Life Sciences BC News, May 02, 2024

Last week, on April 25 we hosted our inaugural Digital Health Conference. The feedback from this event and community has been exceedingly positive as we learned about the many innovations in the sector and ways technology is being leveraged to address some of the most challenging opportunities and needs in health care today. We look forward to continuing the conversation. Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this event possible: mlHealth 360, WELL Health Technologies, HEALWELL AI, Claris Healthcare Inc, Kirke Management Consulting, Nimbus Synergies, Thrive Health, & Digital. 

One of the encouraging stories we heard during the event was from Molecular You President and CSO Rob Fraser. A 60-year-old female patient had been a client of Molecular You, and on her most recent assessment, a series of biomarkers were identified in ranges associated with pancreatic cancer. The results were brought to the attention of her doctor, and stage 1 pancreatic cancer was confirmed. The patient underwent successful surgery, avoiding the need for further treatment, with the surgeon commenting that it was one of the earliest cases of pancreatic cancer seen. Read more. 

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade released the inaugural Benchmarking Greater Vancouver Report, which looks at how the Greater Vancouver region measures up to leading international peer cities on our economic performance, infrastructure & sustainability, and liveability. Read more.

A few Highlights from the report: 

• Vancouver’s economy is underperforming with our region rated 14th among 20 peer cities for 'Prosperity'. 
• Greater Vancouver is among the top half of its peers for the rate of start-ups, but early-stage capital and scale is a challenge. 
• Housing still dominates local challenges. 
• We continue to lead in environmental performance. 

2024 Annual Life Sciences BC Awards nominations are NOW OPEN! 

This is your chance to recognize and celebrate the exceptional BC-based individuals and organizations moving the needle forward for life sciences, from research and discovery to innovation and commercialization, as well as community and business leadership. 

This year, the Deal of the Year returns! Award recipients are selected by a distinguished panel of judges comprised of sector leaders. Learn more and submit a nomination on our awards web page, nominations are due by midnight on May 26. 

For questions about the Awards or nomination process, please contact our Manager of Marketing & Communications, Rosabel Bong.

Member Highlights 

AbCellera, Viking Global Investors, and ArrowMark Partners collaborate to launch new biotech companies. ArrowMark and Viking, with deep knowledge of early investment and company creation, will lead the initial program selection. This, combined with AbCellera’s technology and expertise will accelerate innovation with an initial focus in immunology. Read more. 

Aspect Biosystems CEO Tamer Mohamed was interviewed by Investment Reports. He talks about some of the exciting work they are doing around developing a novel therapeutic category. Aspect’s technology holds the promise of addressing diseases without the need for full organ transplants, which could be life-changing for patients. Read more. 

Aspect Biosystems CEO Tamer Mohamed will present at World's Top 50 Innovators 2024 on May 9 in London UK. Read more. 

Precision Nanosystems, a global leader in lipid nanoparticle delivery of genomic material is now part of Cytiva. This expands nanomedicine solutions with Cytiva’s full workflow solutions. Read more. 

Axolotl Biosciences is featured in an article about how they are shaping the future of regenerative medicine with 3D bioprinting. Dr. Stephanie Willerth, founder of Axolotl Biosciences, comments on the role of 3D bioprinting, the progress and the potential future applications – from 3D printed organs to space travel. Read more. 

WELL Health Technologies announces collaboration with Microsoft to accelerate healthcare’s digital transformation. Read more. 

Genome BC's Sally Greenwood speaks with Stuart McNish about the important work that they are doing to make people aware of what genomics is and the many roles of genomics across various industries. Watch clip.

Industry Highlights

University Health Network marks a significant milestone with its 1000th Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion transplantation surgery. This ground-breaking technique maintains donor lungs outside the body by mimicking body temperature and providing nutrients before transplantation, resulting in increased lung health and lower rates of rejection following the surgery. Read more. 

Kudos

Congratulations to Andrew Booth, CFO of AbCellera, a recipient of the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business 2024’s Best Executive Awards. Under Booth’s guidance, AbCellera raised one of the largest Canadian IPOs in biotechnology and has expanded from 70 to 600 employees. Read more.  

Kudos to Dr. Nadia Khan of UBC’s Department of Medicine, who received Providence Research’s 2024 Research and Mission Award for her contributions to cardiometabolic healthcare delivery for marginalized populations. Read more.  

Congratulations to Dr. Chris Tam and the dynamic team at Integrated Nanotherapeutics Inc. for the best presentation in the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology category at the EFFERVESCENCE MTL 2024 Start-Up Pitch Contest, presented by adMare. Read more.

People on the Move

Nimbus Synergies announced the appointment of Jason Robertson as Managing Partner. Jason is a Co-Founder of Nimbus, a Vancouver-based venture capital firm. Read more.  

