CEO and President, LifeSciences BC |
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Over this past year LifeSciences BC worked closely with a small (and extremely capable) team at the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness to develop a life sciences economic ecosystem report that captured the fulsomeness of our sector in British Columbia. The recently released report (in case you missed it) defines our sector’s emerging growth, contribution to provincial GDP, and number of employed in the ecosystem, while identifying important provincial assets such as BC Cancer, the many Centres for Excellence, academic institutions, and organizations that are the backbone of the entire health science innovation community. The Report - Life Sciences in British Columbia: Sector Profile is an excellent snapshot of the BC LifeSciences sector – it can be found here.
In addition to our LifeSciences BC hosted events, we will be participating in a few other happenings over the next few weeks: The Vancouver Board of Trade, Health Care Forum, presented by Pacific Blue Cross - Health in a Time of COVID-19 where I will be a panelist on Innovation and Technologies Shaping Care session on Day 2, October 22 nd and the 20th Annual Healthcare Summit The Future of Innovation, Personalized Medicine and Genomics - October 26-27, 2020. For more information you can click here. https://www.rebootcommunications.com/event/health2020/ Some positive news to end this week’s report are two announcements, one from Starfish Medical, the Winnipeg Ventilator 2.0 they designed and developed, has received a Health Canada COVID-19 Medical Device Authorization on an Interim Order. StarFish plans to secure full Health Canada approval to enable the sale and use of the new ventilator beyond the Interim order. Scott Phillips, Founder and CEO of this Victoria based company said of the authorization, “Receiving Health Canada clearance was a huge red-letter day for StarFish. The ventilator has been the fastest and biggest impact product in the history of the company. The depth of commitment shown by so many people on the program has been truly incredible. We believe the medical technology industry in Canada is an inflection point as we drive past critical mass. Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention.”
And secondly, congratulations to Chinook Therapeutics our LifeSciences BC Emerging Life Sciences Company of the Year who announced on Monday, the closing of its merger with Aduro Biotech, Inc. and a $115 million private placement financing. The combined company, now known as Chinook Therapeutics, will commence trading October 6, 2020 on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “KDNY.” You can read the full story below in our Member News Section.
What exciting times we are in and I can't wait to hear of more outstanding developments in the coming days and weeks ahead!
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Health Canada certifies Winnipeg Ventilator 2.0 to support the needs of Covid-19 patients |
VICTORIA BC, September 25, 2020 (BUSINESSWIRE) – StarFish Medical, Canada’s largest medical device design, development, and manufacturing service provider, announced today that the Winnipeg Ventilator 2.0 has received a Health Canada COVID-19 Medical Device Authorization under the Interim Order Respecting the Importation and Sale of Medical Devices for Use in Relation to COVID-19 made by the Minister of Health on March 18, 2020. READ MORE
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Aurinia Announces New Employment Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) |
VICTORIA, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AUPH) (TSX:AUP) (“Aurinia” or the “Company”), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing voclosporin in multiple indications, today announced that the Company’s Compensation Committee granted 9 new employees non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 96,000 common shares, at a per share exercise price of $14.73 USD, the closing trading price on September 30, 2020. READ MORE
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Derm-Biome Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Reports Positive Results from a Preclinical Study In Psoriasis |
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Derm-Biome Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a private Vancouver based biopharmaceutical company focused on skin health and healthy ageing, is pleased to announce that one of its topical drugs produced significant, and dose dependent inhibitory effects in a well established mouse model of psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease often linked to depression and a decreased quality of life. READ MORE
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CHINOOK THERAPEUTICS CLOSES MERGER WITH ADURO BIOTECH AND COMPLETES $115 MILLION PRIVATE PLACEMENT FINANCING |
Combined CompanyWillHave Over $275 Million in Operating Capital andTrade on Nasdaq under the Ticker Symbol “KDNY”
VANCOUVER, British Columbia and SEATTLE, Oct. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chinook Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KDNY), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of precision medicines for kidney diseases, today announced the closing of its merger with Aduro Biotech, Inc. and $115 million private placement financing. READ MORE
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Pave the road to successful commercialization of your radiopharmaceutical innovation with CARI – The CPDC & adMare Radiopharmaceutical Initiative |
You’re cordially invited to a webinar
If you are an academic researcher or a biotech company looking to advance your radiopharmaceutical innovation toward commercialization, join CPDC and adMare on October 15th, 2020 to find out how we may be able help. READ MORE
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Xenon Pharmaceuticals Receives FDA Feedback and is on Track to Initiate XEN496 Phase 3 Clinical Trial for the Treatment of KCNQ2-DEE Before Year-End |
Positive Opinion Received Supporting Orphan Medicinal Product Designation in Europe for XEN496 for the Treatment of KCNQ2-DEE
BURNABY, British Columbia, Oct. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:XENE), a neurology-focused biopharmaceutical company, today provided regulatory updates on its proprietary pediatric neurology program, XEN496, a Kv7 potassium channel modulator that is a proprietary pediatric formulation of the active ingredient ezogabine being developed for the treatment of KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (KCNQ2-DEE). READ MORE
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Vancouver lab’s at-home COVID-19 test approved by FDA, could come to Canada |
A Vancouver-based lab has developed a less invasive, at-home COVID-19 test that has been approved for use across the U.S.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A Vancouver-based lab has developed a less invasive, at-home COVID-19 test that has been approved for use across the U.S. and it could soon come to Canada. READ MORE
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COVID-19: Approval sought in U.S. for emergency use of Vancouver-developed antibody drug |
The drug is similar to one approved for use last week to treat U.S. president Donald Trump
October 8, 2020 | By: David Carrigg | Vancouver Sun | A COVID-19 antibody drug developed by a Vancouver biotech company could be available for emergency use in the U.S. by the end of the month, with a promise of one million doses by December. READ MORE
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In a First, New England Journal of Medicine Joins Never-Trumpers |
October 7, 2020 | By Gina Kolata, The New York Times | Throughout its 208-year history, The New England Journal of Medicine has remained staunchly nonpartisan. The world’s most prestigious medical journal has never supported or condemned a political candidate. READ MORE
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IKOMED Technologies Inc. is a young and energetic medical device company, based in Vancouver, which is engaged in the research and development of several ground-breaking medical device technologies. Their X-Ray radiation reduction technology that has been cleared by the FDA is delivering breakthrough solutions for reducing the exposure to ionizing radiation for millions of patients undergoing minimally invasive medical procedures each year and the medical staff involved in these procedures. They are also developing a medical device for non-invasive treatment of emphysema, a type of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) which is currently undergoing animal testing.
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Tourism Richmond is a non-profit, stakeholder-driven destination marketing organization (DMO) promoting Richmond as a destination to leisure travelers, meeting planners, travel media, and organizations that influence travel. They are a team of enthusiastic tourism professionals who love our city and strive to make every visitor’s experience amazing. They also work closely with travel and tourism industry stakeholders and municipal officials to enhance and develop new, can’t-miss experiences. Their ultimate goal is to increase tourism-related economic activity for their city and stakeholders.
Contact Nancy Small () for more information.
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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
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Posting A JOB on the LSBC Website |
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? CONTACT: Sue Callaghan - talent@lifesciencesbc.ca
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Membership Benefits Program
COST SAVINGS FOR OUR MEMBERS
As a LifeSciences BC member, organizations and their employees can benefit from significant savings on a range of business and personal services, thanks to our Membership Benefits Program partnerships. You can locate the cost savings program suited to you needs here.
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