An Interview with Dr. Karolina Valente, Founder and CEO of VoxCell BioInnovation / Une entrevue avec Karolina Valente, Ph. D., fondatrice et chef de la direction de VoxCell BioInnovation p. 46
With its strong R&D environment, skilled workforce and stability, Canada attracts some of the best global life sciences companies.
We find the best to invest.
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Grâce à son environnement de R-D performant, sa main-d’œuvre qualifiée et sa stabilité, le Canada attire parmi les meilleures entreprises mondiales des sciences de la vie.
À la recherche des meilleurs.
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275 members.
One voice.
BIOQuébec brings together 275 companies and organizations from across Québec’s life sciences and health technologies sector, working to shape a business environment that drives growth, advances access to care, and strengthens the industry’s impact on society.
Building stronger ties across Canada.
BIOQuébec is forging stronger ties across the country to drive collaboration in Canada’s life sciences and health technologies industry. By bringing regional strengths together, the sector is unlocking new business opportunities, breaking down trade barriers, and building a more connected, more resilient ecosystem, ready to harness its full potential nationwide.
Including Medtech, Expanding the Impact.
To better represent the full scope of Québec’s life sciences and health technologies sector, BIOQuébec is expanding its network to integrate medtech. This strategic development reinforces BIOQuébec’s role as a convening force for the industry, opens the door to new partnerships, and supports innovation across the entire sector.
Unlocking the Next Generation of Medicines from Nature: A Canadian Innovation Story
La prochaine génération de médicaments sera issue de la nature : un exemple d’innovation à la canadienne
By/Par Eric Brown
40 ECOSYSTEM / ÉCOSYSTÈME
Biotech: A Watershed Moment with Miraculous Potential and Immense Challenges
Les biotechs : une étape décisive, pleine de promesses, et des obstacles immenses
By/Par Carl Hansen
46 EXECUTIVE PROFILES / EXÉCUTIF
An Interview with Dr. Karolina Valente, Founder and CEO of VoxCell BioInnovation
Une entrevue avec Karolina Valente, Ph. D., fondatrice et chef de la direction de VoxCell BioInnovation
54 PARTNERSHIPS / PARTENARIATS
Canada’s Genomics Community is Built for Big Challenges
La communauté canadienne de génomique est conçue pour relever de grands défis
DEPARTMENTS / SECTIONS
66 KNOWLEDGE / CONNAISSANCE
From Rapid Screening to Radiopharmaceuticals: How 48Hour Discovery is Putting Canadian Innovation on the World Stage
Du criblage rapide aux produits radiopharmaceutiques : l’innovation canadienne sur la scène mondiale grâce à 48Hour Discovery
By/Par Adam Brown
76 EXECUTIVE PROFILES / EXÉCUTIF
An Interview with Rory Francis, CEO, Prince Edward Island BioAlliance
Une entrevue avec Rory Francis, directeur général de la Prince Edward Island BioAlliance
84 ECOSYSTEM / ÉCOSYSTÈME
Gilead Sciences’ Canadian Approach to Global Innovation and Community Partnerships
L’approche canadienne de Gilead Sciences en matière d’innovation mondiale et de partenariats communautaires
96 ECOSYSTEM / ÉCOSYSTÈME
2025 New Members
Nouveaux membres de BIOTECanada en 2025
ON THE COVER / EN COUVERTURE
This issue’s cover captures Canada’s bold presence on the global stage, symbolized by a striking maple leaf rising from a digital globe. It reflects the Canada’s growing role in delivering health solutions that reach far beyond its borders. From world-class science to transformative biotech innovation, Canada is helping shape the future of global health.
La page couverture du présent numéro, une imposante feuille d’érable s’élevant d’un globe numérique, représente l’audace du Canada sur la scène internationale. Elle reflète le rôle croissant que joue le Canada bien au-delà de ses frontières dans la prestation de solutions dans le domaine de la santé. Qu’il s’agisse de ses travaux scientifiques de classe mondiale ou de ses innovations transformatrices en biotechnologie, le Canada influence la forme que prendra l’avenir de la santé aux quatre coins de la planète.
ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY / RÉPERTOIRE DES ANNONCEURS
ABILITY BIOTHERAPEUTICS 58-59
ACTYLIS 16-17
AG-WEST BIO 7
ATOMVIE GLOBAL RADIOPHARMA 38
BAKER MCKENZIE 70-71
BAYSHORE SPECIALTY RX 37
BEONE MEDICINES 64-65
BIOCANRX 102
BIOGEN 107
BIOLOGICS MANUFACTURING
CENTRE 14-15
BIOQUÉBEC 4
BIOTALENT CANADA 72-75
BIOTECANADA 94-95
CANADIAN PHARMACEUTICAL
DISTRIBUTION NETWORK 50-51
CAPITAL BIOVENTURES 92-93
CASTL 90-91
CCRM 80-81
CATTI 106
FINE SCIENCE TOOLS 3
GLOBAL BIOTECH WEEK 100-101
GLYCONET 104-105 IMPETUS 21
INNOVATIVE MEDICINES CANADA 82-83 INTELIGEX 44-45
INVEST IN CANADA 2 INVEST MISSISSAUGA 62-63 IQVIA 108
KINGSTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 103 LIFE SCIENCES NOVA SCOTIA 39
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA 12-13
NOVARTIS 18-20
OBIO 106
PEI BIOALLIANCE 52
SHADOW LAKE GROUP 22-23
STEM CELL NETWORK 10
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK 8
VIRICA 53
Spring/Printemps 2025
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Innovation is at the heart of progress – and it’s people who make innovation happen. At Ag-West Bio, we champion those people.
We build networks. We focus on science. We invest. We tell innovators’ stories. Because we believe innovation is key to Canada's success.
Saskatchewan is an agricutural bioscience and innovation powerhouse. Learn about Ag-West Bio and explore the exciting developments across the province at www.agwest.sk.ca
Open for Business at Toronto’s University Health Network
WHEN CONSIDERING COMMERCIALIZATION
opportunities, the University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s No.1 research hospital, is focused on three core values.
“First, we make sure everything we do is maximizing the health impact on lives and communities globally,” explains Mark Taylor, the Toronto-based hospital’s director of commercialization.
Second, when partnering with industry, UHN makes a point of transacting at fair value, which allows re-investment into research and innovation at UHN. Finally, it makes sure its efforts help elevate Canada as a global destination for life science commercialization. Taylor says the key reason to partner with UHN is simple: “The science here is top-notch and our focus is always on patient impact. We’re continually thinking about how to get closer to the clinic to show utility in patient care.”
UHN is a well-connected research hub running at least 1,600 active clinical trials annually. It also has an accelerator fund, which takes the most commercially promising technologies through an industry-vetted process, de-risking them to key inflection points where they garner investor interest and become ripe for commercialization.
UHN’s most recent focus on commercialization is relatively new, dating back to 2014 when the hospital pivoted to focus on incubating technologies to create viable spinoffs. “That really paid off,” Taylor says. “It started with Northern Biologics, which was Versant Ventures’ first investment into Canada. Then it was AVROBIO, a genetherapy company, where we partnered with three of the world’s top 10 gene therapy executives to create the company. This put us on the map in terms of NASDAQlevel companies.”
A more recent success is Adela, a blood-based cancer diagnostics company that incorporates AI and is about to launch a new test to detect cancer recurrence sooner.
In a bold move to position Canada as the preferred destination for the brightest minds, UHN recently launched the Canada Leads 100 Challenge, intended to recruit 100 leading early career scientists with an entrepreneurial focus. The strategy is part of a broader collective ambition for Canada to become a global leader in medical research, discovery and commercialization.
“Our goal is to ensure the next global breakthroughs start here and benefit Canadians first, creating jobs, prosperity and a stronger health-care system,” Taylor explains. Further, he says, UHN is concentrating on a leading data and AI strategy, and is a founding partner in Mayo Clinic’s distributed data platform. The hospital also plays an important role when it comes to today’s changing economic climate.
