Life Sciences BC News, February 20, 2025

How to apply: Send a non-confidential pitch slide deck of no more than ten slides describing your company science, market proposition, fundraising/revenue, and job creation goals. Submit via email to Ryan Butt, Director, Partnerships & Events rbutt@lifesciencesbc.ca, by noon on March 6, 2025.

Join us on March 6 for our next Blakes Breakfast Speaking Series - Going Public Strategies: Insights, Methods and Preparedness in Today’s Market. Gain valuable perspectives on the latest trends in industry, regulatory landscapes, and methods to take your company public. Get your tickets for this hybrid event here.

Health Canada has an open consultation following its Notice of Intent to regulate certain fentanyl precursor chemicals and the drug carisoprodol under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).

Proposed substances include:

Phenethyl bromide, Propionic anhydride, Benzyl chloride, and Carisoprodol.

This 10-day consultation closes on February 24, 2025. Health Canada is seeking input from stakeholders on the use of these chemicals in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, production, and research. Read more.

Member Highlights 

Results from CASTL’s market survey, highlighting key industry talent requirements. 

• 74% of employers plan to hire new staff in the next three years. 
• 50% of new hires will be for technician-level roles. 
• The most sought-after technical competencies include: 
• GMP: 80% 
• Laboratory skills: 70% 
• Manufacturing and production techniques: 64% 
• There is a significant gap between theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience

CASTL launches new workshops to address industry needs. The CASTL team is excited to announce the launch of four specialized workshops focused on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Read more.

Genome BC funds critical research to protect BC from Avian Influenza. The announcement comes at a critical time, with the recent detection of the first domestically acquired human H5N1 case in British Columbia. Read more.

Novartis receives Health Canada approval for Fabhalta® oral treatment for adult patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a chronic, rare and potentially life-threatening blood disorder. Read more.

Roche Canada announced that Health Canada has granted authorization for Itovebi® (inavolisib film-coated tablets) in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant, for the treatment of adult patients with a specific type of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Read more.

Biologics Manufacturing Centre (BMC), announce a partnership with Aramis Biotechnologies.This partnership will leverage the expertise of both organizations to ensure the efficient formulation and finish of clinical materials for Aramis’ seasonal influenza vaccine candidate. Read more.

Kudos

Congratulations to Dr. Gabriel Rabinovich on receiving International Glycoconjugate Organization (IGO) Hakomori Award. Read more.

Several members of the UBC Faculty of Medicine community have been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Congratulations! Read more.

Kudos to Simon Fraser University’s Professor Dr. Brittany Barker and Professor Dr. Bohdan Nosyk for receiving a CIHR Project Grant for $1.28M. Read more.

People on the Move

Zymeworks Inc. appointed Oleg Nodelman to its board of directors. Read more.

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. appointed Alex Rothwell as its new Chief Financial Officer. Read more.

AbbVie’s board of directors has elected Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Michael to take the additional position of chairman. Read more.

Applications Open

Apply to Genome BC’s Ideas Lab to bring together stakeholders from government, Indigenous organizations, academia, and conservation groups to address the future of biodiversity conservation in British Columbia. Collaborate on solutions and pitch your ideas for funding opportunities. The deadline is March 3, 2025. Learn more.

Join Michael Smith Health Research BC’s open science webinar to discuss how health research is conducted, shared, and applied to real-world challenges. Explore knowledge translation, funding challenges, and its impact on inclusive health research with BC health research system experts. The webinar is on February 28, 2025. Learn more.

Looking to apply your statistical or quantitative expertise in health research? Register for the CANSTAT program for a placement at a Canadian institution conducting clinical trials. The application deadline is February 21, 2025. Learn more.

Applications open for CATTI and OBIO’s Biomanufacturing for Advanced Therapies Training Program. This program emphasizes essential skills for developing and manufacturing Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products. The program is held from March 10 to March 14, 2026. Learn more or for company inquiries, email upskilling@catti.ca.

Provide your feedback on the Draft Guidelines for the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board Staff. This guideline states the processes that staff may follow during an In-Depth Review of a drug’s price. The feedback deadline is March 19, 2025. Learn more.

See our expanded list of current life sciences opportunities on our website.

