May 26th, 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.

As a finalist in the Leader of the Year category, I was privileged last evening to be surrounded by a remarkable group of inspiring women being recognized and celebrated by BC Business Magazine for their exceptional leadership across various sectors.

Despite the progress we have made as of 2023 toward increasing the representation of women in leadership positions, there is much work to be done before attaining genuine equity. We must address unconscious biases and ensure that every member of our society has equitable opportunities to excel and lead and receives the respect they deserve. Congratulations to all winners and finalists listed here.

This week attendees were privileged to hear about the incredible biotech journey of Dr. Martine Rothblatt of United Therapeutics Corporation at last evening's McCarthy Spotlight Speaking Series event. With no previous experience in biology, Dr. Rothblatt's story of founding a biotech company to save her daughter's life from a rare disease without approved treatments was nothing short of inspiring.

Not satisfied to stop at treatment but to search for a cure for her daughter's disease, Dr. Rothblatt shared her latest innovative breakthroughs, pushing the boundaries of science and medicine, including her ongoing work with genetically engineered pigs and 3D printing to develop lungs suitable for human xenotransplantation.

We thank Dr. Martine Rothblatt for sharing her insights and bold approach to problem-solving. It was a unique opportunity to learn from one of the greatest minds of our time. Thank you to David Frost, partner at McCarthy Tétrault, event sponsor, for providing opening remarks and hosting this wonderful evening.

Until next week,

Wendy and the LSBC team

The Week in Pictures

The AbCellera Announcement Event

Right (L to R)

• Ali Ardakani, Novateur Ventures and Life Sciences BC Board Chair
• Carl Hansen, CEO of AbCellera
• Wendy Hurlburt, Life Sciences BC

Below (L to R)

• The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources
• Wendy Hurlburt, Life Sciences BC
• The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry
• The Honourable Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
• Gordon McCauley, adMare BioInnovations
• Ali Ardakani, Novateur Ventures and Life Sciences BC Board Chair
• The Honourable David Eby, Premier of BC

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Announces Last Patient Last Visit in Phase 2 Osteoarthritis Clinical Trial of EP-104IAR

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that it has reached the last patient last visit in its Phase 2 clinical trial of EP-104IAR for osteoarthritis. Management believes that the top-line data readout will be well powered and has the potential to demonstrate a meaningful reduction in OA knee pain with a corresponding improvement in patient function and an extended duration of effect. Based on previously released blinded safety data the Company also believes EP-104IAR has the potential for a best-in-class safety profile, potentially allowing for bilateral and chronic dosing regimens...READ MORE

Numinus Aligns Business Initiatives to Prepare for Future Approval of MDMA-Assisted Therapy

Numinus Wellness Inc., a mental health care company advancing innovative treatments and safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies, is pleased to announce several recent initiatives aimed at best positioning the company for the expected FDA approval of MDMA-assisted therapy (“MDMA-AT”) in the United States in the first half of 2024. In anticipation of this regulatory approval, Numinus has undertaken several initiatives to prepare the company for a rapid rollout of MDMA-AT services (using the MAPS protocol), including the recently launched Numinus Network™ clinic expansion program, reallocation of resources towards revenue producing activities, cost containment initiatives, and preparation for insurance reimbursement systems...READ MORE

Zymeworks Showcases New and Updated Clinical Data for Zanidatamab at ASCO 2023

Zymeworks is pleased to announce, along with their partners Jazz Pharmaceuticals and BeiGene, new and updated data from two ongoing clinical trials evaluating zanidatamab, a HER2-targeted bispecific antibody for the treatment of solid tumors, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting taking place June 2 to June 6 in Chicago, IL...READ MORE

AbCellera Partners with the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to Advance Drug Development Capabilities and Infrastructure that Will Accelerate Innovative Medicines to Patients

AbCellera announced a CA$701 million co-investment with the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to build new capabilities and infrastructure to develop innovative antibody-based medicines and strengthen Canada’s leadership in clinical research, manufacturing, and drug development. Over the next eight years, AbCellera plans to invest CA$401 million in the project, and the Governments of Canada and British Columbia will contribute CA$225 million and CA$75 million, respectively. These investments will build new capabilities in Canada to develop, manufacture, and deliver antibody medicines to patients through Phase 1 clinical trials and build expertise in translational science, technical operations, and clinical operations and research...READ MORE

Dr. Anne Junker and Victor Espinosa Named 2023 Clinical Trials BC Awards Recipients

The Leadership & Advocacy Award is presented to Dr. Anne Junker, associate professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia/BC Children’s Hospital and principal at UBC Emeritus College. She contributed four decades of work in clinical practice and clinical trials-related activities in pediatrics

The Service & Support Award is presented to Victor Espinosa, manager, research informatics/statistics at Island Health, who has made distinguished contributions in service and support to advance clinical trials in BC...READ MORE

InMed to Participate in Upcoming Virtual Investor Events

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc., a leader in the pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of rare cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs, announce that the Company’s executive team will be participating in two upcoming virtual investor events...READ MORE

• Tribe Public Webinar
• Date: May 31, 2023
• Time: 12:00 PM ET
• Investor Summit
• Date: June 1, 2023
• Time: 11.30 AM ET

Sun Rises on Lithuania’s Life Sciences Industry

Lithuania possesses one of the oldest languages still in use today, a tree which is amongst the most ancient in Europe, and the designation of being the final country in Europe to convert to Christianity. But amongst such historic heritage, a modern wave of biotech and medtech innovation is ushering the Baltic state to the forefront of scientific advancement in the twenty-first century. The capital, Vilnius, and second largest city, Kaunas, act as two spearheads of proliferation in biotech and medtech companies that are transforming the country into a cradle of life science ingenuity in the European Union...READ MORE

