corporate profiles 2011
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A supplement to LifeSciences British ColumbiaTRANSCRIPT
A supplement to LifeSciences British ColumbiaCorporate P rofiles2011
Sponsored by
Published by
The B.C. life sciences industry is ranked among the smartest
and fastest growing research communities in the world.
Featuring:
BC Preclinical Research Consortium
Centre for Advanced Diagnostics
The Centre for Drug Research
and Development
Farm Credit Canada
Genome British Columbia
GlaxoSmithKline
Italian Trade Commission
Kalgene Pharmaceuticals
LifeLabs
Pegasus Pharmaceuticals
Pfizer Canada
Premier Diagnostic
PROOF Centre of Excellence
Rx&D
Seed IP
Stemcell Technologies
Syreon
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www.italtrade.com
Italian Trade Commission Trade Promotion Section of the Consulate Generale of Italy180, Dundas Street West Suite 2002, P.O. BOX N°2M5G 1Z8 Toronto, Ontario, [email protected]: +1 416 598 1566 Fax: +1 416 598 1610
Italy atSupporting the internationalisation of Italian firms and the consolidation of their business relationships in foreign markets, the Italian Trade Commission is proudly showcasing the Italian biotech scenario with growing opportunities at BioPartnering 2011.
The successful Italian testimonials participating at BioPartnering 2011 are:A. Menarini IFR www.menarini.itC. Musso: [email protected]
Areta International www.aretaint.com L. Cavenaghi: [email protected]
Assobiotec Industry Association: www.assobiotec.it L. Vingiani: [email protected]
Bracco Imagining spa www.braccoimaging.comD. Fujii: [email protected]
CROM Group www.cromgroup.com M. Mosconi: [email protected]
Menarini Biotech srl www.menarini-biotech.comC. Panzarella: [email protected]
Pharma & Biotech AdvisorsP. Barbanti: [email protected]
Proge Farm srl www.progefarm.itE. Tosi: [email protected]
Proge Medica srl G. Dondi: [email protected]
Recordati Industria Chimica e Farmaceutica spa www.recordati.it. P. Ferlenga: [email protected]
Supporting the internationalisation of Italian firms and the consolidation of their business relationships in foreign markets, the Italian Trade Commission is proudly showcasing the Italian biotech scenario with growing opportunities at BioPartnering 2011.
The successful Italian testimonials participating at BioPartnering 2011 are:A. Menarini IFR www.menarini.itC. Musso: [email protected]
Areta International www.aretaint.com L. Cavenaghi: [email protected]
Assobiotec Industry Association: www.assobiotec.it L. Vingiani: [email protected]
Bracco Imagining spa www.braccoimaging.comD. Fujii: [email protected]
CROM Group www.cromgroup.com M. Mosconi: [email protected]
Menarini Biotech srl www.menarini-biotech.comC. Panzarella: [email protected]
Pharma & Biotech AdvisorsP. Barbanti: [email protected]
Proge Farm srl www.progefarm.itE. Tosi: [email protected]
Proge Medica srl G. Dondi: [email protected]
Recordati Industria Chimica e Farmaceutica spa www.recordati.it. P. Ferlenga: [email protected]
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 4 2/15/11 7:31:11 PM
for determining the sequence of a cancer
patient’s genome that are faster, more
efficient and targeted. These technol-
ogy advances are enabling the practical
application of personalized medicine.
Together, with their clinical colleagues,
they have made cancer breakthroughs
such as the identification of a gene muta-
tion in a prevalent type of ovarian can-
cer, the first-ever sequencing of a breast
cancer genome, and the identification of
a mutation in a specific gene linked to
B-cell lymphoma.
Genomics researchers are exploring
ways to put micro-organisms to work
as sustainable bioremediation agents
in the cleanup of wastewater in mine
sites. “There are micro-organisms out
there that can do all sorts of things, including the detoxifica-
tion of water,” says UBC scientist Sue Baldwin, who is leading
the $1.5-million research project. “We are relying on microbes
that are already present in the environment to do this, and using
genomics to determine how to create the conditions in which they
will thrive.” The researchers will determine the conditions neces-
sary to ensure that micro-organisms that digest metal toxins will
continue to do their jobs over time.
Devastation caused by the mountain pine beetle infestation in
BC has created large amounts of unmarketable lodgepole pine
that could supply the biofuel industry for the next 20 years and
beyond. Jack Saddler from UBC is leading a research project using
genomics to enhance enzymes that act as nature’s catalysts, liber-
ating fermentable sugars from wood so it can be used for biofuels.
“Trees are a huge store of chemical energy that can be converted
into liquid biofuel,” he says. Dr. Saddler is confident that the solu-
tion they find for coniferous trees will be transferable to deciduous
varieties, creating a renewable source of biofuel stock for future
generations.
Over the past 10 years, Genome BC has invested in $450 million
in BC-based genomics research and plans to invest another $340
million over the next give years.
Contact: Richard Howlett
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 604-637-4379
he 21st century faces issues around
protecting our food supply, finding
sustainable sources of energy, keep-
ing our population healthy, and the need
to adapt to the effects of climate change.
