June 23rd, 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. You can find previous editions of BioLinks newsletters and other resources on our website at News/Publications

Member Highlights 

LSBC was pleased to be featured in the May issue of Manufacturing in Focus Magazine to discuss our role in promoting and advancing BC's life sciences sector. WEX Pharmaceuticals, Response Biomedical, and StressMarq Biosciences are featured in the current June issue, focusing on medical manufacturing and devices. Find the articles in the enclosed links.

New England Biolabs has released its 2023/2024 NEB Catalog and Technical Reference, a resource and teaching tool for the lab which provides information on new products and up-to-date technical charts, protocols, and troubleshooting tips to aid experimental design. Find it here.

Isaac Souweine of Pender Ventures was a recent guest on The Hard Part with Evan McCann podcast discussing his previous product and investment roles, building tech communities, the impacts of generative AI on B2B SaaS, and what Pender Ventures is building. Listen here.  

New Members

We are pleased to welcome the following new LSBC members:

WELL Health Technologies exists to empower and support healthcare providers with best-in-class technology & services designed to optimize their time which leads to a greater focus on care delivery and less time on admin.

Difinity Solutions specializes in the development, commercialization and implementation of medical devices in emergency medication delivery systems. By leveraging innovation and direct clinical knowledge, they are advancing disruptive technologies in medical care. Their flagship device currently under development is NeedSwitch, the world’s first interchangeable and modular autoinjector for emergency and lifesaving medication delivery. Their first target drug will be naloxone to help combat the opioid crisis, with plans to expand as a platform technology for other lifesaving medications like epinephrine, TXA, atropine, and many more.

John Bentley has a background in finance and chemical and biological engineering from UBC. He began his career as a research assistant examining biomarkers and disease progression and has played an instrumental role and led the sales team of a manufacturer of dietary supplements to support rapid growth. Currently, he represents Norgen Biotek, whose mandate is to create customized research experiences by providing innovative solutions from sample collection and preservation to extraction and detection, with a high level of business and technical support. 

Industry Highlights

Canadian Science Publishing has curated a collection of journal articles to celebrate Indigenous Knowledges and traditional ways of knowing, research methodologies, perspectives, stewardship, and governance. These articles will be free to access until July 31, 2023. Learn more.

McKesson Canada has unveiled a cutting-edge pharmaceutical distribution center in Surrey, BC. This 233,000 sq. ft. facility will significantly improve the supply chain, delivering medications, vaccines, and specialty pharmaceuticals to over 1,300 healthcare facilities across the province. Learn more.

Applications Open

UBC's School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) invites LSBC members to propose a project for their Capstone Design Course, undertaken by 4th-year undergraduate student teams from Sept 2023-May 2024. Participating organizations have benefitted by promoting their organization to UBC students and researchers, working with potential future employees, and receiving custom solutions and prototypes for evaluation. Submissions are due August 1. Learn more.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has announced the upcoming August launch of the Implementation Science Teams Funding Opportunity, as a part of the Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging (BHCIA) Research Initiative, in collaboration with confirmed partners: The Azrieli Foundation, including the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE) and the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research. CIHR received an investment of $20M through Budget 2022, facilitating the launch of the BHCIA Research Initiative to study the brain as it ages and help identify what can be done to reduce the risks of dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment and improve the care and services for those impacted by cognitive impairment in aging and dementia. Applications are due in December of 2023. Learn more.

Following the announcement of the memorandum of cooperation to advance a biomanufacturing program between Canada and the UK, a call for proposals has been announced to organizations from Canada and the UK who wish to form project consortia to perform collaborative projects focused on developing innovative products, processes, or technology-based services in the area of biomanufacturing of biologics and advanced therapeutics technologies. The registration deadline is August 11. Learn more. An information webinar will be held on June 29.

We invite you to explore our expanded list of current life sciences application opportunities by clicking on the following link. Applications Open.

People on the Move

Numinus Wellness has appointed Nikhil Handa as Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Kyle Stephenson has joined the Acuitas Therapeutics team as Director, Preclinical.

The Digital Health Canada Board of Directors has elected four new members; Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia of eHealth Centre of Excellence, Lorraine Blackburn of Vancouver Coastal Health and Anne Forsyth, and Wendy Tegart of Alberta Health Services. The new Board subsequently named Chris Carvalho Vice-President and Shy Amlani Secretary-Treasurer. Learn more.

The Last Word

Ryan Butt, our Director of Partnerships & Events, couldn't attend this year's Boston BIO Convention. However, we didn't let that stop us from making his presence felt! In the spirit of Flat Stanley, well...hit play and see the adventures of Flat Ryan and friends for yourself! 

