Friday | June 25, 2021
CEO MESSAGE
Getting vaccinated can bring us all back together. Faster. Life Sciences BC is proud and excited to be involved in the Faster, Together initiative, joining a growing coalition that includes major industry and sector organizations, businesses, and individuals who want to help get Canadians back together.

BC Tech announced the 2021 Technology Impact Awards last week and we’re extremely happy to see our members being named as finalists. Congratulations to our members who have been nominated for TIA awards: Dr. Carl Hansen (Person of the Year), Canexia Health (Excellence in Technology Innovation), AbCellera (Company of the Year – Anchor), Thrive Health (Spirit of BC Tech – Resilience) and STEMCELL Technologies (Gamechanger – Diversity and Inclusion)
Innovate BC has also recognized the life sciences sector in our province. Congratulations to LSBC member, Stephanie Willerth of Axolotl Biosciences who, along with co-investigator, Katherine Elvira (University of Victoria), received an award through the Ignite program,

Our magazine, Life Sciences 2021 is in production with Business in Vancouver, scheduled to publish in late September to coincide with our annual Awards ceremony. Advertising is available. The deadline for an ad buy is August 11; further details and a media kit are available.

Please contact Laura Torrance, Sales Manager with BIV on 604-608-5145 or ltorrance@biv.com

We just wrapped for the ‘season’ with our last event held yesterday evening, the McCarthy Spotlight Speaking Series: How Digital Health is Transforming Health Care. Thanks to all those who took part, and to LSBC Board member, David Helliwell who was our keynote speaker. We’re taking a break next week as we move into summer and Canada Day. The team at Life Sciences BC would like to wish you and your family a restful and relaxing holiday break.

The LSBC Team
Platinum Sponsors
Ready to build your start-up and become the next big disruptor in your industry? Apply for entrepreneurship@UBC’s CORE Venture Building program! Join their CORE program to work with seasoned industry instructors, experts and mentors who will help you prepare for investment and growth. Applications are open until August 16th. trepreneurship.ubc.ca/core 
Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Phase 2 clinical-stage biotechnology company with an innovative drug delivery technology platform announced that it has entered into a contingent convertible debt agreement (the “Agreement”) with Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) and concurrently drew down in full the $10 million principal amount under the agreement. READ MORE
BioTalent Canada is proud to announce that it has been named to the 2021 list of Best Workplaces for Mental Wellness. In addition, the organization has also been named a Great Place to Work in Ontario for the second consecutive year. Both awards come from Great Place to Work®. READ MORE
Qu Biologics Inc., a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSIs), a novel platform of immunotherapies designed to restore innate immune function, is pleased to announce it is receiving advisory services and additional research and development funding of up to $1,971,195 funding from NRC IRAP to quickly move forward the application of Qu’s lung-directed SSI, QBKPN, to prevent and treat COVID-19. READ MORE
SaNOtize Research and Development Corporation (“SaNOtize” or “the company”) announced that it has received approval from Health Canada to proceed with the enrollment of volunteers in Phase III trials following earlier positive Phase II results for its Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) for the prevention and early treatment of COVID-19 and its variants. READ MORE
UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) invites LSBC members to propose a project for our Capstone Design Course, to be undertaken by 4th-year undergraduate student teams from Sept 2021-May 2022, by filling out this submission form by August 1st. Participating organizations have benefitted by promoting their organization to UBC students and researchers, working with potential future employees, as well as receiving custom solutions and prototypes for evaluation. READ MORE
SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, presents the ZenoTOF 7600 system, a new accurate mass LC-MS/MS instrument. The new system enables scientists to identify, characterize and quantify molecules better than ever before by generating data that has been previously unattainable. This breakthrough will solve real analytical challenges and help advance the development of new precision diagnostics and biotherapeutics. READ MORE
Maximize the potential of your profession in Canada's rapidly growing bio-economy. Take part in BioTalent Canada’s National Occupational Standards (NOS) validation survey for Canada’s bio-economy. Your insights ensure the NOS reflects the current skills, education, and credentialing required by the industry. Participate here
EMPOWER Research has launched its initial research survey and will be expanding upon this in the near future. The information we gather from this will be used to guide specific studies for first responders related to psychedelics in Canada and the US. If members could share to friends who are involved with Police, Fire, Ambulance, Doctors, or Nurses-- it would be greatly appreciated. READ MORE
Axolotl has been awarded as one of four winners of research and development projects. The funding, through Innovate BC’s Ignite program, is accelerating the commercialization of the following biotech, cleantech, mining, and robotics projects. READ MORE
Attend the online pitching session for the 2021 China BioMed Innovation and Investment Conference (CBIIC) Roadshow. CBIIC is one of the top annual events in the biotech industry with wide influence and coverage of industry players. Take advantage of this platform and expand more potential partners!
The provincial government is planning a long-term economic strategy with the advice of a world-renowned scholar of economics and innovation. Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon said Mariana Mazzucato will advise the government on “the future of the economy as B.C. develops a long-term economic plan that will steer the province through the post-pandemic era.” READ MORE
Written comments are welcomed via responding to an online questionnaire, or by sending a written response by email to hc.policy.bureau.enquiries.sc@canada.ca. For the details of the Canadian Modernization of Clinical Trials proposal, please read the consultation paper here

Please direct further questions to Unit Director, Alison Orth AOrth@bcahsn.ca
Gold Sponsors
WPD Pharmaceuticals are involved in the research and development of innovative medicinal products, aiming to improve the quality of patient life by discovering and developing novel therapies for cancer treatment. With a groundswell of multi-continental grant support and a diverse portfolio of breakthrough drug technologies, WPD Pharmaceuticals is now strategically positioned to enter the market with blockbuster potential.


StressMarq Biosciences Inc. is a bioreagents company producing high-quality antibodies, antibody conjugates, proteins, assay kits, and small molecules for the life sciences field. With over 17,000 products and specializing in oligomeric and fibrillar preparations of proteins relevant in neurodegenerative disease, StressMarq Biosciences also offer a wide range of products for scientists in cancer, epigenetics, cell signalling, and cellular stress research areas.

Silver Sponsors
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

Bronze Sponsors
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