“UHN is one of the few places where the economic impact is in multiples,” he says. “We’re creating companies and partnerships, jobs, wealth and opportunities for products and services. We have a strong mandate to support the Canadian economy through commercialization of research.”
“At UHN, we are open for business—globally.”
Mark Taylor, Director, Commercialization at University Health Network
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO
By Wendy Zatylny, BIOTECanada
WELL, WHAT AN EXCITING —and interesting—time to step into the role of President and CEO of BIOTECanada. The energy, ambition, and talent driving this sector are unmatched. As I’ve engaged with members, partners, and investors, it’s clear that Canada’s biotech sector is leading the definition of what’s possible: driving cutting-edge science, building strong companies, and delivering better outcomes for both patients and the economy.
As 2025 unfolds, Canada stands at a critical juncture. Global economic instability, rising trade tensions, and unpredictable geopolitical shifts are challenging traditional pillars of national growth. In this climate, one sector has stood out for its strength, resilience, and historic levels of success: Canada’s life sciences industry.
Combined with the influx of private investment capital, Canada’s biotech sector is experiencing a generational moment as companies have signed partnerships with global pharma companies and other investors totaling more than $30 billion since 2019.
Initiatives such as the Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy (BMLSS), the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI), and Health Emergency Response Canada (HERC) have helped catalyze unprecedented momentum—laying the foundation for a more competitive, integrated, and future-focused sector.
This is all evidence of both confidence and capacity. Canadian companies are securing global partnerships, expanding manufacturing operations, and commercializing breakthrough innovations. Canadian life science expertise is being sought after globally for its research excellence, skilled talent, and biomanufacturing capabilities. This progress is not only an industry milestone—it is a national asset.
It’s this momentum we’ll be showcasing in Boston this June for the BIO International Convention—right in the heart of Kendall Square, a global biotech hub. I’m looking forward to representing Canada’s biotech sector there for the first time as
BIOTECanada
President and CEO, showcasing the remarkable work of our members and connecting with international partners eager to engage with Canadian innovation.
BIOTECanada remains focused on championing the sector’s success, advocating for a globally competitive environment and showcasing the best of what Canadian biotech can offer, both in Canada and on the world stage. Together, we’ll continue to grow a globally respected ecosystem, delivering life-changing health solutions, building long-term economic strength, and securing Canada’s leadership in biotechnology. I look forward to working with you to shape what’s next.
Accelerating Commercialization Readiness in a Shifting Global Landscape
AS THE REGENERATIVE MEDICINE FIELD ADVANCES, so too does its commercialization potential. This creates an exciting opportunity to ensure emerging Canadian therapies and technologies progress along the path toward market adoption and health impact—even as global supply chains shift and geopolitical tensions add complexity to an already dynamic biotech ecosystem.
For more than two decades, Canada’s Stem Cell Network (SCN) has been a catalyst for advancing regenerative medicine research from bench to bedside. Now, with the launch of its new strategic plan, Accelerate 2025–2029, SCN is expanding its focus under a new corporate pillar, Commercialization Readiness, to ensure that Canadian biotech innovations have the support they need to reach patients and markets.
The Network has always been an enduring partner for researchers, helping them move innovations forward and prepare for commercialization, whether through its Fueling Biotechnology Partnership Awards, commercializationfocused training, or supporting early-stage biotech companies in pitch competitions with investors. In fact, a 2024 analysis found that for every dollar SCN invests in research linked to a Canadian biotech, that company secures an additional $30 in private equity—demonstrating the powerful impact of early-stage support.
Building on its strong history of translational support, SCN is now ramping up to launch a new Incubation Award aimed at helping small Canadian biotechs developing stem cell and regenerative medicine products. Set to launch in early fall 2025, the Incubation Award will provide up to $1 million in targeted, milestone-driven funding per company to help build robust data packages and overcome scientific hurdles that may limit future private investment.
To further strengthen its commercialization support, SCN has also partnered with Capital BioVentures (CBV) to provide selected companies with both financial and strategic advisory support. Through this collaboration, up to five emerging biotechs will receive expert consulting in areas such as market analysis, product planning, and investor pitch development. CBV will also play a key role in delivering SCN’s Incubation Award program.
Today, it’s more critical than ever to ensure Canada remains a leader in regenerative medicine innovation. By deepening commercialization acumen, broadening industry engagement, and offering targeted incubation support, SCN is committed to fueling Canada’s next wave of regenerative medicine breakthroughs.
To learn more about SCN’s Incubation Award and hear the latest updates on commercialization activities in the Network, sign up here!
A selection of biotech companies catalysed or enhanced through SCN research funding.
SCN’s Cate Murray and CBV’s Jeff Smirle meet in Ottawa to announce a new partnership to accelerate the development and commercialization of regenerative medicine innovations in Canada
MESSAGE DU PRÉSIDENT ET CHEF DE LA DIRECTION
Par Wendy Zatylny, BIOTECanada
JE SUIS TRÈS HEUREUX D’ENDOSSER le rôle de présidentdirecteur général de BIOTECanada à un moment si effervescent. Cette industrie est animée par une énergie, une ambition et un talent sans pareil. Au fil de mes échanges avec les membres, les partenaires et les investisseurs, j’ai pu constater que le secteur canadien de la biotechnologie est à l’avant-garde autant qu’il est possible de l’être : il stimule la recherche de pointe, il crée des entreprises prospères et il améliore les résultats pour les patients et l’économie.
L’année 2025 est un moment décisif pour le Canada. L’instabilité économique mondiale, la montée des tensions commerciales et l’imprévisibilité de la situation géopolitique remettent en question les principes qu’on tenait pour acquis en matière de croissance au pays. Dans ce contexte, s’il est un secteur qui s’est distingué par sa solidité, sa résilience et son parcours jalonné de succès, c’est bien l’industrie canadienne des sciences de la vie.
Grâce à un afflux considérable de capitaux privés, le secteur canadien de la biotechnologie connaît une période historique. Depuis 2019, plusieurs entreprises ont conclu des partenariats avec des multinationales pharmaceutiques et d’autres investisseurs, pour un montant total de plus de 30 milliards de dollars.
Des initiatives telles que la Stratégie en matière de biofabrication et de sciences de la vie du Canada, le Fonds stratégique pour l’innovation (FSI), l’Initiative de catalyse du capital de risque (ICCR) et Préparation aux crises sanitaires Canada (PCSC) ont enclenché une dynamique inédite, posant les jalons d’un secteur plus concurrentiel, plus interconnecté et axé sur l’avenir.
Cela témoigne de la confiance et des capacités du secteur.
Des sociétés canadiennes forgent des alliances internationales, accroissent leur production et commercialisent des inventions révolutionnaires. Elles sont très prisées sur la scène mondiale pour leur expertise en biotechnologie, c’est-à-dire la qualité de leurs travaux de recherche, leurs ressources humaines hautement qualifiées et leurs capacités de fabrication biologique. Ces avancées représentent non seulement un jalon crucial pour le secteur, mais aussi un atout majeur pour le Canada.
C’est sur cette lancée que nous nous présenterons au congrès international BIO en juin. Il aura lieu à Boston, au cœur de Kendall Square, un pôle de biotech de réputation mondiale. J’ai hâte d’y représenter le secteur canadien pour la première fois en tant que PDG de BIOTECanada et de mettre en lumière les réalisations
exceptionnelles de nos membres. Nous profiterons également de cette occasion pour tisser des liens avec des partenaires internationaux intéressés par l’innovation canadienne.
BIOTECanada continue de se positionner comme un défenseur du secteur, de plaider pour un environnement concurrentiel sur le plan mondial et de mettre de l’avant les réussites de la biotechnologie canadienne, autant au pays qu’à l’étranger. Ensemble, nous continuerons de faire croître notre écosystème, déjà respecté à l’international, et nous produirons des solutions médicales révolutionnaires, stimulerons l’économie à long terme et préserverons la position de chef de file du Canada en biotechnologie. Je suis impatient de travailler avec vous à imaginer la prochaine étape.
