July 6th, 2023

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

Member Highlights 

Apricell Biotechnology has released a dynamic new animated video of its 3D tissue culture plate, which can create a complex tumoroid model-in-a-well.

Ondine Biomedical has announced the Mexican launch of Steriwave, its cutting-edge infection prevention technology. Learn more.

EY Canada has announced its list of over 100 regional finalists in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 program celebrating diverse entrepreneurs with compelling journeys that have created thriving, high-growth businesses. See the Pacific region finalists list here, which includes Tamer Mohamed of Aspect Biosystems.

Gordon McCauley discusses adMare's contributions to creating a more robust Canadian life sciences sector by building companies, ecosystems, and talent in a recent edition of Innovating Canada. Read it here.

In a recent article, the European publication Labiotech featured five prominent Vancouver biotech companies, which include AbCellera Biologics, Acuitas Therapeutics, Aspect Biosystems, Notch Therapeutics, and STEMCELL Technologies. Read it here.   

Industry Highlights

Canada has announced a research investment of nearly $3M through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to support three clinical trials that will examine psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as a potential treatment option for alcohol use disorder, treatment-resistant depression and end-of-life psychological distress in advanced-stage cancer patients. Learn more.

Canada's federal research granting agencies – Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and SSHRC-CRSH are announcing a review of the Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications to require that any peer-reviewed journal publications arising from agency-supported research be freely available, without subscription or fee, at the time of publication. The renewed OA Policy will be released by the end of 2025. Learn more.

Finance Canada provides entrepreneurs, businesses, and not-for-profits the Business Benefit Finder, a tool for organizations to discover programs and services to help them grow. Learn more.

The Business Council of BC, the BC Assembly of First Nations and Vancouver Island University welcome a contribution from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), totalling $1.33M over four years, to the Indigenous Intern Leadership Program (IILP), connecting qualifying Indigenous post-secondary graduates with two-year internships with prominent BC employers. Learn more

Applications Open

Applications are open for many positions on the Canada Foundation for Innovation's Board of Directors. The CFI strives to build Canada's capacity to undertake world-class research and technology development to benefit Canadians. Applications are due July 31. Learn more.

Through the Consulate General of Canada in Sao Paulo and in collaboration with the National Research Council, Global Affairs Canada invites participants to the Canadian Advanced Manufacturing Technology partnering delegation to Brazil in October. Applications are due July 18. Learn more.

InBC Investment Corp. is accepting applications from innovative life sciences companies and venture funds that invest in life sciences companies seeking new investment. Learn more.

The adMare Academy invites executives working in life sciences companies across Canada to apply to be part of Cohort VI of the Executive Institute, recognized for its contribution to developing leadership capacity in the Canadian life sciences sector. Applications are due August 15. Learn more.

We invite you to explore our expanded list of current life sciences application opportunities by clicking on the following link. Applications Open.

Kudos

Kudos to Dr. Alan Winter, BC tech innovator, on receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Queen's University Belfast for his significant contributions to science in Northern Ireland and beyond. Learn more.

Congratulations to this year's Order of Canada appointees, including 16 from BC, several of whom have contributed to BC's life sciences ecosystem. See the complete list here.

People on the Move

Dr. William Hall joins Novateur Ventures as Health Economics Lead. Jim Johnson is the new Director of the Life Sciences Institute at The University of British Columbia. Zymeworks has appointed Carlos Campoy to its board of directors.

Maha Katab of Sofinnova Ventures, Brigitte Nolet of Roche Canada Pharma and Najah Sampson of Pfizer Canada join the BIOTECanada board of directors. Learn more.

The Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology has appointed four new members to their board of directors, Tam Pham, Joelle Laudisio, Melisa DiPietro and Nirali Rathwa. Learn more.

Canada has announced the appointments and reappointments to the Canadian Commercial Corporation board of directors. CCC is Canada's government-to-government contracting agency supporting the growth of international trade by helping Canadian companies build successful commercial relationships with foreign governments. See the list here.

The Last Word

A reminder that applications are open until July 31 for our annual Investor Readiness Program (IRP), which helps BC early-stage small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) in the life sciences sector become investor-ready and advance their businesses.



Participants benefit from individual mentoring, educational workshops, goal setting, peer-to-peer feedback, networking opportunities, group meetings, and more. The program culminates in a pitch session to a group of pre-qualified investors. Learn more and apply here.

