February 01, 2024

Life Sciences BC seeks to raise the profile of our members and supporters, highlight their achievements, and promote BC's dynamic life sciences ecosystem. If you have news or a story to share, let us know.

You can find previous editions of BioLinks newsletters and other resources on our website at News/Publications.

Life Sciences BC News

Another successful Career Connect Day is in the books!

We are thrilled that our 5th annual Career Connect Day – held on January 26 – was a sold-out event, bringing together 24 life sciences organizations and more than 400 post-secondary students and job seekers.

The energy was palpable as attendees took in the job fair and gained insights from leading life sciences sector individuals on career development, training programs, and much more.

Thank you to our generous sponsors and everyone who attended and helped to make this event a success.

We are already looking forward to next year’s event, and to fostering even more connections.

In addition to the Minister of Health, speakers included Nigel Smith, Executive Director & CEO of TRIUMF, Sarah Roth, President & CEO of BC Cancer Foundation, and Francois Benard, MD, Vice President of Research at BC Cancer. 

This week, we held an informative Life Sciences BC workshop with Gowling WLG titled “Understanding the Value of Employment Contracts." At the event, Gowling WLG partners Paul Armitage and Jonathan Lam shared an engaging presentation that covered all things related to employment contracts, including best practices and what to avoid, as well as crucial clauses for safeguarding intellectual property. Wendy Hurlburt was pleased to moderate a fireside chat that followed the presentation.

Another exciting announcement was recently made by Variational AI, developer of the Enki™ generative artificial intelligence (AI) platform. Supported by the CQDM Quantum Leap program, Variational AI announced a project with Merck Research Labs as an early-access user of their Enki foundation model for small molecule drug discovery. BIV covered the announcement and we’re looking forward to witnessing what this partnership achieves. 

There are lots more exciting updates and recognitions to share this week. It’s a busy time of year and we’re thrilled to share your successes. Be sure to keep an eye on our social channels for the latest updates. 

Member Highlights 

Microbion Corporation announced that its lead drug candidate, pravibismane, has been granted a second U.S. FDA orphan drug designation for the treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections. Learn more here.

PharmAla Biotech has been granted a Controlled Drugs & Substances Dealer’s License by Health Canada, allowing the company to sell MDMA and psilocybin to anyone legally permitted to hold them. PharmAla is now the only company in Canada providing clinical-grade MDMA for patient treatments outside of clinical trials. Read more here.

Alpha-9 Oncology has reached a global supply agreement with ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE to support the development of Alpha-9's Radiopharmaceutical Therapy pipeline candidates for the treatment of cancer. Read more here.

Lexaria Bioscience has submitted an Investigational New Drug Application with the U.S. FDA for its planned U.S. phase 1b hypertension clinical trial HYPER-H23-1 of DehydraTECH-CBD. Learn more here.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has received positive results from the VX-548 Phase 3 program for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acute pain. VX-548 was found to be safe and well tolerated in all three studies conducted, and Vertex plans to submit a New Drug Application to the U.S. FDA by mid-2024. Learn more here.

One of Canary Medical Inc.’s founders, Dr. Fred Cushner, was a guest on The Shelbourne Knee Center Podcast, where he spoke about his extensive experience and shared information about smart technology in Total Knee Arthroplasty and its role in post-surgery data tracking. Listen here.

Dr. Janice Eng, co-director of the Centre for Aging SMART at Vancouver Coastal Health, was interviewed by CTV News about the potential for a new "smart glove" to assist rehabilitation in stroke victims. The glove, which uses AI to track hand and finger movements, was developed by researchers at UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering. Watch here.

A-klinikka Oy | A-Clinic Ltd in Kouvola, Finland has begun screening participants for Clairvoyant Therapeutics’ psilocybin phase 2b clinical trial for AUD, marking great strides for the continued progress of psychedelics therapy research in the EU. Learn more here.

New Members

MARKEN manages 180,000 drug products and 200K+ biological sample shipments every month at all temperature ranges to more than 220 countries and territories.

Arrowsmith Genetics is a preclinical stage, precision oncology company.

Welcome both to the LSBC community!

Industry Highlights

BioTalent Canada was featured in The Hill Times in a piece titled The Student Work Placement Program is an investment in the future prosperity of Canada. The article outlines the program and how it works to build a resilient workforce for the future. Read the op-ed here.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) along with other partners of Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) are seeking input on how to improve patient-oriented research in Canada through SPOR. Feedback will be used to strengthen the design of SPOR, boost involvement of patients, Indigenous Peoples, partners and funders in decision-making about SPOR, as well as influence the future of the program. The deadline to provide feedback is March 31, 2024. Learn more here.