Genomics’ greatest potential is that it pos-
sesses tools for addressing these key global
challenges. Genome British Columbia
aims to provide positive impacts and
solutions by investing in, managing and
enabling large-scale genomics and pro-
teomics research projects and technol-
ogy platforms. Over the past decade the
research projects it has funded have made
impacts in areas of strategic and economic
importance to British Columbia, Canada
and the world, including human health,
forestry, fisheries, agriculture, bioenergy,
mining and the environment. In addition,
a critical element of responsible genomics
research is to provide a forum through
which accompanying environmental, ethical, economic, legal
and social issues can be explored so that the context for scientific
research remains focussed and relevant to society. Genome BC’s
research portfolio is funded by the Province of British Columbia,
the government of Canada through Genome Canada and Western
Economic Diversification and over 100 international and industry
partners.
A snapshot of diversity in genomics research
Fungi or “rusts” attack and damage plants and trees, affecting
food production, threatening ecosystems and leading to billions of
dollars in lost revenues from the agricultural and forestry sectors.
Richard Hamelin from UBC and Guus Bakkeren from Agricul-
ture and Agri-Food Canada are working on identifying the key
genes involved in rust infection in order to be able to more quickly
detect and monitor rusts and more effectively prevent infection.
“A key aspect of these diseases is genetic variation that allows rusts
to overcome host resistance,” say Dr. Hamelin. The scientists hope
to find a core set of genes that relate to resistance, and eventually
identify an early-warning system for disease outbreaks.
While the human genome project took about 15 years and $3 bil-
lion, today’s next-generation sequencing technologies will soon
make the “$1,000-genome” a possibility. The research of scientists
at the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre including Marco
Marra, Robert Holt and Steven Jones is resulting in technologies
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 5 2/15/11 7:31:11 PM
and immune rejection, allow-
ing the best treatments to be
chosen and applied before the
damage is done. Building on a
successful pipeline, we are dis-
covering and developing new
biomarker solutions for chronic
kidney disease, chronic obstruc-
tive pulmonary disease, and
acute and chronic heart failure.
Bridging the gap from discovery
of new diagnostics to their rou-
tine use in the clinic is complex. Our team, infrastructure, assets,
experience, and strategies overcome barriers and accelerate this
process such that we can bring health benefi ts to patients sooner,
create value, reduce costs and business risk for our partners, and
relieve our burdened health system promptly. We begin with a
clinical need, one for which biomarkers bring potential value. Th is
approach helps us bypass common pitfalls such as clinical failure
due to over-reliance on preclinical models that prove irrelevant in
humans, and focus our time and resources eff ectively. Our hub
of expert people and teams enables us to deal with development
hurdles as parallel processes that inform each other in real time
rather than as a lengthy series of siloed activities. We leverage
valuable assets, such as high-technology platforms, and quality
patient cohorts, for maximal effi ciency.
We build on extended networks throughout industry, health care
and academia, and continually seek collaborations and strategic
partnerships to enhance biomarker discovery and clinical valida-
tion as part of our mandate to reduce the burden of organ fail-
ure. Our fl exible business model and end-to-end expertise allows
opportunity to decrease risk for all partners involved. Our model
also creates training and research opportunities in science and
business. Importantly, we will reduce the fi nancial burden on the
healthcare system by preventing disease and improving health.
Can companion diagnostics speed your drug development path-
way? Seeking patient cohorts for your external validation studies?
Looking to obtain expert contract services related to biomarkers
or organ failure? Contact us to learn more about partnering or
collaborating with the PROOF Centre.
Contact: Leah Lockhart
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 604-806-9853
he Centre of Excellence for
the Prevention of Organ
Failure (PROOF Centre) is
a unique, federally-funded, not-
for-profi t organization that dis-
covers, develops and implements
novel blood-based biomarker
tests to prevent and better man-
age heart , lung, and k idney
failure in individual patients.
The PROOF Centre leverages
advanced technologies, diverse
expertise, and global partners
multisectorally in pursuing its
vision. Th is synthesis allows the
PROOF Centre to create novel and powerful tests, reduce develop-
ment costs and business risks. Th e biomarker solutions also accel-
erate relief for our burdened healthcare systems and the patients
at risk or suff ering from organ failure.
Heart, lung and kidney diseases together represent a growing burden
in Canada and around the world. For millions of patients suff ering
under this burden, impaired organ function and organ failure have
a devastating impact. Th e socio-economic impact of organ failure is
enormous—one in four Canadians is estimated to be at risk. Th us, the
mission to discover, develop, commercialize, and implement blood-
based biomarker tests in clinical settings to better manage patients
with heart, lung, and kidney failure is strongly compelling.
We are experienced, proven leaders and cross-disciplinary teams
from health care, business, and academia. We put our rich strate-
gic networks and diverse range of expertise and resources to work
for the PROOF Centre, anchored at St. Paul’s Hospital and hosted
by the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. We
were established as an NCE Centre of Excellence for Commercial-
ization and Research in 2008 based on over fi ve years of previous
success in biomarker discovery and development.
