sustainable pipeline in immunology, supporting the attainment of departmental goals, and more...Learn more

Associate Scientist, In Vitro Biology

Zymeworks is seeking an Associate Scientist to join the In Vitro Biology group within the ADC Therapeutic Development department. The In Vitro Biology group is responsible for the in vitro functional characterization and advancement of Antibody Drug Conjugate therapeutic candidates...Learn more

Scientist, Cancer Biology, BC Cancer Research- Vancouver

The BC Cancer Research Institute is seeking an outstanding candidate for a full-time position at the rank of Scientist at the BCCRI. The BCCRI is a research institute of the University of British Columbia and the Provincial Health Services Authority...Learn more

Scientist, Proteomics -BC Cancer Research -Vancouver

The BC Cancer Research Institute is seeking a Research Scientist at the Assistant Professor level, to develop an independent research program in the general areas of biological mass spectrometry and proteomics for biomarker and target identification, or protein function analysis in cancer...Learn more

Senior Research Associate I, Antibody Discovery & Engineering

Zymeworks is seeking a Senior Research Associate I to join the Antibody Discovery and Engineering group (ADE) within the ADC Therapeutic Development department. The ADE group is responsible for the discovery of therapeutic antibodies against tumor-associated antigens for the treatment of cancer...Learn more

Accountant

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Accountant to support our Finance team across the different functions within the department. This is a great opportunity for an individual who enjoys working on a variety of tasks as key responsibilities for this position span across our accounts payable, finance, and general accounting functions...Learn more

Analytical/Bioanalytical Scientist, Chemistry

The successful candidate will play a key role within the Technology Development team to advance our nucleic acid delivery platforms and enable diverse endeavors with our collaborators. This position will report to the Senior Director, Chemistry...Learn more

Program Coordinator

The University Health Network We are looking for a Program Coordinator to help grow the Computational Biology and Medicine Program at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre...Learn more.

Data Management Specialist

The University Health Network is looking for a Data Management Specialist to help grow the CBMP at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and curate and track multimodal data analyzed in the program...Learn more.

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