Navigating Preclinical Evaluation
A Critical Step in Accelerating Biologics Development in Canada
MANY PROMISING EARLY-STAGE
biologics are emerging in Canada, often from academia and small and medium-sized developers.
However, before these treatments can reach patients, experts must first critically assess their efficacy, safety and manufacturability. This happens through the complex preclinical evaluation stage. But for smaller developers, with limited resources and little in-house expertise, this critical step can mean delays, increased costs and stalled progress.
Through strategic collaboration, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) works with Canadian developers to provide expertise and access to complex facilities, to de-risk the product development path from preclinical evaluation through to manufacturing material for clinical trials.
BRIDGING THE PRECLINICAL EVALUATION GAP
The NRC fosters collaborative research to help increase success and impact for our partners. Our Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre works with industry, hospitals, health networks, academia and government organizations to design, develop and produce novel biologics, and ensure they are safe, effective and de-risked for ready for commercialization.
Our multidisciplinary team helps advance lead candidate biologics through the rigorous preclinical evaluation process. We apply our extensive expertise to de-risk drug development and provide the highquality data and documentation needed for regulatory submissions.
We work on biological solutions (vaccines, antibodies, cell and gene therapies) for some of today’s most challenging health problems, including emerging infections, antimicrobial resistance, cancer, and chronic and rare genetic disorders.
OUR PRECLINICAL R&D EXPERTISE AND CAPACITY
In vitro and in vivo pre-clinical testing
• Cell-based assays to assess cell viability, cytotoxicity, mechanism of action, and target engagement
• Experienced team of experts specializing in a range of animal models, including rodents, rabbits, ferrets and immunocompromised mouse models for cancer, infectious diseases, and immune modulation studies
• A vivarium, certified by the Canadian Council on Animal Care, that supports comprehensive preclinical evaluations, including studies in containment levels 2 and 3 (CL2/CL3) for pathogen challenge studies
• Pharmacokinetics (PK) studies to support safety and efficacy evaluation of drug candidates
• Biodistribution studies using optical imaging to visualize, monitor, and analyze the distribution, localization, and retention of biologics within the body in real time
• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) data analysis to evaluate the relationship between drug
Our multidisciplinary team helps clients advance lead candidate biologics through the rigorous preclinical evaluation process
Our expertise and capabilities span the biologics development value chain, from design and preclinical testing to clinical trial material production
exposure, biological response, and therapeutic outcomes, guiding optimal dosing strategies
• State-of-the-art imaging technologies for small rodents to assess tumor growth, biodistribution, disease progression in real time, along with ex vivo tissue analysis
• Our other imaging capabilities, including:
▶ In vivo preclinical imagers for fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging in the near-infrared (500800nm) and short-wave infrared (850-1700nm) spectra
▶ Micro-computed tomography for in vivo and ex vivo detailed imaging of internal structures (bone, cartilage, tumors)
▶ Advanced microscopy suite equipped with epifluorescence, laser scanning super-resolution confocal, stereology and high-content microscopy
FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION
• Identifying targets and biomarkers, and selecting hits via high-throughput screening
• Assessing complex biologics and vaccines, including binding, signaling, internalization, mechanism of action, toxicity, biodistribution, immunogenicity, immunostimulation, efficacy and safety
• Identifying, evaluating and monitoring lead candidate’s critical quality attributes, and providing regulatoryready documentation
• Transferring data and methods to contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations
FORMULATION AND ANALYTICS
• Designing custom assays for lead identification, characterization, and biomarker analysis
• Defining target product profiles to advance lead candidates
• Cutting-edge capabilities in mass spectrometry, glycochemistry, biomarker quantification and formulation development
SMALL- AND LARGE-SCALE R&D MANUFACTURING
• Biomanufacturing R&D labs equipped with advanced capabilities for biologics testing, production and scale up
• Two state-of-the-art pilot plants to efficiently convert laboratory findings into scalable manufacturing processes
▶ Our mammalian cell culture pilot plant, with capacity of up to 500 litres, is ideal for producing complex protein biologics, antibodies, and viral vectors
▶ Our microbial fermentation pilot plant, with capacity of up to 1,500 litres, supports the development of recombinant proteins, enzymes, and other microbial-based products.
Our biomanufacturing R&D labs are equipped with advanced capabilities for biologics testing, production and scale up
GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE (GMP) MANUFACTURING
• Our clinical trial material facility, with capacity of up to 500 litres (upstream) and full downstream processing capacity, is ideal for producing bulk drug substance of complex protein biologics, antibodies and viral vectors in a GMP compliant environment suitable for clinical use.
Our facility complies with Canadian, American and European regulatory authorities.
MAKE YOUR INNOVATION OUR NEXT PROJECT
Our expertise and capabilities span the biologics development value chain, from design and preclinical testing to clinical trial material production.
We understand the importance of generating highquality, reliable data at the pre-clinical stage of biologics development. Our teams work with clients to help evaluate promising candidates, de-risk development processes and provide the documentation needed to accelerate novel biologics through preclinical evaluation.
We offer a range of platform technologies suitable for scale-up manufacturing, and work with clients to develop specialized assays for product characterization, which can then be readied and transferred to a GMP environment for the next phase of commercialization.
Contact us to learn how we can improve the design of your novel biologics, test their preclinical safety and efficacy, and optimize your production processes, both at lab scale and in a GMP environment.
Let’s work together to accelerate novel biologics in Canada.
Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre
National Research Council of Canada canada.ca/nrc-human-health-therapeutics
Contact the Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre
Sue Twine PhD MBA, Director General susan.twine@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Paul Payette PhD MBA, Director Business paul.payette@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
The BMC: A Strategic Partner for the Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutical Industry
Le CPPB : Un Partenaire Stratégique pour l’Industrie des Biotechnologies et des Produits Biopharmaceutiques
THE BIOLOGICS MANUFACTURING CENTRE (BMC Inc) positions itself as a key player in biomanufacturing by offering end-to-end production services tailored to the needs of emerging biotech companies and established pharmaceutical firms. Our mission is to support our partners in the production of innovative biologics, while ensuring quality, flexibility, and responsiveness to meet the growing demands of the market.
END-TO-END MANUFACTURING TO REDUCE RISK AND ACCELERATE DEVELOPMENT
One of BMC’s major strengths lies in its state-of-the-art 58,000-square-foot facility spread over two levels. We provide comprehensive services ranging from phase 2 and 3 clinical trials to commercial-scale manufacturing. This integrated, end-to-end approach offers our clients optimal continuity by eliminating time lost in transitions between different service providers. It reduces risks and accelerates time-to-market with seamless and fully integrated processes.
OUR SERVICES
We offer a full range of services, including:
• Technology Transfer: Supporting the transition from research to commercial development with faithful replication of processes.
• Analytical Services: Method validation, quality control, and stability testing to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Our modern equipment guarantees reliable analytics at every stage of production.
• Drug Substance Manufacturing for Clinical and Commercial Scale: Specializing in small to medium
LE CENTRE DE PRODUCTION DE PRODUITS
BIOLOGIQUES (CPPB) se positionne comme un acteur clé dans la biofabrication, en offrant des services de production de bout en bout adaptés aux biotechs émergentes et aux entreprises pharmaceutiques. Notre mission est de soutenir la production de produits biologiques innovants tout en garantissant qualité, flexibilité et réactivité face aux exigences du marché.
UNE PRODUCTION DE BOUT EN BOUT POUR RÉDUIRE
LES RISQUES ET ACCÉLÉRER LES DÉVELOPPEMENTS
Le CPPB se distingue par son infrastructure moderne de 58 000 pieds carrés répartis sur deux niveaux. Nous proposons des services allant des essais cliniques (phases 2 et 3) à la production commerciale. Cette approche de production intégrée permet une continuité optimale, réduisant les risques et accélérant la mise sur le marché des produits. Les transitions entre prestataires sont évitées, assurant des processus fluides et sans faille.
NOS SERVICES
Le CPPB offre une gamme complète de services :
• Transfert de Technologie : Assure la transition des projets de la recherche au développement commercial, avec une reproduction fidèle des procédés.