Replacing suboptimal diagnostics with simple, effective blood
tests is our goal; we will improve quality of life and health out-
comes for patients, help physicians provide patient-centered care,
and decrease direct and indirect costs to our healthcare system
and our society. Forging commercialization paths for develop-
ment of top Canadian innovations will also give a much-needed
boost to our economic health. We focus on developing blood
tests for non-invasive diagnosis and prediction of organ failure
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 6 2/15/11 7:31:12 PM
CDR D has entered into st rateg ic
par tnerships to create dedicated
Innovation Funds designed to sup-
port the applied research necessary
to develop a technology towards com-
mercialization. As another source of
non-dilutive capital, CDRD projects
are eligible to apply to these Innova-
tion Funds to support costs, such as
consumable and patent expenses. The
current Innovation Funds include
the Pfizer-CDRD Innovation Fund; the Genome BC-CDRD
Development Fund; and the Western Canada Innovation Fund,
which was created with the support of Johnson & Johnson and
the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.
CDRD operates as a not-for-profit entity, allowing it to work
seamlessly with public research institutions. Its commercial
arm, CDRD Ventures Inc., advances a carefully selected port-
folio of drug candidates through preclinical development, ulti-
mately licensing to pharmaceutical and biotech partners or
creating spin-off companies. The company also offers local life
science companies access to CDRD’s expertise and infrastruc-
ture through collaborations to advance programs to key valua-
tion points or to improve their ability to attract investment.
In addition to the strong collaborations established with its
funding partners, CDRD is pursuing strategic partnerships with
pharmaceutical companies and other centres of excellence across
Canada as well as in the United States, Europe, and Asia. CDRD,
through its commercial arm, also provides assistance to local
biotech companies by leveraging its technical strengths and
research capabilities to support early stage R&D programs.
Strategic partners, venture capital firms, and funding agencies
can look to CDRD to reduce development risk and provide a more
transparent means to invest in drug development projects. From the
outset, CDRD instills scientific and business discipline in the devel-
opment process, with a focus on commercialization that optimizes
resources. The diversity and breadth of development projects com-
bined with infrastructure and expertise improves the chances for
the successful commercialization of new therapeutics.
To learn more, please contact: Karimah Es Sabar, Senior VP,
Business & Strategic Affairs at
[email protected] or 604.221.7750
DRD draws on the research excel-
lence and diversity of scientists
working at academic and health
research institutions, who represent an
investment of over $1.4 billion per year
in research. CDRD supports numer-
ous projects each year. Scientific and
technical expertise guided by business
discipline, allows CDRD to make prac-
tical decisions regarding promising
technologies. Those that hold promise
as products are advanced to the next
stages for development.
There is growing interest from the pharmaceutical industry to
externalize innovation and companies are looking at new models
for accessing early stage research. CDRD provides unprecedent-
ed, reduced-risk access to new pipeline opportunities for pharma-
ceutical and biotech companies. CDRD, through its partnerships
with many affiliated institutions, is connected to an extensive net-
work of world class scientists working in many disease areas, as well
as to key opinion leaders, and research driven clinical researchers
across Canada and with institutions in the US, Europe, Austra-
lia, and Asia. CDRD broadened its reach of affiliated institutions
to go beyond British Columbia to include McMaster University,
Thompson Rivers University, and Dalhousie University as well as
MaRS Innovation – representing 14 leading Toronto-research based
institutions.
CDRD can provide specialized expertise in areas that an organi-
zation does not have in-house, or for companies who choose to
externalize development. CDRD’s divisions cover the spectrum
of pre-clinical drug development and are professionally man-
aged and operated by personnel with experience and track
records in drug development research and business. Working
with principal investigators, CDRD helps overcome scientif-
ic and project management roadblocks by identifying critical
issues required to establish therapeutic potential; conducting
pivotal pilot experiments; identifying collaborations and facili-
tating collaborative grant requests; and project management for
multi-investigator programs.
CDRD’s drug development platform has operational facilities
located on the campuses of University of British Columbia, Simon
Fraser University, and the British Columbia Cancer Agency. In
addition to the newly created biologics department, CDRD has
five divisions that support the drug development process includ-
ing target validation; screening; medicinal chemistry; drug for-
mulation and delivery; and pharmacology and toxicology.
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 7 2/15/11 7:31:12 PM
Columbians suffering from chronic
pain. Through an investment of
$160,000, the society was able to
establish a Framework for Action
to initiate its work to increase the
number of general practit ioners
treating pain and decreasing wait
times for access to treatment.
P f i z er, i n pa r t nersh ip w it h
the Centre of Excel lence for the
Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF),
is also committed to improving the
standard of care and quality of life for
Canadians faced with heart, lung and kidney failure.
Pfizer believes in supporting the acceleration of knowledge-
translation and commercialization of new ideas. Pfizer has a
multi-million dollar partnership with BC’s Centre for Drug
Research and Development (CDRD) with the creation of the
Pfizer-CDRD Innovation Fund.
