lifesciences british columbia 2012

Official publication

Published by

2012

Ways of the West B.C.’s tax incentives, excellence in research

Mobile home

Tech convergence in B.C.’s health care

Our own devices

Pathways to the future

Genomics unbottled

From mining remediation to cloning

Directory of corporate members

3/19/12 8:48:42 PM

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www.bivmagazines.ca

www.merck.ca

At Merck, we work hard to keep the world well. How? By providing people all around the globe with innovative prescription medicines, vaccines, consumer care and animal health products. We also believe our responsibility includes making sure that our products reach people who need them.

more hope to more people around the world.

See all we’re doing at merck.ca.

© 2012 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. All rights reserved.

Merck recognizes the innovative science and synergy of collaboration in British Columbia, and has established life sciences partnerships in the province with Alectos Therapeutics, Cardiome Pharma, EnWave Corporation, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, and Zymeworks. Our goal is for our partners and us to work together to accelerate the successful development and commercialization of breakthrough products that can bring meaningful improvements to patients’ lives.

Not just healthcare.

Life Sciences 2012.indd 2 3/19/12 8:48:42 PM

www.merck.ca

The research we’re doing in partnership with B.C. will improve today’s health care.

And tomorrow’seconomy.

We do our most important work within the local communities we serve. Like right here in British Columbia. Each year Pfizer contributes by investing millions of dollars into highly promising initiatives including research and basic science programs in partnership with the government, universities and the life sciences sector. We develop innovative medicines that improve patient care, but also believe that to be truly healthy, it takes more than medication. Because at Pfizer, we’re dedicated to giving back across a range of programs to help keep British Columbians healthy, and strong.


www.pfizer.ca

Features10 B.C. attracts life sciences

13 EMRs: here to stay

15 The yearly forecast

17 Film fare

19 Mobile health in the making

20 Innovation of our own devising

23 Personalized medicine comes of age

25 Mining embraces bioremediation

28 BioPartnering North America

29 What’s new, what’s doing

32 Planning care: a discussion with

the B.C. deputy minister of health

Departments6 Chair’s message

8 President’s report

34 Year in review

38 List: Biggest life-science companies in B.C.

40 LifeSciences British Columbia members’ directory

45 LifeSciences British Columbia Awards

2012 Official publication

Published by

LifeSciences British ColumbiaSuite 900 – 1188 West Georgia StreetVancouver, B.C. V6E 4A2Tel.: 604-669-9909, fax: 604-669-9912Email: [email protected]

LifeSciences British Columbia 2012 is published for LifeSciences British Columbia by BIV Magazines, a division of BIV Media Group, 102 Fourth Avenue East, Vancouver, B.C. V5T 1G2, tel. 604-688-2398, fax 604-688-1963, www.businessinvancouver.com

Publisher: Paul HarrisManaging publisher: Gail ClarkEditor-in-chief: Naomi Wittes ReichsteinDesign director: Randy PearsallProofreader: Baila LazarusWriters: Curt Cherewayko, Alison DePalma,

Rebecca Edwards, Joel McKay, Peter Mitham, Andrew Topf

Production manager: Don SchuetzeProduction: Carole ReadmanSales manager: Joan McGroganAdvertising sales: Lori Borden, Corinne TkachukAdministrator: Katherine ButlerSales assistant: Caroline SmithList research: Richard ChuController: Marlita HodgensPresident, BIV Media Group: Paul Harris

Copyright 2012, BIV Magazines. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or incorporated into any information retrieval system without permission of BIV Magazines. The publishers are not responsible in whole or in part for any errors or omissions in this publication.

10

34

20

19

Photos (clockwise from top): Cameron Heryet, BC Cancer Agency; Martin Krzywinski; Dominic Schaefer Photography


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British Columbia’s life science sector has earned a reputation for breakthrough discoveries and leading-edge research. Scientific and technological advances are nurtured by our world-class centres of excellence and by the more than $1.8 billion British Columbia has invested in research and innovation since 2001. Our companies pioneer new ideas and applications in drug development, medical technology and healthcare delivery, and establish collaborative relationships with the world’s top biopharmaceutical brands to bring these innovations to communities all over the world.

READY TO JOIN HOME-GROWN COMPANIES ON THE WORLD STAGE?

The Government of British Columbia supports life science companies to develop

strategic partnerships that accelerate growth and commercialization.

Visit www.britishcolumbia.ca to learn more.

SHARE YOUR DISCOVERIES

WITH THE WORLD


www.britishcolumbia.ca

6 LifeSciences/2012 BIV Magazines

Perspective matters

Chair’s messageDoug Janzen, LifeSciences British Columbia

In the current state of the global econ-

omy, we as life-science companies are

continually challenged to expand our

innovative thinking beyond the labora-

tory and into new business models

that will support the development

and commercialization of our research.

Government initiatives, new partnerships

and alternate funding sources will allow

our business to be sustainable in this

tough economic environment.

The federal government is actively

working on ways to improve the effi-

ciency of its research-and-development

spend. Recommendations made in

the 2011 Review of Federal Support to

Research and Development – Expert

Panel Report Innovation Canada: A Call

to Action have the potential to impact

significantly the way government sup-

ports our industry and not necessarily

in a positive way. It will be extremely

important for us to work closely with the

government during the implementation

of any of these recommendations to

ensure that the intricacies of our sector

are understood and considered. Our goal

is to help maximize any potential posi-

tive impact that these changes may have

on our access to capital either directly or

through tax incentives.

The government of British Columbia

has also made compelling efforts to foster

and encourage innovative research. The

life sciences and advanced-energy clus-

ters, for example, have been supported

by government with a commitment to

expand infrastructure in our top research

facilities. This has not only attracted world-

class talent but has also created a platform

through which to showcase this talent to

the rest of the world.

By focusing on the translation of early-

stage research into commercially relevant

ventures, the life-science industry in B.C.

has attracted significant interest from

global organizations. This was evidenced

in 2011 by the increased number of early-

stage research collaborations.

Moving forward in 2012, collaborations

among academia, industry and govern-

ment will be invaluable to the life sci-

ences. Nevertheless, from concept to

commercialization, optimism and creative,

unbound thinking will continue to be the

primary drivers of innovation and success

in this industry.

es


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Visit www.genomebc.ca for current funding opportunities.

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A HEALTHY RETURN ONINVESTMENT


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The concept of market certainty has

greatly diminished since the crash

of 2008, and one could argue that

no sector has escaped unscathed. The

situation was exacerbated by the fact that

once the capital markets were thought to

have stabilized, the sovereign debt crisis

surfaced, leading to new measures of aus-

terity. Market fl ux is no longer an anomaly;

it is the norm. At the time I am writing this

column, the Eurozone is assessing its on-

going viability, the Enbridge and Keystone

pipeline proposals are attracting inter-

national attention, and Canada’s premiers

are meeting in Victoria to determine the

future of health care in the nation.

Interestingly, one of the outcomes

of the fi rst ministers’ session is that life

sciences, particularly health care, must

become more “innovative.” Admittedly,

that word is overused; however, recent

market pressures have provided the very

impetus for the industry to redefi ne itself

and explore business models that simply

did not exist a few years ago. In this regard,

I would highlight the following:

Personalized medicine: This fi eld is

moving from a nebulous concept into

focus by physicians on comprehensive

diagnoses and individual treatment.

Convergence of technologies:

Wireless, nanotechnology and digital

media are being integrated with thera-

peutics in the delivery of health care.

Regenerative medicine: Stem-cell

technologies are evolving, and the ability

to create tissue and organs is moving from

concept to reality.

Strategic partnerships: Given early-

stage fi nancing challenges, even relatively

small biotech startups can enter into long-

standing and productive relationships

with large pharma.

Geographical shift: Emerging econ-

omies in countries that are positioning

themselves as the “new” science power-

houses represent signifi cant opportunities

for the sector.

Virtual development: Bricks and

mortar are being replaced by computer

models and virtual companies that can

adopt comprehensive outsourcing models.

Ironically, the development of tech-

nologies within the life-science space may

well exceed the capacity and capability of

public institutions to absorb them. Privacy,

ethics and institutional restructuring must

be addressed if the industry is to fl ourish

and outcomes are to continue to improve.

For instance, which ministry within

British Columbia should be responsible

for genomics: agriculture, environment,

health, natural resources or all of the

above? Or should government consider

establishing a diff erent type of body that

deals with technologies that transcend

existing structures?

Canada will spend about 200 billion

on health care in 2012. B.C.’s expenditures

are projected to be about 18 billion, or

about 45 per cent of the provincial budget.

Although the life-science sector is in tran-

sition and there’s no panacea, it represents

part of the solution to one of the most

pressing issues governments face today:

how to change the direction of the cost

curve of delivering health care.

The response of LifeSciences British

Columbia to this market dynamic has

been one of enhanced dialogue with

regulators, reaching out in to the broader

community and establishing relation-

ships with like-minded organizations,

encouraging an ethos of national and

international collaboration and helping to

ensure positive outcomes for stakeholders.

To all of those partners and participants

that have assisted and continue to assist in

the eff ort, thank you! It should be quite a

journey in 2012.

President’s reportDon Enns, LifeSciences British Columbia

Cardiome Pharma Corp.

Farris, Vaughan, Wills

& Murphy LLP

Genome British Columbia

McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Merck Canada

Pfi zer Canada

Rx&D Canada’s Research-Based

Pharmaceutical Companies

Amgen

Business in Vancouver

Discovery Parks

GlaxoSmithKline

Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

LifeScan

Michael Smith Foundation for

Health Research

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Technology Vision Group

Vifor Pharma

Abbott Laboratories

Airgas

AstraZeneca

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Bristol-Myers Squibb

The Centre for Drug Research

and Development

Eli Lilly

Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

FortisBC

Gowling Lafl eur Henderson LLP

BRONZESPONSORSSILVERSPONSORSGOLDSPONSORSHoff mann-La Roche Ltd.

KPMG LLP

Novartis

PharmaNet

QLT Inc.

Sanofi Canada

STEMCELL Technologies Inc.

UBC University Liaison Offi ce

Vancouver Economic

Development Commission

Photo: Dominic Schaefer Photography



www.biotalent.ca


Come one, come all

BY PETER MITHAM

Life sciences benefit from low taxes that boost investment

Low tax rates, ample tax credits and programs that encourage innovative research make British

Columbia a competitive place to engage in life sciences.

Partnerships among universities, health-care institutions and industry are fuelled by financial

incentives that attract talent and projects ranging from front-line research to clinical trials.

In its study Competitive Alternatives, KPMG LLP found in 2010 that Canada was 12.9 per cent more

advantageous from a tax perspective than the United States. West Coast cities such as Vancouver

and Prince George scored especially high, ranking first along North America’s Pacific Rim with scores

TRIUMF’s main cyclotron,

the largest in the world

Photo: Courtesy of TRIUMF


BIV Magazines LifeSciences/2012 11

of 94.9 and 94.3, respectively. (Scores of

less than 100 indicated advantage relative

to the U.S., scored at 100.)

The following incentives and pro-

grams help explain why life-science com-

panies choose B.C. over less competitive

jurisdictions.

B.C. shreds taxes

The federal government’s Scientific

Research and Experimental Development

(SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program (popularly

known as “shred”) supports research and

development at life-science companies

based in B.C. It provides Canadian-based

companies operating in B.C. refundable

tax credits for 35 per cent of eligible R&D

expenditures up to 2 million annually,

plus 20 per cent credits on other quali-

fied expenditures. A foreign-incorporated

company qualifies for a 20 per cent credit

against taxes payable for eligible expendi-

tures, but the credits are not refundable.

On top of this, B.C. will provide an addi-

tional refundable 10 per cent tax credit

against provincial taxes for eligible R&D

expenditures for a Canadian company.

Again, the province also extends the credit

to R&D expenses racked up by a foreign

company, but it is not refundable.

Capital building

B.C.’s Small Business Venture Capital Act

provides resident and corporate investors

participating in venture-capital funds or

eligible small businesses with a tax credit

of 30 per cent. The investments must be

made through a financing pre-approved

for eligibility by the provincial govern-

ment. An individual investor is entitled to

a maximum refundable credit of 60,000

per annum. Corporate credits aren’t

refundable. An individual investor who

leaves the province may not be able to

claim the credit, however.

Taking advantage

Vancouver is the home of AdvantageBC

International Business Centre. B.C. is North

America’s first jurisdiction to provide a cor-

porate tax refund based on revenue from

life-science patents. B.C.’s International

Business Activity Act allows incorporated

Canadian companies with permanent

establishments in B.C. to claim a refund of

75 per cent (up to 8 million) on corporate

income tax paid on international income

earned from the commercialization of

life-science patents. Manufacturers may

also be eligible for an exemption from

the provincial portion of sales tax paid on

production equipment and machinery.

The savings provide companies with funds

to reinvest in R&D activities.

Centres of attention

B.C. has invested more than 1.6 billion in

life-sciences R&D since 2001, anchoring a

sector that has also attained a significant

At the Centre for

Drug Research and

Development (CDRD)

BELOW: Martin Gleave,

chief executive officer,

the Prostate Centre’s

Translational Research

Initiative for Accelerated

Discovery and

Development (PC-TRIADD)

Photo (bottom): Fuseboxcomm.com



amount of federal funding.

The largest single tranche of life-science funding

from Ottawa came in 2008, with a pledge to establish

four new Centres of Excellence for Commercialization

and Research (CECRs) in the province, including

Advanced Applied Physics Solutions Inc. (AAPS), the

Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD),

the Centre of Excellence for the Prevention of Organ

Failure (PROOF) and the Prostate Centre’s Translational

Research Initiative for Accelerated Discovery and

Development (PC-TRIADD).

In addition, the National Research Council Canada

Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)

provides various services to support small and

medium-sized life-science companies. IRAP’s invest-

ment in B.C. in 2010–11 totalled approximately 31.8

million, which supported life-science projects ranging

from the development and commercialization of

nanocomposite cements by Vancouver’s Innovative BioCeramix,

Inc., with application to dentistry, and research by Boreal

Genomics to identify diseased DNA codes in blood and environ-

mental samples.

Computer and storage clusters at

Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre

National Science

and Engineering

Research Council

of Canada (NSERC)

invested 148.4

million in B.C. in

2010–11, with ap-

proximately a

fifth of industry

funding supporting

life sciences. The

funds have helped

finance the work of

1,494 professorships

and 245 industrial

partners. These

include projects

such as research by

David Vocadlo of Simon Fraser University into the role played by

sugars in Alzheimer’s disease. Vocadlo received 250,000 through

an NSERC fellowship in 2011, with industry partners Alectos

Therapeutics Inc. and Merck embracing his work.

Photos: Martin Krzywinski



Electronic medical records (EMRs) are

key tools in the push to digitize and

thereby improve the effi ciency of

health care. The primary governmental

agency for driving adoption of EMRs

in British Columbia is optimistic that its

success to date will result in renewed

funding when its fi rst six-year mandate

expires in spring 2012.

The Physician Information Technology

Offi ce (PITO), co-run by the province and

the British Columbia Medical Association

(BCMA), received 107.8 million from B.C.

to use largely in incentives for doctors to

replace their manila fi le folders with EMR

software. By December 2011, 65 per cent

of B.C.’s 8,000 physicians had made the

transition to EMRs.

Of these, 5,500 are eligible to receive

reimbursement from PITO of up to 70

per cent of the costs of buying and

implementing EMRs.

“We are very optimistic based on

what both the BCMA and the Ministry

of Health have said to us about the

importance of EMR in health care,” says

Linda Bartz, senior communications

manager, PITO. “We have lots of plans

that we have initiated to step up adop-

tion and implementation.”

Such plans include creating working

groups of “super-users,” physicians who

use EMR software to its fullest capabilities

and who can help better train all doctors

to use it.

Interestingly, EMR adoption rates are

highest outside of Vancouver, Victoria

and the Fraser Valley, bucking the usual

trend of urban-fi rst, rural-second when it

comes to technology.

The Salmon Arm region has the prov-

ince’s highest adoption rate, with roughly 90

per cent of physicians in the area using EMRs.

Bartz says that doctors in smaller

communities usually work more closely

together, sharing emergency-room, on-call

and other duties. Effi cient sharing of med-

ical records is thus more necessary there.

Mark Sudul, general manager of Sidney’s

Osler Systems Management Inc., one of

four PITO vendors that provide

subsidized EMR software, says

that the funding incentives are

impor tant but not the only

factor driving adoption of EMRs.

“There are a signifi cant

number of doctors who

haven’t taken advantage of

any of those incentives and

still use EMRs,” he says.

Over approximately fi ve

years, Vancouver-based Telus

Corp. has spent roughly a bil-

lion dollars on information

technology related to health

care, including 763 million

on the acquisition of health and fi nancial-

services provider Emergis Inc. in early 2008.

In Newfoundland, Telus is helping

develop a province-wide electronic drug-

information system.

It’s also piloting a personal health-care

platform that supports Alberta’s goal of

helping consumers become more pro-

active in managing their health.

With doctors still getting a feel for new

electronic systems, it is diffi cult to assess

yet the impact of EMRs on the delivery of

care. It’s clear that there is still room for

improvement when it comes to the use of

digital health-care tools.

Telus is a major partner in de-

veloping B.C.’s tele-heath system, which

includes videoconferencing for doctors,

schedule-management and remote

patient-monitoring.

“Diff erent jurisdictions are at diff erent

places in their investment in terms of

e-health,” says Glenn De Roy, vice-

president of health delivery solutions at

Telus Health Solutions.

“One of the missing pieces of the

architecture to date is, How do you share

information across all these diff erent or-

ganizations and do it in an eff ective and

timely way?”

That’s where cloud computing comes

in. It’s the idea of storing information re-

motely where it can be shared, accessed

and distributed through various channels

to multiple stakeholders.

Says De Roy, “We see a need to de-

liver health-care solutions using that

cloud-based model to enable infor-

mation to be shared across the entire

health-care continuum.”

f

C

e

EMRs embraced Adoption rates of electronic medical records are highest

among physicians in rural British Columbia

BY CURT CHEREWAYKO

MedPalz, an interactive game from Telus, teaches

children with diabetes about exercise and nutrition


It’s your career.Get it right.


www.bcit.ca/health


Forecasts show how province’s biotechnology

firms seek funds to succeed

B.C., so the joke goes, doesn’t stand for

British Columbia so much as for

“Bring cash.”

The old joke has a grain of truth for the

province’s life sciences, which led the nation

in fundraising in 2010 but are also learning to

do more with less.

Ernst & Young’s most recent report on

global biotechnology pegs the sum of

public and private fi nancings garnered by

Vancouver’s life science fi rms in 2010 at

approx imately 160 million, greater than

what either Toronto’s or Montreal’s were

able to raise.

Nationally, however, the sector is at

its lowest ebb ever with investors, with

“B.C. companies adapt.