"I recommend the IRP program because of the high-quality, collaborative network that is activated to inspire, motivate and challenge founders to bring out the best in you and your business."

Michelle Martin, Maka Health, 2023 IRP Graduate

Tickets for the 25th Annual LSBC Awards Gala presented by Farris will be available starting July 12 and will go fast! Join us in celebrating the exceptional individuals and companies shaping BC's vibrant life sciences sector. Learn more and stay tuned for ticket updates.

Please note that BioLinks is published on Thursdays rather than the usual Fridays during the summer months of July and August. 

Until next week,

Wendy and the LSBC team

IMC Calls on Canada’s Premiers to Improve Patient Access to Medicines

Health care remains top of mind heading into the Council of the Federation Summer Meeting in Winnipeg next week, as provinces and territories prepare individual action plans relating to the Canada Health Transfer. However, there are a number of other critical health-care priorities which would benefit from federal-provincial-territorial collaboration, such as the need to improve timely access to innovative medicines, including drugs for rare diseases...READ MORE

Applications Now Open for Cohort VI of the adMare Academy Executive Institute Program

The adMare Academy invites executives working in life sciences companies across Canada to apply to be part of Cohort VI of the Executive Institute.

With a renowned curriculum, expert facilitation, and certified executive coaches, this program has been widely recognized for its contribution to developing leadership capacity in the Canadian life sciences sector. Over five previous cohorts, the program has helped develop 89 leaders, impacting 95 different life sciences organizations across Canada...READ MORE

Filament Health Enters Exclusive Licensing Agreement With NeoLumina Bioscience Inc.

Filament Health Corp., a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company, announced an exclusive global licensing agreement with NeoLumina Bioscience Inc., a company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics inspired by psychedelics. Under the terms of the agreement, Filament will license its proprietary botanical psilocybin drug candidate, PEX010, and associated intellectual property, to NeoLumina for clinical and commercial development related to eating disorders. PEX010 is formulated as an oral capsule, and has both US Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada authorization to enter into phase 1 and phase 2 human clinical trials...READ MORE

Aurinia Board of Directors Announces Exploration of Strategic Alternatives to Maximize Shareholder Value

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has initiated an exploration of strategic alternatives. As part of this process, the Board will consider a wide range of options for the company including, but not limited to, a potential sale, merger, or other strategic transaction. There can be no assurance that this process will result in the company pursuing a particular transaction or other strategic outcome. Aurinia has not set a timetable for completion of this process, and it does not intend to disclose further developments unless and until it determines that further disclosure is appropriate or necessary...READ MORE

BIOTECanada Announces Addition of Directors to Board of Directors

Following the 2023 Annual General Meeting of BIOTECanada, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce the election of three new Directors to the Association’s Board.

Effective immediately, the following will join the Board as Directors:

Maha Katabi, General Partner, Sofinnova Ventures

Brigitte Nolet, President and CEO, Roche Canada Pharma

Najah Sampson, President, Pfizer Canada Inc....READ MORE

Cytiva and BioCentriq Awarded NIIMBL Funding to Accelerate Bringing Gene Therapies to Market

Cytiva and BioCentriq, a New Jersey based cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO,) have been awarded funding from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL), a public-private partnership whose mission is to accelerate biopharmaceutical innovation...READ MORE

Triumf Innovations and the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization to Receive up to $35 Millon in Funding for Their Canadian Medicial Isotope Ecosytem

TRIUMF Innovations and the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC) announced they will receive up to $35 million in funding for the creation of the new Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE). CMIE has been created to support advancements in Canada’s medical isotope industry through funding of projects at TRIUMF, CPDC, Bruce Power, McMaster Nuclear Reactor, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and BWXT Medical, as well as to support the commercial development of new medical isotope technologies from researchers and SMEs across Canada...READ MORE

The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) provides industry-informed technical skills development and training specializing in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. CASTL is the exclusive provider of the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) licensed training programs in Canada. Based in Ireland, NIBRT develops and delivers state-of-the-art training and education programs for the world’s leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing companies. CASTL’s lead national partner in Canada is the adMare Academy. LEARN MORE

Minister Ng Announces Appointments and Reappointments to Canadian Commercial Corporation Board of Directors

As the only Canadian agency that offers international contracting expertise, CCC has facilitated the delivery of billions in Canadian products and services to national, state and municipal governments around the world. G2G contracts ensure the smooth delivery of projects for both government buyers and Canadians, delivering more made-in-Canada solutions to every corner of the world.