Congratulations to Umesh Ramachandran, who was named the Biomanufacturing Trainer and Site Manager for CASTL’s new training facility on the BCIT Richmond Campus. Read more.  

Applications Open

Applications have reopened for all three streams of AccelerateIP, a program run by New Ventures BC in partnership with Innovate BC. The program offers IP education and up to $85,000 in grants towards the legal costs of IP strategy development. Learn more.  

The New Frontiers in Research Fund 2024 Exploration competition is open for applications. Exploration grants support high-risk, high-reward research that brings unexpected disciplines together. Notices of intent are due August 27, 2024. Learn more.  

TRANSCAN-3 launched a joint call for research proposals on the topic “Combination therapies against cancer: new opportunities for transnational research.” The primary purpose is to design patient preclinical models for combination therapies. Pre-proposals are due July 5, 2024. Learn more. 

Up to $300,000 in funding is available for BC-based R&D projects in natural resources, engineering, or applied sciences through Innovate BC’s Ignite program. Apply by July 8, 2024. Learn more. 

Applications are open for the Youth Advisory Council of the Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health. The council allows youth to take part in conversations related to Canadian health and health research. Youth between the ages of 12 and 25 are invited to apply by May 21, 2024. Learn more. 

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

Member Spotlight

Created in 2017 through a partnership between the Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine, and enabled by the leadership of British Columbia’s provincial government, the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering is unique as UBC’s first inter‑faculty school and as Canada’s living laboratory for new models of convergent research and education. With access to world-leading research infrastructure, and with close partnerships with our research-intensive hospitals and local industry, the School aims to provide a clear route from the discovery of new fundamental biomedical technologies to their innovative application and development to benefit human health...Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

May 23 - Join the excitement of BIO 2024 before the conference and learn about some of the innovative BC companies that will be attending.

Life Sciences BC is hosting a BC Delegation Spotlight: BIO San Diego webinar on May 23, 2024 from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM PT, offering attendees an opportunity to gain insight into the innovative research and advancements in BC.

May 29 & 30 - LSBC, in partnership with Biotech Primer, is pleased to present BioBasics 101: The Biology of Biotech for the Non-Scientist.

This intensive two-day ‘master course’ is designed to help non-scientists gain a foundational understanding of the science that forms the backbone of biopharma.

Aurinia Underscores Enduring Commitment to People Living with Lupus Nephritis Through Innovative Advocacy and Education Initiatives for Lupus Awareness Month

In recognition of Lupus Awareness Month, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals announced several initiatives to improve understanding of the seriousness of lupus nephritis and the need for frequent screening and appropriate management, including an innovative disease state education campaign for rheumatologists...Read more.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Approves Updated LUPKYNIS® (Voclosporin) Label to Include Long-term Data from the AURORA Clinical Program

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals announced that the FDA has approved a label update for LUPKYNIS. The updated label no longer includes language indicating that the safety and efficacy of LUPKYNIS has not been established beyond one year...Read more.

AbCellera, Viking Global Investors, and ArrowMark Partners Collaborate to Launch New Biotech Companies

AbCellera, Viking Global Investors, and ArrowMark Partners announced that they have entered into a collaboration to advance new antibody drug programs with an aim to launch multiple asset-based companies. The first two programs will be in the area of immunology...Read more.

WELL Health Technologies Announces Collaboration with Microsoft to Accelerate Healthcare’s Digital Transformation

WELL Health Technologies is pleased to announce it is collaborating with Microsoft to accelerate healthcare’s digital transformation. This five-year agreement is set to accelerate the digital transformation of healthcare delivery across North America and beyond...Read more.

Cytiva Introduces New Cell Lines to Meet the Challenges and Increasing Demand of Viral Vector Manufacturing

Viral vector-based gene therapies hold immense promise for treating a multitude of diseases. But their widespread adoption is hindered by inefficient manufacturing methods and a lack of standardized processes. Cytiva is bringing solutions to these challenges with its new ELEVECTA cell lines...Read more.

CASTL Announces Site Manager for BC Biomanufacturing Training Facility The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) is pleased to welcome Umesh Ramachandran as Biomanufacturing Trainer and Site Manager for its new training facility located at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Richmond Campus...Read more.

AbbVie Reinforces Commitment to Science and Innovation with a €150 million Euro Investment in New Cutting-Edge Research and Development Facility in Germany

AbbVie breaks ground on a new central research building, “LUnA” and is investing approximately €150 million in its second largest R&D location worldwide. A state-of-the-art research and laboratory building is being built on the main campus and will be home to more than 300 researchers...Read more.

New Data Show RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) Demonstrated Superiority Versus DUPIXENT® (dupilumab) Across Primary and All Secondary Endpoints in an Open-Label Head-to-Head Atopic Dermatitis Study

AbbVie announced positive topline results from LEVEL UP, a Phase 3b/4 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis...Read more.