It says good things

about the technology

and the people that

we have in a diffi cult

climate like this”

– Ian Heine, partner,

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Bring cash

BY PETER MITHAM just 482 million raised in 2010 and with

equally low prospects for 2011 and 2012.

The struggle to attract investment and

the need for changes in tax policies to

better support startups were key con-

cerns in the most recent biennial survey

by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) of

Canada’s life sciences.

“It’s kind of at that point now where

unless stakeholders participate or take

action, you might see the continued de-

cline, unless something’s done,” says Ian

Heine, who leads the B.C. life-sciences

practice for PwC in Vancouver.

Heine expects 2012 to be “challenging.”

While the sector is capable of attracting

signifi cant sums – a 19-million round of

fi nancing for MSI Methylation Sciences

Inc. in September 2011 led by European

venture-capital fi rm Inventages being a

case in point – he feels that government

has a role to play in making investments

friendlier from a tax perspective.

Industry Canada’s review of federal

support to research and development –

the so-called Jenkins report, after review

chair Tom Jenkins – contained a critique of

the current system of Scientifi c Research

and Experimental Development credits as

too complex. It recommended a simpler

system of federal tax credits and the ap-

pointment of a minister charged specifi c-

ally with overseeing and encouraging

innovation in Canada.




VCH Research Institute is one of Canada’s top funded health

science research centres with $83.1 million in total research

funding for 2010/2011.

Quick facts

For more information visit us at www.vchri.ca

ANSWERS TO IllnessBETTER Treatment

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Congratulations Dr. Neil Cashman – winner of the 2012 Genome BC Award for Scientific Excellence!

Heine worries that greater govern-

mental involvement may mitigate the

market’s role in determining which com-

panies are indeed innovative. He suggests

that permitting flow-through shares for

new life-science companies could be

useful, noting that they’ve been successful

in resource ventures, which have equally

long paybacks on initial investments.

According to Canada Revenue Agency,

flow-through shares allow companies

to pass expenses directly to investors.

Companies secure financing, while investors

can claim deductions for resource expenses

renounced by eligible corporations and in-

vestment tax credits on qualifying expenses.

Yet direct financing may not be

the answer, says Paul Karananoukian,

Montreal-based Canadian life-sciences

industry leader for Ernst & Young. While he

too is cautious regarding the direction of-

fered by the Jenkins report for the indus-

try’s future development, he believes the

sector needs a clear voice.

One area in which B.C. has shown

leadership is in collaborative relation-

ships, which Karananoukian believes are

as important to industry as to the gen-

eral public. He maintains that a strong

biotechnology sector able to support clin-

ical trials and other activities that enhance

local health care is vital to Canada’s future.

“B.C. has recognized the landscape –

knows what needs to be done,” he says.

“We need to collaborate more on a

nation al level, especially if we’re going to

have success in sustaining our health-care

costs going down the road.” He feels there

must be “more of a national collaboration”

if we are “to have a successful biotech or

life-science sector.”

Collaboration has borne fruit in the

establishment of the BC Clinical Research

Infrastructure Network as well as in the

fostering of international relationships with

major pharmaceutical companies at the

annual BioPartnering North America and

other events.

“There’s a longer stage of collaboration,

I would think, than in the past with uni-

versities and the BC Cancer Agency and

organizations like CDRD [Centre for Drug

Research and Development],” Heine says.

“Some companies are starting a relation-

ship with the big pharma companies at a

lot earlier stage, and they’re becoming a

lot closer than they otherwise would have

been in the past.”

Companies are also tackling projects

that are closer to commercialization, short-

ening the timeline for investors between

funding and payback. This helps explains

why the province led the nation for finan-

cings in 2010, Heine says, with each new

investment bearing out the fact there are

companies worth investing in here if the

value proposition is right. The financing is

often international.

In June 2011, Richmond-based Aquinox

Pharmaceuticals Inc. raised US25 mil-

lion from an investor list that saw Pfizer

Venture Investments join Johnson &

Johnson Development Corp., Baker

Brothers Investments and BC Advantage

Funds. Similarly, Valocor Therapeutics, Inc.

was acquired by California’s Dermira Inc.

the same month as part of a US42-million

financing deal.

“B.C. companies adapt,” Heine says of

the dynamic playing out between local

life-science firms and investors seeking a

safe haven for their funds. “Some of them

are finding funds, maybe not in Canada,

but they’re finding funds elsewhere to

move it forward. It says good things about

the technology and the people that we

have in a difficult climate like this.”


www.vchri.ca

www.xenon-pharma.com


David Murawsky won fi rst prize for

18 Things You Should Know About

Genetics in Gene Screen BC 2011

The art of scienceGene Screen BC competition fuses fields in pursuit of education

BY ALISON DEPALMA

The British Columbia Clinical Genomics Network (BCCGN) was on the hunt for innov-

ative ways of boosting the understanding of genomics among the province’s phys-

icians. As principal investigator Michael Hayden explains, advances in genomics have

brought great communication challenges.

“We have a responsibility to multiple sectors, from medicine to science to the gen-

eral public, to educate about what we do [and] start a dialogue about the issues that

are infl uencing and impacting us,” says Hayden, who is also director of the Centre for

Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of British Columbia.

An answer came in the form of breaking down the barrier between art and science –

in encouraging fi lmmakers and researchers to collaborate. And the Gene Screen BC short

fi lm competition was born.

BCCGN found a natural partner in Genome British Columbia, the non-profi t dedicated

to fuelling genomics research and off ering high-school students science-based experiential

learning. Through Gene Screen, the partners inform physicians, students and the public

about genetics and its role in human health.

Photo: David Murawsky



The annual competition started in

2010, with filmmakers from Vancouver,

from across Canada, from the United

States and from Europe submitting in

its rounds. Gene Screen offers a total

of 8,000 in prizes, breaking down to

3,500 for first place, 2,500 for second

and 1,000 for third, plus 1,000 to the

People’s Choice winner. The 2011 judges

included former Discovery Channel

host Jay Ingram, filmmaker Penelope

Buitenhuis and scientist and CBC person-

ality Jennifer Gardy.

A total of 19 entries were received in the

2011 contest, with first place going to a solo

project by David Murawsky of Vancouver.

A colourful animated short called 18 Things

You Should Know About Genetics strums out

playful facts about DNA and genetics.

Murawsky himself holds a bachelor of

science in cell biology and genetics from

UBC and a digital design diploma from the

Vancouver Film School. He says, “I’m inter-

ested in bridging the gap between science

for scientists and science for everyone else.

My approach with this film was to present

the concept of genetics in an approachable

way, keeping things simple and showing

that genetics can be fun.”

Other entries were typically more col-

laborative. The People’s Choice winner

Roza Bidshahri, an industrial PhD candi-

date working with André Marziali at Boreal

Genomics, met her film collaborators

through the Gene Screen launch: an event

hosted to enable such pairings between

filmmakers and scientists. Her film, The

Greatest Drug in the World, presents the

controversial concept of personalized

medicine, the customization of health care

on the basis of genetic variations. This film

and many other entries from the 2011 and

2010 competitions call attention to the

need for discussion of the many social and

ethical issues arising from this new field.

“People want to be part of that

dialogue,” says Sally Greenwood, vice-

president of communications and

education at Genome BC. “Some of the

high-school teachers using the films from

the competition in their classrooms are

finding them useful beyond the science

class; they’re extending the discussions to

touch on law, socials studies and beyond.”

Initially shown at the screening and

awards event on September 26, 2011, in

the Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, at SFU

Woodward’s, the films are now available

for anyone to view through YouTube at

www.genescreenbc.com/2011-videos.

The next Gene Screen competition is

set to launch in spring 2012.

“We hope to keep this competition

going and growing,” says Greenwood.

For Hayden, there are no limits to the

opportunity the contest offers for mutual

enrichment between art and science.

“The more we interact, the more

we realize we have a lot to learn from

each other,” he says, of the two fields.

“Through this collaboration, we are mu-

tually enriched.”

ABOVE George Church, Harvard geneticist, and Rosalynn

Gill, director of diagnostic products for SomaLogic,

appear in Genome: The Future Is Now, by second-place

winner Marilyn Ness (Gene Screen BC 2011)

LEFT: The Gene Screen BC 2011 screening gala

LEFT: Roza Bidshahri, winner of the People’s

Choice award for The Greatest Drug in the

World at Gene Screen BC 2011, chats with her

collaborator and Michael Hayden, co-leader

of the B.C. Clinical Genomics Network

Photos (clockwise from top left): Brian Hawkes; Necessary Films (centre and right); Brian Hawkes



all of the health-care facilities will have to

say, ‘Okay guys, we need to mobilize.’”

The growth of consumer-focused

apps, according to ABI, will be driven

by development and adoption of wear-

able devices such as vital-signs monitors

that connect with software programs on

smartphones and tablets.

Other consumer-oriented wireless

health apps, like scheduling software that

helps people keep track of exercise

regimes, are more elementary but none-

theless finding markets.

Take Vancouver’s PortaLife Solutions,

Inc. With the company’s new CarrotLines,

consumers can use their smartphones to

scan nutritional data from barcodes on

food products and manage their diets.

The app is useful both for those gen-

erally health-conscious and for those

needing managed diets, such as diabetics.

There are also the more technical, more

specialized and more regulated wireless

apps used by health-care professionals.

Vancouver-based ReFleX Wireless Inc.

has developed a system that physicians

can use to monitor a patient’s vital signs all

at once. Bluetooth-enabled, it replaces all

those toaster-sized, wired monitoring sys-

tems found beside the hospital bed.

BY CURT CHEREWAYKO

It was near the end of an eight-year career

with Nokia that Gregg Sauter, having

gained a firm knowledge of the wireless

industry, started exploring opportunities in

sectors that hadn’t “gone wireless.”

“Transportation was one, education

was one, but health care just completely

screamed out,” says Sauter, who after

leaving Nokia in early 2011, founded

mHealth Connected, a small Vancouver-

based consultancy and reseller focused on

wireless health care.

A November 23, 2011, report by ABI

Research titled Mobile Devices and mHealth

forecasted that the global market for

sport and health-related wireless ap-

plications would hit US400 million in

revenues by 2016, as compared to US120

million in 2010.

Wireless health apps are being adopted

by a notable type of consumer: one who’s

taking health care out of the hospital and

into his or her own hands.

Sauter says more consumers are visiting

doctors’ offices tablet in hand, ready digit-

ally to retrieve health infor mation that may

help make the visits more productive.

“The push is really going to be from the

bottom up,” he says. “And all of a sudden,

Gregg Sauter, founder of mHealth

Connected, with the Withings Blood

Pressure Monitor

It can also be set up at the home, with

data about the patient sent wirelessly back

to the doctor’s office.

ReFleX has largely avoided regula-

tory hurdles by targeting the extended

and long-term health-care arena. Its

technology merges existing biomedical

monitoring systems with proven con-

sumer-oriented and, importantly, low-cost

wireless technologies.

Alan Swain is vice-president of tech-

nology and operations at Vancouver’s

Wavefront, which helps companies

(including PortaLife and ReFleX) com-

mercialize their wireless technologies. He

offers two recommendations for any wire-

less health-care company that faces high

regulatory hurdles.

One, he says is to focus on creating

products in developing countries that

have less regulation but need major

improvement in health care. The huge

adoption rate of cell phones in some

developing countries means untapped

opportunity for entrepreneurs.

Alternatively, says Swain, an entre-

preneur can enter into partnership with

someone in health care who knows the

regulatory system of a major established

market, namely the United States.

Wireless technologies are

empowering a new generation of

health-conscious Canadians

What’s the frequency, doctor?




trained medical professional can triage

most patients and refer the most complex

cases to specialists. The Aura is already

licensed for sale in Canada and the

European Union, and Verisante will begin its

registration in Australia and Brazil in 2012.

Through a key clinical study conducted

by the University of British Columbia, the

Aura was used to scan approximately 1,000

The Verisante Aura

Our own devices

Province’s companies

at the forefront of their sector

nanoparticles will reach in the body.

The smaller they are, the deeper into tissue

they can access,” he says.

In 2012, the company is due to launch

its technology into the research sector. It

then plans to expand into the pharma-

ceutical market.

It’s got us under our skin

“Any medical professional can use the

Verisante Aura for early skin-cancer

diagnosis,” even without knowing what

cancerous lesions look like, says

Thomas Braun, chief execu-

tive officer of Verisante

Technology Inc.

Originally

developed for

the BC Cancer

Agency, the

Aura is now being

manufactured

by StarFish Medical

in Victoria and will retail

starting in mid-2012.

Its non-invasive laser excites and meas-

ures vibrations in skin molecules, which

vibrate differently when cancerous.

It takes 15 minutes to scan the whole

body, immediately identifying lesions as

benign, as melanomas, as basal cell carcin-

omas or as squamous cell carcinomas.

Aura is seen as one solution to the

shortage of dermatologists. A differently

British Columbia’s companies are

changing medicine with innovative

devices.

Ripe for competitions

In 2011, its first year of business, Precision

NanoSystems, Inc. made it to the finals

of two prestigious entrepreneurship

competitions.

The company reached the top five at

the entrepreneurship awards given by the

University of British Columbia, where it’s a

spinoff, and it was a top-10 finalist in the

BCIC-New Ventures competition.

According to James Taylor, chief execu-

tive officer, the microfluids technology

developed by Precision NanoSystems

produces small lipid nanoparticles that can

be used to carry drugs to specific areas of

the body.

Taylor says, “The area of nanoparticles is

a very important field that will have a big

impact on personalized medicine. A lot of

researchers are working to understand the

genomics of specific diseases, and these

nanoparticles are going to help treat these

diseases by getting the right drugs to the

right tissues at the right time.”

He says that Precision NanoSystems’

technology produces particles measuring

20 to 50 nanometers: smaller than those

produced by its competitors.

“Size plays a big part in where the

BY REBECCA EDWARDS



lesions at Vancouver General Hospital over

a six-year period. Results showed that the

Aura had a very high rate of 99 per cent

in accurately diff erentiating all major skin

cancers from benign lesions and that it

could reduce unnecessary biopsies by 50

to 100 per cent. The results showed strong

benefi ts of using the Aura to assist medical

professionals in diagnosing skin cancer.

The company is also developing the

Core device, expecting to start clinical

trials in 2012. It would cost less than 5,000

and use multi-spectrum imaging tech-

nology to aid in the diagnosis of skin and

oral cancers.

Verisante has also purchased lung,

colorectal and cervical cancer-detection

patents for technologies from Perceptronix

Medical Inc., also in Vancouver, that can be

used alone or to enhance the Core.

Ample samples

Diagnosis of cancer in the future could be

as simple as giving blood, says Nitin Sood,

chief executive offi cer at Boreal Genomics.

Formed in 2007, the company in 2011

launched the Aurora nucleic acid purifi ca-

tion system, which extracts DNA from

incomplete or contaminated samples. It’s

been proven to work on samples from

the Atacama Desert, from the Antarctic

tundra, from sea sediments, from the oil-

sands and from stool.

Boreal is now focusing on second-

generation technology that could extract

traces of cancer DNA in blood samples,

opening new possibilities for non-invasive,

early detection.

“Our vision is that you go to the doctor

for a yearly medical, give a blood sample

and fi nd out if you have cancer, what type

it is and what stage,” says Sood.

“There is no invasive biopsy procedure,

and cancer patients can also be tested

regularly to see if their treatment is working

to reduce the cancer life in the body.”

In 2012, Boreal expects to begin clinical

trials of the technology and plans to apply

for FDA regulatory approval in 2013 or 2014.

The company employs 30 persons in

Vancouver and California.

Picture this

Digital technology allows a British

Columbian imaging company to support

medical professionals around the world

from headquarters in Richmond.

McKesson Enterprise Medical Imaging,

a subsidiary of McKesson Provider

Technologies, was originally established as

A.L.I. Technologies Inc. in 1986.

In 1988, McKesson introduced one

of the world’s fi rst ultrasound picture-

archiving and storage systems using per-

sonal computer technology.

Today, the company employs more

than 700 persons to design, manufac-

ture and support image-management

solutions for radiology and cardiology

professionals, including ultrasound, CT,

mammography, radiology imaging, nu-

clear medicine and orthopedic templating.

“The area of nanoparticles is

a very important fi eld that

will have a big impact on

personalized medicine”

– James Taylor, chief executive offi cer,

Precision NanoSystems Inc.

At McKesson Enterprise Medical Imaging,

based in Richmond



Transforming Clinical Trials through…Our People - Innovation - Transparency

A leading global CRO, PRA provides personalized service customized to the unique requirements of each study.

clearlypra.com

McKesson supports reporting and

scheduling with access any time, any-

where, to the patient’s complete record.

Digital solutions streamline diagnosis,

from ordering a procedure to sending the

report to a referring physician.

McKesson provides medical imaging

for radiology and cardiology professionals

throughout B.C.’s Interior Health region,

allowing 32 medical facilities within the

Okanagan, East Kootenay and Kootenay

Boundary areas to share information.

McKesson also serves Quebec’s two

largest hospital networks (RUIS McGill and

RUIS Université de Montréal) and hospital

facilities in the United States, Ireland, the

United Kingdom, France, Germany, Israel

and Australia.

At Boreal Genomics, researchers prepare samples on the company’s recently

launched Aurora system

Photo: Boreal Genomics


www.clearlypra.com


Especially for youPersonalized medicine pinpoints best

treatment given a patient’s genetic makeup

“Thirty years from now, we will each carry

our personal genomic blueprint in our

wallet on an electronic chip,” predicts

Brad Popovich, chief scientifi c offi cer of Genome

British Columbia, which funds research in

molecular biology.

BY REBECCA EDWARDS

Brad Popovich, CSO,

Genome British Columbia




“Not only will it tell us the diseases we

are genetically predisposed to, but it will

tell us how to manage our health better,

and it will tell our doctor the most effi cient

treatments for our genomic makeup.”

Personalized medicine entails

studying a patient’s genes so that the

most eff ec tive, least risky therapies can

be chosen for that person.

Bruce McManus, director, Prevention

of Organ Failure (PROOF) Centre of

Excellence, University of British Columbia,

has developed a series of blood tests

to predict which transplant patients

would be likeliest to reject new organs.

Currently under clinical trial in B.C., the

tests aim to indicate the presence of

biomarkers commonly seen in rejections.

Post-transplant, the tests replace painful

and costly biopsies currently used to

check for rejection.

At the department of biochemistry and

molecular biology, UBC, Pieter Cullis uses

lipid nanoparticles to deliver small inter-

fering RNA that “turn off ” genes causing

liver and prostate cancer.

Meanwhile, Michael Hayden and Bruce

Carleton of the Child & Family Research

Institute are co-leads of the Canadian

Pharmacogenomics Network for Drug

Safety, looking for genomic biomarkers

that predict adverse drug reactions in

patients, estimated to be the fi fth-leading

cause of death in North America.