Recognizing the changing environment, Pfizer has invested
in a dedicated field force responsible for aligning to the needs
of those leading primary care improvement. These account
managers, health networks do not carry samples or discuss
specific products, but rather act as connectors to support the
improvement in chronic disease management including programs
like Healthcare Team Effectiveness (H.T.E.), an innovative process
designed to develop excellence in teamwork
Pfizer is a proud supporter of the Ripples of Hope Award which
was initiated by Dr. Michael Hayden. Ripples of Hope represents an
endowment fund that will form a pillar for trainees in the areas of
global health, rare diseases, mental health and biotechnology. Pfizer
is proud to have pledged $700,000 toward this fund, specifically in
support of the mental health and rare diseases traineeships.
In 2011, Pfizer will sponsor various student education activities
such as the Pfizer Prize for Excellence in Pharmaceutical Sciences
at UBC and the Student Biotechnology Network. Our company
is also pleased to be supporting the success of the Year of Science
community education initiatives, lead by the Ministry of Science
and Universities.
Ensuring good health is a priority for British Columbians,
and Pfizer Canada looks forward to continuing to work with
government, academics and other stakeholders to help the
province achieve this important goal.
Contact: Pfizer Canada – Corporate Communications
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 514-695-0500 or 1-877-633-2001
uch of Pfizer Canada’s work
happens w it hin t he loca l
communities it serves and
we are proud to be active in British
Columbia, with a focus ref lecting a
core belief that to be truly healthy, it
takes more than medication. Pfizer is
also a proud partner of Life Sciences
British Columbia as it shares their
vision for a vibrant and successful
biotechnology sector in the province.
Pf izer is very proud of the work
accomplished in British Columbia
over the past few years.
In 2010, Pfizer Canada invested approximately $1 million in
communities across the province. The United Way, as well as
various other not-for-profit associations, receive grants from
Pfizer Canada to help support the valuable work they do.
In partnership with two other Rx&D member companies,
Pfizer has made a significant partnership investment with the
Government of British Columbia and the BC Ambulance Service
towards the Advanced Coronary Treatment (ACT) Foundation
to bring the ACT High School CPR program to all BC Public
Secondary Schools. This investment will help provide the
necessary test mannequins for high school students to learn the
essentials of CPR training.
Pfizer is also a proud sponsor of the Canadian Paralympic
Team and like many Canadians, cheered the team at the March
2010 winter games. Pfizer has been a supporter of Canada’s
paralympians since 1996.
If you are a member of a not-for-profit group or association
and would like to learn more about our community investment
program, please visit: http://pfizer.ca/community
Pfizer is committed to building strong partnerships in a variety of
settings that help to keep British Columbians healthy. Pfizer, the
BC Cancer Agency and the Prostate Center at Vancouver General
Hospital have come together to tackle new targets for the treatment
of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. Pfizer has dedicated $9
million to this research collaboration which is Pfizer’s single largest
investment in BC’s public medical research infrastructure.
The Pfizer/Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon
Chair in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Research at St. Paul’s
Hospital is going into its third year. Pfizer contributed $1.25 million
towards this initiative, which is the first Canadian research chair in
cardiovascular disease prevention and health policy.
Pfizer continues to invest in the Pain BC Society to support
its work to improve the quality of timeliness of care for British
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 8 2/15/11 7:31:13 PM
More than a decade ago,
LifeLabs recognized that the
future of laboratory diag-
nostics would be shaped by
emerging genetic technolo-
gies and developed molecular
diagnostics as a core capacity
to improve the quality of lab
diagnoses. Now, years later,
the Molecular team is able to
provide faster, more sensitive
results using advanced cost-
effective techniques.
LifeLabs’ BC-based labs were
the first medical laboratories in the province to achieve ISO 15189
accreditation – an international quality standard.
Medical quality is promoted by our team of medical scientific
experts. This widely respected medical team of Microbiologists,
Hematopathologists, and Biochemists guide the testing services
provided by LifeLabs as well as support physicians by providing
consultation services to assist in the interpretation of test results.
As a national organization, LifeLabs has the capacity to collabo-
rate broadly across the country. Our position as a major labora-
tory services provider makes us an ideal partner to government,
academia and industry.
We work with research institutions and other healthcare provid-
ers to identify the best possible diagnostics tools to raise standards
in patient care.
We also work closely with patient advocacy organizations,
chronic disease groups and pharmaceutical organizations to sup-
port advancements in disease management and treatment and an
improved quality of life for patients living with chronic illnesses.
Through our team of dedicated employees and focus on access,
innovation, quality and results we are well positioned to make a
significant difference in the health and well-being of Canadians.
Contact LifeLabs today to explore innovative partnership
opportunities with a leading lab services provider.
Contact: Les Jickling, Director, Business Development
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 604-412-4429
ifeLabs Medical Labo-
rator y Ser v ices , t he
largest diagnostic labo-
ratory in Canada, has been
partnering in the creation
of health innovations for
over 50 years. As an impor-
tant member of an extended
healthcare team, we play a
vital role in the delivery of
patient-focused care. Each
year, we provide more than
50 million laboratory tests
to over 10 million patients
and nearly 20,000 physi-
cians in Canada.