To ensure that CCC continues to have the leadership it needs to deliver Canadian solutions to the world, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, announced the appointments of Mark Dienesch and Mylène Tassy as well as the reappointments of Dyanne Carenza, Michael Johnson, and Christa Wessel...READ MORE

Government of Canada Invests Nearly $3 Million to Study the Potential Benefits of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced a research investment of nearly $3 million through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to support three clinical trials that will examine psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as a potential treatment option for alcohol use disorder, treatment-resistant depression and end-of-life psychological distress in advanced-stage cancer patients...READ MORE

Indigenous Intern Leadership Program Receives $1.33 Million Funding from Indigenous Services Canada

The Business Council of B.C., the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, and Vancouver Island University welcome a contribution to the Indigenous Intern Leadership Program (IILP) from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), totalling $1.33 million over four years. The program connects qualifying Indigenous post-secondary graduates with two-year internships with prominent B.C. employers. This funding supports reconciliation in action, identifying and providing employment opportunities for post graduate Indigenous trade, technical or professional graduates for a minimum of two years in any sector of the economy and who will, in turn, bring Indigenous perspectives, needs and aspirations into their workplace...READ MORE

Parliamentary Secretary Virani Participates in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Small Business and Entrepreneurship Ministerial Meeting

Parliamentary Secretary Arif Virani wrapped up his participation in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s first SME and Entrepreneurship ministerial meeting in Paris, which he attended on behalf of the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development. The goal of this event is to help strengthen global discussions about the crucial importance of SMEs and entrepreneurs to achieving green and digital transitions, as well as enhancing global trade and value chains...READ MORE

Director of Clinical Affairs

SaNOtize is looking for a Director of Clinical Affairs who, while reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, will serve a vital role providing clinical development oversight and direction to SaNOtize’s pipeline products. Required experience includes BSc, PhD or PharmD, with 10+ years of clinical and project management experience in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and/or CRO environment. Exceptional verbal, written and presentation skills...LEARN MORE

Director of Regulatory Affairs

SaNOtize are currently seeking a full-time Director of Regulatory Affiars. This position is accountable for the implementation of the regulatory strategy for all development projects, for ensuring that the strategy is designed to deliver a rapid approval with advantageous labeling in keeping with the properties of the product(s) and the needs identified by the executive team. The Regulatory Affairs Director will possess strategic leadership skills, experienced in North American (US and Canada) and ex-North America regulatory sciences...LEARN MORE

Manager, Commercialization

The Manager, Commercialization assists in managing Praxis’ Commercialization Program (including SCI Incubate and SCI Accelerate programs) to expand and strengthen Praxis’ network for commercialization, helps to evaluate technologies and implement mechanisms for mentorship and coaching for SCI technologies based on their specific needs. This position is expected to execute on Praxis’ fundraising strategy to meet initial targets for the Commercialization Program/Innovation Fund from various sources, including government, people of high net worth, and corporate giving from industry....LEARN MORE

Associate Director/Director, CMC

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Associate Director/Director, CMC to join the CMC team. The incumbent will be responsible for managing Xenon’s GMP and non-GMP analytical, synthesis and preformulation/solid state analysis contract research organizations (CROs) as well as coordinating preformulation activities performed internally and externally...LEARN MORE

Associate Director, Information Security & Risk Management

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Associate Director, Information Security & Risk Management. This role will be responsible for assessing the adequacy and performance of existing security controls, developing a multi-year roadmap to enhance controls and mitigate risk as the company evolves, and executing against that roadmap – i.e. enhancing existing and implementing additional controls as needed...LEARN MORE

Director/Senior Director, Human Resources, Systems and Data

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is seeking seeking a Director/Senior Director, Human Resources, Systems and Data. The Director/Senior Director will be a key member of highly collaborative HR and corporate teams with responsibility for Human Resource management systems, data and reporting and for acting as a Business Partner, providing counsel, coaching and support to assigned departments, employees and managers in the U.S. and Canada...LEARN MORE

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