They’re working to identify which

genes infl uence how patients process nar-

cotics and opiates. The goal: to ensure that

patients receive the right levels of pain

control without harmful side eff ects.

Currently under scrutiny are Cisplatin,

a chemotherapy drug that can cause

hearing loss in patients, and anthracy-

clines, a class of drugs most commonly

used against children’s cancer that can

cause heart damage.

Genomic tests will identify the patients

likeliest to experience reactions and point

physicians toward less risky or more eff ec-

tive therapies.

Carleton says this will be particularly

useful in the treatment of young children,

who aren’t usually participants in drug

trials and aren’t always able to communi-

cate the side eff ects they suff er.

Hayden won the 2011 Canada

Gairdner Wightman Award for work that

includes creating a predictive test for

Huntington’s disease.

He says, “At the moment, we blindly

take a shot at choosing the right treatment,

which leads to massive costs because more

than 50 per cent of prescribed drugs don’t

work on the person they were prescribed

for and may lead to adverse side eff ects.

In the long term, personalized medicine

will make the cost of health care more

aff ordable, but it is going to cost more

as we move to the new approach, so B.C.

needs visionary leadership to allow us to

make the transition.”

Popovich comments that B.C health

care benefi ts from a “strong core” of sci-

entists, researchers and world-class facili-

ties. The province’s single-payer health

system makes it easier for clinicians to

adopt new procedures.

In 2011, Cullis was joined by David

Huntsman, associate professor at the UBC

faculty of medicine; Michael Hayden;

Bruce McManus; and Michael Burgess,

professor at the UBC department of

medical genetics, to set up the BC

Personalized Medicine Initiative, led by

operations offi cer Rob Fraser. Its purpose:

to act as a bridge among the provincial

health-care system, patients and the

technology community.

Cullis says the province must invest in

personalized medicine soon to continue

to compete on the world stage.

“We know that the Beijing Genomics

Institute has a budget of 1.5 billion, and

Ontario has invested 950 million in its

personalized medicine program.”


Sponsored byPublished by

The B.C. life sciences industry is ranked among the smartest and fastest-growing research communities in the world

Featuring:BLG VancouverBRI Biopharmaceutical ResearchThe Centre for Drug Research and DevelopmentGenome British ColumbiaGlaxoSmithKlineMichael Smith FoundationMPI ResearchSeed IPSirona BiochemStemcell TechnologiesTees Consulting

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A supplement to LifeSciences British Columbia

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As one of Canada’s leading research-based pharmaceutical companies, GlaxoSmithKline understands that scientists require commitment and resources to discover the next medical breakthrough. This is why we invested more than $141 million in Canadian research and development in 2010 alone. At GSK, we stay ahead by putting the health of Canadians before anything else. Discover more at GSK.ca

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Supplied by

GENOME BRITISH COLUMBIA www.genomebc.ca

Spreading the value of genomics

colonies were either dead or unproductive after wintering last year and cold weather was not the only cause. These losses threat-en not only our honey production, but our food supply. Genome BC is supporting the development of technology to breed a more resistant honeybee — and hopefully improve the survival rates of the colonies. It’s a critical tool for ensuring the future health and viability of our honeybees — our tiny, yet mighty, pollinators.

Environmental canaries in a coal mine

Animals have been used as early warning systems to protect human health since at least the early 1900s, when coal miners began taking canaries into the mines to monitor the presence of toxic gases. More recently, animals such as frogs and mus-sels have been studied as ‘bioindicators’ for

monitoring the health of an environment or ecosystem, such as a coastal area or watershed. Genomics is taking this type of envi-ronmental monitoring to a whole new level. Effects from pollut-ants or other environmental stressors often manifest themselves first at the molecular level, well before the animals show obvious physical signs. Scientists are using genomics tools to detect these effects sooner, help identify possible causes and measure impacts on the environment as well as human health.

Atlantic salmon swim to the forefront of science

The International Cooperation to Sequence the Atlantic Salmon Genome (ICSASG) is a multi-phase research initiative formed to chart new knowledge about this salmonid species. The challenges facing fisheries and aquaculture in BC are not limited to only our region — other regions in the world face similar challenges. Therefore, Genome BC is collaborating with international part-ners in Chile and Norway to collectively conduct research which is expected to generate a high-quality resource for those respon-sible for the management of wild salmon stocks and the salmon aquaculture industry, as well as providing a reference genome for work with other salmonids.

Genome BC’s research portfolio is funded by the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada through both Genome Canada and Western Economic Diversification and over 100 end-user, industry and international partners.

Contact: Richard HowlettEmail: [email protected]: 604-637-4379

... means translating research findings into real world results. Results that can make a real difference to our province, like practi-cal tools for protecting our natural resourc-es, new ways of diagnosing and treating disease, and better methods for developing alternative sources of clean energy.

Genomics research is delivering these benefits all over British Columbia. Ask the cancer patient whose early diagnosis saved her from a ‘lifetime of worry’ ... or the beekeepers who are closer to knowing the causes of honeybee colony collapse ... or the forest managers who are able to deter-mine which tree species are better suited to a changing climate ... or the international research team that is using genomics to improve the management of salmon fisher-ies and aquaculture.

Genome Brit ish Columbia del ivers results by investing in, managing and enabling large-scale genom-ics and proteomics research projects and technology platforms. Over the past decade the organization has invested over $550 million in research that has 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 sci-entific research remains focussed and relevant to society.

A snapshot of Genome BC’s diverse genomics research portfolio:

Reducing diagnosis time for hereditary breast cancer

If a woman inherits a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, her lifetime risk to develop both breast and ovarian cancer is greatly increased over that of other women in the general population. Genome BC is supporting researchers at the BC Cancer Agency who are implementing a genomics-based technology to dra-matically speed up the testing for these mutations. The sooner a woman knows she may be at risk, the sooner she and other family members can take preventative action.

Helping honeybee breeders out of a sticky situation

The real buzz about honeybees is that the pollination efforts of honeybees are estimated to contribute in excess of $2.2 billion to Canada’s agricultural economy each year. In BC, honeybee pollination is responsible for nearly $500 million in agricultural production every year. However in BC almost 10,000 honeybee


www.genomebc.ca

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BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP www.blg.com

World-class service, local expertiseThe life sciences industry

It is with that same pioneering vision that the life sciences professionals at our western offices have built their practices. The Western Life Sciences Group at BLG has the bench strength to help you miti-gate risk, navigate and compete in an everchanging economic environment. Serving companies from across Canada and around the globe, our Vancouver and Calgary offices offer unparalleled local support. Partners of BLG’s West-ern Life Science Group each have more than 10 years of experience working in the life sciences sector.

patent agent)

and IP lawyer and patent and trade-mark agent)

and regulatory lawyer)

With clients ranging from publicly traded and privately held cor-porations, universities, and research institutions, operating in sec-tors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and vaccines, BLG has one of Canada’s leading life sciences practices.

Partnering for success

BLG is committed to providing not only world-class legal advice and services, but also excellent value as fee arrangements other than billing at an hourly rate are also available where appropriate. We look forward to being part of your team, and being with you every step of the way.

he current global economic envi-ronment poses one of the largest challenges ever facing the life sci-

ences industry. Despite this turmoil, there remains tremendous opportunities for companies in the life sciences indus-try to deliver true innovation and value.

for financing or liquidity to extend your runway, growing your pipeline through in-licensing, acquisition or carrying out your own research development, protecting, asserting or defending your inventions, conducting clinical trials, navigating regulatory hurdles or help-ing you execute on your exit strategy or strategic alliance, Borden Ladner Ger-

step of the way.

BLG’s world-class service

BLG has the depth and breadth of expertise and experience to advise companies of all sizes, from start-ups to established pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, through all stages of a technology’s or product’s life cycle, from innovation to commercialization.

-panies. Our national life sciences team is entrepreneurial, busi-ness-minded, and has strong scientific and technical backgrounds.

agents, have worked in in-house positions or have served as exter-nal general counsel to Canadian and multi-national companies that give them a unique perspective when working with clients.

Our clients work with a team of professionals, knowledgeable of the industry and focused on delivering client-centred service. In building a team for the client, we draw on professionals from across the country who offer a balance of expertise, experience and local contact. In particular, BLG has lawyers and patent agents with substantial experience in pharmaceutical litigation and medicine-pricing regulatory issues.

BLG’s Western Life Sciences Group

Western Canada’s reputation for breakthrough discoveries, world-class research and development are highly sought after in Canada and around the globe. Combined, British Columbia

of innovation.

Contact

Email: [email protected]: 604-640-4069Tel: 416-367-6142

Email: Tel: 403-232-9415


www.blg.com

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THE CENTRE FOR DRUG RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CDRD www.cdrd.ca

Transforming discovery into opportunity

Since becoming fu l ly operational just four years ago, CDRD has expand-ed from a provincial to a national organization, been recognized as a Centre of Excellence for Commercial-ization and Research (CECR) by the Federal Government, and emerged as one of the world’s leading drug devel-opment and commercializa-tion organizations – while successfully achieving all our original objectives:

in British Columbia by building a full pre-clinical drug devel-opment platform with 85 full-time highly qualified staff;

-opment and commercialization by successfully advancing 40 technologies toward commercialization;

pool of highly-qualified personnel by training 83 post-docs, co-op students and interns; and

community and attracting investment by becoming interna-tionally recognized as a leading model and organization, estab-lishing affiliations with academic Centres of Excellence on four continents, and developing partnerships and attracting invest-ment from the world’s top global pharmaceutical companies

-eries have a much greater prospect of being developed into new medicines; the life sciences industry is fuelled with a robust pipe-line of new pre-validated technologies; and the societal returns on

Contact: For more information on The Centre for Drug Research

he C ent re for D r ug Research and Devel-opment (CDRD) is a

national not-for-profit drug development and commer-cialization centre that de-

from publicly-funded health research, and transforms them into viable investment opportunities for the pri-vate sector – thereby bridg-ing the commercialization gap between academia and

We do this by collaborat-

20+ affiliated research institutions across Canada and select international centres to identify commercially promising proj-ects, and then providing the state-of-the-art specialized drug development facilities, scientific and business expertise, and professional project management needed to advance the tech-

-

CDRD’s team collaborates with principal investigators to -

tial, screened against rigorous scientific and business criteria to

outcomes-focused drug development under professional project

according to industry practices with strictly defined experiments,

To support the projects, CDRD facilitates the leveraging of external funding via granting agencies, and through funds raised

identify those showing therapeutic and commercialization poten--

intellectual property generated from CDRD projects directly from the affiliated institution or inventor, and forms strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to

-


www.cdrd.ca

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SIRONA BIOCHEM www.sironabiochem.com

Portfolio of enhanced carbohydrate compounds

In addition to the skin depigmenting agent, Sirona Biochem’s cosmeceutical portfolio also includes compounds that maintain the viability of skin fibroblasts under stress conditions. Studies are being undertaken to further evaluate this new family of compounds as anti-aging agents.

Biological ingredients – inducers &

adjuvants

Sirona Biochem is also producing biologi-cal inducers to initiate protein expression in E.coli more efficiently than currently marketed inducers. These enhanced and more stable inducers will contribute to improve production and product margins of recombinant proteins. In a recent study, Sirona Biochem’s inducer compound induced synthesis of a soluble recombi-nant protein in E.coli for up to 24 hours.

In addition, Sirona Biochem’s compound produced more protein compared to a commercially available inducer at the same con-centration and demonstrated a longer duration of effect. Stud-ies also demonstrate that our inducer can induce expression at a concentration far below the commercially available inducer. A second phase of testing will be performed on two additional, more challenging proteins to express. The studies are expected to be completed in the 2nd quarter of 2012. A patent was filed in 2011 and further expansion of the patent is planned for 2012.

Sirona Biochem’s Biological Ingredients program also includes adjuvants for organ, tissue and cell preservation destined for cul-ture or transplant. A new series of glycopeptides has been identi-fied for this purpose and studies are underway to further evaluate their preservation properties.

Commercialization strategy

Sirona Biochem Corp. plans to develop its programs to comple-tion of preclinical studies. It will seek a partner for clinical and commercial development of its programs. The company is pre-pared to begin partnering discussions on three programs – SGLT inhibitor for diabetes, biological inducer for recombinant protein production and the skin depigmenting agent to be used as a skin lightener for cosmetics. The company is publicly-traded on the TSX-Venture Exchange in Canada under the stock symbol SBM and company continues to raise capital through private place-ments and seek non-dilutive funding through grants.

Contact: Sean Cunliffe, Chief Business Officer Email: [email protected] Tel: 604-282-6062

irona Biochem is a biotechnology company specializing in carbohy-drate-based chemistry. With our

subsidiary TFChem, we are applying a proprietary chemistry technology towards the development of an SGLT inhibitor for diabetes, a cancer vaccine antigen, depig-menting and anti-aging agents for cosmet-ic use, adjuvants for biological material preservation and inducers for recombinant protein production.

Therapeutics – SGLT inhibitor for

type 2 diabetes & cancer vaccine

antigen

Preclinical studies continue for Sirona Biochem’s SGLT inhibitor program for diabetes. Preliminary studies in rodents demonstrated that the company’s com-pound eliminated glucose through the urine in a dose-dependent manner. The compound also reduced blood glucose excursions following a glucose challenge against untreated groups. Ancillary pharmacology studies such as in vitro ADME, toxicology and safety profiles have been completed. The most recent study of diabetic rats treated with Sirona’s compound showed a reduction in glycemia similar to control lean rats. There were strong correlations between the decrease in blood glucose level and the excretion of urinary glucose. A preclinical package is expected to be ready by the end of 2012. A patent was filed in 2008 for a first family of new chemical entities. Another application was filed in 2011 to protect a second family of compounds.

Sirona Biochem is also developing a stable Tn Antigen towards the development of a new anti-TACA cancer vaccine. A patent has been filed in 2010 and converted to PCT in 2011 in order to protect the technology.

Cosmeceuticals – skin depigmenting & anti-aging

agents for cosmetic application

Sirona Biochem’s subsidiary, TFChem, is developing depigment-ing agents as skin lighteners for cosmetic use. These agents are mimetics of arbutin and will be evaluated to determine their ability to inhibit melanin synthesis on skin explants. Toxicity studies will also be conducted to test the compounds for irrita-tion, sensitization, phototoxicity, ocular tolerability, genotoxicity and skin microbial toxicity on cell culture and skin explants. In November 2011, TFChem received a major funding grant from the French government to advance its depigmenting agent program to a commercially-ready stage. A patent was filed in 2011 to protect the structure, chemical process and applications of this family of compounds.


www.sironabiochem.com

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STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES INC www.stemcell.com

STEMCELL Technologies Inc – BC’s largest biotech company

ick, developed in collaboration with Hamilton Robotics, accelerates cell line development by automating clone selection.

A global exporter with ISO certification

STEMCELL Technologies has solid manufactur-ing capabilities in our headquarters in the Lower Mainland. We are proud to have earned ISO 13485:2003 certification for our research, manu-facturing and shipping facilities in Canada, the US and France. Our processes incorporate rigor-ous selection of raw materials and exacting qual-ity control processes that have made STEMCELL a symbol for quality in life science research.

Helping scientists locally and globally

STEMCELL is committed to working togeth-er with scientists to develop new products that will help perform their experiments quickly and reliably. Where needed, our team is able to discuss specific experimental requirements with research-ers, and design and manufacture customized reagents tailored to their needs. STEMCELL’s Contract Assay Service also works with pharma and biotech scientists to develop and perform f lexible custom-designed experiments. In addition, STEMCELL supports all customers in achieving consistent research results by offering personalized training courses and access to timely and effective technical assistance.

Committed to science and scientists

STEMCELL’s teams have participated in more than 200 collabora-tive projects in 18 different countries. With over $3.5 million dol-lars in contributions to the Canadian Stem Cell Network and over forty local research group collaborations, STEMCELL is actively driving Canadian research. Locally, STEMCELL has collaborated with and helped fund over forty research groups.

Come grow with us

We have a number of positions currently open for both lab-based and business roles in our Research and Development, Manufacturing, Quality Control, Microbiology, Marketing and Sales departments.

We advertise new positions often – check our website regularly.STEMCELL is constantly looking for talented scientists in a

variety of departments. If you have a PhD or MSc in a relevant field and would like to be considered for an upcoming position, please visit our website at stemcell.com and submit your resume through job posting “Future Positions.” Please be sure to indicate the department(s) that are of interest to you.

Contact: For more information about STEMCELL Technologies, please visit www.stemcell.com.

STEMCELL Technologies Inc. is a global leader in the rapidly growing healthcare research sec-tor. The company develops and manufactures high quality standardized tissue culture media, cell separation reagents and instruments and distributes them to customers in over 70 coun-tries. Our products support leading edge scien-tific research in stem cell biology, immunology, cell therapy, regenerative medicine, tissue engi-neering and drug discovery.

STEMCELL is an international firm with over 400 science-oriented employees in 10 countries, including: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Australia, Singapore and China. Our head office, research and man-ufacturing activities are all located in our Van-couver facilities. Founded in 1993, STEMCELL remains privately held, with profits re-invested to spur greater product innovation and to support growth which averages over 20% per annum.

Award winning specialized media products: 2011 Break-

through Product in Stem Cell Research

Our scientists are constantly developing novel, cutting-edge media that support academic and industrial stem cell researchers. These efforts were recognized at the 2011 Life Science Industry Awards® with STEMCELL winning the 2011 award for Breakthrough Product in Stem Cell Research. The 2011 Life Science Industry Awards were selected by 6,082 life scientists, drawn from all regions of the world, who nominated and voted for the best performing supplier in 29 dis-tinct product categories. These awards provide a unique venue allow-ing scientists to recognize the quality and innovation of their suppli-ers upon whose products the success of their research depends.

Cell separation products

STEMCELL has also developed novel cell separation products which allow researchers to isolate virtually any cell type, including immune, hematopoietic, mammary, mesenchymal and tumour cells. The plat-forms used to isolate cells include EasySep™ – an immunomagnetic approach, and RosetteSep™ – an immunodensity approach.

Research robotics

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, designed to save technicians time and to standard-ize cell separation procedures. STEMvision™ was recently launched to automate the identification and counting of hematopoietic col-ony-forming cell assays required in bone marrow research, cord blood banks and transplantation labs. Our new ClonaCell™ EasyP-


www.stemcell.com

Supplied by

MICHAEL SMITH FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH RESEARCH www.msfhr.org

Investing in a healthier BC

porting discovery, our awards have a proven multiplier effect, improving researchers’ ability to engage teams and attract addition-al funding to advance knowledge on criti-cal health issues. We also fund systems and networks to share resources across the prov-ince, including BC BioLibrary, BC Clinical Genomics Network, BC Proteomics Network, Centre for Drug Research and Development, and Population Data BC.