CIHR in partnership with the Azrieli Foundation, the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, CIHR-III and CIHR-IG, has given 13 research teams $8.7M in grants to study age-related cognitive impairment. Read more here.

Kudos

Kudos to Marken for receiving the ‘Innovation in Clinical Supply Chain Logistics’ award at the Asia-Pacific BioPharma Excellence Awards. The award recognizes the critical work Marken does to expedite life-saving vaccines to patients in the APAC region and beyond. Learn more here.

Congratulations to Sanofi Canada on celebrating 110 years of innovative health solutions for Canada. This impressive milestone is testament to Sanofi’s dedication to the pursuit of medicines and vaccines that improve lives, and protect public health. Read more here.

Congratulations to Dr. Artem Cherkasov, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Precision Cancer Drug Design and a Professor, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of British Columbia for identifying one of seven promising molecules that show potential for Parkinson’s disease drugs. The open science competition was held by the Canadian nonprofit Conscience. Learn more here.

People on the Move

Peter Cowan has been named as Innovate BC’s next President and CEO, effective February 5, 2024. Cowan brings more than 25 years of leadership experience to the position, with a career that spans a diverse range of roles in the innovation ecosystem. Read the full announcement here.

Barbara Schaeffler has joined Zymeworks Inc. as Vice President of Clinical Development Operations. Schaeffler will provide strategic and operational leadership to the company’s clinical stage programs, drawing on 27 years of experience in the biotechnology and biopharma industries. Learn more here.

Dr. John C. Bernal, DVM, has joined Frontage Laboratories as Vice President of Global Animal Welfare & Veterinary Resources. Dr. Bernal has more than 45 years of experience in Laboratory Animal Medicine and has held management positions in global and diverse biomedical research programs. Read more here.

Applications Open

The 2024 MedTech Conference, which will be held in Toronto from October 15-17, 2024, is accepting submissions until February 23, 2024. Key session topics they are seeking include Business Strategies and Finance, Digital Health Technologies, Supply Chain, and more. Learn about the submission process here.

Applications are being accepted for the Stroke & Neuroscience Innovation Fund, which is dedicated to supporting research focused on improving stroke and neurological care within the BC Interior. The deadline is February 29, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences presents Introduction to Bioprocessing. The course will cover industry processes including upstream, downstream, and fill finish operations, and will also include a virtual tour of the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training Pilot Plant Facility. Register here.

Applications are open for the Michael Smith Health Research BC-Mitacs industry-based program, which supports graduate students and postdoctoral fellows across British Columbia to gain experience working within BC’s life sciences sector. Learn about key dates and details here.

The Inventures Startup Pitch competition is underway! Finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their product or service to key audiences at Inventures 2024, a leading innovation event hosted by Alberta Innovates. Applications are being accepted until March 15, 2024. Learn more here.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is accepting applications for the Catalyst Grant for the 2023 Chief Public Health Officer Report. There are approximately 16 grants available, with a maximum amount per grant of $125,000 per year for up to one year. The deadline to apply is February 22, 2024. Learn more here.

We invite you to explore our expanded list of current life sciences application opportunities by clicking the button below.

Upcoming LSBC events and programs at-a-glance

Until next week,

The LSBC team

Numinus Wellness Divests of Holdings in Alto Neuroscience Inc.

Numinus Wellness announces that it has entered into an agreement to divest its holdings in Alto Neuroscience Inc. The Alto investment was included in the Company’s acquisition of Novamind Inc. on June 10, 2022. Alto has recently announced the terms for its IPO and listing on the New York Stock Exchange...READ MORE

Getinge Year End Report 2023: Strong Sales and Healthy Cash Flow – But Margins Impacted by Quality Costs and Mix Effects

Getinge’s order intake increased by 4.1% in the quarter, driven by acquisitions and currency. Organically, it decreased by 2.4%, which is mainly due to challenging comparative figures from 2022 in connection with China lifting its Covid-19 restrictions...READ MORE

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 3 Development Program for EP-104IAR

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals announced the Company has initiated its Phase 3 development program for EP-104IAR, the Company’s lead drug candidate for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, following completion of its End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration...READ MORE

CASTL Partners with Moderna Canada to Ready Workforce at Laval Manufacturing Site

The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Moderna Canada to support biomanufacturing training for employees at Moderna’s new vaccine manufacturing facility in Laval, Quebec...READ MORE

Zymeworks Announces Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences

Zymeworks Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a diverse pipeline of novel, multifunctional biotherapeutics to improve the standard of care for difficult-to-treat diseases, announced that management will participate in the following upcoming investor conferences...READ MORE