The small but mighty LSBC team kicked off summer with an al fresco dinner against the beautiful Vancouver skyline. We look forward to connecting with our members and supporters at next week's sold-out summer social and wish you all a wonderful summer! 

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. Announces Results from a Phase 2 Clinical Trial in Epidermolysis Bullosa

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc., a leader in the pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of rare cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs, announced safety and efficacy results from its Phase 2 clinical trial, called 755-201-EB (the “Phase 2 Trial”), for the treatment of symptoms related to EB. The purpose of the Phase 2 Trial was to evaluate the safety of INM-755 CBN cream, which consists of the control cream plus the active pharmaceutical ingredient CBN, and obtain preliminary evidence of efficacy in treating symptoms and healing wounds over a 28-day period in patients with EB...READ MORE

Numinus Announces Agreement with HealingMaps to Drive Strategic Clinic Growth

Numinus Wellness Inc. – a mental health care company advancing innovative treatments and safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with HealingMaps – a source for individuals looking for accurate and honest information about psychedelic-assisted therapy (“PAT”), to increase awareness of Numinus’ wellness clinics and the Numinus Network licensing model, and to offer practitioner training information and referrals – exclusively to Numinus...READ MORE

Photodisinfection Cuts COVID in Meat Processing Plant

Newly published research in the journal Public Health Practice shows that a weekly program of nasal photodisinfection implemented at a major Western Canada meat packing plant, alongside standard safety measures recommended by the US Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention (“CDC”), reduced the expected COVID-19 positivity rate by over 99%, from 1,344 expected positive PCR tests to 3 positive PCR tests out of over 21,000 administered tests over a seven-month period...READ MORE

INESSS Recommends LIVTENCITY™ (maribavir) for Public Reimbursement in Quebec

Takeda Canada announce a positive recommendation from the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) for LIVTENCITY™ (maribavir) for public reimbursement in Quebec. LIVTENCITY is indicated for the treatment of adults with post-transplant cytomegalovirus infection/disease who are refractory (with or without genotypic resistance) to one or more prior antiviral therapies. The positive INESSS recommendation is the first step in the process to secure public access of LIVTENCITY in Quebec...READ MORE

Aurinia Showcases Three Oral Presentations for LUPKYNIS® (voclosporin) at 2023 European Renal Association Annual Meeting in Milan, Italy

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced three oral presentations at the Annual Meeting of the European Renal Association (ERA), providing additional support for the efficacy and safety of LUPKYNIS® (voclosporin), a next generation calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) approved in the U.S. and Europe for the treatment of adults with active lupus nephritis (LN)...READ MORE

Study Reveals Cause of Different Outcomes for Patients That Experience Relapse of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

A new study conducted by UBC and BC Cancer researchers sheds light on the cause behind the different outcomes of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who experienced a relapse in their disease. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, confirmed that patients whose cancer relapses shortly after treatment typically have poor responses to additional chemotherapy-based treatment. However, when the relapse occurs more than two years from the time of diagnosis, the outcomes to chemotherapy are significantly better...READ MORE

Gene Bio Medical Announces Significant Partnership with HI³ as part of the PREPARED Project

Gene Biotechnology Enterprises Ltd., also known as Gene Bio Medical, is excited to announce its strategic partnership with the Canadian Hub for Health Intelligence & Innovation in Infectious Diseases (HI³). This collaboration forms part of an ambitious initiative titled “Pandemic preparedness engaging primary care and emergency departments (PREPARED)”...READ MORE

Chinook Therapeutics Presents Data From Chk-336 Phase 1 Trial In Healthy Volunteers And New Insights Into The Role Of Failed Repair In Chronic Kidney Disease 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 free communication presentation on CHK-336 presented at the 60TH ERA Congress being held virtually and live in Milan...READ MORE

Popular Dietary Supplement May Offer New Treatment Option for Aggressive Cancers

BC Cancer’s Dr. Yemin Wang and colleagues have uncovered that Alanine could be helpful against types of ovarian and lung cancers. A new study by researchers with the BC Cancer Research Institute and McGill University has revealed that the popular dietary supplement Alanine may offer an effective treatment option for people diagnosed with several types of aggressive cancer...READ MORE

EMD Serono Launches Caregivers Concierge: An Online Resource Hub for Caregivers in Alberta

Caregivers Concierge™ is an online resource hub developed by EMD Serono that makes finding local resources easier for the one million unpaid caregivers in Alberta. Caregivers who are vital to patients and facing more pressure than ever in an overburdened healthcare system can now visit caregiversconcierge.ca for an index of platforms, programs, resources, special offers and discounted services to help them easily find and connect with the support they need, all in one place...READ MORE