Bob Battista Joins Platform Life Sciences as EVP, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer

Platform Life Sciences, a global impact research organization, announced the appointment of Bob Battista as EVP, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer. In this role, Bob is responsible for building the company’s strategic direction and commercial activities, including deep market innovation initiatives with its clients and partners...READ MORE

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Announces Appointment of Dr. Mark Kowalski as Chief Medical Officer

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Phase 2 clinical-stage biotechnology company with an innovative drug delivery technology platform, announced that it has appointed Mark Kowalski, MD, PhD, as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer (“CMO”), effective May 18, 2023. He brings to Eupraxia experience with clinical study design, database design and authoring protocols for Phase 1 through 3 clinical trials, as well as medical monitoring and pharmacovigilance services for Phase 1 through 4 clinical trials, plus data analysis and writing of clinical study reports...READ MORE

Novartis Canada Launches New Head Office in the Health Innovation District of Montréal, Featuring a Unique Environment to Inspire Co-Creation, Partnerships and Continued Healthcare Innovation

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. announce the official opening of its new Montréal office in the heart of Old Montréal. Located in the iconic Place Gare Viger, the office has been designed to provide a modern workplace that meets the needs of Novartis’ associates and facilitates closer collaboration with key stakeholders. The 31,689 square foot office is located within Montreal’s bustling Health Innovation District, and was chosen as it places Novartis directly in the heart of a flourishing ecosystem of organizations dedicated to the creation and exchange of innovative ideas...READ MORE

Premier, Ministers Head to Asia to Grow B.C.’s Clean Economy

Premier David Eby is leading a trade mission to Asia to grow B.C. businesses, create good jobs for British Columbians and strengthen the supply chains people depend on for goods and services. The mission will bolster B.C.’s trade and investment ties in the Indo-Pacific, the world’s fastest-growing economic region, and advance the Province’s new Trade Diversification Strategy. The trade mission includes Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Singapore and Vietnam, and goes from May 25 until June 7, 2023...READ MORE

Government of Canada Makes Additional Investments in Mpox and Other Zoonotic Disease Research to Improve Health Outcomes

The Honourable Rob Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, announced, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, an investment of $6.35M from the Government of Canada to support thirteen teams across Canada that will carry out national and global health research projects on mpox and other zoonotic threats. This new investment recognizes the continued risks of transmission of mpox and the threat posed by other zoonotic diseases in Canada and globally. This builds on the December 2022 investment of $5.5M in two research projects to better understand mpox transmission, evaluate potential vaccines and treatments, and learn how to disseminate this knowledge quickly...READ MORE

Senior Associate Scientist (Biophysical Characterization)

Amgen BC are seeking a Senior Associate Scientist (Biophysical Characterization). The individual will join a team of dedicated scientists to discover and characterize molecules that have the potential to help patients in need. A well-suited applicant will have great laboratory skills, a strong analytical mindset, deep scientific curiosity, and a can-do attitude. The successful candidate will be responsible for the development, optimization, and implementation of various biophysical based screening assays for novel therapeutic candidates with guidance from the lead Scientist.

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Manager, Partnerships & Memberships

The Manager, Partnerships & Memberships manages the planning and implementation of the principal sponsors, partners & members and retention strategies, including researching sponsors, partners & membership needs and opportunities, and securing contracts. They will also manage general services and communications to existing sponsors, partners & members to keep LSBC top of mind. The role will also oversee the management of the organization’s public job board.

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Quality Assurance Specialist

Response Biomedical are seeking a seasoned Quality Assurance Specialist who is dynamic, self-motivated and solutions-focused to join the Quality Assurance team. The Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for ensuring that quality standards are met for the product and processes at Response. by providing ongoing customer satisfaction and ensuring that the company supports the core purpose of improving patient outcomes and saving lives globally.

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Redlen Technologies’ genesis lies in the foundational work of its Co-Founder Bob Redden who undertook a Canadian Space Agency (CSA) challenge of growing crystalline materials in microgravity on the Mir and the International Space Station (ISS). Starting from an original team of five to over 200 employees today, Redlen has continued to innovate and improve the semiconductor crystal growth and fabrication process for its world-leading Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) sensors, used in Medical Imaging, Security Imaging and Non-Destructive Testing.

Redlen’s technology is enabling a quantum leap forward in medical CT scanners - equivalent in scope and scale to the leap from black and white TVs to high definition 4K LED displays – improving image resolution and diagnostic accuracy, all the while substantially reducing radiation dose. The team has grown from 50 to 200+ employees as it has secured design wins with major Fortune 500 industry customers in the medical and security industries.

Redlen’s impressive technical leadership and innovation led global medical equipment leader Canon Inc. to acquire Redlen for $430M in 2021 - a huge win for the B.C. tech industry. Redlen has received numerous awards and accolades and prides itself on being a great place to work for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) roles, and for being an equal opportunity employer.



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Aeequs Pharmaceuticals is a growing specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing high quality, differentiated products. Aequus’ sales and marketing efforts are based in Canada, targeting highly specialized therapeutic areas including ophthalmology and transplant.

Aequus is continuing to build their pipeline in ophthalmology and have recently added a number of commercial stage products through in-licensing agreements. Aequus's commercial infrastructure with specialty sales representatives is currently promoting two specialty medicines to physicians and two over the counter (“OTC”) products to eye care professionals.

Aequus's commercial programs are supported and validated by insights from patients, physicians, and payers to ensure there is a realizable benefit for them from our work in advancing these products.

Aequus’ management team has a proven track record of successfully managing the required clinical development, regulatory approval processes, and marketing of products either directly or through collaborations. Aequu's continues to leverage their internal capabilities and know-how to execute an efficient commercial strategy and development plan to drive shareholder value.

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