• Services Analytiques : Tests de validation, contrôle qualité et stabilité pour garantir la conformité réglementaire.
• Production de Substance Médicamenteuse : Spécialisée dans la production de petits et moyens volumes, idéale pour les biotechs.
• Services de Remplissage et Finition : Remplissage isolé à usage unique, garantissant un environnement stérile et
volumes—ideal for biotech companies and specialized biopharmaceutical projects.
• Fill & Finish Services: Single-use, closed isolator technology ensuring a sterile environment and minimizing contamination risks, all while meeting the highest GMP standards.
FLEXIBILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS: A KEY ADVANTAGE FOR OUR CLIENTS
In a fast-paced environment where needs evolve quickly, the BMC provides an agile infrastructure that easily adapts to changing market demands. We offer quick access to production slots and analytical services, helping our clients reduce timelines for clinical batch manufacturing and accelerate their development programs.
RISK MITIGATION FOR INVESTORS
The BMC helps reduce investment risks through a Quality Management System built for commercial manufacturing and comprehensive, rigorous analytical testing that ensures product compliance. Our high standards and strict processes minimize the risk of non-compliance and maximize project success.
THE IDEAL PARTNER FOR BIOTECHS AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES
The BMC offers end-to-end GMP and CL2 production services designed to meet the specific needs of emerging biotechs aiming to bring their products to market with agility and flexibility. We also support large pharmaceutical companies seeking to diversify their portfolios by producing small to medium volumes batches, all while meeting the most stringent quality standards and regulatory requirements. By partnering with the BMC, clients avoid the risks and costs typically associated with technology transfers, thanks to our ability to manufacture both clinical and commercial batches in-house.
We also provide rapid access to production slots—an advantage that sets us apart from larger CMOs—allowing clients to benefit from flexible and responsive scheduling. Whether for a pilot project or a larger-scale production run, the BMC adapts to the specific needs of each client while ensuring impeccable quality.
A TRUSTED PARTNER FOR YOUR GROWTH
The BMC is more than just a production service provider— it is a strategic partner that supports biotech and pharmaceutical companies in an innovative and dynamic environment. We understand the unique challenges our clients face and are committed to delivering tailored solutions with transparency and flexibility. Our capabilities, expertise, and commitment to excellence make the BMC a trusted partner for advancing the biotechnology innovations of tomorrow.
minimisant les risques de contamination, tout en respectant les normes BPF.
FLEXIBILITÉ ET RÉACTIVITÉ : UNE FORCE POUR NOS CLIENTS
Dans un environnement dynamique, le CPPB offre une infrastructure agile permettant de répondre rapidement aux demandes changeantes. Nous proposons des créneaux de production et des services analytiques rapidement accessibles, permettant de réduire les délais pour la fabrication des lots cliniques et d’accélérer les programmes de développement.
RÉDUCTION DES RISQUES POUR LES INVESTISSEURS
Le CPPB minimise les risques pour les investisseurs grâce à un système de gestion de la qualité dédié à la fabrication commerciale et des tests analytiques rigoureux garantissant la conformité des produits. Nos processus stricts réduisent les risques de non-conformité et augmentent les chances de succès des projets.
UN PARTENAIRE IDÉAL POUR LES BIOTECHS ET PHARMACEUTIQUES
Le CPPB propose des services de production BPF et CL2 adaptés aux besoins des biotechs émergentes cherchant à commercialiser leurs produits avec agilité. Il offre aussi aux grandes entreprises pharmaceutiques la possibilité de produire des lots de petits et moyens volumes, tout en respectant les normes de qualité et les exigences réglementaires. En confiant leurs projets au CPPB, nos partenaires évitent les risques et les coûts associés aux transferts technologiques, grâce à notre capacité à assurer directement la fabrication des lots cliniques et commerciaux.
UN PARTENAIRE DE CONFIANCE POUR VOTRE CROISSANCE
Le CPPB n’est pas seulement un fournisseur de services de production, mais un partenaire stratégique qui accompagne ses clients dans un environnement innovant et dynamique. Nous comprenons les défis uniques auxquels nos clients font face et nous nous engageons à offrir des solutions sur mesure, en toute transparence et flexibilité. Nos capacités, notre expertise et notre engagement envers l’excellence font du CPPB un partenaire de confiance pour le développement des biotechnologies de demain.
IN AN INDUSTRY DEFINED BY complexity, constant change, and high stakes, one thing has become clear: biopharma companies that streamline their supply chains are better positioned to manage risk, remain agile, and grow sustainably. Actylis, a global solutions provider with a strong and growing presence in Canada since 1966, offers a unique approach to simplifying the sourcing
Canada plays a key role in Actylis’ global operations, offering a strategic platform for businesses across North America and beyond. Actylis-Montreal has supplied materials and services to the Vaccine and Biopharma markets for over a half century. It’s two sites have hosted hundreds of cGMP quality audits of Global manufacturers and Regulatory bodies.
How Simplifying Your Supply Chain Can Mitigate Risk and Help Grow Your Business
and management of critical ingredients and raw materials. For companies looking to secure their supply, maintain compliance, and scale confidently, Actylis is the perfect partner.
With over 75 years of industry experience, we combine sourcing strength, manufacturing expertise, and technical support to offer a complete solution—empowering our partners to reduce operational complexity and focus on what matters most: developing life-changing therapies.
At the heart of the Actylis promise is a simple yet powerful idea: Unique Supply. Simplified. We help biopharmaceutical companies navigate the complexity of global ingredient sourcing by delivering tailored solutions that offer flexibility, security, and peace of mind.
Whether you need a specialized raw material, support navigating regulatory requirements, or a custom logistics strategy, Actylis integrates these services under one roof. This comprehensive approach ensures seamless delivery, consistent quality, and reduced supply chain friction— allowing you to operate more efficiently and scale your business with confidence.
In addition to sourcing, warehousing, quality control, and distribution, our capabilities include excipients and API manufacturing or custom packaging, water for injection (WFI) and purified water for use in custom buffer, or clean in place solutions, and the with the proper DG rated and Regulatory registration the sites have the ability to manufacture custom organic solvent solutions including Pure Ethanol. We believe we operate the only WFI system outside of pharmaceutical companies’ in-house capabilities in Canada, enabling us to deliver critical waterbased solutions or be a qualified back-up for customers requiring a proper back-up strategy.
Through our water solutions and organic solvent solutions, we help clients reduce in-house processing demands, improve batch-to-batch consistency, and increase operational efficiency. Whether you require off-the-shelf buffer systems or fully customized solutions tailored to your specific process requirements, our teams in Montreal can deliver with speed, precision, and regulatory confidence. By working with us, our customers gain not only a reliable supplier but also a strategic partner who understands the nuances of the
Water for Injection Generating System
Canadian regulatory environment and the needs of the local (and global) life sciences community.
CUSTOM SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT UNIQUE CHALLENGES
No two manufacturing programs are the same. From formulation-specific requirements to scale-up timelines and documentation needs, the path to commercialization is rarely linear. That’s why Actylis specializes in customization—offering solutions that are tailored to each client’s technical, regulatory, and operational needs.
Whether you need a raw material in a unique specification, a product packaged to meet a particular standard, or a logistics partner who can accommodate just-in-time delivery, a partner that can work with you to develop a pandemic preparedness strategy, we make it happen. Our collaborative approach ensures that every solution is optimized to meet your business objectives and timelines.
We help our customers manage the risk associated with these specialized requirements by providing fully integrated sourcing and manufacturing services through a blend of in-house capabilities and a global network of pre-qualified partners.
This integrated model gives our customers greater control over their supply chains and reduces exposure to single-source dependencies. With access to multiple sourcing options and manufacturing sites, you can count on continuity, flexibility, and resilience even in volatile markets.
QUALITY, REGULATORY & TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
For biopharma companies, quality and compliance are foundational. Actylis brings deep expertise in global regulatory standards, including cGMP, ICH, and Health Canada guidelines. Our dedicated quality teams ensure full documentation, support audit readiness, and help manage change control processes— minimizing the compliance burden on your internal teams.