Sumitomo Pharma and Pfizer Canada Announce Availability of MYFEMBREE® in Canada

In partnership with Sumitomo Pharma Canada, Pfizer Canada is proud to announce that supply of MYFEMBREE® is now available in Canada by prescription for the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis in pre-menopausal women, as well as for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids...READ MORE

Filament Health Announces FDA Opening of Investigational New Drug Application for Substance Use Disorders

Filament Health Corp., a clinical‐stage natural psychedelic drug development company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted the Investigational New Drug application for PEX010, its botanical psilocybin drug candidate, for the treatment of Substance use Disorders...READ MORE

Renaissance BioScience Partners with Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization for Innovative Development in Animal Health

Renaissance BioScience announced that it has strategically partnered with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, a world leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development. This collaboration will target two diseases, as well as immune system function, in pigs and piglets...READ MORE

Adults Living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in Ontario and Quebec Now Have Access Through Public Reimbursement to BRUKINSA® (zanubrutinib)

BeiGene is pleased to announce that the Governments of Ontario and Quebec have publicly listed BRUKINSA®, a second generation inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase, for the treatment of adults living with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the most common form of leukemia in adults...READ MORE

Vertex Announces Positive Results From the VX-548 Phase 3 Program for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Acute Pain

Health Canada has authorized Jardiance® to reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular and renal death in adults with chronic kidney disease, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. and Eli Lilly Canada Inc. announced. The authorization has the potential to advance the standard of care for more than 4 million people in Canada living with CKD...READ MORE

Sanofi Canada is Celebrating 110 Years of Innovative Health Solutions for Canadians

Sanofi is commemorating 110 years in Canada, dedicated to the pursuit of medicines and vaccines that improve lives, and protect public health. What started as a small laboratory in May of 1914, has evolved to become the largest biomanufacturing facility in Canada...READ MORE

Microbion’s Pravibismane Granted Second FDA Orphan Drug Designation for the Treatment of Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Infections

Microbion Corporation announced that the company has been granted a second orphan drug designation for its lead drug candidate, pravibismane, for the treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections...READ MORE

New Resource Supports Indigenous Engagement in Health Research

Indigenous researchers, Dr. Rheanna Robinson and Bev Best, led an environmental scan of Indigenous health research engagement and evaluation. The scan reviewed health research priorities of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in Canada...READ MORE

GSK Canada’s Submission for Momelotinib for the Treatment of Myelofibrosis Accepted for Review by Health Canada

GSK announces that Heath Canada has accepted into review the New Drug Submission for momelotinib, a potential new medicine with a differentiated mechanism of action that may help address the significant medical needs of myelofibrosis patients, especially those with anemia...READ MORE

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Data from MRI Exploratory Sub-Study in Phase 2 SPRINGBOARD Trial Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of EP-104IAR for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals announced positive MRI data from the Company’s ongoing SPRINGBOARD Study evaluating the safety and efficacy of a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee...READ MORE

Lexaria’s Submits Investigational New Drug Application

Lexaria Bioscience Corp., a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, announces that it submitted its much-anticipated Investigational New Drug (“IND”) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for its planned U.S. phase 1b hypertension clinical trial HYPER-H23-1 of DehydraTECH-CBD...READ MORE

ITM and Alpha-9 Oncology Announce Global Supply Agreement to Support Alpha-9’s Clinical Radiopharmaceutical Development Program

ITM Isotope Technologies Munich, a leading radiopharmaceutical biotech company, and Alpha-9 Oncology, a clinical stage biotechnology company, announced the signature of a global master clinical supply agreement to support the development of Alpha-9’s Radiopharmaceutical Therapy pipeline candidates for the treatment of cancer...READ MORE

Sernova Provides Recap of 2023 Accomplishments and Anticipated 2024 Milestones

Sernova Corp. provided a business update, including a recap of 2023 accomplishments and a preview of certain milestones anticipated in 2024. These milestones include additional data from Cohort 2 of Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating its Cell Pouch in patients with type 1 diabetes and reporting preclinical data supporting an IND application to evaluate the use of therapeutic cells with Cell Pouch in patients with post-operative hypothyroidism...READ MORE

TFRI Supports the Next Generation of Cancer Researchers in Canada

The Terry Fox Research Institute has co-funded six Master’s and PhD students and one postdoctoral fellow as part of the Canadian Cancer Society’s inaugural Research Training Awards. TFRI-funded trainees are located in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, and will focus on diverse cancer types, including B cell lymphoma, glioblastoma, osteosarcoma and cervical, colorectal, pancreatic and hereditary cancers...READ MORE