Studies estimate that up to 80% of all clinical treatment deci-
sions are based on results from laboratory tests. Our test results
enable healthcare providers to better prevent, diagnose, treat and
monitor illness and disease in patients, while biotechnology and
pharmaceutical companies rely on our lab results and specimen
collection networks for effective clinical trials. LifeLabs is a key
partner in delivering better outcomes in patient care.
LifeLabs’ extensive infrastructure means patients and physicians
can access our services quickly, conveniently and close to home –
removing barriers to patient participation in studies and trials by
providing the necessary infrastructure for specimen collections.
With an integrated network of courier services, specimen col-
lection centres, testing facilities and medical professionals, we are
able to provide local access to regional and national expertise in
laboratory testing.
Most test results are available to physicians and caregivers
within hours of specimen collection, and by providing results
electronically, they can access this information as soon as it is
available.
We invest in new technologies and have developed novel method-
ologies and approaches that have been presented at international
scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed medical
journals.
In the 1990s, we envisioned a patient-centred future where
lab results would be available electronically to caregivers, pulling
data from multiple lab sources to provide a single cohesive report.
LifeLabs was a partner in the creation of Excelleris, a software
and services health information management company dedicated
to providing healthcare professionals with fast, accessible patient
information.
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 9 2/15/11 7:31:14 PM
to save technicians time and to standardize cell
separation procedures. RoboSep® eliminates the
hands-on steps involved in cell separation, includ-
ing reagent addition, incubation, and pipetting.
We have recently developed a revolutionary new
instrument, STEMvision, to automate the identifica-
tion and counting of hematopoietic colony-forming
cell assays required in bone marrow research, cord
blood banks and transplantation labs. This standard-
izes these tests, removing the variability associated
with human counting and increasing lab capacity.
Our new ClonaCell™ EasyPick, developed in
collaboration with Hamilton Robotics, automates
clone isolation in a high throughput manner. Opti-
mized for use with ClonaCell™ semi-solid media,
our platform offers rapid and efficient development
of cell lines for biopharmaceutical production.
STEMCELL Technologies has solid manufacturing capabilities in
our headquarters in the Lower Mainland. We are proud to have
earned ISO 13485:2003 Certification for our research, manufac-
turing and shipping facilities in Canada, the US and France.
Our processes incorporate rigorous selection of raw materials
and quality control processes. STEMCELL knows that a number
of other factors also contribute to achieving consistent research
results for our customers, including training and access to timely
and effective technical assistance.
STEMCELL is committed to working together with scientists to
develop new products that will help perform their experiments
better and faster. If there is a product or service that is not offered,
STEMCELL’s team is able to discuss specific experimental require-
ments with researchers, and design and manufacture customized
reagents for their needs.
STEMCELL’s Contract Assay Service works with pharma and
biotech scientists to develop and perform flexible custom-designed
experiments. By harnessing STEMCELL’s industry-standard
reagents and extensive stem cell biology expertise, pharmaceutical
and biotech companies can rapidly screen products at the earliest
stage of development, thereby saving valuable time and resources
in the development process.
STEMCELL’s teams have participated in more than 200 collaborative
projects in 18 different countries. With over $3.5 million dollars in con-
tributions to the Canadian Stem Cell Network, STEMCELL is actively
driving Canadian research. Locally, STEMCELL has collaborated with
and helped fund over forty research groups. For more information
about STEMCELL Technologies, please visit www.stemcell.com.
STEMCELL Technologies Inc is a privately-
owned biotechnology company that helps
power leading-edge life science research
around the world. Scientists performing stem cell,
immunology, cancer, regenerative medicine and
cellular therapy research are among those who rely
on our cell culture media, cell separation products
and ancillary reagents.
We have over 400 science-oriented employees,
including 100 PhDs / MScs working in the creation of
novel products, providing consistent, unfailing quality
in producing these products, and by standing with
our customers around the globe to provide training,
one-on-one assistance and technical support.
Driven by our love of science, and our passion
for quality, STEMCELL now delivers over 1500
products to more than 70 countries worldwide.
STEMCELL’s first product, MethoCult®, quickly became the
world’s best selling methylcellulose-based medium for growing
and characterizing blood-forming stem cells by in vitro colony
assays and is now considered the industry standard.
Our scientists continue to develop media to support academ-
ic and industrial researchers in the standardization of stem cell
research. This includes the development of standardized media
for the expansion and evaluation of stem and progenitor cells
from many sources including: hematopoietic, embryonic, induced
pluripotent, mesenchymal, neural and a variety of epithelial tis-
sues including mammary and prostate.
STEMCELL’s cell separation products allow researchers to
isolate virtually any cell type, including immune, hematopoietic,
mammary and tumour cells. In addition to off-the-shelf cell
separation kits, STEMCELL offers customized cell separation
products. Working together with our knowledgeable technical
support team, researchers can access STEMCELL’s expertise to
design specific kits to meet their unique needs.
The platforms used to isolate cells include EasySep® – an
immunomagnetic approach where cells are bound to antibody-
linked magnetic particles and separated using a magnet, and
RosetteSep® – an immunodensity approach, where unwanted
cells are removed using antibodies linked to red blood cells and
separated using density-gradient centrifugation.