Member Spotlight

Digby Global - Tom Digby is a US/Canadian intellectual property (IP) and transaction attorney with 25+ years’ experience in global IP asset management. His clients are R&D stage life-science startups and their venture investors. He practiced 10+ years at Novartis in Cambridge (MA) and Basel, Switzerland. Learn more. 

Critical Insights - Critical Insights is dedicated to revolutionizing patient care in ICU environments through our innovative, AI-driven platform. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, we help hospitals optimize operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve margin, while minimizing risks and enhancing clinical outcomes for the most vulnerable patients. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

February 26 - Join us for our 10th Annual Access to Innovation conference.

This premier full-day gathering welcomes life sciences leaders and trailblazers from academia, research, health institutions, government, and industry to engage in insightful discussions on the ever-evolving trends, developments, and policies shaping British Columbia’s thriving sector.

March 6 - Join us for Blakes Breakfast Speaking Series: Going Public Strategies: Insights, Methods and Preparedness in Today’s Market

Join us for this hybrid event, featuring insights from across the financial and legal sectors. Hear from US and Canadian lawyers, bankers, and a company that has successfully completed its IPO. Gain valuable perspectives on the latest in industry trends, regulatory landscapes, and methods to take your company public – all in one dynamic event.

Marken, MNX and Polar Speed is now Marken, UPS Healthcare Precision Logistics

Marken, MNX, and Polar Speed have united under one global brand to form Marken, UPS Healthcare Precision Logistics – an integrated powerhouse across healthcare and complex secure logistics...Read more.

Preparing for Future Threat of Avian Influenza

Funded by Genome British Columbia and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the suite of newly funded research projects have a ‘One Health’ approach...Read more.

Health Canada Authorizes Itovebi® (Inavolisib Film-coated Tablets), a Targeted Treatment for Advanced Hormone Receptor-positive, HER2-negative Breast Cancer with a PIK3CA Mutation

Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) announced that Health Canada has granted authorization for Itovebi® (inavolisib film-coated tablets) in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant…Read more.

Battling Bird Flu: Genome BC Funds Critical Research to Protect BC from Avian Influenza

Genome BC is funding a set of research projects to address the risk associated with a strain of avian influenza, of the H5N1 subtype...Read more.

Zymeworks Announces Appointment of Oleg Nodelman to Board of Directors

Zymeworks Inc. announced the appointment of Oleg Nodelman to its board of directors, effective February 17, 2025...Read more.

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Announces CFO Succession

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced that it has appointed Alex Rothwell as the Company’s new Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately...Read more.

Nova Scotia Releases Capital Budget With More Than $1 Billion Invested in Health

The Tim Huston government in Nova Scotia has announced the province’s largest ever capital plan, with more than $1 -billion earmarked for health care projects...Read more.

AbbVie Appoints CEO Robert A. Michael as Chairman of the Board of Directors

AbbVie announced that its board of directors has unanimously elected chief executive officer (CEO) Robert A. Michael to assume the additional position of chairman, effective July 1, 2025...Read more.

Aramis Biotechnologies and the Biologics Manufacturing Centre Announce a Partnership

Aramis Biotechnologies Inc. and the Biologics Manufacturing Centre are pleased to announce the signing of a strategic agreement...Read more.

Novartis Receives Health Canada Approval for Fabhalta® Oral Treatment for Adult Patients with PNH

Novartis Canada is pleased to announce that Health Canada has granted a Notice of Compliance for Fabhalta® (iptacopan capsules) as the first oral monotherapy treatment...Read more.

CASTL Launches New Workshops to Address Industry Needs

The CASTL team is excited to announce the launch of four specialized workshops focused on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in biopharmaceutical manufacturing...Read more.