PharmAla Granted a Controlled Drugs & Substances Dealer’s License by Health Canada

PharmAla Biotech has been granted a Controlled Drugs & Substances Dealer’s License (CDSL) by Health Canada, Canada’s federal health regulator. The CDSL allows PharmAla to offer for sale both 3,4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Psilocybin to those authorized to legally hold these materials...READ MORE

Augurex is a collaboration-driven, biomarker-evidence based biotechnology company. Privately held, we began our research programs in 2008 focused on the 14-3-3η protein, a novel biomarker involved in the joint damage process, with current applications in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). From this initial basic research, a portfolio of 14-3-3η-centric clinical programs emerged, that is unveiling the potential of this previously unfamiliar factor in autoimmunity, and transforming the management of RA.

Clinical studies have been conducted in over 3000 patients, published in over 50 conference proceedings and five medical articles in high-impact peer-reviewed rheumatology journals, describing the clinical applications of 14-3-3η. Available as a diagnostic test, the first of the biomarker portfolio, the 14-3-3η protein assay is Health Canada approved as an IVD offered by Dynacare and provided as a laboratory-developed test in the United States through Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp and RDL. LEARN MORE

State-of-the-Art Technology Enhances Cancer Diagnostics, Research, Care

Cancer patients and their families will benefit from more access to life-saving cancer diagnostics as new equipment and research expand access to PET/CT scans and innovative cancer treatments throughout the province. Construction is underway in Vancouver for a new state-of-the-art cyclotron and radiopharmacy laboratory, which will increase the production of clinical radiotracers, the radioactive isotopes used in medical imaging to detect and monitor cancers...READ MORE

13 Research Teams Receive $8.7M from the Government of Canada and Partners to Study Age-Related Cognitive Impairment

During Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Seniors, announced a new research investment of $8.7 million through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, in partnership with the Azrieli Foundation and its Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, to support 13 research teams who are studying ways to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in aging...READ MORE

Events Specialist

Life Sciences BC is looking for an enthusiastic new co-op student to assist with preparations and execution of both in-person and virtual events. With several scheduled events happening between May and August, this role will offer a varied mix of tasks and projects and will provide fantastic experience for the chosen candidate to see how a professional industry association operates...LEARN MORE

Sales Representative

The full-time Sales Representative is responsible for sales of In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) and bio-reagent products in global markets. The position is the principal point of contact between a business and its customers. Sales reps ensure current customers have the right products and services, identify new markets and customer leads, and pitch prospective customers...LEARN MORE

Scientist – Immunology

As an accomplished Scientist, you will work within a high-performing team passionate about making an impact on human health. Your role is hands-on, in the lab, driving important proof of concept and mechanism of action studies for the development of novel antibody therapeutics. To accomplish this, you will design, test, analyze and interpret advanced in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of human disease...LEARN MORE

Software Tools Developer

The Software Tools Developer will develop, test and maintain tools to assist in the development of software for our Globe® Mapping and Ablation System. These tools run the gamut from code generation, static analysis customization, workflow customizations, to testing automation frameworks...LEARN MORE

Research Scientist 2, CMC, Analytical Chemistry

The ideal candidate will work flexibly across a number of small molecule drug development programs with an emphasis on the development of in-house analytical methods on new research/development compounds that will be subsequently transferred to external cGMP testing labs...LEARN MORE

Research Associate II, Antibody Discovery & Engineering

The Research Associate II, Antibody Discovery & Engineering executes experiments with an emphasis on cell line engineering, supports mammalian tissue culture, generates high quality, reproducible data, performs various cloning protocols and integrates new techniques...LEARN MORE

Associate Scientist, In Vivo Pharmacology

The Associate Scientist, In Vivo Pharmacology oversees all aspects of designing, planning, coordinating, and analyzing in vivo immuno-oncology efficacy and PK/PD experiments, Supports animal research associates with the handling of mice, provides leadership, mentorship, and scientific/technical guidance to junior staff...LEARN MORE

Scientist, Clinical Pharmacokinetics

The Scientist, Clinical Pharmacokinetics represents Clinical Pharmacology line function and works on a multi-functional team to support late-stage discovery programs, independently analyzes, interprets and reports clinical PK data, develops and maintains a relationship with internal and external clients and scientists...LEARN MORE

R&D Operations Coordinator

The R&D Operations Coordinator facilitates the procurement of materials, supplies, and equipment, updates internal systems, takes ownership of the purchasing process, assists with administrative duties, and performs other related duties as assigned...LEARN MORE