In addition to development of media and cell separation kits,
STEMCELL has also developed a number of instruments to auto-
mate life science research. RoboSep® is a fully automated system
for cell separation using our EasySep® immunomagnetic approach
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 10 2/15/11 7:31:14 PM
time-efficiently design and
find active peptides for target
proteins. Combined with pep-
tide array, this algorithm has
assisted our scientists in find-
ing promising peptide can-
didates for treatment of Par-
kinson’s disease, HIV/AIDS,
thromboembolic diseases and
anaphylaxis.
Taking advantage of the
SMCD and OBET technolo-
gies, Pegasus has successfully
developed four Careseng®
product lines of anti-cancer,
stem-cell stimulation, health
promotion and cosmetics, which feature high oral bioavailability
and well-recognized effectiveness. Supported by well-designed
pre-clinical studies and convincing clinical trials, four Careseng®
products have been approved as new anti-cancer and cardiovascu-
lar drugs in the Republic of Georgia since 2007. New drug applica-
tions in Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Moldova are also under
way. To date, Pegasus has completed preclinical studies of a drug
candidate for bone marrow recovery and reconstitution, and the
application for FDA IND will be submitted in late 2011.
Pegasus has forged extensive collaborations with worldwide uni-
versities, research institutes, hospitals and clinics, including Uni-
versity of California, Los Angeles, University of British Columbia,
Simon Fraser University, University of Alberta, Tokyo University
of Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Taipei College
of Physical Education and Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital (Bei-
jing, China). Also, Pegasus has established several subsidiaries and
joint ventures in Mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore and several
other countries in Southeast Asia, aiming to double its market share
in the next three years. Currently, Pegasus and the National Can-
cer Center of Georgia are cooperatively establishing a world-class
cancer treatment and research center, helping translate up-to-date
advances in cancer research into patients’ wellness.
In the past fifteen years of research and development of natural
herbal drugs and active peptides, Pegasus has grown into a multi-
national corporation with over 200 employees. With its revolu-
tionary technologies and gifted scientists, Pegasus will continue to
play a leading role in herbal drug modernization and is commit-
ted to delivering its knowledge of health benefits from traditional
herbal drugs to and making a better life for patients.
Contact: James Cao, Vice President; Clint Cheng, Business
Development Director; Martin Wang, R&D Director
Email: [email protected];
Tel: 604-303-9952
egasus Pharmaceuticals
Group Inc. (“Pegasus”)
is a Canadian high-tech
biopharmaceutical company
that is specialized in research
& development, manufactur-
ing and commercialization of
phytocompounds and biologi-
cally active peptides.
Pegasus takes a leading
posit ion in natura l herbal
drug modernization and has
received enormous funding
from various authorities, espe-
cially, the National Research
Council of Canada.
With talented scientists of diverse expertise and whole-heart-
ed dedication, Pegasus has developed several world-leading tech-
nologies in natural herbal drug R & D.
1) Selective Metabolites Compound Drug (SMCD) technology
helps scientists quickly characterize active chemical ingredients
in long-used traditional herbal drugs such as Ginseng. Also, it
revolutionizes the manufacture of many herbal drugs to meet
the FDA requirements for new drug application. Profiting from
SMCD, Pegasus has gained a thorough understanding of active
chemicals in Ginseng, one of which shows a strong stimulatory
effect on bone marrow and stem cell growth, typically useful for
bone marrow reconstitution after bone marrow transplantation
and recovery after cancer chemotherapy. In addition, Pegasus has
identified several other promising drugable anti-cancer candi-
dates which show great cytotoxic effect on cancer cells and inhibi-
tory effect on multidrug resistance protein P-GP.
2) Oral Bioavailability Enhancement Technology (OBET) com-
prises a series of innovative formulation techniques which drasti-
cally improve the oral bioavailability of herbal drugs more than
fivefold to a level sufficient to achieve pharmacological activity
upon oral administration. OBET technology tackles the difficul-
ties in developing traditional herbs into modern oral preparations
with regard to oral effectiveness. Based on above technologies,
Pegasus has acquired five ratified patents and seven pending ones
in Canada, USA, European Union, China, Singapore, etc.
Pegasus has established a peptide research laboratory, one of
few laboratories in the world able to provide commercial pep-
tide array services. This cutting-edge technology allows scientists
to investigate protein-protein interactions in a robust and high-
throughput way. Using peptide array, Pegasus has mapped first
in the world, the whole antigenic epitopes of SARS coronavirus
in 2004, and the latter could be used for vaccine and protective
antibody development. Furthermore, Pegasus has developed a
unique peptide design algorithm enabling researchers to cost- and
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 11 2/15/11 7:31:15 PM
and China. These programs link Syre-
on, the study sponsor, and leading site
investigators in a continuous process to
guide the operation, analysis and publi-
cation of each study.