We also offer support for regulatory submissions, such as drug master files (DMFs) and technical data packages. Our integrated approach means less time spent chasing paperwork and more time focused on advancing your pipeline.
We are more than a supplier—we are a partner in innovation. Our services extend across the full product lifecycle, from early-stage R&D through to commercial-scale production. We support our customers with technical consultation, analytical development, and formulation guidance, helping to accelerate development timelines and improve outcomes.
We work closely with customers to anticipate and solve challenges early in the process, reducing delays and ensuring that programs move smoothly from concept to commercialization.
As the industry evolves, so do the demands on the supply chain. Whether you’re developing vaccines, biologics, generics, or specialized formulations, Actylis is equipped to support your growth with simplified solutions and a commitment to continuous improvement. But simplifying your supply chain isn’t just a smart move—it’s a competitive advantage. With Actylis, you get more than raw materials—you get a strategic partner that reduces risk, drives efficiency, and supports growth from start to finish.
Unique Supply. Simplified.
Scan the QR code to find out more
Vacuum Reactor, Used for Purification by Recrystallization
Bioprocessing Container for a 1,000L Reusable Biobag
Building on a Legacy of Care A Conversation with Mark Vineis, Country President, Novartis Canada
Miser sur un héritage de soins
Une conversation avec Mark Vineis, président national, Novartis Canada
FOR MORE THAN 35 YEARS , Novartis has been at the forefront of driving scientific advancements for people touched by breast cancer and improving clinical practice in collaboration with the cancer community. With one of the most comprehensive breast cancer portfolios and pipelines, Novartis leads the industry in the discovery of new therapies and combinations.
Below, Mark Vineis explores the company’s commitment to exceptional science and continued leadership in 2025 and beyond.
Q: MARK, YOU’VE BEEN LEADING NOVARTIS CANADA FOR JUST OVER A YEAR. WHAT ARE YOUR OBSERVATIONS ABOUT NOVARTIS’ WORK ON BEHALF OF CANADIAN PATIENTS?
A: The entire Novartis Canada team is dedicated to improving the lives of others. I see the passion that we have for our work every day and the positive impact that we make thanks to our collective strengths. We are also a company of firsts. Our pioneering spirit is evident when we introduced gene, CAR-T and radioligand therapies to Canadians.
Q: NOVARTIS’ PURPOSE IS REIMAGINING MEDICINE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
A: Reimagining Medicine means embracing the challenge of finding new answers to tough healthcare questions to improve and extend people’s lives. It reflects Novartis’ commitment to continuous scientific discovery, improving upon existing knowledge and
DEPUIS PLUS DE 35 ANS, Novartis est à l’avant-garde des avancées scientifiques pour les personnes touchées par le cancer du sein. L’entreprise est aussi une pionnière de l’amélioration de la pratique clinique, en collaboration avec la communauté du cancer. Grâce à l’un des portefeuilles et des réseaux les plus complets en matière de cancer du sein, Novartis est le chef de file du secteur dans la découverte de nouveaux traitements et de nouvelles associations.
Ci-dessous, Mark Vineis présente l’engagement de l’entreprise envers l’excellence scientifique et le leadership durable, en 2025 et pour les années à venir.
Q : MARK, VOUS DIRIGEZ NOVARTIS CANADA DEPUIS UN PEU PLUS D’UN AN. QUELLES SONT VOS OBSERVATIONS CONCERNANT LE TRAVAIL DE NOVARTIS AU NOM DES PATIENTS CANADIENS?
R : Toute l’équipe de Novartis Canada s’engage à améliorer la vie des autres. Je constate la passion qui nous anime au quotidien et l’effet positif que nous avons grâce à nos forces collectives. Nous sommes également une entreprise de premières. Notre esprit pionnier continue à se faire sentir de manière concrète, comme ce fut le cas lorsque nous avons introduit les thérapies géniques, CAR-T et radioligands aux Canadiens.
Q : L’OBJECTIF DE NOVARTIS EST DE RÉINVENTER LA MÉDECINE. QU’EST-CE QUE CELA SIGNIFIE?
R : Réinventer la médecine signifie relever le défi de trouver de nouvelles réponses aux enjeux complexes des soins de santé afin
Mark Vineis
maintaining our eagerness to learn more alongside and with our associates and partners.
Q: CAN YOU TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT NOVARTIS’ ROLE IN THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER?
A: Novartis has been pursuing innovation in the area of breast cancer for more than thirty-five years. We’re proud to have developed one of the world’s most comprehensive breast cancer portfolios, focused on personalized medicine and redefining care standards.
Despite progress, it is estimated that about 1 in 8 will develop breast cancer during their lifetime and 1 in 36 will die from it. The challenge of disease recurrence—affecting 1 in 3—remains.1 Complacency isn’t an option; continued investment in research, product and platform innovation, as well as timely access to new therapies for those in need awaiting the benefits of treatment is essential. And Novartis is there, supporting women living with the risk of recurrence and their healthcare providers as they manage this phase of their lives, with research and new therapeutic options.
d’améliorer et de prolonger la vie des gens. Cela reflète l’engagement de Novartis envers la découverte scientifique continue, l’amélioration des connaissances existantes et le maintien de notre désir d’en apprendre davantage avec nos associés et nos partenaires.
Q : POUVEZ-VOUS PARLER PRÉCISÉMENT DU RÔLE DE NOVARTIS DANS LE TRAITEMENT DU CANCER DU SEIN?
R : Novartis poursuit l’innovation dans le domaine du cancer du sein depuis plus de 35 ans. Nous sommes fiers d’avoir élaboré l’une des gammes de produits les plus complètes au monde pour le traitement du cancer du sein, axée sur la médecine personnalisée et la redéfinition des normes de soins.
Malgré les progrès réalisés, on estime qu’environ une personne sur huit développera un cancer du sein au cours de sa vie et qu’une personne sur 36 en mourra. Le défi de la récidive de la maladie, qui touche une personne sur trois, demeure.1 Le laxisme n’est pas une option; il est essentiel de continuer à investir dans la recherche et l’innovation en matière de produits et de plateformes, et de donner un accès rapide aux nouveaux traitements aux personnes qui en ont besoin et qui attendent les avantages de ces traitements. Grâce à ses efforts de recherche et à de nouvelles options thérapeutiques, Novartis soutient les femmes vivant avec le
By embracing new ideas and collaborations, we can cultivate a future focused on improved outcomes for Canadians and a sustainable, healthier tomorrow.
Q: 2025 IS SHAPING UP TO BRING SOME CHANGE. WHAT DO YOU THINK CAN HELP CANADIANS CONTINUE TO FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM?
A: For us at Novartis Canada, staying focused at what we do best is paramount. This involves advancing new therapies, collaborating with government and healthcare care system partners to establish clear access pathways and encouraging collective investment in innovation.
As part of our purpose of Reimagining Medicine, Together over the past two years Novartis has effectively partnered with health system partners and allied healthcare practitioners from coast to coast to improve efficient and effective care delivery and outcomes with the breast cancer community so people can start and stay on treatment.
Likewise, expanded prevention strategies such as provincial screening programs for breast cancer and emerging treatment options that can treat diseases earlier help support system-wide economic benefits. For instance, the average annual health care cost per patient of treating early BC (stage I-III) cases in Canada has been estimated to be more than 3 times lower compared to treating metastatic BC (stage IV) cases.2
Q: SO, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF HEALTH IN CANADA LOOK LIKE?
A: Canada is at a pivotal point where political and economic factors could either catalyze or hinder healthcare progress. Investment in innovative treatments is essential in the fight against serious diseases—diseases like breast cancer that are still very much in need of breakthrough solutions.