Lexaria to Receive $4.7 Million Gross Proceeds in Warrant Exercise and Issuance

Lexaria Bioscience announces it has entered into a warrant exercise agreement with an existing accredited investor to exercise in full certain existing warrants to purchase an aggregate 2,917,032 shares of its common stock...Read more.

UBC Student Launches ‘It’s My Choice’ to Empower Abortion Care Decisions

Kate Wahl, a PhD student in the UBC Faculty of Medicine, wants to help Canadians navigate the decision to have an abortion. She’s developed It’s My Choice, Canada’s first interactive website aimed at helping people identify the abortion option that best fits their values and circumstances...Read more.

Labcorp Receives FDA Approval for First Companion Diagnostic for Use with Pfizer’s Newly Approved Gene Therapy to Treat Patients with Hemophilia B

Labcorp announced the U.S. FDA has approved its nAbCyte™ Anti-AAVRh74var HB-FE Assay, a companion diagnostic to determine patient eligibility for treatment with BEQVEZ™, Pfizer’s recently FDA-approved hemophilia B gene therapy...Read more.

Completion of the Acquisition of SignalChem Biotech Inc. by Sino Biological, Inc.

SignalChem Lifesciences announced the completion of the acquisition of SignalChem Biotech by Sino Biological. Sino Biological has acquired 100% of SCB shares in a deal valued at $48M USD, inclusive of all assets, assumed indebtedness, and net of cash deposits...Read more.

Microbion Receives Award at Advanced Wound Care Summit USA’s Innovation Showcase Microbion Corporation announced that the company won the Advanced Wound Care Summit’s Innovation Showcase award. The Innovation Showcase was designed to give presenters an opportunity to demonstrate their vision of the future of wound care, and how their technology or service fits into it...Read more.

Getinge’s cGMP Washer Redefines Cleanroom Efficiency with Compact Design and Sustainable Performance

Getinge unveils the GEW 888 neo, a cGMP washer designed to develop cleanroom efficiency. Built to meet the strictest demands of the biopharmaceutical industry, the GEW 888 neo offers customers the ability to maximize their cleanroom space...Read more.

Research Scientist, Biology

SignalChem is looking for a highly motivated individual with in-depth knowledge of and extensive experience in cell signaling, preferably in the industry setting, to join its drugs discovery team as a research scientist...Learn more.

Material Management – Logistics Specialist II

This position is responsible for the oversight of overall inbound traffic of raw materials and supplies for the GMP Manufacturing group. Resulting in the coordination and collaboration with vendors, purchasing, accounting, manufacturing, process development, and project management...Learn more.

Application Scientist

The primary responsibilities of this role will be supporting a multidisciplinary team by providing support for the newest AtomForge technology. The focus will be on the small-molecule drug discovery market, with an emphasis on molecular dynamics and free energy calculations...Learn more.

Senior Manager, Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub

Working under broad directions from the Executive Director, CIEBH, the Senior Manager will manage operational and partnership activities of CIEBH, engage with researchers and industry partners to develop knowledge mobilization plans, while supporting implementation of initiatives for CIEBH...Learn more.

Scientific Project Associate

The Scientific Project Associate will work flexibly across several discovery-stage small molecule programs, providing critical compound logistics and contract management support...Learn more.

Clinical Trials Coordinator

The Clinical Trial Coordinator handles all aspects of enrolment and follow-up of clinical research study patients including initial recruitment of study subjects, continued follow up with enrolled subjects, and collection and maintenance of clinical research related data...Learn more.

Associate Director/Director, Quality, Regulatory & Supply Chain Systems

This role will be the IT business partner for the Quality, Regulatory and Supply Chain functions and will be the primary point of contact on all topics related to IT. The Associate Director/Director, Quality, Regulatory & Supply Chain System will partner with these groups to develop and execute against a functional technology roadmap...Learn more.

Assistant Professor in Cardiac Arrhythmias

The ideal candidate will lead a research program using stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to investigate inherited arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies at the Cellular and Regenerative Medicine Centre...Learn more.

Clinical Trial Associate 1

The Clinical Trial Associate 1 will be an individual responsible for supporting Clinical Operations team members with project-specific support related to the conduct of clinical trials activities...Learn more.

Welcome to LSBC!

With global drug shortages, patent-cliffs and first-in-class drugs being developed, there is a critical need to remove bottlenecks in drug production. Chemical synthesis is presently a manual and laborious process.

nCellular AI is a chemistry-focused artificial intelligence company developing from-scratch, bespoke AI models to solve complex chemistry synthesis challenges. Capitalizing on our team’s decades of experience covering software development, analytics, clinical development, and chemistry, we provide the life sciences and educational industries with the means to redefine their chemistry synthesis pipelines.

We are delighted to join LSBC to partner with local talent, particularly for drug development and R&D focused on AI...Learn more.

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