Solutions for BC’s health system

MSFHR plays a vital role in mobilizing BC’s health research community to identify urgent priorities and fast-track the develop-ment of solutions. As a respected non-par-tisan facilitator, we bring together people as part of collaborative networks and plat-forms that put research knowledge to use in improving health care. Among the projects we have funded and managed are:

practice and policy-

ing health system change initiatives

review process for multi-centre research studies

as SARS and H1N1MSFHR is a provincial leader in knowledge translation and

frequently convenes forums and workshops to promote the effec-tive application of research evidence by scientists and end-users. We also bring together universities, health authorities, charitable organizations, and government stakeholders for health research planning and action.

As we enter our second decade under the leadership of new Pres-

our best and brightest to discover, connect and engage to improve the health of individuals across BC and around the world.

Contact: Bev Holmes, PhD, Vice-President,

E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 604-714-6600

n 1993, UBC researcher Dr. Michael Smith became British Columbia’s first Nobel Laureate, earning international

acclaim for his groundbreaking advances in genetic studies. For Dr. Smith, a humble and gregarious molecular biologist, the Nobel Prize was the culmination of a brilliant career. For BC, it was a milestone point-ing to the province’s potential as a leader in health research.

-mitment to supporting BC researchers, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health

with a mandate to enhance the province’s

past decade, we have partnered with the provincial government to invest more than

-ing infrastructure across all areas of health research. The result has been a remarkable transformation of BC’s health research landscape.

At the time of MSFHR’s founding, BC’s health research enter-prise was at a crossroads. Despite the success of Dr. Smith and other research leaders, the province was under-performing in its ability to attract federal grant funding and faced the loss of top scientists to other jurisdictions. MSFHR has played a central role in reversing this trend and creating a vibrant research community that is now recognized worldwide. We have funded more than 1,800 research-related positions and promoted connections and collaboration across sectors.

As BC’s provincial health research support agency, MSFHR takes a province-wide view of health research gaps and opportu-nities with a focus on two priorities: investments in people and resources, and solutions for BC’s health system.

Investments in people and resources

MSFHR funding programs build BC’s research capacity by recruit-ing and retaining top scientists, helping them build strong research programs, and supporting the mentorship of up-and-coming inves-

everything from cells and genes to treatments and cures, disease prevention and health system improvements.

MSFHR funding has supported numerous discoveries and “world firsts” that have improved health and saved lives. Among these breakthroughs are better protection for the brains of new-borns, improved detection of autism in children and new approach-

-

MSFHR is named for Nobel Laureate, Dr.

Michael Smith (1932 – 2000), a pre-eminent

BC scientist whose commitment to excellence

positioned BC’s health research community on

the world stage.


www.msfhr.org

Supplied by

BRI BIOPHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH www.bripharm.com

BRI ...your drug development specialist“We strive to earn your trust and confidence”

metabolism studies including met-abolic stability, inhibition, induc-tion and ADMET related plasma protein binding studies are often performed at BRI to define drug-like properties.

AAALAC accredited animal

facility with cytotoxic drugs

handling capability

BRI’s rodent facility is accredited by AAALAC and has performed numerous dose range finding, PK, bioavailability, metabolite excretion and mass balance studies. Dried blood spot assay technique is used to allow serial blood collection in small rodents to reduce variability of PK data.

With Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) and cytotoxic compound handling capabilities, cell-based and patient-derived xenograft models for oncology drug efficiency screening are offered at BRI. Their cell repository contains over 100 cancer cell lines, provid-ing a wide selection and flexibility to its clients.

Thermo Watson™ LIMS data management system

To support IND-enabling animal TK/PK or clinical PK, the use of Thermo Watson™ LIMS for sample and data management is a plus. BRI’s bar code system enables BRI to store and manage thou-sands of samples and process its data effectively and efficiently.

To handle multiple site clinical studies, bar-coded labeled sample vials, customized sample collection kits, ultra low tem-perature freezer, IATA and TDG specified shipping container, pre-filled waybills and commercial invoices are just a few solu-tions that BRI offers to allow a smooth sailing of their clients’ clinical studies.

Stand out from the crowd

The clients of BRI benefit from a wide range of services includ-ing LC/MS/MS bioanalytical assay, ELISA assay, hybridization assay, in-vivo and in-vitro DMPK and efficacy xenograft models. These services are delivered by highly experienced scientists with specializations in the development of synthetic small molecules, microRNAs, RNAs, nucleotides and peptides drugs.

BRI is known for providing “fit-for-purpose” research in inte-grated drug development with competitive pricing. It has an out-standing record of client satisfaction and dedication to meet the highest standards in scientific “best-practices,” integrity of data, timeliness and professional service.

Contact: Ms. Clara Faan, VP Business Development Phone: 604-432-9237 x224

or more than two decades, BRI has assisted hundreds of biotech and pharmaceutical

companies on their pre-clinical and clinical development programs.

Being one of the few privately owned CRO with capabilities in bioanalytical, in-vivo and in-vit-ro DMPK and xenograf t animal models in Western Canada, BRI’s uncompromising study protocols, stringent quality control measures, and relevant study design allows them to build trusted and long-lasting partnerships with their highly valued clients.

The success stories

In 2004 and 2007, two virtual biotech companies located in San Francisco and Los Angeles engaged BRI for development of bio-analytical assays in support of their IND-enabling and clinical program. In 2009, both companies licensed their drug candidates to big pharmaceutical companies for $700 million and $900 mil-lion, respectively.

A Seattle biotech company approached BRI in 2008 for a series of in-vivo and in-vitro DMPK and mechanistic studies. This bio-tech company was acquired for $600 million in 2011.

BRI’s successful track record in providing accurate and qual-ity data while adhering to the strict guidelines of GLP, cGMP, and FDA regulations has played an important role in these com-panies’ success.

GLP accreditation by Standard Council of Canada

BRI is accredited by Standard Council of Canada for its GLP compliance while holding a current GMP Establishment Licence through Health Canada. All IND enabling studies and clinical bioanalytical studies performed at BRI follow the following regu-lations and guidelines. This allows data generated at BRI to be submitted to USA, Canada, Japan and all OECD countries.

21 CFR Part 58

Ordinance No. 21

(OECD), Series on Principles of Good Laboratory Practice and Compliance Monitoring Monograph #1 to 15

14C nuclear substance licence

With 14C nuclear substance licence, BRI can efficiently identify metabolites and determine tissue distribution using 14C-labeled compounds.

In additional to metabolite identif ication, other in-vitro


www.bripharm.com

Supplied by

TEES CONSULTING CORP www.teesconsulting.com

Fun with patents

Process

When Susan meets prospective clients, she helps them determine whether filing a pat-ent is truly in their interest, and what it will do for their businesses. For example, spending $150,000 on patenting something internation-ally, when sales will not exceed $5,000 and the market is only North America, is a poor strat-egy!

Before an inventor engages a patent agent to secure his invention as a patent applica-tion (prior to discussing it with others, for example), he should be aware of what alterna-tives are available to any potential buyer, and really put himself in the buyer’s shoes. Does the invention solve a problem, reduce costs or improve performance? Can the effect of the invention be achieved without the invention?

If filing a patent application still makes sense, does the pro-posed “invention” qualify for a patent? The general rules of novelty, inventiveness and usefulness are fairly universal across borders. The invention must not have been discussed, shown pub-lically, or sold.

Clients should understand how much patenting will cost before they begin. Drafting and filing a patent application is not the only cost involved in obtaining and keeping a patent, although at $3,000 to $8,000, it is certainly a large one. Over the next three to five years, Susan will advocate for the patent application before the patent office in order to have it granted. The work this will take can only be estimated, but may be a few thousand dollars more. Some countries, including Canada, charge annuities for every year a patent is pending, and for every year after grant until expiry (20 years after filing). It is definitely a “user pay” system.

Challenges

Tees revenues depend on many variables over which Susan has no control. Her clients are all people she has worked for before, or people referred to her, and their businesses change over time. She also has a small network of colleagues with similar but not identical practices with whom she trades leads. “However, we eat from the same table, and the recession has made everyone a little hungrier these days.” To get and keep clients, one has to be very competitive. “There are patent attorneys in the United States charging $1,000 per hour, and to spend $20,000 on a single over-drafted patent applica-tion was common. Now, there is seems to be a healthy appetite for straightforward quality at a more reasonable fee.”

Contact: Susan TeesEmail: [email protected]: 604-839-4284

Private corporation since May 2008 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Sales in 2011: about $190K

Business

Provision of patent-related services, name-ly patent procurement, patent portfolio building and maintenance, patent or port-folio assessments for IP licensing or pur-chase, and the preparation of freedom to operate opinions

Personnel

Three: Susan Tees, B.Sc., Registered Patent Agent, one part-time accountant, one part-time office assistant.

History

Susan fell in love with patents when she was introduced to a filing cabinet full of them in 1987, while she was a young microbiology undergrad working for a company called Quadra Logic Technolo-gies (now QLT Inc.). Asked to catalogue the contents of the cabi-net, she became fascinated by the pattern of application, objection and arguments that formed patent prosecution.

Many years have passed since 1987, and Susan has worked for a number of Vancouver companies to provide each with their own filing cabinets full of patents. She wrote the patent bar exams in the United States (1999), and Canada (2004) and became a registered patent agent. When Susan opened Tees Consulting in 2008, she trad-ed dealing with filing cabinets for dealing directly with people.

“The people who start businesses believe in their dreams, and are courageous enough to bet their livelihoods on making them come true. It is a thrill to be able to help them achieve their goals.”

Susan’s patent practice falls into three categories: set up and ongoing support for clients with existing patent families, dili-gence for venture capital financing, and patent procurement for independent inventors.

Susan is not a lawyer, but a patent agent authorized to per-form patent prosecution and offer patent-related opinions and services.

Competition

There are good patent law firms in town, and in the United States, that Susan has to compete against for clients. These other firms offer quality work, but Susan has some advantages over them. Without a pool of support staff or a downtown office to pay for, she can afford to keep her rates low. Without hundreds of clients including large corporations, Susan is unlikely to be conflicted out of providing defensive services when a smaller client needs them.


www.teesconsulting.com

Supplied by

MPI RESEARCH www.mpiresearch.com

Leading the way in early drug and device development

Our human resources are especially important to us, since it is impossible to deliver unsurpassed service quality if the staff is not first-rate as well. MPI Research has developed a rigorous selec-tion and training process at all levels of the organization that has produced one of the lowest staff turnover rates in our industry.

The recently completed $65 million growth initiative added 370,000 square feet of capacity to the Mattawan facil-ity, which now totals over one million square feet. It includes large, integrat-ed, environmentally controlled animal rooms, special-purpose laboratories, and resource facilities located through-out the complex to accommodate vir-tually any type of sponsor need. Our capacity and resources are the reasons we can assure our sponsors of timely study starts and report delivery, to keep their studies moving forward so that research milestones are achieved.

At MPI Research, our dedication to being a solutions-oriented partner goes beyond the modern facilities, innovative proce-dures, and scientific expertise. Our team of nearly 1,300 employ-ees, ranging from technicians to veterinarians, pathologists, and senior-level scientists, is there for our sponsors to ensure all their needs are met. We are proud of our long-term relationships with our existing sponsors and are equally excited about building part-nerships with new ones. Most important, we are committed to the success of all our sponsors, ensuring each the same level of scientific excellence, technical quality, and passion for their suc-cess, irrespective of the size and/or number of studies we conduct for them.

Contact: MPI Research Phone: 269-668-3336Email: [email protected]

PI Research is a ful l-serv ice Contract Research Organization that partners with biopharma-

ceutical, medical device, animal health, and chemical companies in meeting their preclinical research and develop-ment needs. Scientific knowledge and experience, integrity, trust, teamwork, and dedication to strong and enduring sponsor relationships are the defining attributes that characterize us as a high-performance, high-quality organization committed to bringing safer and more effective products to the world.

Our open and responsive culture is evident in the collegial, collaborative atmosphere where we conduct thou-sands of drug safety, discovery, bioana-lytical, and analytical studies each year. MPI Research, with global headquarters in Mattawan, Michigan, takes pride in being selected by companies who want a CRO partner on the leading edge of drug development.

Committed to excellence in quality across all services and at all levels, MPI Research operates in full compliance with interna-tional, federal, and state regulatory agencies. Our regulatory and quality assurance programs include

Our sponsors not only benefit from our familiarity with regula-tory agencies worldwide, but are also able to take full advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities, robust infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology in which we have heavily invested.

The quality and integrity of our services are paramount, and we realize that is why so many of our sponsors do repeat business with us. Careful consideration is given to each strategic growth initiative so that these factors are not compromised. Any expan-sion of facilities is accompanied by proactive growth initiatives for staffing, technology, and equipment.


www.mpiresarch.com

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 di

scov

ery

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 de

liver

y

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 di

seas

es

Canc

er

Card

iova

scul

ar d

isea

ses

Infe

ctio

us d

isea

ses

Infla

mm

ator

y di

seas

es

Met

abol

ic d

isea

ses

Neu

rolo

gica

l dis

ease

s

Organizations

Alectos Therapeutics

Allon Therapeutics Inc

Amgen British Columbia Inc.

Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Augurex

BioMark Technologies Inc.

Boreal Genomics

Cardiome Pharma Corp.

enGene, Inc.

GenomeDx Biosciences

iCo Therapeutics Inc.

Indel Therapeutics Inc.

Inimex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

iProgen Biotech

Kinexus Bioinformatics Corp.

MedGenesis Therapeutix Inc.

MRM Proteomics Inc.

MSI Methylation Sciences Inc.

Network Immunology Inc.

Neurodyn Inc.

OncoGenex Technologies Inc.

Ondine Biopharma Corporation

Pacific Rim Laboratories

Phyton Biotech LLC

Protox Therapeutics

QLT Inc.

Qu Biologics Inc.

ReplicCel Life Sciences

Sirius Genomics Inc

Sirona Biochem Corp

STEMCELL Technologies Inc

STEMSOFT Software Inc

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Valocor Therapeutics Inc.

Vifor Pharma

Xenon Pharmaceutials Inc.

Zalicus Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Zymeworks Inc.


Contract Research Organizations


Preclinical Services Clinical Services General Services

Dru

g di

scov

ery

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

repo

rtin

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

assu

ranc

e

Teac

hing

and

trai

ning

Organizations

ASKA Research

Aurora Biomed Inc.

BC Cancer Agency's Investigational Drug Program (IDP)

BC Preclinical Research Consortium (BC PRC)

BRI Biopharmaceutical Research Inc.

CanReg Inc.

Globe Laboratories Inc.

Healthmetrx (CEQAL)

Lifebank Cryogenics Corp.

Maxxam Analytics

MPI Research, Inc.

Northern Lipids Inc.

PBR Laboratories Inc.

PharmaNet/i3

PharmEng Technology

SBW LTD

Syreon Corp.

Viva Pharmaceutical Inc.

Wax-it Histology Services


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

desi

gn

Oth

er

Man

ufac

ture

r

Dis

trib

utor

Dev

elop

er

Organizations


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.

Arbutus Dental Centre Dental service

Biolux Research Ltd.

bioLytical Laboratories, Inc. Rapid diagnostic device

Critical Systems Labs Inc.Risk management, software V & V

Evasc Medical Systems

Farabloc Development Corp.

Heart Force Medical Inc.

Innovatek Medical Inc.

Kardium

LED Medical Diagnostics

LifeScan Canada Ltd. Diabetes

LightIntegra Technology Transfusion

Lungpacer Medical, Inc.Implantable Transvascular, Stimulation

Neovasc Inc. Contract manufacturing

Pyng Medical Corp.

Response Biomedical Corp. Cardiovascular

Sorin Group Canada Inc., Mitroflow Division

Cardiac

StarFish Medical Contract manufacturing

Verathon Medical (Canada) ULC Airway management

Verisante Cancer


Seed

Int

elle

ctua

l Pr

ope

rty

Law

Gro

up P

LLC

Custom Crafted Intellectual Property Solutions …

Since 1962.

206.622.4900 www.SeedIP.com 701 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104

Founded in 1962, Seed IP Law Group is celebrating its 50th anniversary

of providing custom crafted intellectual property solutions, including patenting

biotechnology advancements. With expertise in immunology, biochemistry

and pharmacology, Seed IP’s Biotechnology & Chemistry Team consists of a group

of scientists who also understand the legal and business side of biotechnology.


www.SeedIP.com


Key players in British Columbia’s

mining industry have teamed up with

bacteria researchers to design the en-

vironmentally friendly mines of the future.

For decades, metal mines throughout

the province have been forced to use

chemicals and complex pumping systems

to remediate tailings ponds contaminated

with heavy metals.

Yet a researcher at the University of

British Columbia backed by Genome

British Columbia and two large mining

companies believes that a “passive” system

that relies on the earth’s natural fi lters and

bacterial microbes could do a better job of

cleaning up the environment.

“The potential is really toward sustain-

ability,” explains Susan Baldwin, an asso-

ciate professor with UBC’s department

of chemical and biological engineering.

“With mining, it’s imperative that the

environment be protected … and that’s

what we’re aiming to do; that’s our overall

goal. If we can do that properly, the

mining industry can fl ourish.”

Baldwin describes her research as

harnessing natural systems to return

heavy metals to the environment without

contaminating the soil or water.

The system she envisions takes con-

taminated tailings water and uses gravity

to pump it through a series of ponds that

contain microbes, or biological compo-

nents, that remove the heavy metals from

the water.

She’s specifi cally focused on the mi-

crobes in the ponds, learning which ones

work best to remove metals from con-

taminated water and return them to the

environment in insoluble form.

“In nature, everything occurs in a cycle

… and all we’re doing is closing the cycle,

putting the metals … in their mineral

form back in the ground, and in every step

in that process microbes are involved in

some form,” she says.

Called bioremediation, the project de-

ploys genomics to help researchers under-

stand how the earth’s natural fi ltration

systems interact with heavy metals.

Genome BC, a publicly funded non-

profi t organization, started researching the

use of microbes to improve environmental

remediation several years ago.

It kicked in 630,000 and entered into

partnership with industry leaders such as

Teck Resources Ltd., Imperial Metals Corp.

Germs of an idea

Researchers and

heavy industry

in partnership to

develop microbes

that can remove

toxic metals

from mining

wastewater

By Joel McKay



The British Columbia Centre

for E xc e l lenc e i n H I V/A I DS

(BC-Cf E) is Canada’s largest

HIV/AIDS research, treatment,

and education facility.

Over the past 20 years, the BC-

Cf E has pioneered many life-

saving innovations, l ike the

groundbreaking Treatment as

Prevention strategy. This made-

in-BC approach has been endorsed

by international organizations like

UNAIDS and WHO, and called

the “scientifi c breathrough of the

year” for 2011.