Syreon studies span multiple therapeu-
tic areas, and range from phase I new
drug evaluation through longitudinal
phase IV investigation of pharmacoeco-
nomics and quality of life under condi-
tions of normal clinical practice. Syreon has extensive expertise in
each of these areas, from the design, analysis and statistical mod-
eling of therapeutic information to the evaluation of health qual-
ity and economic outcome. Our clinical specialists have served as
advisors to the biopharmaceutical industry and government in
many aspects of clinical therapeutics and drug evaluation, and are
involved in large international studies in this field.
In 2010 Syreon was pleased to announce the expansion of the
Syreon Research Institute (SRI) as a desired provider for expert
health economics research to the pharmaceutical and biotech-
nology sectors of Europe and North America. SRI represents an
international team of highly focused professionals supported by
powerful departments specializing in data management, statistical
analysis and economic modeling to ensure that new products are
optimally priced for rapid market uptake and are tightly aligned
with patient and provider needs. Real-time monitoring of patient,
provider, caregiver, community and institutional resource use is
coupled with detailed cost vectors for each disease state to provide
precise and dynamic estimation of direct and indirect costs of
care, caregiver burden, and economic loss due to illness. Draw-
ing together the unique perspectives of industry, government,
and academia SRI is the ideal partner for helping your company
move from product development to creating value, and realizing
benefits in the shortest possible timeframe.
Syreon’s unique goal is to ensure excellence in the complex &
rapidly changing world of healthcare, and our unprecedented
repeat business rate is a ref lection of quality, reliability and
commitment to our clients.
Contact: Michelle Dittrick
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 604-676-5900
n today’s research environment,
shorter development cycles and intense
competition are serious threats, and
new drugs or medical devices often
struggle to achieve their profit and volume
objectives. Precise and comprehensive
understanding of market opportunities,
therapeutic benef its, data capture
technologies, regulatory controls, and
site and patient recruitment are critical to
overcoming these challenges.
As a lead i ng c l i n ica l resea rch
organization specializing in the use of digital information
systems for all aspects of global health sciences research, Syreon’s
advanced computing technologies, specialized therapeutic and
economic expertise and global reach combine to provide leading
edge clinical and economic research programs ideally adapted to
the fast pace of modern drug, diagnostics and device evaluation.
Syreon combines expertise in molecular medicine, biostatistics,
clinical therapeutics, economics, health outcomes measurement,
and economics to conduct national and international phase I to IV
clinical studies. Our teams have extensive experience in all areas
of clinical research, extending from developmental therapeutics
to formal clinical trials and longitudinal disease-based registry
studies in a broad range of therapeutic areas from infectious
diseases to complex multisystem disorders.
Services encompass study development, project management,
site recruitment and operation, data management, on-site
monitoring, pharmacovigilance, medical writing, and statistical/
scientific analysis, health modeling and reporting. Advanced
internet technologies provide immediate and continuous
access for authorized research and clinical personnel for study
communications or electronic data capture and reporting. Syreon
studies are designed to be flexible and scalable and can incorporate
from one to many hundreds of participating sites with continuous
recording of multidimensional data in real time.
Working with an elite portfolio of global pharmaceutical partners
Syreon developed ClinStream™, a proprietary electronic research
system which links participants in the clinical research process
in over 40 countries for the secure and seamless integration of
genomic, laboratory, clinical, health and economic data.
Syreon’s international investigator networks and multi-centre
studies have enrolled from 30 to 30,000 subjects at more than 1000
sites spanning North America, South America, Western Europe,
the Middle East, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Australia, Taiwan
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 13 2/15/11 7:31:16 PM
KalGene Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Kalgene”) is a Canadian company focused on the development of oncology therapeutics and companion diagnostics. The company’s product pipeline is at various stages of research and development.
Its oncology programs are aimed at improving clinical and survival outcomes through the use of personalized medicine, with a particular focus on breast, bladder, epithelial and thyroid cancers. KalGene is partnering with many of North America’s leading clinician- scientists and academic institutions to deliver personalized cancer diagnostics and drugs that maximize positive patient treatment outcomes.
www.kalgene.com
KalGene specializes in converting promising oncology research into prescribable personalized medicine.
KalGene specializes in converting promising oncology research into prescribable personalized medicine.
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 14 2/15/11 7:31:27 PM
y p
You have questions. We have answers.
Call us at 604 678 9274.
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 15 2/17/11 1:59:07 PM
Please refer to www.lifesciencesbc.ca for further information on these companies.
Core LifeSciences BC Members
Stage of Development Fields of Study Tools Diseases
Dru
g D
isco
very
Pre-
Clin
ical
Stu
dies
Phas
e 1
Clin
ical
Stu
dies
Phas
e 2
Clin
ical
Stu
dies
Phas
e 3
Clin
ical
Stu
dies
On
Mar
ket
Bio
-Pro
duct
s
Bio
info
rmat
ics
Dia
gnos
tics
Envi
ronm
enta
l
Ther
apeu
tics
Vacc
ines
Bio
-Pro
cess
ing
Dru
g D
eliv
ery
Gen
e Th
erap
y
Gen
omic
s
Hig
h-Th
roug
hput
Scr
eeni
ng
Lab
Reag
ents
Prot
eom
ics
Aut
oim
mun
e D
isea
ses
Canc
er
Card
iova
scul
ar D
isea
ses
Infe
ctio
us D
isea
ses
Infla
mm
ator
y D
isea
ses
Met
abol
ic D
isea
ses
Neu
rolo
gica
l Dis
ease
s
Organizations
Alectos Therapeutics
Allon Therapeutics Inc.
