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This week the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC Lieutenant Governor delivered the Speech from the Throne for the Government of British Columbia. In the Speech, Her Honour, on behalf of the Province, gave a call out to B.C.'s life sciences sector, and the tremendous work they have been doing throughout the pandemic.
"B.C. is home to 300 biopharmaceutical, medical device, and bioproduct companies. COVID-19 has highlighted the enormous benefits offered by this sector... Their work will not only help bring us out of the pandemic, it will position our province for success in the years ahead."
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Government recognized Precision NanoSystems' work on a vaccine, AbCellera Biologics' work on their antibody therapeutic for COVID-19, and StarFish Medical's development of an ICU ventilator for use in Canadian hospitals. We know there are so many more of our members working to fight the pandemic, and we are delighted to see our sector get the recognition it deserves.
With the budget coming out next week, we also hope to continue to see the Government’s vision for rebuilding the B.C. economy post COVID-19. We have continued to emphasize to Government that the life sciences sector is well positioned to drive economic recovery post pandemic. Not only are we one of the fastest growing sectors in B.C., but we are a sector that is focused on innovative solutions that we need to secure people’s health, now and into the future. The sector is critical to ensuing a sustainable health care system and better patient outcomes. A reliable health care system and strong economy go hand in hand: they are two of the building blocks of a strong society, and our sector contributes to both.
Yesterday I had a chance to do an interview with Stu McNish for an episode of Conversations that Matter, a great series worth looking at. We’ll share the link once the interview is published on the Vancouver Sun website and airs in a number of regional media outlets throughout the province. During the interview Stu and I talked about how the B.C. life sciences sector is one of the global heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was interested to hear that this story of overnight success started years and even decades ago, with great science and great scientists.
A great demonstration of the years of strong science that leads to life-changing outcomes is this week’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin. University of Toronto has a great website marking the occasion, featuring the story of Canadian Dr. Frederick Banting who worked in a U of T lab when he discovered the life-saving therapy. This is an example of Canadian innovation in the life sciences sector going back over a century.
Member News
This week saw a substantial investment into infectious disease research, with the announcement of SFU’s new Canadian Network for Modelling Infectious Disease (CANMOD), supported by $2.5 million in federal funding over the next two years. Led by SFU mathematics professor Caroline Colijn, the network that will inform decisions related to public health threats and better prepare Canada for future pandemics.
Government recognized the impact of the recent COVID-19 restrictions with a new Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant. Applications are expected to open the week of April 12, 2021, and will close on June 4, 2021, or until the funds are dispersed.
We know there are some challenging restrictions in place now. Please stay safe, take time with family and friends outside (with care) in the lovely weather.
Wendy Hurlburt
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Aurinia Presents Data Demonstrating LUPKYNIS™ (voclosporin) Efficacy Across Lupus Nephritis Biopsy Classes at National Kidney Foundation 2021 Spring Clinical Meetings |
VICTORIA, British Columbia & ROCKVILLE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AUPH / TSX: AUP) (Aurinia or the Company) today presented additional efficacy data from the AURA-LV and AURORA 1 pivotal trials of LUPKYNIS™ (voclosporin) in lupus nephritis (LN). READ MORE
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Xenon Pharmaceuticals to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences |
BURNABY, British Columbia, April 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:XENE), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that members of its executive management team will present a corporate overview and participate in the following virtual investor conferences... READ MORE
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Province of BC announces program to accelerate manufacturing |
The BC Government has launched a new $10 million program to help small and medium-sized BC manufacturers with commercialization or processing of value-added goods. The BC Accelerating Manufacturing Scale-Up Grant program will provide grants of between $50,000 and $250,000 to individual eligible companies, and grants of up to $500,000 to groups of companies working in collaboration. READ MORE
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AstraZeneca accelerates early oncology pipeline across key strategic scientific platforms at AACR |
April 9, 2021 – AstraZeneca will share updates from the Company’s innovative early oncology pipeline across multiple strategic platforms during the virtual American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, 10 to 15 April 2021. READ MORE
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adMare BioInnovations launches Canada’s first & only digital life sciences community |
April 12, 2021 – In our COVID world, we all need to get creative in building new ways to safely and effectively come together. The pandemic is showing us that Canada needs strong life sciences industry leaders and a dynamic and well-connected national ecosystem like never before. READ MORE
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Aurinia Pharmaceuticals to Present at the Bloom Burton & Co. Healthcare Investor Conference |
VICTORIA, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AUPH / TSX: AUP) (the “Company”) today announced that members of the executive management team will participate in a fireside chat during the 2021 Bloom Burton & Co. Healthcare Investor Conference on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. ET. READ MORE
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Council of Canadian Innovators expands to Ontario, Alberta and B.C. |
The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) has announced a national expansion and is adding government relations experts in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. The national council says its practice leads in those three provinces will supplement the council’s existing focus on Quebec and federal public policy regarding innovation. The three provinces will work under Dana O’Born, director of strategic initiatives, who also leads the council’s national advocacy efforts. READ MORE
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Study suggests vaccines may improve symptoms for some COVID-19 long-haulers |
More than a year into the pandemic, it's not clear how many people are experiencing long-term health issues after having COVID-19, but their numbers are growing. Researchers think around 10 per cent of people who get sick with COVID-19 continue to live with lasting symptoms — some suggest the number could be as high as 30 per cent — which could mean millions worldwide are coping with some lingering issues from the disease. READ MORE
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Derm-Biome Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a preclinical biopharmaceutical company founded in 2018 through its acquisition of a suite of natural compound based derivatives. These compounds exhibit novel and potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, and antioxidant properties.
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New Beta Innovation Canada Limited is dedicated to developing advanced life-saving oxygen therapeutic products. Their scientific experts have employed the latest technologies and innovative approaches to find health solutions for unmet medical needs.
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PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL HEALTHCARE INNOVATION |
What’s driving innovation in life science and healthcare? SVB is committed to serving the ecosystem by providing industry-leading reports featuring proprietary analysis and targeted outlooks to help companies and investors achieve their goals. Twice a year we publish deep-dive analyses describing fundraising, investment, M&A and IPO activity of private, venture-backed biopharma, medical device and diagnostic/tools companies. Our deep relationships with top life science and healthcare entrepreneurs and investors inform our insights and give us a vantage point unlike any other bank. To find out more about Silicon Valley Bank click here
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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: Peter McLoughlin - talent@lifesciencesbc.ca
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