April 10, 2025 - Hello BioLinks Readers!

Congratulations to UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering on the opening of the new Gordon B. Shrum building, Canada’s first purpose-built biomedical engineering facility. This project, which is over 7 years in the making, brings together engineering, biology, and medicine to develop solutions that will impact the health and welfare of Canadians. Learn more.

What could your organization achieve with skilled, eager-to-learn talent? BioTalent Canada's Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) provides SME supports to hire students in STEM, healthcare, business, and more. Applications are now open for the Winter 2024 term. Spaces are limited—apply today!

Member Highlights 

ViewsML announces a strategic collaboration with Dartmouth Health’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, a leading tier 1 academic medical institution. This partnership leverages DH’s extensive tissue repository, digital pathology systems, and wet lab infrastructure to accelerate the development of ViewsML’s groundbreaking virtual biomarkers and diagnostics. Read more.

Bausch Health, Canada Inc. and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance sign letter of intent for public drug plan coverage of PrCABTREOTM (Clindamycin Phosphate, Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide Gel) treatment for Acne Vulgaris. Read more.

Molecular You launches in the U.S., making available it’s comprehensive pre-diagnostic blood analysis which measures 250+ biomarkers related to key areas like inflammation, metabolic health, disease risk, and more. Read more.

Industry Highlights

BC Cancer has ended its temporary program that sent cancer patients to the U.S. for radiation therapy, due to improved treatment wait times within the province. As of the end of February 2025, approximately 93% of patients in B.C. were waiting less than four weeks to start their radiation treatment – exceeding the national benchmark of 90%. This is a 24% improvement since spring 2023. As in-province wait times for cancer treatment have improved over the past two years, BC Cancer has seen a steady decline in the number of patients choosing to go to the U.S. for their treatment. Read more.

Kudos

Congratulations to Acuitas Therapeutics for being named one of Canada’s Top Small and Medium Employers (2025). Read more.

Kudos to UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty members, Karen Dahri and Teri Charrois, for being awarded funding under the Ministry of Health Research Seed Grant program for 2024/25. Read more.

People on the Move

Innovative Medicines Canada has elected Jody Engel, General Manager at Amicus Therapeutics Canada Inc., to its Board of Directors. Read more.

Applications Open

Apply to BioTalent Canada’s 2025 I.D.E.A.L. Scholarship, provides three scholarships of $10,000 each for equity-deserving students to pursue careers in biosciences. The scholarship supports inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, helping those facing systemic barriers to education and employment. The deadline is June 10, 2025. Learn more.

Applications open for the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Transformation stream. This supports large-scale, Canadian-led interdisciplinary research projects tackling major challenges with the potential for real and lasting impact. Receive funding of up to $4,000,000 per year for six years. The notice of intent deadline is on April 15, 2025. Learn more.

Are you a Canadian law student interested in a legal career in life sciences? Apply to Gowling WLG’s Life Sciences, Society & the Law Scholarship, an award recognizing the most exceptional paper exploring life sciences and society through a legal lens. The recipient will receive a $5000 scholarship. The deadline is on April 30, 2025. Learn more.

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

Member Spotlight

SmartParent Mobile Health Education - SmartParent is a Canadian prenatal education program that provides trustworthy educational text messages to help guide you through the weeks of your pregnancy. Our information is current, evidence-based and has been developed by maternal and child health experts. We will suggest topics to discuss with your health care provider and offer recommendations for more information and resources available online and in your own community. SmartMom is endorsed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). Learn more.

TalentSphere Staffing Solutions - Established in 2013, TalentSphere is an independent, Canadian-owned recruitment consultancy. Combining industry-leading technology with flexible working arrangements, we provide executive search, permanent placement, and interim recruitment services across North America.

The Life Sciences division at TalentSphere has six consultants across Canada bringing over 100 years of combined clinical and scientific expertise, specializing in mid- to senior-level recruitment across Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Medical Devices, Clinical Research, and Allied Health. With a personalized, relationship-driven approach, we align top-tier scientific and leadership talent with the right organizations to support innovation, growth, and long-term success. Learn more.

Until next week!

LSBC Team

April 22 - Join us for Investor Prep Webinar: Make the Most of Web Summit Vancouver

Are you an investor planning to attend Web Summit Vancouver this May? Don’t miss this exclusive webinar designed to help you maximize your experience at this highly anticipated annual global technology conference. This session is for active investors – whether you’re experienced in technology investing or exploring ways to begin investing in the sector.

May 26 - Join us for Innovation & Investment Insider Tours

The Innovation & Investment Insider Tours is a curated investor experience showcasing groundbreaking innovation in cleantech, life sciences, and creative tech. Connect with high-growth companies, industry leaders, and investors in a dynamic setting designed for meaningful conversation. The event will begin with transportation from downtown Vancouver to Surrey, the fastest-growing city in the Metro Vancouver region, for a networking lunch, followed by three sector-specific investment tours.

Bausch Health, Canada Inc. and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance Sign Letter of Intent for Public Drug Plan Coverage of PrCABTREOTM (Clindamycin Phosphate, Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide Gel) Treatment for Acne Vulgaris

Bausch Health, Canada Inc. announced that it has signed a letter of intent with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) for Canadian public drug plan coverage for PrCABTREOTM gel...Read more.

ViewsML and Dartmouth Health Partner to Advance AI-Driven Virtual Biomarkers and Diagnostics

Techbio innovator ViewsML is proud to announce a strategic collaboration with the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth Health (DH), a leading tier 1 academic medical institution...Read more.

Acuitas Therapeutics Named One of Canada’s Top Small and Medium Employers

Acuitas Therapeutics, Inc. was named one of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers (2025)...Read more.

AbbVie Announces European Commission Approval of RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) for the Treatment of Adults with Giant Cell Arteritis

AbbVie announced that the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization to RINVOQ® (upadacitinib; 15 mg, once daily) for the treatment of giant cell arteritis...Read more.

UBC Opens Gordon B. Shrum Building, Canada’s First Purpose-built Biomedical Engineering Facility

The University of British Columbia officially opened the doors to the Gordon B. Shrum Building, the new home for the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME)...Read more.

Partnerships Specialist

You will be responsible for identifying and negotiating partnerships with external organizations. In this role, you will establish and nurture relationships with funding partners, proactively seek new opportunities, and ensure compliance with partnership agreements...Learn more.

Analytical Chemistry Manager – up to 18-month Maternity Leave Replacement

This position reports to the Vice President of CMC and is responsible for the management of technical operations related to analytical services of existing operations for the supply of existing and new sustained release drug products...Learn more.

Associate / Sr Associate – Biologics Discovery (14-Month Contract)

You will perform flow cytometry testing and analysis, including sample preparation, instrument calibration, data acquisition, and data analysis. Your expertise will contribute to the development of novel antibody-based therapeutics for serious illnesses...Learn more.

Process Development Scientist

The Process Development Scientist will be responsible for leading the development of novel viscous liquid formulations, the practical process scale up and ultimately involved in the detailed technology transfer to contract 3rd party manufacturing facilities...Learn more.

Research Scientist

This role contributez to the R&D of pipeline products and the existing lead drug candidate for treating osteoarthritis and eosinophilic esophagitis. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, independent and creative scientist, ideally with previous academic and/or industrial experience...Learn more.

Communications Specialist, Content and Events

The Communications Specialist is a member of the Communications and Societal Engagement team. Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager you are an impeccable storyteller who is comfortable creating content for all media...Learn more.

If you haven't already, sign-up for this and our weekly events newsletter

Follow LSBC on Social Media