Amgen British Columbia Inc.
Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Aquinox
Augurex Life Science Corp.
Boreal Genomics
Cardiome Pharma Corp.
Celator Pharmaceuticals Inc.
enGene Inc.
Farabloc Development Corp.
GenomeDx Biosciences Inc.
Globe Laboratories Inc.
iCo Therapeutics
I. G. MicroMed Environmental Inc.
Inimex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
iProgen
Kinexus Bioinformatics Corporation
MSI Methylation Sciences Inc.
Natural Pharma
Network Immunology Inc.
Neurodyn Inc.
OncoGenex Technologies Inc.
Ondine Biomedical Inc.
Protox Therapeutics Inc.
QLT Inc.
Qu Biologics Inc.
SignalChem
Sirius Genomics Inc.
Sirona Biochem
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Valocor Therapeutics, Inc.
Vifor Pharma
Welichem Biotech Inc.
Wex Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Zalicus Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Zymeworks
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 16 2/15/11 7:31:34 PM
Contract Research Organizations
Please refer to www.lifesciencesbc.ca for further information on these companies.
Preclinical Services Clinical Services General Services
Dru
g D
isco
very
Bio
info
rmat
ics
Bio
anal
ytic
al S
ervi
ces
Ana
lytic
al S
ervi
ces
Path
olog
y Se
rvic
es
Toxi
colo
gy
Phas
e I C
linic
al S
tudi
es
Phas
e II
Clin
ical
Stu
dies
Phas
e III
Clin
ical
Stu
dies
Phas
e IV
Clin
ical
Stu
dies
Stud
y M
onito
ring
and
Rep
ortin
g
Data
Man
agem
ent a
nd S
tatis
tics
Stra
tegi
c Co
nsul
ting
Regu
lato
ry
Cont
ract
Man
ufac
turi
ng
Prod
uct D
evel
opm
ent
cGM
P/G
LP c
ompl
ianc
e
Qua
lity
Ass
uran
ce
Teac
hing
and
Tra
inin
g
Organizations
ASKA Research (a Division of Valerie Willetts & Associates)
Aurora Biomed Inc.
BRI Biopharmaceutical Research Inc.
CanReg Inc.
Enlighten Clinical Diagnostic Associates Inc.
GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Inc.
Healthmetrx (CEQAL)
I. G. MicroMed Environmental Inc.
Lifebank Corp.
Northern Lipids Inc.
PBR Laboratories
PharmaNet
PharmEng Technology
Rondaxe
SBW Ltd
SignalChem
Syreon Corporation
Wax-it Histology Services Inc.
LifeSciences British Columbia supports and represents the biopharmaceutical, medical
device, bioproducts & bioenergy, and greater life sciences community of British Columbia
through leadership, advocacy and promotion of our world-class science and industry.
For more information, please visit www.lifesciencesbc.ca.
Growing Canada’s Bio-Economy
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 17 2/15/11 7:31:38 PM
Medical Devices
Fields of Study Company Type
Den
tal D
evic
e
Med
ical
Equ
ipm
ent
Med
ical
Sup
plie
s
Test
ing
Inst
rum
ents
Imag
ing
Dev
ice
Des
ign
Oth
er
Man
ufac
ture
r
Dis
trib
utor
Dev
elop
er
Organizations
Please refer to www.lifesciencesbc.ca for further information on these companies.
Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. OEM
Arbutus Dental Centre Dental Service
Biolux Research Ltd.
BioMers Products, LLCProduct Names – SimpliClear & ASTICS
Daan Diagnostics
Emergo Canada Consulting Inc. (Regulatory Consultant)
Evasc Medical Systems
Farabloc Development Corp.
Heart Force Medical
Innovatek Medical Inc.
Kardium Inc.
LED Medical Diagnostics
LifeScan Canada Ltd. (Diabetes)
LightIntegra (Transfusion)
Neoteric Technology LimitedBlood management software
Neovasc Inc.
Ondine Biomedical Inc. Photodisinfection
Premier Diagnostic Health Services Inc
Progressive Health Innovations Inc. / AFX
Sports Med, Rehab, Athletic Training
Romich Medical Fund Women’s healthcare
Sorin Group Cardiac
Starfish Medical (Contract Manufacturing)
Ultrasonix
Urodynamix Technologies Ltd.
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 18 2/15/11 7:31:44 PM
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 19 2/15/11 7:31:44 PM
Patenting biotechnology advancements requires experience. And no one has more experience
than Seed IP Law Group. With expertise in immunology, biochemistry and pharmacology,
we’re a team of scientists who also understand the legal and business side of biotechnology.
A good idea is worth protecting, because history is written by people who patent.
206.622.4900 www.SeedIP.com 701 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
Custom Crafted Intellectual Property Solutions
Science is in our DNA.
Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 20 2/15/11 7:31:46 PM