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Announces Filing of Preliminary Base Shelf Prospectus

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals has filed and obtained a receipt for a preliminary short form base shelf prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada, except Québec. Upon a final short form base shelf prospectus becoming effective, replacing the Company’s existing shelf prospectus filed in January 2022, these filings, subject to securities regulatory requirements, will allow the Company and certain of its securityholders to qualify the distribution of up to C$200 million of common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription receipts, and units, or any combination thereof during the 25-month period that the Prospectus is effective, in amounts, at prices and on terms based on market conditions at the time of any offering, and set forth in an accompanying shelf prospectus supplement...READ MORE

Numinus Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

Numinus Wellness Inc., a mental health care company advancing innovative treatments and safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies, announced the appointment of Nikhil Handa as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 15, 2023, following a thorough executive search. Current CFO, John Fong, will be stepping down to focus on family health matters. Mr. Fong will remain involved with the Company during the incoming CFO transition period to ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities...READ MORE

Merck Canada’s Executive Director, Legal and Compliance & Chief Privacy Officer, Chantal Desbiens, honoured at the Canadian General Counsel Awards with Litigation Management Award

Merck is proud to announce that Chantal Desbiens, Executive Director, Legal and Compliance & Chief Privacy Officer at Merck Canada, has received the prestigious Litigation Management Award at the annual Canadian General Counsel Awards. This recognition was bestowed upon Ms. Desbiens for her exceptional leadership and outstanding contributions in the field of litigation management....READ MORE

Health Canada Authorizes AKEEGA™ (niraparib and abiraterone acetate) Dual Action Tablets for Targeted Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) with BRCA (1/2) Gene Mutations

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced that Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance with conditions (NOC/c) for AKEEGA™ (niraparib and abiraterone acetate) tablets, plus prednisone or prednisolone for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA mutated (germline and/or somatic) metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), who are asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic, and in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated...READ MORE

Digital Health Canada Members Elect 2023-2024 Board of Directors

The results of the Digital Health Canada Board of Directors election were announced at the association’s Annual General Meeting, held virtually. 14 candidates stood for election to four open positions; 1,024 votes were cast to elect new members to the Board of Directors.

The Digital Health Canada members elected Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia (eHealth Centre of Excellence); Lorraine Blackburn (Vancouver Coastal Health), Anne Forsyth, and Wendy Tegart (Alberta Health Services). The association acknowledges with gratitude the generosity of outgoing members Dr. Jonathan Choy, Keltie Jamieson, and Zen Tharani for their time as board directors...READ MORE

Government of Canada Invests in Strategic Research at the University of Ottawa

The Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board, highlighted an investment of more than $109 million in the University of Ottawa through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). This funding is part of a $1.4 billion investment in support of 11 large-scale research initiatives, which was announced by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, on April 28. This investment will allow researchers at Canadian universities to capitalize on the strengths of their research areas and attract capital and world-class talent...READ MORE

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...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

Director/Senior Director, Human Resources, Systems and Data

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is seeking seeking a Director/Senior Director, Human Resources, Systems and Data. The Director/Senior Director will be a key member of highly collaborative HR and corporate teams with responsibility for Human Resource management systems, data and reporting and for acting as a Business Partner, providing counsel, coaching and support to assigned departments, employees and managers in the U.S. and Canada...LEARN MORE

Floorspace is the full-service commercial real estate brokerage of the future. Floorspace provides high-touch advisory and workplace solutions to ensure clients are taken care of at every stage of their space procurement, occupancy, and disposition process. Furthermore, they have developed and continue to build technology that grants both clients and agents access to the latest market information, keeping everyone well-informed and up-to-date.

Floorspace takes pride in their transparency, agility, and collaboration. They approach things from a unique perspective, actively sharing excellent ideas and providing considerate and innovative advice. Their team of advisors possesses a deep understanding of the distinct requirements of Life Science companies, enabling them to deliver tailored solutions for their comprehensive real estate strategies.

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Canexia Health was launched in 2012 to develop and deliver genomic-based molecular diagnostics to cancer patients.

Canexia is developing a suite of genomics-based cancer tests to improve cancer prevention, treatment and monitoring. With deep expertise, multiple genomics-based cancer tests and strategic alliances with the world’s top pharmaceutical companies in place, Canexia is leading this shift towards personalized cancer care.

Canexia Health’s team includes global leaders in research, clinical cancer genomics and commercialization. Achievements include articles in Nature and the New England Journal of Medicine, discovery of cancer genes, development of bioinfomatic tools, successful company creation, and a track record of improving human health using DNA.

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