Now HIV-posit ive people who

are medically eligible and engaged

earlier in treatment can expect to

live decades of healthy, productive

lives. Furthermore, HIV treatment

can dramatically decrease the

likelihood of transmission.

To fi nd out more about how the

BC-CfE is leading the fi ght against

HIV and AIDS visit:

www.cfe.ubc.ca

“Together We Can Stop HIV and AIDS.” — Dr. Julio Montaner

facebook.com/bccfetwitter.com/bccfe

Mine wastewater, as shown

at the Mount Polley mine,

owned by Imperial Metals in

northern B.C., can be cleaned

up with microbes that filter

heavy metals

and Nature Works Remediation Corp. to

fund a 1.5-million program to improve the

mining sector’s clean-up capabilities.

“Genomics in this context is just a slice

of what [mining companies] have to do,

but each slice or gain is going to make the

industry more competitive, and that’s good

for B.C.,” says Richard Howlett, director of

business development at Genome BC.

He explains that bioremediation sys-

tems in the past have generated positive

environmental results for mining com-

panies but that scientists still struggled to

understand how they worked and how to

optimize performance.

“It was a black box,” says Al Mattes,

owner of Nature Works, in Rossland, B.C.

“You built a box, filled it full of [wood]

chips [and] pumped water containing

sulphate and dissolved metals in one end,

and it [came] out the other end clean.

“What’s going on [on] the inside? We

knew bacteria were involved, but we

didn’t know which bacteria and how many

there were.”

Today, Baldwin’s job is to deter-

mine which bacteria are involved and

how to maximize their ability to treat

contamination.

Meanwhile, mining companies such

as Teck and Imperial provide hands-on

expertise in designing and testing these

passive systems.

And this, suggests Mattes, represents a

change.

“The real problem is we have met with

resistance from the mining industry be-

cause it’s not a tried and true technology,”

says Mattes.

Yet at least one other regional com-

pany has found success using biology to

treat contaminated water.

Vancouver-based BioteQ Environmental

Technologies has built 14 plants around

the world that convert wastewater into a

useful resource.


www.cfe.ubc.ca


“With mining, it’s imperative

that the environment be

protected … . If we can do

that properly, the mining

industry can fl ourish”

– Susan Baldwin,

associate professor, department of

chemical and biological engineering,

University of British Columbia

Although its plants don’t use passive,

gravity-fed systems such as those Baldwin

is researching, BioteQ relies on anaerobic

bioreactors generating sulphide reagents

that selectively remove heavy metals from

contaminated water.

“It would be like reversing sugar dis-

solved in coff ee,” says Tanja McQueen,

Bioteq’s vice-president corporate develop-

ment. “They’re coming out of being dis-

solved and precipitating back into a solid.”

In addition to cleaning up the waste-

water, BioteQ’s system can also produce

a resource that can then be sold to the

market, generating another revenue

stream for mining companies.

Baldwin hopes her research might also

one day result in a water-treatment system

that generates additional revenue for

mining companies.

Howlett believes it could also be used to

clean up abandoned mine sites throughout

the province, but he, like Baldwin, recog-

nizes that as fascinating as bioremediation

is, the science behind it is still a ways off

from everyday use.

He comments, “We want people to know

about it. … It does have long-term applica-

tions, but this isn’t something that’s going to

have fi eld trials next year.”

BioteQ Environmental Technologies uses

sulphides to recover dissolved metals

from wastewater and transform them into a

saleable product



Global biotech converges in VancouverTenth annual BioPartnering North America conference

fosters international strategic networking

leading biotech companies,” says George

Hoffmann, president and chief execu-

tive officer of Vancouver-based Network

Immunology Inc. Reflecting on the value

of his meetings for his company as a

startup, he says they “allowed for

potential collaboration with pharma-

ceutical companies in the future. And

the underlying theme of the conference

became very apparent, which was that

all those who attended were somehow

involved in contributing to the improve-

ment of quality of life.”

BPN was also important for the inter-

national delegations, with several com-

panies from France attending.

“This year, the French Trade

Commission UBifrance Canada brought

15 delegates from biotech companies,

making France the most important

European delegation,” says Marine

Bougeard, trade attaché (life sciences),

UBifrance Canada. “During the confer-

ence, the delegates made the most of the

B2B meetings and networking events to

develop and increase their international

business relations. In addition, the French

delegates had the opportunity to visit

local research centres and meet with bio-

tech companies, which is a strong asset in

attracting the delegation to Vancouver be-

cause they’re always eager to learn more

about the industry in British Columbia.”

The fact that many strategic partner-

ships were developed in Vancouver at BPN

will have served to enhance the position

of B.C. as a global leader in life sciences.

In February 2012, Vancouver hosted

BioPartnering North America (BPN), one

of the the continent’s largest life-science

conferences. Delegates from 422 companies

and 28 countries converged to learn about

the latest advances in biotechnology, from

new discoveries and developments of

biopharmaceuticals to treat infectious dis-

eases to promising early-stage technologies

for medical devices. BPN also provided an

opportunity for companies to network and

develop strategic partnerships.

“BPN was a tremendous occasion to

become familiar with British Columbia’s


www.patentable.com


BY PETER MITHAM

British Columbia’s life-science com-

panies forge partnerships with

well-known international investors.

BioPartnering North America and similar

opportunities help the sector garner the

support it needs to pursue world-class

research into a wide range of conditions,

therapies and other areas.

Here are some of today’s highlights.

What’s in the works

Zymeworks Inc. develops antibody and

protein-based therapies for the treat-

ment of cancers, autoimmune disorders

and inflammatory diseases using a

proprietary development platform. Since

its incorporation in 2003, Zymeworks

has focussed on collaborative arrange-

ments. Its partners have included the

University of British Columbia and Simon

Fraser University, as well as Xoma Ltd. of

California and Koninklijke DSM N.V. of the

Netherlands. Merck & Co., Inc. recently

formed a partnership with Zymeworks to

develop bispecific antibodies.

These relationships have paid off for

Zymeworks in the form of 8.1 million in

funding from private shareholders, CTI

Life Sciences Fund L.P. and Advanced

Biotechnologies Venture Fund.

Neil Klompas, chief financial officer,

says the funding will “provide planning

certainty and will allow us to maximize

shareholder value as we advance our bio-

therapeutics technology platforms into

subsequent commercial collaborations.”

Molecular money

Nancy Harrison’s track record with

such B.C. success stories as Oncogenex

Pharmaceuticals Inc. is helping another

star to shine. MSI Methylation Sciences

Inc., which Harrison co-founded in 2007

with Barry Guld, raised 19 million in

September 2011. The financing, led by

international biotech investor Inventages,

provides MSI the cash needed to support

Stars of B.C.Partnerships are key to a constellation of companies

iCo Therapeutics president and CEO Andrew Rae has his

eye on a treatment for diabetic macular edema



clinical development of its lead molecule.

MSI uses its molecules as the bases of

dietary supplements and other pharma-

ceuticals. Past financing has been pro-

vided by the Working Opportunity Fund

(EVCC) Ltd., managed by GrowthWorks,

BC Advantage Funds and angel investors.

Trial time

Since its founding in 2008, Indel

Therapeutics Inc. has raised a total of 1.9

million in private financing to support its

development of small-molecule-based

drugs to fight microbes increasingly

resistant to existing antibiotics.

Co-founders Neil Reiner and veteran

venture capitalist Malcolm Kendall have

attracted support from AnorMed Inc. co-

founder Michael Abrams and Xenon co-

founder Simon Pimstone, who serve as

directors of Indel. This expertise puts the

company in good stead as it advances

several of its antibiotics through animal

testing and seeks development partners

among major pharmaceutical companies.

Brain gain

Backed by approximately 70 million in

financing since 2004, Allon Therapeutics

Inc. is proceeding with stage-2/3 clin-

ical trials aimed at fighting forms of

cognitive impairment associated with

schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s. Its lead

drug, davunetide, is a so-called orphan

pharmaceutical

that Allon has

found to have

significant impact

on memory and

performance of

daily activities. It

is also a biomarker

of brain-cell func-

tion and integrity.

The latest round

of financing is a

5.4-million invest-

ment led by GMP

Securities LP. It will

support clinical

trials and adminis-

trative expenses associated with testing

on patients with progressive supran-

uclear palsy, a rapidly progressing and

fatal movement disorder with dementia

that is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s

or Alzheimer’s.

Far-sighted

A million-dollar infusion is fuelling

clinical trials of drugs targeting sight-

related diseases by iCo Therapeutics Inc.

Since its formation as a UBC spinoff in

2007, the company has identified three

pharmaceuticals for reformulation and

commercialization. August 2011 saw iCo

announce a physician-sponsored Phase 2

clinical investigation in the United States

of iCo-007, one of the drugs it thinks has

potential in the treatment of diabetic

macular edema. ICo is also pursuing a re-

search-collaboration agreement with the

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

regarding prevention, treatment and cure

of type-1 diabetes.

Wedded to it

B.C. is a powerhouse of genome sequenc ing.

Now, thanks to 2.2 million from Western

Economic Diversification Canada (WEDC),

Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences

Centre has purchased three genome se-

quencers that boost its sequencing capacity

and lower costs. This helps ensure afford-

able access to the technology and gives

LEFT: Michael Abrams, a

director of Indel: developing

tools to combat microbial

resistance to antibiotics

BELOW: Proteomics – the

study of proteins – is one of

the bright lights in Victoria’s

life-science sector, with a lab

at the University of Victoria

dedicated to its pursuit

Photo (top): Dominic Schaefer Photography



a competitive advantage to researchers

engaged in more than 60 projects whose

aggregate value totals more than 3 million.

Gene Victoria

Proteomics is one of Victoria’s brightest

lights. WEDC recently spent 663,000 on

two new mass spectrometers. Housed

at the Genome BC Proteomics Centre at

the University of Victoria, they’re key to

efficient, accurate analysis of blood and

other tissues for the protein biomarkers

helpful in the early detection and diag-

nosis of cancer, diabetes and high blood

pressure, among other diseases. The

spectrometers also make Victoria a centre

for proteomics, giving it the highest

concentration of such equipment at

any Canadian university and one of the

highest in North America.

Centre stage

Since becoming fully operational in

2008, the Centre for Drug Research and

Development (CDRD) has played a critical

role in filling the commercialization gap

between academia and industry.

CDRD has cultivated partnerships with

universities throughout Canada and in

Europe as well as in Japan and Australia

to identify and develop 80 commercially

promising health-research projects.

With initial support from the provincial

and federal governments, CDRD has also

attracted investment from Pfizer, Johnson

& Johnson Inc. and the Roche Group to

help ultimately to bring these new tech-

nologies to market.

CDRD is designated a Centre of Excel-

lence for Commercialization and Research

(CECR) by the federal government.

Doing the waveVancouver company’s dehydration technology

EnWave Corp. announced that it has signed a research-evaluation agreement with

Merck & Co., Inc., through a subsidiary. According to the agreement, Merck will con-

duct a field test to determine the feasibility of radiant energy vacuum (“REV”) tech-

nology using EnWave’s new multi-vial pilot-scale equipment. In addition, EnWave

has granted Merck an exclusive research licence to use the technology and licensed

patents for the duration of the evaluation and an option to obtain an exclusive com-

mercial worldwide licence to EnWave’s portfolio.

EnWave’s dehydration-technology portfolio for pharmaceuticals and biomaterials

includes freezeREV, powderREV and bioREV. Each employs a combination of micro-

wave energy with a low-pressure environment to achieve rapid, highly controlled de-

hydration of live or active biological materials stored in sterile vials or in bulk powder,

with the goal of significantly reducing the process time and cost of dehydration.

EnWave is a Vancouver-based company developing commercial applications for its

proprietary dehydration technology. In collaboration with an expanding list of multi-

national partners, including Nestlé, Kellogg’s, Grupo Bimbo, Grimmway Farms, Ocean

Spray, Hormel Foods Corp., Bonduelle and Merck, EnWave is introducing REV as a new

dehydration standard in the food and biological material sectors.

From compounds to collaborationXenon and Genentech strategize against pain

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced

a strategic alliance with Genentech,

Inc., a member of the Roche Group, to

discover and develop compounds and

companion diagnostics for the potential

treatment of pain.

“We are delighted to be collabor-

ating with Genentech,” said Simon

Pimstone, president and chief executive

officer of Xenon, at the time of the an-

nouncement. “Genentech is among the

world’s leading biotech companies and

an ideal strategic partner for Xenon as

we share a common emphasis on using

human genetics for drug develop-

ment. Further, this collaboration allows

Xenon to both deepen and broaden

our pipeline of novel medicines in

development.”

Xenon and Genentech will collab-

orate on the discovery of new thera-

peutic approaches for treating pain.

Genentech has an exclusive licence

to compounds and a non-exclusive

licence to diagnostics from Xenon for

development and commercialization

of products. Xenon will receive an

undisclosed up-front payment and

research funding and is eligible to

receive research, development and

commercialization milestone pay-

ments totalling up to 646 million for

multiple products and indications. In

addition, Xenon will receive royalties

on sales of products resulting from the

collaboration.

Michael Hayden, chief scientific of-

ficer of Xenon, added, “This new alliance,

which represents our sixth partnership

with a major pharmaceutical company

to date, once again highlights the keen

interest in Xenon’s unique genetics

approach and in our translational R&D

capabilities.”

Xenon is a privately owned, clinical

genetics-based drug-discovery and

development company engaged in

developing small-molecule therapies

based on the genetic causes of select

metabolic, neurological and cardio-

vascular diseases.

New Illumina

DNA sequencers

boost the

research capacity

of Canada’s

Michael Smith

Genome Sciences

Centre thanks

to funding from

Western Economic

Diversification

Canada



The way aheadA discussion with the deputy minister of health

reveals British Columbia’s approaches to care

In January 2012, LifeSciences British

Columbia interviewed Graham

Whitmarsh, deputy minister of health,

Province of British Columbia, regarding the

ministry’s vision for health care and its de-

livery in the near and longer terms.

What are the BC Ministry of Health’s

top priorities over the next two years?

Our population in British Columbia is

generally considered the healthiest in

Canada, and our health system is deliv-

ering some of the best health outcomes

in the country. However, as in many juris-

dictions, we are faced with the challenge

of delivering services to an aging popula-

tion with changing health needs, while

also managing continually rising costs for

health care.

To meet this challenge, we’re imple-

menting a comprehensive plan to

reshape the system so it meets these

changing dynamics. We also need to

ensure the sustainability of our publicly

funded system. Our Innovation and

Change Agenda is intended to create

fundamental, system-level change

through a set of medium to long-term

strategies, which we’ve organized into

three main areas: health promotion, pre-

vention and self-management; primary

and community-based health care and

support services; and hospital care serv-

ices. Underpinning efforts in these areas

are strategies directed at improving inno-

vation, productivity and efficiency in the

delivery of all health services.

Implementing this plan to improve

services and stabilize costs is our highest

priority. More detail about ministry plans

over the next few years can be found in

our annual Service Plan.

How do you envision that the

delivery of health care will be

impacted, given the advances in

technology over the last few years

and the convergence thereof (e.g.,

wireless health, digital imaging)?

There is no question that most aspects

of our lives are increasingly technology-

enabled. Not only is this driving citizen

expectations for online and mobile service

delivery, but it is also blurring the lines of

geography and providing opportunities to

deliver services in new and exciting ways.

If we can harness the potential of tech-

nology, we have tremendous opportunity

to make real advances on some of our

most pressing health-care challenges.

More recently, the ministry launched a

new mobile app – the BC Health Service

Locator – available free for download

on iTunes. With this app, users can do

a number of things, including mapping

B.C.’s walk-in clinics, hospitals, emergency

rooms, immunization locations and after-

hours pharmacies; signing up for health

alerts; and connecting directly to 8-1-1, the

ministry’s health information and services.

An advance like the mobile app is just

the beginning. Technology convergence

will change the face of health care as it fur-

ther expands the reach of the health-care

delivery network both in geography and in

scope. The most exciting part of this trans-

formation is that it put citizens right in the

centre of managing their own care.

The ministry has stated that it is

working on an eHealth initiative.

Can you provide comment or update

on the status of this undertaking?

The eHealth transformation remains a

high priority for the ministry. We are

making progress toward our vision of an

integrated system where health-care infor-

mation is accessible, when and where it is

needed, to support both health outcomes

and health-system sustainability.

Our current priority is to complete

and deploy a provincial electronic health

record that will provide authorized users

access to lab-test results, medication pro-

files, diagnostic images and immunization

history. Over time, the system will expand

to include more physician EHRs and

greater access to a wider range of clinical

information.

In the shorter term, we’re focused on

deploying a provincial data repository to

store lab results; upgrading the existing

PharmaNet system so it will support

ePrescribing; enabling integration of phys-

ician electronic medical records with the

provincial EHR systems; and deploying an

eHealth Viewer so health authorities can

access lab results and diagnostic images.

Graham Whitmash, deputy

minister of health, Province

of British Columbia



Some jurisdictions such as the

United Kingdom have revised their

policies around the use of health-

related databases in an effort to

improve patient outcomes and

potentially reduce the cost of health-

care delivery. Can you comment

on the ministry’s approach to how

our provincial data might be used

proactively?

We recognize the importance and value

of health data as a strategic asset, and we

take the stewardship of this infor mation

very seriously. We are currently looking to

expand access to some of this data on a

number of fronts.

First, we are looking to enable author-

ized health-care providers in any care

setting to access health information avail-

able in provincial EHR repositories directly

through their point-of-care systems.

Second, we see potential to further

streamline the process to access data sets

currently made available for academic re-

search through Population Data BC.

Third, we are exploring opportunities

to support more access to depersonalized

health information by industry.

Finally, consistent with government’s

priority to be more open, transparent and

accessible, we are cataloguing our data

holdings. Where data is not personally

identifiable or confidential, or its release

would not contravene legislation, we are

determining what data might be made

available for public release.

It is our understanding that the

ministry and the various health

authorities are establishing a

process for assessing innovative

health technologies. Can you

comment on this process?

Over the past year, we’ve been working

with the health authorities to develop

an open and transparent process for co-

ordinated, evidence-informed coverage

decisions about non-drug health tech-

nologies. By “non-drug health technol-

ogies,” we mean tools, devices, diagnostics

and procedures. Drugs and information

technology are out of scope. The Health

Technology Review (HTR) process will

apply to technologies meeting a cost

threshold of 25,000 per unit or 1,000,000

across the province.

To support the evaluation and

coverage decisions, an assessment

framework is currently under develop-

ment and will be made publicly avail-

able. Health authorities will sponsor

business cases for review and evalua-

tion by a committee bringing together

expertise in the ministry, the health

authorities and fields such as health-

technology assessment, economics and

the direct provision of health care. Final

coverage decisions will rest with the

ministry’s leadership council (consisting

of health-authority CEOs and ministry

executive). Stakeholders will also be

given the opportunity to provide feed-

back for consideration.

