June 16th, 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.

Industry Highlights 

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)'s virtual Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Innovation Symposium on June 28 allows those working in the sector to connect, exchange information and ideas, discuss topics of mutual interest, collaborate, and explore potential partnerships in the Canadian life sciences and biomanufacturing ecosystem. Registration is free and open to all. Learn more. 

Dr. Maura Campbell of OBIO, and Cate Murray of Stem Cell Network, emphasized the need for continued collaboration among Canadian governments, research organizations, life sciences companies, and investors to support academic laboratories and biotech enterprises in their recent opinion piece in The Globe and Mail, "Driving Global Excellence: Collaboration Key to Empowering Canadian Life Sciences.” Read it here.

Canada and the UK have signed a memorandum of cooperation to advance a biomanufacturing program, committing to jointly develop and produce critical products for future health emergencies while leveraging strong collaboration in science, technology, and innovation, supported by a $32M jointly administered fund. This partnership will help to support the work that Canada is undertaking via its Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy to strengthen domestic innovation and industrial capabilities to better prepare for and respond to health emergencies. Learn more.

Horizon Health Network and Amgen Canada are partnering to deliver expedited access to cancer treatment for New Brunswick patients by embarking on a new innovative access pathway to see clinically validated cancer treatment made available to patients faster than under conventional processes. Learn more. 

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office's 2021−2022 Annual Report highlighting CIPO's achievements from the 2021−2022 fiscal year was tabled in Parliament this week. Read it here.

Canada has announced $1.8M in funding over three years to the Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, hosted by the University of Alberta, to support research to address COVID-19-related issues for transplant recipients. Learn more.

Through Invest Vancouver, Metro Vancouver has proclaimed June as Clean Transportation Month, celebrating our region's clean transportation industrial strengths and the numerous clean transportation events occurring during the month. Learn more here.

Applications Open

Applications for the Praxis SCI Accelerate 2023 program are now open. This intensive 6-month program provides best-in-class mentorship, expertise, and resources to help post-prototype companies scale their innovations to improve the lives of those with spinal cord injuries. Applications are due July 23. Learn more.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has introduced two funding opportunities for quantum research collaboration. The Alliance International Catalyst Quantum grants and Alliance International Collaboration Quantum grants aim to foster partnerships between Canadian university researchers and international academic counterparts, promoting research excellence and advancing Canada's leadership in quantum science and technology. Applications are open until March 31 and January 31, 2024, respectively. Learn more.

The deadline for Canadian SMEs to apply to participate in the Cancer Prevention and Treatment R&D Partnering Mission to Germany in November has been extended to June 23. 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

Congratulations to Tamer Mohamed of Aspect Biosystems for being named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 Pacific finalist! See the complete list of finalists here.

The BC Tech Association has announced the finalists of its Technology Impact Awards, recognizing exceptional success in the last year across 9 categories. Congratulations to all finalists, including our members, VoxCell BioInnovations, IKOMED Technologies, STEMCELL Technologies, AbCellera, Thrive Health and Aspect Biosystems (nominated in two categories). See the complete list of finalists here.

People on the Move

Congratulations to Pascal Spothelfer for starting a new position as President and Managing Director at Entrepreneurship@UBC Venture Funds. Dr. Paul Armstrong has joined the Health Research Foundation Board of Directors. Ondine Biomedical Appoints Dr. Simon Sinclair as Chief Medical Officer.

The Last Word

Tickets for the 25th Annual LSBC Awards Gala presented by Farris will be available starting July 12. Join us in celebrating the exceptional individuals and companies shaping BC's vibrant life sciences sector. Take advantage of this opportunity to honour their contributions alongside colleagues and sector leaders at the beautiful Vancouver Convention Centre West on September 14. Learn more and stay tuned for ticket updates!

Tickets are going fast for the upcoming LSBC Annual Summer Social, sponsored by AbCellera, on June 28 from 5-7pm at the stunning Zymeworks offices.

Enjoy an evening of relaxed camaraderie and networking to kick off summer! Register here.

