Thursday | July 2, 2020
BioLinks

Welcome to our newly formatted LifeSciences BC newsletter!

With the support and valuable contribution from Coast Communications we decided it was time for a redo of our weekly newsletter. We hope you enjoy the updated content and as always, would love to hear from you! Please share your life science news with us by sending it to sogilvie@lifesciencesbc.ca .
LSBC Upcoming Events
July 9, 2020
10:00AM -11:30AM
“Update on the fight against COVID-19”

  • KEYNOTE: Dr. Mel Krajden, Medical Director – BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, Medical Head, Hepatitis – BCCDC, Professor – UBC

  • Dr. Brad Nelson, Co-Founder & CEO, Innovakine Therapeutics Inc.

Up date from President & CEO Wendy Hurlburt
Wendy Hurlburt, President & CEO, LifeSciences BC
LSBC CEO Update
It has been a busy few weeks for LifeSciences BC!

Last week, we hosted the LSBC McCarthy Spotlight Speaking Series on Non-Dilutive Funding Programs. For this McCarthy’s Spotlight session, a panel of experts shared their knowledge on how SMEs can apply for non- dilutive funding programs offered during Covid-19. A big thank you to David Frost, Partner and Co-Chair of the National Life Sciences Group at McCarthy Tetrault and guest speakers Rowan Laird, ISED; Gina Arsens, Digital Technology Supercluster; Eric Atkinson, NRC-IRAP and Pat Brady, Genome BC. The virtual session was very well attended and extremely interesting. You can view the session here .

Our next virtual event will be our Blakes Speaking Series on on July 9th , themed: Update on the fight against COVID-19. We are thrilled to have back our key note speaker, Dr. Mel Krajden from the BC Centre of Disease control.  Hope you can join us, registration can be completed here.

This Spring, the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) announced that it would be delaying the implementation of the new pricing guidelines from July 1, 2020 to January 1, 2021, to allow for additional consultations.  On June 19 th, revised guidelines were released – these can be found here.  A 30-day written consultation period is underway, with submission due by July 20 th.  Details on how to file a submission can be found here. LSBC has sent letters of concern to federal cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister, identifying the unintended consequences of some of the proposed changes. Earlier in 2020, we formed an Adhoc LSBC Board committee to stay informed on proposed changes, potential impact on LSBC members, our life sciences ecosystem while engaging in consultations as appropriate. We are currently reviewing the recently released guidelines. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you would like to discuss.
 
Lastly, I would like to give a big shout out to all our remarkable life science companies who have worked so hard and have made such an impressive impact during COVID-19. B.C. innovation has been at the forefront, positively advancing progress to address the impact of COVID-19, with world class scientific discovery, leading edge innovation, targeted digital health tools and the manufacturing of PPE and ventilators. We are so very fortunate to be living in such a wonderful province and resilient country, so to all, a belated Happy Canada Day!
 
As Bonnie Henry says, Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe 
Platinum Sponsors
LSBC Member News
adMare BioInnovations Strengthens Leadership Team
June 26, 2020 – adMare BioInnovations, Canada’s global life sciences venture, is pleased to announce the appointment to its leadership team of Dr. Laura McIntosh as Venture Partner, Montreal, and Linda Downs as Vice President, Human Resources. READ MORE
MSFHR Funds COVID-19 Research To Mitigate Effects On BC’s Vulnerable Populations
Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on newcomers to BC, urban Indigenous people, frontline health-care workers, and those in prisons or precarious housing is the focus of many of the funded researchers from the MSFHR COVID-19 Research Response Fund, announced today. READ MORE
Kardium receives CE mark for Globe® Mapping and Ablation System Announces launch of commercial sales in Europe
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Kardium Inc. has received CE mark approval for its Globe Mapping and Ablation System – the most complete solution for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).   READ MORE
adMare BioInnovations Launches a New Acceleration Program for Quebec Emerging Companies
Montreal, QC – June 29th, 2020: adMare BioInnovations (adMare) is pleased to announce the creation of the adMare Accelerate Program for Quebec emerging companies. The Program is designed to advance a key pillar of adMare’s Mission: To help existing life sciences companies scale-up. READ MORE
Neoleukin Therapeutics Announces Proposed Public Offering
SEATTLE, July 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Neoleukin Therapeutics, Inc. (“Neoleukin”) (Nasdaq:NLTX), a biopharmaceutical company utilizing sophisticated computational methods to design de novo protein therapeutics, today announced that it intends to offer and sell, subject to market and other conditions, up to 5.0 million shares of its common stock and, in lieu of common stock, to offer and sell to certain investors pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering. READ MORE
Neoleukin Therapeutics Announces Pricing of $76.2 Million Public Offering
SEATTLE, July 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Neoleukin Therapeutics, Inc. (“Neoleukin”) (Nasdaq: NLTX), a biopharmaceutical company utilizing sophisticated computational methods to design de novo protein therapeutics, today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 3,262,471 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $15.25 per share. READ MORE
Gold Sponsors
LSBC Member Spotlight
In our weekly Member Spotlight feature, we highlight two of our fantastic members:
Biocidium Biopharmaceuticals are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery & development of novel antibiotics, antifungals, and treatments for cancers and dermatological conditions.



Kardium is a technology pioneer working to advance medical device technology in the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Community - Sector Interest
COVID - 19 Transition
A huge thank you to BC’s life sciences community for the ongoing support in our collective efforts to conquer Covid-19 and restart economies.  On so many levels and within so many programs and initiatives…leadership, innovation, and commitment continue to inspire and impact. As LSBC transitions to new activities, our Call to Action has been updated.

Further, we encourage you to reach out to the following programs:

Finally, for a host of Covid-19 related information, please visit: LSBC's Covid-19 Resources Page.
Promising clinical trial results for COVID-19 vaccine coming from Vancouver-based biotech company
A promising update is coming from a Vancouver-based biotechnology firm that is helping a German company to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. Dr. Thomas Madden, the President and CEO of Acuitas Therapeutics, says preliminary results from clinical trials are good. But, “There’s still a lot more clinical studies that need to be conducted.” READ MORE
Exercise can slow or prevent vision loss, study finds
July 1, 2020 | University of Virginia Health System | Exercise can slow or prevent the development of macular degeneration and may benefit other common causes of vision loss, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, new research suggests. READ MORE
Silver Sponsors
LSBC Job Board
Update: Student Work Placement Program now open to healthcare placements
The Student Work Placement Program is now accepting applications for healthcare placements. Canada’s healthcare industry has a growing need to produce job-ready healthcare workers. There are 1,500 open spots available in 2020-21.  WEBSITE
Bronze Sponsors
Posting A JOB on the LSBC Website
Did you know  LifeSciences BC's Job Board  gets approximately 60,000 visitors a month?

LSBC Membership Discounts on Job Postings
 
As an LSBC member, your first five job postings EARNS a free repost on BioTalent Canada's  The Petri Dish After your first five reposts, you will also receive 25% off all job postings on  The Petri Dish . Want more info? 

Please contact Sue Callaghan: talent@lifesciencesbc.ca