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position in Nanomedicine or Chemical Biology

The major focus of this position will be the development of a cutting-edge, externally-funded, world-class research program. Other responsibilities will include teaching nanomedicine/drug delivery or chemical biology and other related topics...Learn more

Manager, Supply Chain

We are seeking a Manager, Supply Chain, who will be working directly with our VP Commercial Operations in leading Augurex’s manufacturing operations, optimizing supply chain processes and ensuring compliance with our Quality Management System...Learn more

Animal Care Technician

Reporting to the Scientist, In Vivo, you will play a crucial role in supporting various research programs by providing essential technical support and expertise...Learn more

Associate, Histology

Reporting to the Scientist II, you will conduct routine histology, perform immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays and analyze histological images to support our various preclinical programs...Learn more

Associate II, In Vivo

Reporting to the Director, In Vivo Sciences, you will be responsible for performing surgical procedures and ensuring the highest level of animal care. This role offers the exceptional chance to broaden your technical expertise in animal surgery...Learn more

Senior Scientist, Cryopreservation Process Development

In this pivotal role, you will develop and optimize packaging processes, with a key focus on cryogenic preservation, formulation, stability, and shipping logistics to ensure the integrity and viability of our BTTs across all stages of operation...Learn more

Manager, Quality Control Microbiology

Reporting to the CTOO, you will oversee and execute essential activities to ensure microbial control across materials, environments, and processes for Aspect’s bioprinted tissue therapeutics...Learn more

Senior Health Economist

In this role, you will conduct critical economic analyses, quantitative/qualitative health economics and health services research, develop and execute analytic models for economic evaluation, use research and design tools, and prepare and present your reports...Learn more

Indigenous Pathways Project Coordinator (Contract Position)

The Indigenous Pathways Project Coordinator is responsible for leading project management of Indigenous pathways into genomics programs, coordinating projects and portfolio efforts related to SING Canada initiatives, and managing Indigenous governance initiatives...Learn more

Research Associate, Translational Biology & Pharmacology

The successful candidate will help design, plan, execute and analyze in vivo studies for target validation and preclinical research activities. Candidates will rely on their organizational skills and expertise to manage multiple pharmacology activities...Learn more

Research Associate I, In Vitro Biology

The In Vitro Biology is responsible for the in vitro functional characterization and advancement of Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) therapeutic candidates and platform technologies. The candidate supports pipeline program advancement and contributes to platform technology improvements and innovation...Learn more

Senior Site Reliability Engineer

Design, develop, and maintain tools, pipelines, and infrastructure to streamline continuous software delivery for internal scientific software, support computing clusters and web applications, oversee research-supporting software, and manage standardized development environments...Learn more

Research Assistant – Lab Coordinator

The role primarily focus on maintaining the daily operational functions of the laboratory, ensuring the delivery of consistent and reliable lab services. The candidate will assist with the recruitment and enrolment of ongoing industry, grant funded and Investigator-initiated clinical trials...Learn more

Director, Business Operations

This role drives operational efficiency, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration. The individual will oversee core business processes, lead initiatives to optimize workflows, and ensure alignment with corporate goals, compliance standards, and financial objectives...Learn more

Director, Medical Affairs

This role is responsible for defining and implementing KOL strategies to develop and maintain positive KOL endorsement and product champions for Eupraxia in all aspects of Ep104 use. The role will also lead Eupraxia medical education initiatives and conference activities...Learn more

Laboratory Technician

The Laboratory Technician will conduct accurate diagnostic specimen testing and reporting, reinforcing our position as a pioneer in autoimmune diagnostics. This role demands meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality and efficiency to uphold our high standards...Learn more

Education Engagement Coordinator

Customer-focused, highly organized Education Engagement Coordinator to expand the reach and impact of our Geneskool® program. You excel at building relationships and will connect educators, host institutions and volunteers with engaging life sciences experiences...Learn more

Lead Histology Technician

The Lead Histology Technician will conduct and manage routine histology tasks, perform and optimize immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays, and analyze histological images to support our various preclinical programs...Learn more

Business Development Officer

We require a technically sound individual to present the available services and to convert leads into partners, leveraging a diverse array of grants and other funding options...Learn more

Project Manager: High Growth Accelerator

The role manages our new accelerator program. To fill this position, we are looking for an energetic and positive individual who is efficient, great with details, and solutions-oriented, and someone who enjoys working in an exciting, fast-paced environment...Learn more

Vice President, Business Development

This is a senior role in the Business Development team and will take a leading role in partnering Eupraxia’s products and technology, commercial, strategic and portfolio planning, alliance management, financial analysis and modelling, and business development operations...Learn more

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