2023 Technology Impact Awards Finalists Announced for the 30th Anniversary Celebration

BC Tech is proud to announce the finalists across 9 Technology Impact Award categories who achieved exceptional success in the past year. As BC Tech celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the Technology Impact Awards, this year’s awards celebrates 30 years of innovation in BC...READ MORE

Zucara Therapeutics Announces Additional Funding from JDRF to Support ZT-01 Phase 2 Study

Zucara Therapeutics Inc., a diabetes-focused life sciences company developing the first once-daily therapeutic to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) in people with diabetes, announced additional funding from JDRF, the leading global Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. Through its Industry Discovery & Development Partnerships program, JDRF will provide US$2 million in funding to support Zucara’s planned Phase 2a study of the effect of ZT-01 On Nocturnal hypoglycemia Events in Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Zucara expects to begin patient dosing in the third quarter of 2023...READ MORE

Numinus Announces Partnership with MAPS to Support Therapist Psychedelic Experiential Training

Numinus Wellness Inc., a mental health care company advancing innovative treatments and evidence-based investigational psychedelic-assisted therapies, announced a partnership with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), to support psychedelic experiential opportunities for practitioners as part of a clinical study. If the Clinical Trial Application (CTA) submitted to Health Canada is approved, the MDMA-assisted therapy experiential opportunity would be available only through Numinus...READ MORE

United Therapeutics Unveils Net Zero Energy Distribution Center

United Therapeutics Corporation (Nasdaq: UTHR), a public benefit corporation, yesterday unveiled its new net zero energy distribution center located on the company’s co-headquarters campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. United Therapeutics Chairperson and CEO Dr. Martine Rothblatt welcomed North Carolina officials, members of the North Carolina General Assembly, and business leaders to a “cord cutting” ceremony to showcase the new distribution center...READ MORE

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Receives U.S. FDA Fast Track Designation for EP-104IAR in Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Phase 2 clinical-stage biotechnology company with an innovative drug delivery technology platform, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Fast Track designation for the investigation of EP-104IAR in the treatment of adults with osteoarthritis (“OA”) of the knee. The Fast Track process is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs that treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need...READ MORE

Chinook Therapeutics to Present Updated Data from Zigakibart (Bion-1301) Phase 1/2 Trial in Patients with Iga Nephropathy (Igan) at the 60th European Renal Association (Era) Congress

Chinook Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of precision medicines for kidney diseases, announced a focused oral presentation on zigakibart (BION-1301) will be presented on Friday, June 16, 2023 at the 60TH ERA Congress being held virtually and live in Milan, Italy...READ MORE

Chinook Therapeutics Enters Into Agreement to be Acquired by Novartis AG

Chinook Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of precision medicines for kidney diseases, announced that it has entered into an agreement and plan of merger with Novartis AG pursuant to which Novartis will acquire Chinook for $40 per share in cash, or a total of $3.2 billion. This offer represents a premium of 83 percent to Chinook’s 60-day volume-weighted average stock price and 67 percent to Chinook’s closing price on June 9, 2023...READ MORE

Roche Canada Launches Clinical Trial Diversity Alliance

Roche Canada announced the creation of the Advancing Inclusive Research® Site Alliance. This coalition of clinical research sites will partner with Roche to advance the representation of diverse patient populations in the company’s clinical trials, test recruitment and retention approaches, and establish best practices that can be leveraged across the industry to help achieve health equity for all...READ MORE

PharmAla Awarded Research Grant by Ontario Centre for Innovation

PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and manufacturing of novel MDXX class molecules (including MDMA), is excited to announce that it has been granted a research grant by the Ontario Centre for Innovation in conjunction with the University of Windsor...READ MORE

PharmAla Biotech announces Non-Brokered Private Placement Offering of up to an Aggregate of $5,000,000

PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the research, development and manufacturing MDXX class molecules (including MDMA), announce a non-brokered private placement of a minimum 3,333,333 units and a maximum 16,666,666 units of the Company at a price of $0.30 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of a minimum of $1,000,000 and a maximum of $5,000,000 which will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in Canada (except Quebec) and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions (the “LIFE Offering”)...READ MORE

USFDA Approves LaNeo MDMA for Clinical Trial Use in the United States

PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and manufacturing of MDXX class molecules (including MDMA), is pleased to report that the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has approved a clinical trial utilizing PharmAla’s LaNeo MDMA Investigational Medical Product (IMP) capsules (40mg). This is the first time that PharmAla’s IMP has been approved for trial use in the United States...READ MORE

Gene Bio Medical to Boost Biomedical Advancements as Commercialization Partner in SFU-led Initiative

Gene Biotechnology Enterprises Ltd., doing business as Gene Bio Medical, is thrilled to announce that it has been selected as the commercialization business partner for an innovative research initiative led by esteemed RNA biochemistry expert, Professor Peter Unrau of Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry...READ MORE

Numinus to Participate in the Healthcare Virtual Conference Presented by Maxim Group LLC and hosted by M-Vest on June 20-22, 2023