Fortunately, Canada is equipped to lead; with our knowledge-based economy and scientific expertise, rapidly evolving technology like AI, public commitments to new screening and access strategies and committed organizations like Novartis, we are well-positioned for continued healthcare success. By embracing new ideas and collaborations, we can cultivate a future focused on improved outcomes for Canadians and a sustainable, healthier tomorrow.
risque de récidive et appuie les professionnels de la santé qui les suivent, alors qu’elles gèrent cette phase de leur vie.
Q : L’ANNÉE 2025 S’ANNONCE PORTEUSE DE CHANGEMENTS. SELON VOUS, QU’EST-CE QUI PEUT AIDER LES CANADIENS À CONTINUER À AVOIR CONFIANCE EN LEUR SYSTÈME DE SANTÉ?
R : Pour nous, chez Novartis Canada, rester concentrés sur ce que nous faisons le mieux est primordial. Cela suppose de faire progresser les nouvelles thérapies, de travailler en collaboration avec le gouvernement et les partenaires du système de santé afin d’établir des voies d’accès claires, et de promouvoir un investissement collectif dans l’innovation.
Dans le cadre de notre objectif de Réimaginer la médecine, Novartis a établi une collaboration efficace avec des partenaires du système de santé et des professionnels paramédicaux d’un océan à l’autre pour améliorer l’efficacité des soins et des résultats auprès de la communauté du cancer du sein afin que les personnes touchées puissent commencer et poursuivre leur traitement.
De même, des stratégies de prévention élargies, comme les programmes de dépistage du cancer du sein à l’échelle provinciale, ainsi que les options de traitement émergentes permettant de traiter les maladies à un stade précoce, contribuent à soutenir les avantages économiques à l’échelle du système. Par exemple, on estime que le coût annuel moyen des soins de santé par patient recevant un traitement contre le cancer du sein de stade précoce (stade I-III) au Canada est plus de trois fois moins élevé que celui des cas de cancers de sein métastatiques (stade IV). 2
Q : ALORS, QUELLE EST LA SUITE DES ÉVÉNEMENTS? À QUOI RESSEMBLE L’AVENIR DE LA SANTÉ AU CANADA?
R : Le Canada est à un point crucial où des facteurs politiques et économiques pourraient catalyser ou entraver les progrès des soins de santé.
L’investissement dans des traitements novateurs est essentiel dans la lutte contre les maladies graves, comme le cancer du sein, qui nécessitent encore beaucoup de solutions révolutionnaires.
Heureusement, le Canada est bien positionné pour jouer un rôle de chef de file : grâce à son économie axée sur le savoir, à son expertise scientifique, aux avancées rapides en technologies comme l’intelligence artificielle (IA), à ses engagements publics en matière de dépistage et d’accès, ainsi qu’à des organisations engagées comme Novartis, le pays dispose de solides atouts pour assurer la pérennité de son système de santé. En adoptant de nouvelles idées et collaborations, nous pouvons cultiver un avenir axé sur des résultats améliorés pour les Canadiens ainsi qu’un avenir durable et en meilleure santé.
1 Canadian Cancer Society. (2024). Breast cancer statistics. Canadian Cancer Society. https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/breast/statistics. Accessed April 2025.
2 Brezden-Masley C, Fathers KE, Coombes ME, Pourmirza B, Xue C, Jerzak KJ. A population-based comparison of treatment patterns, resource utilization, and costs by cancer stage for Ontario patients with hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2021 Jan;185(2):507-515. doi: 10.1007/s10549-020-05960-4. Epub 2020 Oct 16. PMID: 33064230; PMCID: PMC7867554. FA-11404635-1
Introducing Next-generation Medical Education Tools for Life Science Stakeholders: AI, AR, VR, Holovisons, and More
THE RAPID ADVANCEMENT of biopharmaceutical technologies and treatments has introduced complex mechanisms of action, diagnostic biomarkers, and clinical care pathways. Meanwhile, traditional Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Other Learning Activities (OLA) are becoming less effective due to increased pressures on health systems and the divided attention of healthcare providers. To effectively engage today’s busy physicians and keep them up-to-date with the latest advancements and guidelines, educational content must be modular, concise, interactive, and personalized.
With this in mind, Impetus Digital has recently launched a series of next-generation medical education tools to train clinicians, researchers, patients, and internal stakeholders. Building on their suite of best-in-class asynchronous (overtime, anytime) and synchronous (real-time) virtual collaboration tools, the Toronto-based company now also offers a range of advanced technologies for medical education.
Among others, these include:
• Virtual Reality (VR) rooms
• Augmented Reality (AR) tools
• Holovision presentations
• AI-driven patient avatars
• Whiteboard animations
• Animated leave-behinds, infographics, and posters
• Gamified learning tools, online learning portals, and microlearning modules
Natalie Yeadon, President & CEO of Impetus Digital, explains how adding these novel technologies can help Canadian and international life science companies set themselves apart from the competition and bridge current knowledge gaps: “Impetus Digital’s next-generation AI, VR, and AR-based tools ensure that learning is memorable, up-to-date, and relevant for the target audience. By offering personalized, case-based, and gamified education, learner engagement and motivation, as well as knowledge acquisition and retention over time, are greatly improved.”
For the best results, it is advised to combine strategies and tools, for example by conducting a series of educational webinars or hybrid meetings at local hubs while simultaneously providing access to online microlearning modules, animated leave-behinds, and a VR room or Holovision presentation at relevant conferences and congresses. To ensure cohesive messaging and streamline learning, working with a single provider for all of the above is also recommended.
“No matter which approach is chosen, the key is to move away from static, didactic presentations and offer something that is truly personalized and stands out from the crowd,” Yeadon concludes.
To learn more about how Impetus Digital’s medical education and insight-gathering tools can help Canadian life science companies close current knowledge and training gaps, visit www.impetusdigital.com, book a commitment-free demo at www.meetwithimpetus.com, or reach out to connect@ impetusdigital.com
Challenging Canada to Lead the Global Biopharma Industry
By Catherine Miner
“Never let a good crisis go to waste.” (Winston Churchill)
GIVEN THE CURRENT GLOBAL economic and political environment, this famous quote by Winston Churchill is highly relevant for Canada and more specifically the Canadian Pharma/Biotech community.
Another one of my favourite quotes is “Necessity is the mother of invention.” (Plato)
I think it is critical that we Canadians not only look at this crisis—the economic pressures from the U.S. and resulting impact on
global industry—as both an opportunity and a necessity to overcome.
Canada has not been reaching its potential because we have relied on and have been in the shadow of our U.S. neighbour for too long! It has been an unconscious habit and way of being that we can no longer afford. We now have the opportunity to change, stand on our own two feet, and become the leader in the G7.
I have always lived my business and personal lives with the following attitude “if something bad happens, make it worth it!” Another way of saying this is “take the negative and turn it into the best thing that ever happened to you!”
The opportunity here is for Canada and Canadians to make the situation with the U.S. the best thing that ever happened to us.
We need to recognize and acknowledge our value and potential. Right now, it is necessary for Canada and Canadians to pivot, be bold, and use this crisis to take ourselves and the industry to the next level. To Lead!
HOW DO WE DO THIS?
• Be Fearless
• Think Big
• Act with Passion and Commitment
• Be Innovators and Problem Solvers
• Think Globally
Let’s get going and do it!! Act with purpose and with force!!
Catherine Miner, Managing Partner, Shadow Lake Group Inc/SLG Europe B.V.
John Proffett, Managing Partner, Shadow Lake Group Inc/SLG Europe B.V.
As a Canadian, I strongly believe that we need to change our risk profile. In doing so we need to be bolder and less afraid and realize that if we don’t do it for ourselves, no one else will. We no longer have the U.S. to rely on. We have the ability to be a leader in the G7 and should show up and take action accordingly! Push ourselves out of our comfort zone both here in Canada and abroad. Believe that anything and everything is possible. We must stop comparing ourselves with our American counterparts. Focus on ourselves and what WE need to do to succeed.
Elbows Up!!!