Biomanufacturing Training Technician – Charlottetown

The Technician will support the effective delivery of CASTL training programs by maintaining the facilities equipment, implementing inventory management, preparing consumable materials for training courses, maintaing a standard of cleanliness and readiness in the facility and supporting the training delivery team in other document preparation and maintenance...LEARN MORE

Biomanufacturing Trainer – Montreal

The Biomanufacturing Trainer will be responsible for delivery and development of training material including lectures and practical content in biopharmaceutical processing operations, day-to-day operation of pilot plant facilities and laboratory equipment in CASTL's pilot-scale training facility, and more...LEARN MORE

Biomanufacturing Trainer and Site Manager

The Biomanufacturing Trainer and Site Manager will be a senior member of the company’s team. Reporting to the Associate Director of Technical Training, they will take a leadership role in overseeing the set-up and operations of the greater Vancouver Training Facility and supporting the company’s overall strategy...LEARN MORE

Research Technician 1, Resource Facility

This position will provide husbandry and facility maintenance to support preclinical research in drug discovery. You will be working in an accredited research facility holding Good Animal Practices certification from the Canadian Council on Animal Care. This position reports to the Manager, Resource Facility and will be in the Vancouver, BC location. The level of the position will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and experience...LEARN MORE

Head of Quality Control

The Head of Quality Control's duties include: establishing departmental goals and effectively communicating direction, objectives, and results as needed to the department, plant site, and Evonik; developing and managing team conformance to departmental budget, and driving improved efficiencies in departmental operations...LEARN MORE

Senior Project Manager

Reporting to the CSO, the Senior Project Manager will work closely with the NanoVation Team and will be responsible for managing multiple and concurrent projects in support of our corporate goals and objectives.You will also be responsible for ensuring projects are successfully completed on time and on budget, reaching desired outcomes, milestones, and deliverables, using a consistent, company-wide project management framework and methodology...LEARN MORE

Post Doctoral Fellow – Synthetic Organic Chemistry

We are seeking postdoctoral fellows with a passion for synthetic organic chemistry and/or medicinal chemistry to join our Vancouver site. The fellow will become integrated within our medicinal chemistry team and take part in a drug discovery project, gaining experience in modern medicinal chemistry techniques and strategies...LEARN MORE

Internal Operations Auditor

The Internal Operations Auditor is responsible for ensuring Business Units comply with company policies and applicable laws. In this role you will support risk management in establishing streamlined processes and be a supportive link for operations to understand corporate and legal requirements. This role will ensure internal practices and operational SOPs comply with federal regulations and regulations...LEARN MORE

Coordinator, Operations

Coordinator, Operations will be responsible for providing core lab and operations support for adMare & resident companies, as well as shipping and receiving services. Reporting to Senior Director, Operations & Innovation Centres, this role is based in our Vancouver Innovations Center. This is a maternity leave - contract 12 months position...LEARN MORE

Director, Immunology

The Director is responsible for supporting design and development of innovative antibody-based therapeutics in fields of immuno-oncology, autoimmunity and/or inflammation from inception to IND and into early clinical development, expanding the cutting-edge expertise and the breadth/depth of knowledge in Immunology based research and biologic drug development within eRnD...LEARN MORE

Senior Research Associate I, Protein Engineering

The Senior Research Associate is responsible for independently planning, performing, and optimizing protein purification of multispecific antibodies to support research programs, characterizing protein therapeutics by analytical and biophysical methods for quality control, stability, and developability studies...LEARN MORE

General Application for Thrive Health (Remote)

We’re looking for our next great Thriver, and the unique perspective you bring to make Thrive a stronger, more diverse organization. If you don't see the role you're looking for on the Careers page, you can submit a general application for future consideration for their departments, and Thrive will reach out if and when they have a role available that may be a good fit...LEARN MORE

Research Associate, Preclinical

The role holder will be responsible for executing and supporting studies assessing the pharmacology, immunology, mechanism of action, distribution and safety profile of our LNP, executing analyses and data interpretation, and presenting results to the team and company...LEARN MORE

Animal Technician, Preclinical

The Animal Technician will be responsible for conducting and supporting in vivo/in vitro studies to characterize the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics/distribution and safety of lipid nanoparticles-nucleic acid formulations. The Animal Technician will be proficient/expert in routine procedures required for in vivo studies/in vitro assays and will be able to generate and follow standard operating procedures...LEARN MORE

We are DBIOMED, a Canada-based medical laboratory supply company founded in 2018.

We are driven by creating a personalized customer experience you can work with. Offering a wide range of innovative, reliable and sustainable consumables at competitive prices. We work closely with individual clients to ensure their lab's needs and demands are fulfilled. Ensuring quality while going over and beyond to facilitate a seamless experience is our number one priority.

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