Numinus Wellness Inc., a mental health care company advancing innovative treatments and safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies, announced that it will present at the Healthcare Virtual Conference presented by Maxim Group LLC and hosted by M-Vest, on June 20-22, 2023. Payton Nyquvest, Founder and CEO of Numinus, will participate in a Mental Health Care Clinics panel discussion on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 10:00 am ET / 7:00 am PT. In addition, Mr. Nyquvest will participate in a Numinus-focused Fireside Chat at 11:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT on Thursday, June 22, 2023...READ MORE

Ondine Biomedical Appoints Senior Pharma Executive Dr. Simon Sinclair as Chief Medical Officer

Canadian life sciences company Ondine Biomedical has appointed Dr. Simon Sinclair as Chief Medical Officer, as the Company prepares to start the US Phase 3 trial of its nasal photodisinfection technology. Dr Sinclair has over 20 years of pharma and medtech experience across translational medicine, clinical development, medical affairs, market access, and medical safety and vigilance. Dr Sinclair has served as a non-executive director on Ondine’s Board of Directors since 2021...READ MORE

Life-Saving Research gets Provincial Funding Boost, Expanded Mandate

People in B.C. will benefit from sustained cutting-edge research, especially focused on improving health care, as the Province provides $20 million over two years to the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC).

Through the B.C. Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, the GSC will play an increasing role in supporting the wide range of life sciences that are crucial to the future of B.C., Canada and the world. In addition to continuing its critical and groundbreaking work for cancer and other health issues, the genomics centre will play a key role in understanding areas such as forestry, marine science, agriculture, biodiversity and the effects of climate change...READ MORE

Governments of Canada and the United Kingdom Advance Partnership in Biomanufacturing and Quantum Science

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and George Freeman, the United Kingdom’s Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology), signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) detailing each jurisdiction’s commitment to advancing a biomanufacturing program.

Under the biomanufacturing MOC, Canada and the U.K. commit to jointly developing and producing the critical products each country needs to respond to the next health emergency. This collaboration will also build upon past and current joint biomanufacturing activities, notably through the National Research Council of Canada (NRC)...READ MORE

Innovative Partnership will Deliver Expedited Access to Cancer Treatment for New Brunswick Patients

Horizon Health Network (Horizon), in collaboration with Amgen Canada – one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies – is partnering to bring innovative medicine to patients faster. We are embarking on a new innovative access pathway that will see clinically validated cancer treatment being made available to patients much more quickly than under conventional processes...READ MORE

Manitoba Government Announces Bold New Life Sciences Strategy at Bio International Convention

The Manitoba government’s visionary new Life Sciences Strategy will power innovation and boost the province’s reputation as an internationally renowned hub for biosciences, Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Jeff Wharton announced at the BIO International Convention in Boston

Manitoba’s bioscience sector is one of the largest contributors to the provincial economy, the minister noted, with 2021 revenues exceeding $9.9 billion and the sector employing more than 14,000 Manitobans. Manitoba is the second-largest pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturer in Canada, and biotech products are the province’s top export...READ MORE

Director of Clinical Affairs

With experience in biopharmaceutical 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

Industry Partnership Manager

This position reports to Executive Director, CIEBH. The incumbent liaises with Faculty of Medicine and UBC Leadership, university offices (VPRI, UILO) regarding CIEBH-related activities, industry partners, as well as internal and external academic partners. This person will work with staff within CIEBH, as well as external agencies and health care professionals, community organizations, and the general public. The incumbent plays an important role in the execution and success of CIEBH...LEARN MORE

Eyam is a private, Canadian company focused on the research, development, and commercialization of platform technologies that are safe, efficacious and low dose.

Eyam was named to honour the village in Derbyshire that, in 1665-1666, confronted the plague. Villagers of Eyam choose to stay and brave near certain death rather than fleeing and risking the transmission of plague to neighbouring villages. In the end, 75% of Eyam’s residents did indeed die, but their surrounding neighbours were spared due to Eyam’s heroic and selfless quarantine.

Visit Website

Zucara Therapeutics is developing ZT-01, a first-in-class, once-daily therapeutic to prevent insulin-induced hypoglycemia in patients using insulin therapy.

ZT-01 is designed to inhibit somatostatin, a pancreatic hormone that impairs the glucagon response to hypoglycemia in people with insulin dependent diabetes. ZT-01 restores glucagon secretion to prevent hypoglycemia, which could dramatically change diabetes disease management and improve both patient health and quality of life.

Visit Website

Follow LSBC on Social Media!