ABOUT SHADOW LAKE GROUP INC. (SLG)
At Shadow Lake Group Inc (SLG), a strategic advisory firm based in both Toronto and Amsterdam, we have always taken a bold global approach to our business. This approach has been effective in meeting both our clients’ business development objectives as well as our own. As a result, SLG has clients all over the world and has closed numerous regional and global transactions. Our business model is divided into “buy-side” and “sell-side” client opportunities. Our therapeutic focus and geography are agnostic, and our clients range from development stage biotech companies to global commercial pharmaceutical organizations.
SOME RECENT SLG TRANSACTIONS TOTALING OVER $2 BILLION USD ARE:
1. 2025: Legacy Pharma/Roche acquisition of InterMune + Esbriet (deal terms not disclosed)
2. 2024: Legacy Pharma/Sebela acquisition of drug bundle (deal terms not disclosed)
3. 2024: Aytu BioPharma, Inc./Lupin Pharma Canada Ltd in-licence of Adzenys XR-ODT ® and Cotempla XR-ODT® product lines in Canada (deal terms not disclosed)
4. 2023: Cheplapharm /Eli Lilly global acquisition of Zyprexa® ($1.4B USD)
If you would like to learn more about how SLG might be able to help you and your business, please feel free to contact us at: cminer@shadowlakegroup.com
Peter Loparco and Elizabeth Haybron (BD Directors) working on behalf of Shadow Lake Group (SLG) clients at BIO Europe in Milan (March 2025)
Peter Loparco, BD Director, John Proffett, MP, Catherine Miner, MP, and Rochelle Seide Ph.D J.D., Managing Director, Shadow Lake Group/SLG Europe B.V. attending Bio Europe in Hamburg Germany
Catherine Miner, MP, and Rochelle Seide Ph.D J.D., Managing Director, Shadow Lake Group/SLG Europe B.V. attending Bio Europe in Hamburg Germany
Catherine Miner working from her Amsterdam office with Canadian Team
From Big Data to Big Brains: the Path to Smarter Drug Design in Canada
Mégadonnées,
mégatalents : la voie à suivre pour une conception plus intelligente des médicaments au Canada
By Josh Pottel, CEO, Molecular Forecaster Inc. (MFI)
Par Josh Pottel, directeur général de Molecular Forecaster Inc. (MFI)
EVERY DAY, WE HEAR about how artificial intelligence is ready to revolutionize Canadian life sciences. Claims that AI can or will make most things ‘faster, cheaper, better’ are already ubiquitous. And while we are seeing AI’s power in being able to analyze vast datasets—in minutes, not months—to pinpoint potential drug candidates or disease markers, there’s an important question we need to ask: is AI intelligent enough to deliver on all that’s being promised?
THE LIMITS OF LEARNING BY EXPOSURE
Many current AI approaches, particularly in machine learning, are designed to learn from exposure to the experience contained in vast amounts of data. Feed an algorithm enough examples of successful drugs, failed drugs, molecular structures, and bioactivity data, and it becomes adept at spotting correlations and predicting outcomes for similar new inputs.
But drug discovery is inherently messy and complex. Biological systems are intricate; the path from molecule to medicine is rarely linear; and the data that scientists are working with is often sparse, heterogeneous, and biased. So, relying solely on trends observed in historical data has significant drawbacks:
1. “Black Box” problem: Machine learning models can predict outcomes but not explain them, making their predictions hard to trust, especially in new chemical or biological scenarios.
2. Sensitivity to data bias and the struggle with novelty: AI tends to perpetuate
LA TENDANCE ACTUELLE est de considérer que l’intelligence artificielle est sur le point de révolutionner les sciences de la vie au Canada. L’on répète à l’envi que grâce à l’IA presque tout devrait être « plus rapide, moins cher et mieux ». On constate en effet que l’IA permet l’analyse de vastes ensembles de données—en quelques minutes et non en quelques mois—aux fins du repérage des candidatsmédicaments et des éventuels marqueurs de maladies, mais il convient de se demander si l’IA est suffisamment puissante pour tenir toutes ses promesses.
LES LIMITES DE L’APPRENTISSAGE PAR ASSIMILATION
Nombre d’approches actuelles de l’IA, en particulier dans le domaine de l’apprentissage automatique, reposent sur l’assimilation de vastes quantités de données. Si l’on alimente un algorithme avec suffisamment d’exemples de médicaments qui ont fait leurs preuves, de médicaments inefficaces, de structures moléculaires et de bases de données de bioactivité, il acquiert la capacité de repérer les corrélations et de prévoir les résultats de nouveaux intrants similaires.
Cependant, la recherche pharmaceutique est par nature un processus délicat et hasardeux.
Les systèmes biologiques étant complexes, il est rare que la découverte d’une molécule mène directement à un médicament. Qui plus est, les données à partir desquelles travaillent les scientifiques sont souvent éparses, hétérogènes et biaisées. Il n’est donc pas suffisant de se
Josh Pottel
To unlock the next level of AI-driven innovation in drug design, AI needs genuine “intelligence,” rooted in the fundamental meaning of the word: the ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge.
biases in historical data, potentially overlooking innovative solutions outside familiar patterns. And, while adept at using existing data, AI often falters in creating novel molecular designs or addressing unprecedented biological challenges.
3. Lack of foundational understanding: AI doesn’t truly understand scientific principles, recognizing functional group interactions based only on data patterns, not underlying chemistry.
In all the cases above, AI isn’t giving us true intelligence in the way a human scientist can. Instead, it’s sophisticated mimicry based on statistical correlation—powerful, sure, but fundamentally limited.
REDEFINING AI INTELLIGENCE
Imagine giving an 11-year-old a pile of data, expecting them to understand it and make recommendations to help you make a drug? That kid represents AI in drug design today: able to see patterns but lacking the intelligence to make sense of it. At the Conscience Symposium on Open Drug Discovery in Montreal earlier this year, renowned medicinal chemist and blogger, Derek Lowe, framed this as AI being able to give us answers, but not the reasoning behind them.
It’s time to stop showing AI millions of examples of things, hoping it intuits rules. To unlock the next level of AI-driven innovation in drug design, AI needs genuine “intelligence,” rooted in the fundamental meaning of the word: the ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge.
TEACHING FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES
Before asking an AI to design a drug, we need to teach it the basics, much like a human student, and make it smarter. This doesn’t mean feeding the AI raw data points that represent the principles of chemistry, physics, and biology; it means embedding the principles themselves into the AI’s architecture or knowledge base.
Think of it like giving the AI the textbooks and making sure it understands the core concepts before it sees specific experimental results. The goal is an AI that possesses a rudimentary, rule-based understanding of how the world works at a molecular and biological level.
contenter des tendances observées dans les données antérieures :
1. Le principe de la « boîte noire » : Les modèles d’apprentissage automatique peuvent prévoir les résultats, mais ne savent pas les justifier, ce qui fait qu’il est difficile de se fier à leurs prévisions, en particulier dans le cas de nouveaux éléments chimiques ou mécanismes biologiques.
2. Une vulnérabilité aux biais dans les données et la difficulté à faire du neuf : L’IA a tendance à perpétuer les biais des données passées et néglige potentiellement les solutions innovantes qui sortent des schémas habituels. Si elle est en mesure d’assimiler les données existantes, elle est souvent incapable de créer de nouveaux modèles moléculaires et de répondre à de nouveaux besoins biologiques.
3. Un manque de compréhension des principes fondamentaux : L’IA ignore les principes scientifiques; elle reconnaît les interactions entre les groupes fonctionnels d’après les seuls modèles de données, et non selon les fondements de la chimie.
Ainsi, la plupart du temps, l’IA n’offre pas la véritable intelligence du scientifique. Elle fonctionne par imitation sur le principe de la corrélation statistique, certes de façon assez élaborée et efficace, mais sa portée est limitée.