We are targeting implementation

of the HTR in early 2012 and anticipate

that the timeline from when a com-

pleted business case is submitted until

a decision is made will be six months.

The ministry and health authorities

are confident that the HTR process will

result in recommendations that will

improve the health outcomes of British

Columbians and help ensure sustain-

ability of the health system.

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Advances in life sciences give British Columbia

a distinguished place on the world stage

COMPILED BY ANDREW TOPF

dwarf mistletoe, a plant parasite that

infects trees and makes lodgepole

pine more susceptible to pine-beetle

infestations.

February 15, 2011: Vancouver scientist

takes the headache out of red wine

A new strain of wine yeast developed at

UBC helps reduce amines: chemicals in

red wine and Chardonnay that trigger

headaches. Food biotechnologist Hennie

van Vuuren spent eight years in research

and another seven years to test this genet-

ically modified yeast.

February 15, 2011: $250,000 for UBC

work with anesthesiological devices

Guy Dumont, professor of electrical

and computer engineering, and Mark

Ansermino, director of pediatric anes-

thesia research, both at UBC, received the

2010 Brockhouse Canada Prize, conveying

a 250,000 team research grant. The pair

created devices and systems that help

anesthesiologists monitor patients’ vital

signs more effectively during operations.

February 28, 2011: BPN sets

attendance record

BioPartnering North America opened at

the Vancouver Convention Centre. More

than 800 delegates from 500 companies

and 27 countries gathered at the ninth

annual event, setting an attendance

record. Barbara Yanni, vice-president and

chief licensing officer for Merck, served as

the keynote speaker.

March 8, 2011: LifeSciences

BC Awards announced

Michael Hayden, director and senior scien-

tist at the Centre for Molecular Medicine

and Therapeutics, UBC, won the Genome

BC Award for Scientific Excellence; André

Marziali, president and chief scientific

officer of Boreal Genomics and director

February 4, 2011: UBC Okanagan

clones its first gene

Soheil Mahmoud, assistant professor in

the department of biology, and his team

of graduate researchers, PhD student

Zerihun Demissie and M.Sc. student

Lukman Sarker, cloned University of British

Columbia Okanagan’s first gene. The gene

produces beta-phellandrene, one of the

compounds found in the essential oil of

some lavender species.

February 5, 2011: B.C. spends $260,000

on forest research at TRU

The provincial government is providing

260,000 to further research at Thompson

Rivers University into parasitic plants

that attack coniferous forests in British

Columbia. Provided through the British

Columbia Knowledge Development Fund,

the funding is being used to acquire an

advanced scanning electron microscope

for research dedicated to controlling

The year in review

Photo: Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd.



of engineering physics, UBC, won the

Innovation & Achievement Award;

Paul Geyer, chief executive officer of

LightIntegra Technology Inc., received the

Leadership Award; StarFish Medical was

named Medical Device Company of the

Year; and Judith Hall, professor emerita

in the departments of medical genetics

and pediatrics, UBC, won the Dr. Don Rix

Award for Lifetime Achievement.

March 23, 2011: Scientists target enzyme

to halt spread of breast cancer

BC Cancer Agency scientists revealed a

significant connection between a natural

enzyme (CA9) and the spread of breast

cancer. The research proved CA9 to be

a major biomarker in tumour survival,

growth and metastasis in over 50 per cent

of the deadliest forms of breast cancer

and in 16 per cent of all breast cancers.

March 30, 2011: Made-in-B.C.

HIV test used worldwide

Vancouver HIV/AIDS experts devel oped a

new lab test, now being used around the

world, to eliminate trial and error in medi-

cation, thereby saving lives and costs. The

test involves genetic

sequencing of the virus in HIV patients,

which helps predict which drugs will work

best. Experts in lab medicine came to

Vancouver to learn how to implement the

process, called HIV V3 genotyping, in their

own countries.

March 31, 2011: Sirona Biochem

acquires TFChem

Sirona Biochem Corp., which specializes in

therapeutics for diabetes and obesity, ac-

quired French company TFChem S.A.S. for

approximately 1.9 million.

April 4, 2011: Centre for Brain Health

receives gift of $15 million

A Vancouver philanthropist donated 15

million for a new facility integrating brain

research and patient care. In honour of his

ABOVE: Research at the BC Cancer Research Centre ranges from basic

molecular and genetic studies to epidemiological and clinical research

on prevention, early diagnosis, molecular characteristics of the cancer

process and new treatments with drugs and radiotherapy

ABOVE AND RIGHT: The new

Jim Pattison Outpatient Care

and Surgery Centre

Photos: (top) Cameron Heryet, BC Cancer Agency; (bottom) Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd.



July 28, 2011: Cell-phone invention among

global winners for maternal health

A pair of Canadian proposals aimed at reducing

death rates of mothers and newborns in de-

veloping nations are selected for funding from

among 77 finalists in a global challenge. Among

the winners: a UBC invention that turns a cell

phone (common even in the world’s poorest

parts) into a portable blood-oxygen tester.

August 15, 2011: B.C. pharmacist

recognized nationally

A B.C. pharmacist has been recognized

nationally for his contribution to pharmacy

in Canada. Derek Desrosiers, a Vancouver

resident and active member of the British

Columbia Pharmacy Association, received

the 2011 Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy

Pillar of Pharmacy Award.

August 17, 2011: B.C. scientists

trying to breed a better bee

Genetic scientists in B.C. are trying to

breed a bee that can survive a mysterious

new phenomenon that is wiping out

colonies across North America. The prov-

incial government gave Genome BC 25

million to continue research on a variety

of projects including over 2 million to try

to understand the root causes of so-called

Colony Collapse Disorder in honeybees.

November 10, 2011: Brain boost

A Vancouver researcher says that treatment

to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s

disease may be on the horizon, thanks to

the backing of his breakthrough work by

a leading Canadian biopharmaceutical

company. Cangene Corp. signed a col-

laborative research agreement with UBC

under which it will develop the work of

Neil Cashman, scientific director of PrioNet

Canada, Canada research chair in neuro-

degeneration and protein misfolding

at UBC and a scientist at the Vancouver

Coastal Health Research Institute.

November 8, 2011: HIV “seek-and-

treat” program launched

If you’re an adult living in Vancouver or

Prince George who’s had sex, chances are

very good that you’ll be asked to take an

HIV-detection test at your next lab, hos-

pital or medical-clinic visit under Canada’s

first such pilot project. Under a four-year,

48-million program funded by the provin-

cial government, family doctors are being

urged to add HIV testing for all adult pa-

tients sent for other types of blood tests.

generosity – the largest gift to date to the

UBC Faculty of Medicine – the facility will

be named the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre

for Brain Health. Representing a partner-

ship between UBC and Vancouver Coastal

Health, it’s scheduled to open in 2013.

April 21, 2011: Student wins prize for

research into effects of ethanol

A 17-year-old Coquitlam student found a

way to observe the effects of ethanol on

early brain development. Vincent Ye from Dr.

Charles Best Secondary School placed first in

the 2011 Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge.

May 9, 2011: RepliCel acquires

TrichoScience Innovations

Vancouver-based RepliCel Life Sciences

Inc. completed a share purchase deal

with TrichoScience Innovations Inc.

TrichoScience is developing a hair-cell

replication technology with potential to

provide a solution to pattern baldness and

general hair loss in men and women.

May 11, 2011: UBC lab seeking to

convert greenhouse gases into fuel

UBC scientists are working to harness the

sun’s energy to convert the greenhouse

gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into a useful fuel.

David Wilkinson, executive director of the

Clean Energy Research Centre at UBC, said

concentrated CO2 emissions from power

plants combined with water could be con-

verted to methane, methanol, formic acid

and other fuels suitable for combustion or

electric cells via known chemical processes.

May 20, 2011: Final concrete pours

at Cancer Centre for the North

The BC Cancer Agency Centre for the

North reached a key construction mile-

stone as final concrete poured for the

linear accelerator vaults. The new centre

will include two linear accelerators used

in the delivery of radiation therapy. The

facility will also include a computerized-

tomography (CT) simulator, a chemo-

therapy treatment unit, a pharmacy and

general outpatient clinics. The centre

expects to open in late 2012.

May 30, 2011: Jim Pattison outpatient

centre officially opens

The 237-million Jim Pattison Outpatient

Care and Surgery Centre officially opened,

the first in B.C. to provide additional

health-care capacity for Lower Mainland

communities. The centre offers day surgery,

diagnostic procedures such as lab, X-ray,

CT and MRI scans, biopsies and specialized

health programs, all within one building.

June 6, 2011: Scientists capture

antimatter atoms in a bottle

In a paper that appeared in the journal

Nature Physics, lead author Makoto Fujiwara

and his colleagues said they succeeded

in storing antimatter atoms for more than

16 minutes: virtually an eternity for a rare

substance that scientists have struggled to

keep intact for more than a few fractions of

a second. “It’s a kind of game-changer,” said

Fujiwara, who is both a research scientist

at TRIUMF: Canada’s National Laboratory

for Particle and Nuclear Physics and an

adjunct assistant professor of physics and

astronomy at the University of Calgary.

June 14, 2011: UBC researchers

discover molecular mechanism

for anti-arrhythmia drugs

The findings, published in the journal

Nature Communications, shed light on

why anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs) have

different effects on the heart’s behaviour

and why the same drug can be beneficial

in some instances and fatal in others. The

discovery could lead to better treatments

for the condition, a leading cause of stroke.

June 28, 2011: B.C. companies

shine on world biotech stage

B.C.’s life-science innovators won all three

of BIOTECanada’s Gold Leaf Company-of-

the-Year awards, which were presented at

BIO 2011, the world’s largest biotechnology

convention. LifeSciences British Columbia

(LSBC) also signed an agreement that will

see North Germany and B.C. pool their

expertise. Team BC, a delegation of about

100 life-science experts from 40-plus com-

panies and research agencies, is being led

by LSBC and Moira Stilwell, parliamentary

secretary for industry, research and in-

novation to the minister of jobs, tourism

and innovation.

July 25, 2011: $8 million for clean tech

Victoria is injecting another 8 million into

B.C.’s clean-tech industry. The province

announced that 12 new projects will re-

ceive funding through its Innovative Clean

Energy fund, to support an array of small

projects, including a solar-power plant, a

tidal-energy converter and a commercial-

scale torrefaction plant for converting

pine-beetle-killed wood into fuel pellets.



November 29, 2011: Funding for genome

science and technology centres

Two B.C. Science and Technology Innovation

Centres (STICs) have been awarded funding

through Genome Canada’s 2010 Science

& Technology Innovation Centre (STIC)

Operations Support Competition. Canada’s

Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre will

receive up to 6.6 million, and the University

of Victoria Genome BC Proteomics Centre

will receive up to 3.4 million.

December 1, 2011: $2.8-million grant

toward prevention of sepis

Researchers from the Child & Family

Research Institute (CFRI, UBC) and

BC Children’s Hospital have won a

2.8-million grant from the Canadian

International Development Agency to

improve the survival of Bangladeshi

mothers, newborns and young children

through prevention of sepsis, a life-

threatening infection in which bacteria

overwhelm the bloodstream.

January 5, 2012: UBC researchers

identify new hepatitis C therapy

Researchers at UBC have found a

new way to block infection from the

hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the liver that

could lead to new therapies for those

affected by HCV and other infectious

diseases. HCV is spread by blood-to-

blood contact, and there is no vaccine

to prevent it.

January 10, 2012: MedGenesis raises

$5 million to treat Parkinson’s

MedGenesis Therapeutix Inc., a pri-

vately held biotechnology company

focused on treatments for neurological

disease, has raised 5 million to sup-

port the Phase 2 clinical development

of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor

protein (GDNF) in Parkinson’s disease.

GDNF is a naturally occurring growth

factor capable of protecting and

promoting the survival of dopamine-

producing nerve cells.

January 18, 2012: UBC researchers to

sequence Chardonnay genome

UBC’s Wine Research Centre has launched

an international collaboration with the

Australian Wine Research Institute to

sequence the Chardonnay grape

genome. A team of Canadian and

Australian scientists will explore the

genomics of the world’s most planted

grape variety.

January 30, 2012: Advinus Therapeutics,

SignalChem collaborate against cancer

Advinus Therapeutics and SignalChem

Pharmaceuticals have signed a multi-year

collaboration to develop several drugs to

treat cancer based on SignalChem’s propri-

etary platform. SignalChem has developed

a technology that focuses on cancer re-

lapse and metastasis (the spread of cancer

to different parts of the body) using a

group of proteins called kinases. The com-

panies will also develop biological markers

for personalized treat ment of patients.

The new BC Cancer Agency

Centre for the North, opening

in Prince George this year



Biggest life-science companies in B.C.Source: Business in Vancouver

Business in Vancouver makes every attempt to publish accurate information in the List, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Researched by Richard Chu , 604-608-5114.



www.stemcell.com


Academic and research institutionsBC Cancer Agency 600 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6

604-877-6000 www.bccancer.bc.ca

BC Preclinical Research Consortium (BCPRC) 4145 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1W5

604-827-4369 www.bcprc.ca

BCIT Biotechnology Program SW9-208 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2

604-434-5734 www.health.bcit.ca/biotech

The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) Suite 364-2259 Lower Mall, UBC, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4

604-221-7750 www.cdrd.ca

The iCAPTURE Centre #166-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6

604-806-8346 www.icapture.ca

International Collaboration on Research Discoveries (ICORD) 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9

604-675-8800 www.icord.org

Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation 80 Aberdeen St. Suite 100, Ottawa, ON K1S 5R5

613-828-6274 www.ocri.ca

PROOF Centre of Excellence Room 166 Burrard Building, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6

604-806-8934 www.proofcentre.ca

Providence Health Care Research Institute St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6

604-806-9090 www.providencehealthcare.org

Rick Hansen Institute 6th Floor, Blusson Spinal Cord Centre 6400 – 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9

604-707-2100 www.rickhanseninstitute.org

SFU Innovation Office Multi-Tenant Facility, Room 230 Discovery Park, 8900 Nelson Way, Burnaby, BC V5A 4W9

778-782-7970 www.sfu.ca/io

SFU Joint Major in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Business Administration Room SSB 8166, 888 University Drive SFU, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6

604-291-5630 www.sfu.ca

SFU Management of Technology Program 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3

778-782-5000 www.sfu.ca

Trinity Western University 7600 Glover Road, Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1

604-888 7511 www.twu.ca

TRIUMF 4004 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A3

604-222-1047 www.triumf.ca

UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2146 East Mall, Cunningham Bldg., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

604-822-2343 www.ubcpharmacy.org

UBC Life Sciences Institute 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

604-827-3935 www.lsi.ubc.ca

UBC MRI Research Centre M10 Purdy Pavilion – 2221 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5

604-822-7352 www.mriresearch.ubc.ca

UBC Science Co-op Programs 170-6221 University Blvd, Chemistry-Physics Building, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1

604-822 9677 www.sciencecoop.ubc.ca

UBC University-Industry Liaison Office #103 – 6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

604-822-8580 www.uilo.ubc.ca

University of Northern BC 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9

250-960-5555 www.unbc.ca

University of Victoria P.O. Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2

250-721-7211 www.uvic.ca

Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute Rm 100 – Willow Chest Centre 2647 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3P1

604-875-4372 www.vchri.ca

AssociationsACETECH 900-1188 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4A2

604-683-5852 www.acetech.org

Advantage BC Suite 3093, Three Bentall Centre 595 Burrard Street P. O. Box 49067, Vancouver, BC V7X 1C4

604-683-6626 www.advantagebc.ca

Ag-West Bio Inc. 101-111 Research Drive, Saskatoon, SK S72 3R2

306-975-1939 www.agwest.sk.ca

BC Technology Industry Association 900 – 1188 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4A2

604-683-6159 www.bctia.org

BioTalent Canada 1100 – 85 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 6A4

613-235-1402 www.biotalent.ca

BIOTECanada 1 Nicholas Street, Suite 600, Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7

613- 230-5585 www.biotech.ca

Rx&D, Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies 55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1220, Ottawa, ON K1P 6L5

613-236-0455 www.canadapharma.org

DigiBC 900-1188 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4A2

604-602-5237 www.digibc.ca

Genome BC 500-555 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1C6

604-738-8072 www.genomebc.ca

Research Universities’ Council of British Columbia (RUCBC) Suite 400 – 880 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2B7

250-480-4859 www.rucbc.ca

Student Biotechnology Network (SBN) The Accelerator Centre at UBC – Suite 200, 2386 East Mall, Gerald McGavin Building, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

604-767-4712 www.sbn.ubc.ca

Vancouver Board of Trade World Trade Centre Suite 400, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1

604-681-2111 www.vancouverboardoftrade.com

Vancouver Economic Development Commission 134 Abbott Street, Suite #402, Vancouver, BC V6B 2K4

604-632-9668 www.vancouvereconomic.com

Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association (WBBA) 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98102-3706

206-624-1967 www.wabio.org

Wavefront Wireless Innovation Society of British Columbia 1055 West Hastings Street, Suite 1400, Vancouver, BC V6E 2E9

www.wavefrontac.com



BioinformaticsGenomeDx #201 – 1595 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 1J8

604-558-4777 www.genomedx.com GenomeDx is a new genomics company developing clinical support tools for the management of chronic disease

HealthMetrx 306-2083 Alma Street, Vancouver, BC V6R 4N6

604-222-3900 www.digitalpt.com HealthMetrx is a leading healthcare technology company and the principal External Quality Assessment provider in Canada. We combine expertise in laboratory medicine and information technology to create innovative programs to monitor, improve and standardize laboratory testing.

Kinexus Bioinformatics Corp. Suite 1 – 8755 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC V6P 6T3

604-323-2547 www.kinexus.ca Kinexus Bioinformatics Corporation maps the cell signalling networks of protein kinase enzymes for the treatment, diagnosis and prognosis of human diseases. Protein kinases are the key proteins for communication and control inside cells.

BiopharmaceuticalsAlectos Therapeutics Inc. 8999 Nelson Way, Burnaby, BC V5A 4B5

604-628-7129 www.alectos.com Alectos Therapeutics is a private biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of serious human diseases.

Allon Therapeutics Inc. Suite 506, 1168 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2S2

604-736-0634 \www.allontherapeutics.com Allon Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: NPC) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on bringing to market innovative central nervous system therapies.

Amgen British Columbia Inc. 7990 Enterprise Street, Burnaby, BC V5A 1V7

604-415-1800 www.amgen.com Amgen British Columbia Inc., one of several research facilities operated by Amgen Inc., specializes in the discovery and development of human therapeutic antibodies. The research center, located in Burnaby, became part of Amgen with Amgen’s acquisition of Abgenix, Inc. in April 2006.

Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc. Suite 430 – 5600 Parkwood Way, Richmond, BC V6V 2M2

604-629-9223 www.aquinox.com Aquinox Pharmaceuticals is a pharmaceutical company committed to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel and targeted small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory disease.

Augurex Life Sciences Corp. 1423 Dempsey Road, North Vancouver, BC V7K 1S7

778-839-3319 www.augurex.com Augurex Life Sciences Corp. develops biomarker technologies to screen people for diseases that when identified can be promptly treated, thereby delivering the benefit of earlier detection and greater treatment success.

Aurora Biomed Inc. 1001 East Pender Street Vancouver, BC V6A 1W2

604-215-8700 www.aurorabiomed.com Aurora Biomed provides enabling technologies, liquid handling systems, assay services, and reagents for life sciences, drug discovery research, analytical chemistry, drug safety screening and laboratory automation.

bioLytical Laboratories 1108-13351 Commerce Parkway, Richmond, BC V6V 2X7

604-204-6784 www.biolytical.com Biolytical Laboratories Inc. is a privately-owned Canadian company federally incorporated in 2002 and focused on the research, development and commercialization of rapid, point-of-care in vitro medical diagnostics developed using its proprietary INSTI™ technology platform.

Biomark Technologies Inc. 600-1665 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 1X1

604-282-6567 www.biomarktech.com BioMark is focused on the research, development and commercialization of its novel Acetylated Biomarker Assay (ABA) Red Alert technology. This is a patented screening technology that is used for the determination of tumour burden.

Boreal Genomics 302 – 2386 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

604-822-8268 www.borealgenomics.com Boreal Genomics is a venture-backed Vancouver company committed to the development and commercialization of high performance methods and instruments for bio-molecule purification, enrichment and detection.

Cardiome Pharma Corp. 6190 Agronomy Road 6th Floor, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

604-677-6905 www.cardiome.com Cardiome is a research-based biopharmaceutical company. Our approved product (EU), vernakalant IV (BRINAVESSTM), and our lead clinical programs target the treatment of atrial fibrillation through cardiac ion-channel modulation.

Celator Pharmaceuticals Inc. 1779 W 75th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6P 6P2

604-708-5858 www.celator.ca Celator Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a private biopharmaceutical company developing new carrier technology for targeting combinations of rationally selected chemotherapeutic agents to sites of disease.

enGene Inc. 2386 East Mall, Suite 111, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

604-221-4362 www.engeneinc.com enGene Inc., a leader in nucleotide delivery to the intestine, has developed a proprietary mucosal immunotherapy platform for treating several prevalent, chronic diseases of the immune system. Its lead product targets Inflammatory Bowel Disease by concentrating IL-10 delivery to the gut.

iCo Therapeutics Inc. Suite 760 – 777 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1S4

604-602-9414 www.icotherapeutics.com iCo Therapeutics Inc. is a Vancouver-based reprofiling company focused on redosing or reformulating drugs with clinical history for new or expanded indications.

Indel Therapeutics Inc. 4068 West 11th Avenue, Suite 100, Vancouver, BC V6R 2L3

604-551-8464 www.indelrx.com Indel Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing new drugs to address the global health crisis caused by antibiotic resistance. The company has a growing pipeline of novel antibiotic drug discovery programs that focus on curing difficult-to-treat and hospital-acquired infections.

Inimex Pharmaceuticals Inc. 8540 Baxter Place, Burnaby, BC V5A 4T8

604-225-2251 www.inimexpharma.com Inimex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a Vancouver B.C.-based private biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of new medicines based on the up-regulation and control of the innate immune response.

iProgen Biotech Inc. 126-11782 River Rd., Richmond, BC V6X 1Z7

415-800-4392 www.iprogen.com

LEO Pharma Inc. 123 Commerce Valley Dr. E., Suite 400, Thornhill, ON L3T 7W8

800-668-7234 www.leopharma.ca LEO Pharma Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of LEO Pharma A/S which is a Danish, research-based pharmaceutical company, globally renowned for its R&D in dermatology, coagulation and bone turnover

MedGenesis Therapeutix Inc. 730 View Street, Suite 730, Victoria, BC V8W 3Y7

250-386-3000 www.med-genesis.com MedGenesis Therapeutix Inc. is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing innovative treatments for patients with serious neurologic diseases.

MSI Methylation Sciences Inc. Unit 108 4475 Wayburne Drive, Burnaby, BC V5G 4X4

604-435-5155 www.methylationsciences.com

Methylation Sciences, Inc.(MSI) has patented a new formulation of a naturally occurring human molecule called S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe).

Network Immunology Inc. 3311 Quesnel Drive, Vancouver, BC V6S 1Z7

778-847-7521 www.networkimmunologyinc.com

Network Immunology is a Vancouver-based biotech company that is developing an HIV vaccine, an organ transplant facilitation technology and a therapeutic for autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes and lupus.

Neurodyn Inc. 1260 – 1188 West Georgia Street 550 University Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6E 4A2

604-619-0990 www.neurodyn.ca Neurodyn Inc, a Canadian biotechnology company, is developing and marketing early stage, pre-clinical, diagnostic and theraputic products to treat neurodegeneration.

www.proofcentre.ca

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Global providers of GMP grade Paclitaxel and Docetaxel active pharmaceutical ingredients for the oncology market.

More than 10 years of commercial experience with taxane APIs. State-of-the-art GMP facilities near Hamburg, Germany and Vancouver, Canada. Phyton Germany has the world’s largest plant cell fermentation facility and production of crude Paclitaxel. Eco-friendly, sustainable process. API development services from our expert staff.

1527 Cliveden Avenue, Delta, BC V3M 6P7 | 604-777-2340 x 225

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OncoGenex Technologies Inc. #400 – 1001 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 4B1

604-736-3678 www.oncogenex.ca OncoGenex Technologies Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing targeted therapeutics for Cancer.

Pacific Rim Laboratories #103, 19575 – 55A Avenue, Surrey, BC V3S 8P8

604-532-8711 www.pacificrimlabs.com Pacific Rim Laboratories Inc. (PRL) is an ultra-trace organic laboratory specializing in the analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo(p)dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and other analytes by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS).

Phyton Biotech 1527 Cliveden Avenue,Delta, Delta, BC V3M 6P7

604-777-2340 www.phytonbiotech.com Phyton Biotech is a global provider of chemotherapeutic agents including Paclitaxel and Docetaxel Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Taxane intermediates.

Protox Therapeutics 1210-885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8

604-688-4369 www.protoxtherapeutics.com Protox Therapeutics uses genetic engineering to transform naturally occurring proteins into novel targeted therapeutics for the treatment of prostate diseases and various cancers. Protox is advancing a pipeline of clinical-stage product candidates derived from its PORxin™ and INxin™ technology platforms.

QLT Inc. 887 Great Northern Way, Suite 101, Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5

604-707-7000 www.qltinc.com QLT is an ocular-focused company dedicated to the development and commercialization of innovative ocular products that address the unmet medical needs of patients and clinicians worldwide.

Qu Biologics Inc. 887 Great Northern Way, Suite 138, Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5

604-734-1450 www.qubiologics.com Qu Biologics’ proprietary technology, Site Specific Immunotherapeutics (SSIs), stimulate the body’s innate immune response to cancer. With compelling clinical and animal study data, and multiple clinical trials planned, Qu’s SSIs are at the forefront of a paradigm shift in cancer treatment.

RepliCel Suite 1225-888 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3K4

604-248-8730 www.replicel.com The company has developed RepliCel™, a natural hair cell replication technology that has the potential to become the world’s first, minimally invasive solution for androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) and general hair loss in men and women.

Sirius Genomics Inc. 603 1125 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K8

604-484-7195 www.siriusgenomics.com Sirius Genomics Inc. (SGI) strategically discovers and patents important variations of the genes which are involved with drugs used in treating critically ill patients having severe infections or other critical illness.

Sirona Biochem Corp. 955-789 West Pender St., Vancouver, BC V6C 1H2

604-641-4466 www.sironabiochem.com Sirona Biochem is developing diabetes therapeutics, cancer vaccine antigens, skin depigmenting and anti-aging agents for cosmetic use and biological ingredients. We are applying a proprietary chemistry technique to improve the pharmaceutical properties of carbohydrate-based molecules.

Superna Life Sciences Suite 102, 887 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5

877-469-1254 www.supernapharma.com Superna Life Sciences is a new specialty pharmaceutical focused on the Canadian cancer care market. We have two approved products being marketed to hematologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists and nuclear medicine specialists. Superna seeks to expand our portfolio through in-licensing commercial-stage products.

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation 100 – 8900 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, BC V5J 5J8

604-419-3200 www.tekmirapharm.com Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation is a Burnaby, BC-based biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing proprietary drugs and drug delivery systems to improve the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Valocor Therapeutics Inc. 1300 – 777 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1K2

650-461-4600 www.valocor.com Valocor Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage private biotech company dedicated to developing new therapies to treat dermatological conditions with unmet medical needs

viDA Therapeutics Inc. 604-924-1730 www.vidatherapeutics.com

viDA Therapeutics Inc. (viDA) is an early stage biotechnology company, focused on the discovery and development of first-in-class drugs, based on novel technology for the treatment of age-related and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Vifor Pharma 1203-4464 Markham Street, Victoria, BC V8Z 7X8

250-744-2488 www.viforpharma.com/en Vifor Pharma is a fully integrated speciality pharma company of the Galenica Group. It is based on two main pillars: the business units Rx (prescription products) and consumer healthcare (OTC products).

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. 3650 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8

604-484-3300 www.xenon-pharma.com Xenon Pharmaceuticals is a privately owned, clinical genetics-based drug discovery and development company engaged in developing small molecule therapies based on the genetic causes of select metabolic, neurological and cardiovascular diseases.

Zalicus Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 301 – 2389 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

604-909-2530 www.zalicus.com We are focused on developing novel drug candidates for the treatment of pain and inflammation. We will continue to apply our combination high-throughput screening technology platform and our selective ion-channel modulation platform to generate a pipeline of innovative therapeutics.

Zymeworks #540 – 1385 W. Eighth Ave, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V9

604-678-1388 www.zymeworks.com Zymeworks is a privately held computational biotechnology company that is designing and developing best-in-class bi-specific antibodies and multi-valent protein therapeutics for the treatment of oncology, autoimmunity and inflammatory diseases.

Bioproducts & bioenergyBC Hydro 333 Dunsmuir Street, 9th Floor, Vancouver, BC V6B 5R3

604-224 9376 www.bchydro.com As the third largest electric utility in Canada, BC Hydro serves customers in an area containing over 94% of British Columbia’s population. BC Hydro endeavours to provide energy solutions to its customers in an environmentally and socially responsible way by balancing British Columbians’ energy needs with the concerns of the environment.

Carbon Credit Corporation Suite 600, 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 2E9

604-699-2580 www.carboncreditcorp.biz Carbon Credit Corp (CCC) is a BC-incorporated technology and ecosystem services company, providing comprehensive technology solutions, consultancy and services related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate protection to organizations worldwide.

Diacarbon Energy Inc Unit 120 – 2250 Boundary Road,, Burnaby, BC V5M 3Z3

604-291 0001 www.diacarbon.com Diacarbon Energy is a renewable energy company with North American patents for its portable biomass refinery technology. Diacarbon’s technology converts low-value biomass waste into high-value renewable fuels: bio-char and bio-oil.

Earth Renu 566-916 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K7

604-306-6142 www.earthrenu.com We are a BC company seeking to produce sustainable energy using agricultural, food processing, and restaurant waste which is treated through the natural process of anaerobic digestion.

EnWave Suite 2000 – 1066 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 3X2

778-378-9616 www.enwave.net EnWave Corporation is an R&D company developing commercial applications for its proprietary vacuum-microwave technology.

FortisBC 16705 Fraser Highway, Surrey, BC V4N 0E8

604-576-7000 www.fortisbc.com FortisBC delivers natural gas and piped propane to homes and businesses throughout BC. They’re focused on connecting their customers safely, efficiently and reliably to the energy and services they need.

Solegear 204 – 901 West 3rd Street, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3P9

604-988-4068 www.solegear.ca Solegear has developed a suite of proprietary, energy-efficient, non-toxic, biodegradable plastics. From the feedstock to additives to processing and coatings, Solegear maintains a focus on green chemistry and full compostability to ensure a healthy and renewable product life cycle.

Waterfall Advisors Group Ltd. 206-566 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

604-960-0354 www.waterfall.ca Waterfall Group provides advisory services in key areas of clean energy policy and project development. We are leading the next generation of policies, standards and regulations to create a new economic base for the production and use of low carbon and sustainable bio-based fuels and energy.

Business consultants

Abnousi Corporate Finance 900 – 1188 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4A2

604-218-4594 www.abnousi.com

Advance Biomedical Inc. 604-219-1356 www.advancebiomedical.ca

Arazy Group 350 | 1333 Johnston Street Pier 32 | Granville Island, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9

604-681-6888 www.ArazyGroup.com

BioPharma Solutions 1277 Nelson Street, Suite 1502, Vancouver, BC V6E 4M8

604-408-4310 www.BioPharmaSolutions.com

Christie Consulting Services 3715 W. 30 Ave, Vancouver, BC V6S 1W7

604-839-2581

Edelman 2nd Floor 1035 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5L7

604-623-3007 www.edelman.ca

Emergo Group Suite 300, 1275 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6H 1A6

888-254-3160 www.emergogroup.com

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Life Science Strategies Inc. 13880 18A Avenue, Surrey, BC V4A 9M1

604-541-1269

Malachite Management Inc. 375 West 5th Avenue, Suite 201, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1J6

604-874-4004 www.malachite-mgmt.com

Metaphase Health Research Consulting Inc. 604-224-5925 www.metaphase-consulting.com

QualMed Corporation 23 Forestview Drive, Cambridge, On N1T 1V1

226-789-8420 www.QualMed.ca

Rocket Builders 300 – 1275 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6H 1A6

604-839-5388 www.rocketbuilders.com

Technology Vision Group LLC 5200 Soquel Ave., Suite 202, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 USA

831-464-4230 www.techvision.com

True North Synergy Inc. 5371 Kew Cliff Road, West Vancouver, BC V7W 1M3

604-922-1045 www.truenorthsynergy.com

World Courier of Canada Ltd. Suite 170, 3751 Shell Road Airport Executive Park, Building B, Richmond, BC V6X 2W2

604-232 9444 www.worldcourier.com

CommunicationsBusiness in Vancouver Special Publications 102 East 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5T 1G2

604-688-2398 www.biv.com

Canister Creative Inc 2440 East Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V5K 2J5

604-868-4838 www.canistercreative.com

Contract research & scientific servicesASKA Research (a Division of Valerie Willetts & Associates) 115 – 1869 Spyglass Place, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4K7

604-736-3166 www.askaresearch.com

BRI Biopharmaceutical Research Inc. #101-8898 Heather Street, Vancouver, BC V6P 3S8

604-432-9237 www.bripharm.com

Canadian External Quality Assessment Laboratory (CEQAL) #307-2083 Alma Street, Vancouver, BC V6R 4N6

604-222-3907 www.ceqal.com

CanReg is now OptumInsight 4 Innovation Drive, Dundas, ON L9H 7P3

905-689-3980 www.optuminsight.com

Critical Systems Labs 618 – 475 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2B3

604-688-2754 www.criticalsystemslabs.com

Globe Laboratories Inc. 1-8755 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC V6P 6T3

604-325-9643 www.globelaboratories.com

Laporte Consultants 112 W, 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1N2

604-568-0180 www.laporteconsultants.com

Lifebank Corp. Suite 200 – 4475 Wayburne Drive, Burnaby, BC V5G 4X4

604-738-2722 www.lifebank.com

Maxxam Analytics 4606 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1K5

604-734-7276 www.maxxam.ca

MPI Research Inc. 54943 North Main Street, Mattawan, Michigan 49071 USA

269-668-3336 www.mpiresearch.com

MRM Proteomics Inc. 1275 West 6th Avenue, Suite 311, Vancouver, BC V6H 1A6

604-800-2296 www.mrmproteomics.com

Northern Lipids Inc. 8855 Northbrook Court, Burnaby, BC V5J 5J1

604-222-2548 www.northernlipids.com

PBR Laboratories 9960-67 Avenue, NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 0P5

866-450-3957 www.pbr.ca/index.htm

PharmaNet Development Group Inc. 5160 boul. Décarie, 8th Floor, Montreal, QC H3X 2H9

514-485-7500 www.pharmanet.com

PharmEng Technology Inc. 130 – 10691 Shellbridge Way, Richmond, BC V6X 2W8

604-303-0445 www.pharmeng.com

Rondaxe Suite 1, 100 Intrepid Lane, Syracuse, NY 13205 USA

315-469-2800 www.rondaxe.com

SBW – SBNA Systems Biology North America Ltd. 887 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5

604-365-6424 www.sbw.fi

SignalChem Pharmaceuticals Inc. Suite 550 – 5600 Parkwood Way, Richmond, BC V6V 2M2

604-232-4600 www.signalchem.com

Syreon Corporation 260 – 1401 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6H 1C9

604-676-5900 www.syreon.com

Viva Pharmaceuticals Inc. 13880 Viking Place, Richmond, BC V6V 1K8

604-718 0816 www.vivapharm.com

Wax-it Histology Services Inc. 202 – 2386 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

604-822-1595 www.waxitinc.com

Facilities & real estate

CB Richard Ellis 600-1111 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4M3

604-662-3000 www.cbre.com

Chernoff Thompson Architects 110 – 1281 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 3J5

604-669-9460 www.cta.bc.ca

Discovery Parks Trust 155-887 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5

604-734-7275 www.discoveryparks.com

Vancouver Island Technology Park 2201-4464 Markham Street Victoria BC V8Z 7X8

250-483-3200 www.vitp.ca

Financial services & insuranceAon Reed Stenhouse Inc. 900 Howe Street, 5th Floor, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2M4

604-688-8591 www.aon.com

BDC Venture Capital 505 Burrard Street Suite 2100, P.O. Box 6, Vancouver, BC V7X 1M3

604-666-7875 www.bdc.ca

CMW Insurance Services Ltd. 700 – 1901 Rosser Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5C 6R6

604-294-3301 www.cmwinsurance.com

Deloitte & Touche LLP 2800-1055 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V7X 1P4

604-669-4466 www.deloitte.ca

Ernst & Young LLP 700 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C7

604-891 8200 www.ey.com/GL/en/Home

KPMG LLP Suite 900 – 777 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1K3

604-691-3000 www.kpmg.ca

PricewaterhouseCoopers 250 Howe Street, Suite 700, Vancouver, BC V6C 3S7

604-806-7000 www.pwc.com

RBC Knowledge Based Industries 1055 West Georgia St., 36th Floor, Vancouver, BC V6E 3S5

604-665-8470 www.rbcroyalbank.com/kbi

VenturesWest Management Inc. Suite 400, 999 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2W2

604-688-9495 www.ventureswest.com

GovernmentBCIC 900 – 1188 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4A2

604-683-2724 www.bcic.ca

British Consulate-General 800-1111 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4V6

604-683-4421 www.uktradeinvestcanada.org

Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Suite 200, 1285 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 3X8

604-730-8322 www.msfhr.org

NRC-Industrial Research Assistance Program 1200 Montreal Road, Bldg. M-58, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6

613-993-9101 www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

NSERC Pacific Suite 407 – 138 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4S3

604-666-8818 www.nserc.ca

International pharmaceutical corporationsAbbott 8401 Trans-Canada Highway, St. Laurent, QC H4S 1Z1

514-832-7000 www.abbott.com

AstraZeneca Canada Inc. 1004 Middlegate Rd., Mississauga, ON L4Y 1M4

800-565-5877 www.astrazeneca.ca

Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada 2344 Alfred-Nobel Boulevard, Suite 300, Montreal, Quebec H4S 0A4

800-267 0005 www.bms.com

Eli Lilly Canada Inc. 3650 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M1N 2E8

416-694-3221 www.lilly.ca

GlaxoSmithKline 7333 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga, ON L5N 6L4

905-819-3000 www.gsk.com

Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. 2455 Meadowpine Boulevard, Mississauga, ON L5N 6L7

905-542-5555 www.rochecanada.com



Merck 16711 Trans Canada Highway, Kirkland, QC H9H 3L1

514-428-8600 www.merckfrosst.ca

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. 385 Bouchard Blvd, Dorval, QC H9S 1A9

514-631-6775 www.novartis.ca

Nycomed Canada Inc. 435 North Service Rd. West 1st Floor, Oakville, ON L6M 4X8

905-469-9333 www.nycomed.com/ca

Pfizer Canada Inc. 17300 Trans-Canada Highway, Kirkland, QC H9J 2M5

514-695-0500 www.pfizer.ca

Sanofi Canada 2150 St. Elzear Blvd. West, Laval, QC H7L 4A8

514-331-9220 www.sanofi.ca

Sanofi-Pasteur 1755 Steeles Avenue West, Bldg. 83, Room 214J, North York, ON M2R 3T4

416-667-2700 www.sanofipasteur.com

Legal servicesBlake, Cassels & Graydon, LLP 595 Burrard Street, P.O. Box 49314 Suite 2600, Three Bentall Centre, Vancouver, BC V7X 1L3

604-631-3300 www.blakes.ca

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP 1200 – 200 Burrard Street, PO Box 48600, Vancouver, BC V7X 1T2

604-687-5744 www.blgcanada.com

Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP 3000 Royal Centre, PO Box 11130, 1055 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 3R4

604-687-6576 www.bht.com

Christensen O’Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC 1420 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2800, Seattle, WA 98101-2347 USA

206-682.8100 www.cojk.com

DuMoulin Black LLP 595 Howe Street, 10th Floor, Vancouver, BC V6C 2T5

604-687-1224 www.dumoulinblack.com

Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP 25th Floor, 700 W Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3

604-684-9151 www.farris.com

Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Bentall 5 2900 – 550 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 0A3

604-631-3131 www.fasken.com

Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP 550 Burrard Street Suite 2300, Bentall 5, Vancouver, BC V6C 2B5

604-683-6498 www.gowlings.com

MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP 700 West Pender Street, Suite 700, Vancouver, BC V6C 1G8

604-669-4350 www.mbm.com

McCarthy Tétrault LLP PO Box 10424, Pacific Centre, 1300-777 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1K2

604-643-7100 www.mccarthy.ca

Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala LLP 480 – The Station, 601 West Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G1

604-669-3432 www.patentable.com

Seed Intellectual Property Law Group PLLC 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5400, Seattle, WA 98104 USA

206-622-4900 www.seedip.com

Tees Consulting Corp. 2880 Trimble Street, Vancouver, BC V6R 4L4

604-839-4284 www.teesconsulting.com

Medical devicesBiolux Research Ltd. 220-825 Powell Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1H7

604-669-0674 www.bioluxresearch.com Biolux Research Ltd. is a world leader in the development of innovative Light Accelerated Regeneration technology and products for use in orthodontics, implantology and other dentistry markets.

Daan Diagnostics Ltd. 200 – 5050 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4H2

604-451 7588 www.daandiagnostics.com Daan Diagnostics is a leader in the development and commercialization of innovative technology-based products and services for clinical laboratory, veterinary and food applications.

Evasc Medical Systems 107 – 1099 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6H 1C3

604-742-3811 www.evysio.com Evasc Medical Systems is a medical device company focused on developing technologies for the treatment of vascular disease. With a strong background in interventional cardiology, Evasc’s mandate is to refine early stage intellectual property and take new endovascular products from concept to pilot production.

Farabloc Development Corp. #211 – 3030 Lincoln Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3B 6B4

604-941-8201 www.farabloc.com Farabloc Development Corporation is a private company headquartered in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, a suburb of Vancouver. The company was incorporated in 1983 for the purposes of research and development focused on the product Farabloc.

Heart Force Medical Inc. Suite 305 – 1818 Cornwall Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 1C7

604-566-8200 www.heartforcemedical.com HeartForce Medical Inc. is an early stage medical devices company dedicated to researching, developing and commercializing products and services for general physicians and cardiologists, specifically for Seismocardiographic and Ballistocardiographic assessments of patients.

Innovatek Medical Inc. #3 – 1600 Derwent Way, Delta, BC V3M 6M5

604-522-8303 innovatekmed.com Innovatek Medical Inc. is a Canadian company selling rapid diagnostic kits in the areas of women’s health, drugs of abuse and infectious diseases.

Kardium Suite 100 – 12851 Rowan Place, Richmond, BC V6V 2K5

604-248-8891 www.kardium.com Kardium is a technology pioneer developing new medical devices to address cardiovascular diseases. The company was founded in 2007 by a team that has a track record of excellence in medicine, business and engineering.

LED Medical Diagnostics Inc. 235-5589 Byrne Rd., Burnaby, BC V5J 3J1

604-434 4614 www.velscope.com LED Medical Diagnostics Inc. is the parent of company of LED Dental which recently launched the VELscope Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment system, a cordless, affordably priced instrument that helps dental practices screen patients for oral cancer and other oral disease.

LifeScan Canada Ltd. #300 – 4170 Still Creek Drive, Burnaby, BC V5C 6C6

604-320-2904 www.onetouch.ca/english/index.asp

LifeScan Canada Ltd. is committed to improving the quality of life for people with diabetes and has created a unique system of products and services tailored to meet the needs of health care professionals and people with diabetes.

LightIntegra Technologies 650-999 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K5

604-734-3548 www.lightintegra.com LightIntegra Technology Inc. is developing ThromboLUX, a medical device that analyzes the quality of platelets immediately prior to a transfusion

Lungpacer Medical Inc. 8888 University Drive, Room L9003, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6

778-782 3141 www.lungpacer.com Lungpacer’s mission is to develop and commercialize a novel, award-winning therapeutic system to prevent diaphragm atrophy and protect the lungs from damage associated with mechanical ventilation in critically ill ICU patients

Neovasc Inc. #2135-13700 Mayfield Place, Richmond, BC V6V 2E4

604-270-4344 www.neovasc.com Neovasc Inc. is a specialty medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets products for the rapidly growing cardiovascular marketplace. Its products include the Reducer™, Tiara™ and a line of advanced implantable biological tissues.

Ondine Biomedical Inc. 888-1100 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4A6

604-669-0555 www.ondinebiopharma.com Ondine Biopharma Corporation is developing non-antibiotic therapies for the treatment of bacterial, fungal and viral infections.The company is focused on developing and commercializing innovative products using its patented light-activated technology.

Pyng Medical Corporation 7 – 13511 Crestwood Place, Richmond, BC V6V 2E9

800-349-7964 www.pyng.com Pyng Medical is committed to bringing award-winning, professionally preferred trauma and resuscitation products to critical care personnel around the world, helping them respond and treat patients faster and more effectively.

Response Biomedical Corp. 1781-75th Avenue W, Vancouver, BC V6P 6P2

604-456-6010 www.responsebio.com Response Biomedical is commercializing a new class of diagnostic with the world’s only immunoassay platform that provides lab-quality information in a matter of minutes, anywhere, every time.

Sorin Group Canada – Mitroflow Division Heart Valve Manufacturing Operations 5005 North Fraser Way, Burnaby, BC V5J 5M1

604-412-5650 www.sorin.com Sorin Group is a global medical device company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The company develops, manufactures and markets medical technologies for cardiac surgery and for the treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders.

Starfish Medical 455 Boleskine Road, Victoria, BC V8Z 1E7

250-388-3537 www.starfishmedical.com StarFish provides medical device development services, from business, market, and product planning to proof of concept to manufactured devices. Our focus is on great design.

Verathon Medical (Canada) ULC 2227 Douglas Road, Burnaby, BC V5C 5A9

604-439-3009 www.verathon.com Verathon® (formerly Diagnostic Ultrasound Corporation) designs, manufactures and distributes reliable, state-of-the-art medical devices and services that offer a meaningful improvement in patient care to the health care community.

Verisante Technology, Inc. #306 – 2309 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6M 2A3

604-605-0507 www.verisante.com Verisante is a medical device company dedicated to skin cancer detection. The company’s award-winning device, AuraTM, is approved for sale in Canada, Europe and Australia.Verisante is a TSX Venture 50® company (TSX-V: VRS).

Scientific suppliersAirgas North Pacific 12365 King George Hwy, Surrey, BC V3V 3K2

604-580-3000 www.airgas.com

STEMCELL Technologies Inc. 400 – 570 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1B3

604-877-0713 www.stemcell.com

VWR International Ltd. 2360 Argentia Road, Mississauga, ON L5N 5Z7

800-932-5000 www.vwrcanlab.com

OtherArbutus Dental Centre #203 – 4255 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 4R1 604-731-4188



LIFESCIENCES BRITISH COLUMBIA AWARDS

From investigation to innovationRecognizing today’s foremost achievements in the field

Each year, LifeSciences British Columbia

presents the LifeSciences British

Columbia Awards to individuals and

organizations that have made outstanding

contributions to B.C.’s life sciences.

In 2012, LifeSciences BC recognized the

following distinguished recipients.

Tim Durance

Innovation & Achievement Award

Tim Durance, founder, chairman and co-

chief executive officer of EnWave Corp.,

is a world leader in the innovation and

advancement of high-speed vacuum

microwave drying technology. Since 1996,

he has grown his radiant energy vacuum

(REV) technologies from early-stage con-

cepts invented at his laboratory at the

University of British Columbia into a pipe-

line of technologies ranging from proto-

type to industrial offerings, all positioned

to challenge the conventional industry

standards of freeze-drying (lyophilisation),

air-drying and spray-drying.

Durance was a professor in the food,

nutrition and health program at UBC and

has been a member of the faculty since

1987. He is the owner of 15 patents and

author of more than 60 peer-reviewed

scientific publications and numerous book

chapters and scientific presentations.

Durance received his PhD and M.Sc. in

food science from UBC, as well as a B.Sc.

in microbiology from the University of

Guelph and a BA in anthropology from

the University of Waterloo. He has grown

EnWave from a university startup to a

TSX-listed company with a market cap-

italization of over 100 million, employing

25 persons and owning engineering and

biotechnology facilities and a pilot plant.

Durance’s ability to innovate while

leading a team of highly skilled engineers

and scientists has led to the creation of

technologies that have interested large

multinational companies, including

Merck, with which EnWave announced

a research evaluation agreement in

December 2011.

Bruce M. McManus

Milton Wong Award for Leadership

Bruce McManus is professor, department

of pathology and laboratory medicine,

UBC. He serves as director, UBC James

Hogg Research Centre at St. Paul’s

Hospital; and co-director, Institute for

Heart + Lung Health; and director, NCE

CECR – Centre of Excellence for Prevention

of Organ Failure (PROOF). McManus served

as inaugural scientific director of the

Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory

Health, Canadian Institutes of Health

Research, from 2000 to 2006.

McManus received BA and MD

degrees from the University of

Saskatchewan, an M.Sc. from Pennsylvania

State University and a PhD from the

University of Toledo. He pursued post-

doctoral fellowships at the University

of California, Santa Barbara, and at

the National Heart, Lung, and Blood

Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and resi-

dency training at the Peter Bent Brigham

Hospital, Harvard University. After 11 years

on faculty at the University of Nebraska

Medical Center, he joined the UBC faculty

of medicine where he served as depart-

ment head of pathology and labora-

tory medicine from 1993 to 2000. He is a

fellow of the Royal College of Physicians

and Surgeons of Canada, the College

of American Pathologists, the American

College of Cardiology and the American

College of Chest Physicians.

McManus has co-authored approxi-

mately 350 peer-reviewed publications

and several book chapters. He co-holds

numerous patents and serves on various

editorial boards and advisory committees.

He has also served as councilor for the

International Society for Heart Research

and the American Society for Investigative

Pathology and as president of the Society

for Cardiovascular Pathology. He was co-

recipient of the prestigious Max Planck

Research Award in 1991, was elected to the

Royal Society of Canada as a fellow of the

Academy of Sciences in 2002 and became

an inaugural fellow of the Canadian

Academy of Health Sciences in 2005. He

has received the Research Achievement

Award of the Canadian Cardiovascular

Society, the British Columbia Innovation

Council’s Lieutenant Governor’s

Technology Innovation Award and the

CSATVB Scientific Excellence Award from

the Canadian Society for Atherosclerosis,

Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.



LIFESCIENCES BRITISH COLUMBIA AWARDS

Neil Cashman

Genome BC Award for Scientific

Excellence

Neil Cashman is a neurologist and neuro-

scientist and an internationally recognized

leader in prion and neurodegenerative

disorders. He has received numerous

accol ades over three decades. As a senior

investigator at UBC’s Brain Research Centre

and the scientific director of PrioNet

Canada, he has focussed on translating

research discoveries in protein misfolding

into innovative therapeutics and diag-

nostics for neurodegeneration such as

Alzheimer’s disease and Lou Gehrig’s dis-

ease, as well as protective vaccines for the

infectious prion diseases, such as mad cow

disease. Cashman’s ground-breaking dis-

coveries and globally collaborative efforts

have shaped the Canadian research land-

scape in this field. Cashman has authored

more than 300 scientific publications and

has filed 30 patent applications.

In 1998, Cashman was the scientific

founder of Caprion Pharmaceuticals, and

in 2004 he founded Amorfix Life Sciences

Ltd., a company focussed on the diag-

nosis and treatment of protein misfolding

diseases. To kick-start Canadian prion re-

search after the outbreak of mad cow dis-

ease, he organized a Network of Centres of

Excellence named PrioNet Canada in 2003,

with the purpose of networking multi-

disciplinary researchers in Canada and

internationally to investigate the causes

and prevention of animal and human

prion diseases. He also holds the Canada

Research Chair in Neurodegeneration and

Protein Misfolding Diseases, is a professor

of neurology at UBC and serves as an

expert consultant for the Canadian gov-

ernment and international industry.

Ian de la Roche

Dr. Don Rix Award for

Lifetime Achievement

Ian de la Roche is adjunct professor,

forest resource management, UBC.

For four decades, he has helped usher

Canada’s traditional agriculture and

forestry into the new bioeconomy. A

plant geneticist, he started his career as

a research scientist and head of genetic

engineering at Agriculture Canada, pub-

lishing more than 80 scientific articles on

plant genetics, physiology and biotech-

nology and moving into leadership roles

such as overseeing crop R&D programs

at 50 facilities nationwide. De la Roche

went on to lead three national research

institutes focused on biotechnology and

crop improvement. He then became

director general, priorities, strategies and

national programs. Among his many ac-

complishments, he led the development

of the National Agriculture Biotechnology

Initiative, established the first Industry

Relations Office to facilitate commer-

cialization of new technologies and

formulated the Canadian Biotechnology

Strategy for dealing with the European

Economic Community.

In 1988, he was appointed assistant

deputy minister at Western Economic

Diversification Canada. He became a

key architect of the International Centre

for Agricultural Science and Technology

and the Plant Biotechnology Cluster in

Saskatoon. In 1992, he became president

and chief executive officer of Forintek

Canada Corp., Canada’s national wood-

products research institute, where he

oversaw a major expansion into value-

added and secondary manufacturing.

Under his leadership, Forintek became

a key organization during the onset of

the mountain-pine-beetle epidemic and

helped counter many of the concerns

about beetle-killed wood by conceiving

scientifically-based strategies to recover

value from the resource and maintain

market access. In 2006, he oversaw the

creation of FPInnovations, a merger of the

three national forestry R&D institutes and

the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre.

De la Roche has helped change how

we think about forestry: from a finite nat-

ural resource to a sustainable, diversified

sector with a strong innovation system.

Neovasc Inc.

Medical Device Company of the Year

Neovasc Inc. focusses on treating

advanced cardiovascular disease and heart

failure: an area of immense clinical need

and rapid technological development.

The company made significant advances

in 2011, growing revenues and achieving

important development and regulatory

milestones to establish itself internation-

ally as a leading developer and provider of

cardiovascular devices.

Neovasc has three distinct product

lines: 1) its biological-tissue business,

2) the Reducer product for treating refrac-

tory angina and 3) the Tiara transcatheter

mitral-valve replacement.

Neovasc has customers around the

world, ranging from small startups to

some of the largest companies in the

medical-device industry, with more than

25,000 patients implanted with devices

fabricated from Neovasc’s biological

tissue in 2011. The Reducer received a

CE mark in November 2011, allowing

the company to begin marketing the

product in Europe and treating the large

population of patients suffering from

debilitating angina pain. Neovasc’s Tiara

transcatheter mitral-valve program is

now recognized internationally as one

of the most promising technologies in

this area, and the company expects to

undertake first-in-man implantations

within a year: an accomplishment never

before achieved clinically.

Neovasc has seen steady growth in rev-

enue every year since the company’s for-

mation in 2008, and it forecasts continued

growth for 2012.



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Company page urlAmgen 47 www.amgen.caArazy Group 42 www.arazygroup.com; www.globarhub.comBC Centre for Excellence 26 www.cfe.ubc.caBCIT 14 www.bcit.ca/healthBioTalent 9 www.biotalent.caDeloitte 6 www.deloitte.caGenome BC 7 www.genomebc.caIotron 33 www.iotron.comMerck 2 www.merck.caMinistry of BC 5 www.britishcolumbia.caOyen Wiggs 28 www.patentable.comPfizer 3 www.pfizer.caPhyton Biotech 41 www.phytonbiotech.comPRA 22 www.clearlypra.comProof Centre 41 www.proofcentre.caStemcell 39 www.stemcell.comVancouver Coastal Health 16 www.vchri.caWorld Courier 48 www.worldcourier.comXenon 16 www.xenon-pharma.com

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