REDÉFINIR L’INTELLIGENCE ARTIFICIELLE
Imaginez que vous donniez à un enfant de 11 ans une série de données et que vous vous attendiez qu’il puisse formuler des recommandations pour vous aider à élaborer un médicament. L’IA agit en quelque sorte comme cet enfant relativement à la conception de médicaments : elle peut déceler des schémas, mais elle ne peut en comprendre le sens global. Lors du colloque Conscience sur la découverte de médicaments en science ouverte qui s’est tenu à Montréal au début de l’année, Derek Lowe, chimiste médical et blogueur de renom, a expliqué que l’IA pouvait proposer des solutions, mais pas le raisonnement qui les sous-tend.
Il est temps d’arrêter de transmettre à l’IA des millions de modèles en espérant qu’elle en tire des règles. Pour franchir une nouvelle étape en matière de conception de médicaments, l’IA devra faire preuve d’une véritable « intelligence », dans le sens fondamental du terme, soit une capacité à apprendre, à comprendre et à appliquer des connaissances.
L’APPRENTISSAGE DES PRINCIPES FONDAMENTAUX
S’il est envisageable de penser qu’une IA puisse concevoir des médicaments, cela passera d’abord par le fait de lui enseigner les bases, comme à un étudiant. C’est à cette condition qu’elle acquerra une véritable « intelligence ». Il ne s’agit pas d’alimenter l’IA en données brutes qui représenteraient les principes de la chimie, de la physique et de la biologie, mais d’intégrer les principes eux-mêmes dans l’architecture ou la base de connaissances de l’IA.
Intelligent
AI could help us design novel chemical entities for challenging targets, predicting drug properties with higher accuracy and interpretability, and reducing late-stage failures by identifying issues earlier based on mechanistic understanding.
DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING AND LEARNING HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
Once the AI has foundational scientific understanding, we need to teach it to apply these principles, integrating its foundational knowledge with real-world experimental data. Here, the AI learns to:
• Reason, moving from correlation to understanding causation based on scientific mechanisms.
• Hypothesize, generating molecular ideas grounded in chemical and biological plausibility.
• Critically evaluate, assessing drug candidates with a comprehensive understanding of their potential benefits and risks.
• Adapt , using fundamental rules to handle sparse or conflicting data for more robust predictions. Once it’s learned these things, the AI can move beyond replicating patterns and instead can engage in computational reasoning. For example, it can make smarter decisions in computational chemistry because it understands the underlying science. It can suggest genuinely novel molecules because its creativity isn’t constrained solely by the limits of the training data.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CANADIAN BIOTECH
Canada’s biotech sector is ready for truly intelligent AI in the creative and complex field of drug design. Intelligent AI could help us design novel chemical entities for challenging targets, predicting drug properties with higher accuracy and interpretability, and reducing late-stage failures by identifying issues earlier based on mechanistic understanding. It could help us develop tools that interpret complex biomarker signatures based on an understanding of underlying disease biology, not just statistical patterns. And imagine the promise of AI that could create tailored therapeutic strategies by simulating how drug candidates might interact with an individual’s specific biological makeup, informed by both genomic data and foundational biological principles.
Ce serait comme de demander à l’IA de se familiariser avec les manuels scolaires pour s’assurer qu’elle comprend les concepts de base afin qu’elle puisse ensuite passer à la phase expérimentale. Il s’agit de créer une IA qui possède une compréhension rudimentaire, basée sur des principes, de la manière dont le monde fonctionne au sens moléculaire et biologique du terme.
ACQUÉRIR UNE PENSÉE CRITIQUE ET APPRENDRE À RÉSOUDRE DES PROBLÈMES
Après cette première étape d’acquisition des connaissances scientifiques fondamentales, l’IA devrait apprendre à appliquer les principes, en intégrant ses connaissances fondamentales aux données expérimentales issues du monde réel. Pour ce faire, l’IA apprendrait à :
• Raisonner, c’est-à-dire passer de la corrélation à la compréhension de la causalité à partir de mécanismes scientifiques.
• Émettre des hypothèses, c’est-à-dire créer de nouvelles idées relativement aux molécules en se basant sur la vraisemblance chimique et biologique.
• Évaluer avec un esprit critique les candidatsmédicaments en ayant une compréhension globale de leurs avantages et de leurs risques éventuels.
• S’adapter, c’est-à-dire appliquer des règles fondamentales pour aborder les données lacunaires ou contradictoires afin d’obtenir des prévisions plus fiables.
Une fois ces connaissances acquises par l’IA, on pourrait envisager de lui faire dépasser le stade de la reproduction de modèles pour effectuer un réel raisonnement computationnel. Par exemple, elle pourrait prendre des décisions plus judicieuses en matière de chimie computationnelle grâce à sa compréhension des fondements de la science. Elle serait aussi en mesure de concevoir des molécules réellement novatrices, car sa créativité ne serait pas limitée par les seules données d’entraînement.
QUELLES RÉPERCUSSIONS POUR LA BIOTECHNOLOGIE CANADIENNE?
Le secteur biotechnologique canadien est impatient de pouvoir compter sur une IA pleinement fonctionnelle dans le domaine complexe de la mise au point de médicaments.
Une telle IA pourrait contribuer à créer de toutes nouvelles entités chimiques pour les cibles complexes, à prévoir les propriétés des médicaments avec une précision et une interprétation supérieures et à limiter le risque d’échecs au stade final grâce à l’isolement précoce des problèmes, fondé sur la compréhension des mécanismes. Elle permettrait de concevoir des outils susceptibles d’interpréter la signature des biomarqueurs complexes en fonction de la compréhension du mécanisme biologique des maladies plutôt que des seuls modèles statistiques. Imaginez à quoi ressemblerait une IA apte à créer des stratégies thérapeutiques sur mesure en simulant la manière dont les candidats-médicaments pourraient interagir avec la structure biologique d’un individu,
There is no better time to support Canadian companies developing educated AI systems that truly understand science. It’s also time to move beyond the hype that AI will make things faster, cheaper, better, and instead focus on turning AI into an educated partner that can help us develop smarter, more innovative solutions. We have a shared opportunity and responsibility to work together, now more than ever, to grow Canada’s life sciences ecosystem. This is about changing the game completely to position Canada at the forefront of a new era in computationally driven biomedical discovery, ready to tackle the toughest challenges in human health.
Josh Pottel is CEO at Molecular Forecaster Inc. (MFI), where he and his team have been teaching chemistry to their proprietary software for years, helping organizations make smarter decisions in drug design. MFI’s goal? To become the go-to partner in small molecule drug design, combining proprietary tools and technology, deep expertise and knowhow, and an all-in approach to collaboration that sets MFI’s partners up for success.
grâce aux données génomiques et aux principes biologiques fondamentaux.
L’heure est venue d’accompagner les entreprises canadiennes qui se spécialisent dans la mise au point de tels systèmes d’intelligence artificielle. On doit également faire fi du battage médiatique qui fait de l’IA une panacée et se concentrer plutôt sur la façon de transformer l’IA en un partenaire d’apprentissage pouvant aider à élaborer des solutions vraiment utiles et novatrices. Plus que jamais, il est de notre responsabilité de travailler ensemble à la croissance de l’écosystème des sciences de la vie au Canada. L’objectif est de changer complètement la donne afin de positionner le Canada à l’avant-garde d’une nouvelle ère de découvertes biomédicales informatisées, et de le préparer à relever les défis les plus complexes dans le domaine de la santé humaine.
Josh Pottel est le directeur général de Molecular Forecaster Inc. (MFI), une entreprise qui travaille depuis des années à « apprendre » la chimie à un logiciel exclusif, afin d’aider les organisations à prendre des décisions plus judicieuses en matière de conception de médicaments. L’objectif de MFI : devenir le partenaire de référence dans la mise au point de médicaments à petites molécules, en combinant : des outils et des technologies exclusifs; une expertise et un savoir-faire approfondis; une approche profondément collaborative qui place ses partenaires sur la voie de la réussite.
Human intelligence collaborating with computational intelligence at Molecular Forecaster Chez Molecular Forecaster, l’intelligence humaine travaille de concert avec l’intelligence computationnelle
Peptides, AI, and a Made -in- Canada Shot for Patients Without Options
Les
peptides, l’IA et un vaccin fabriqué au Canada pour les patients n’ayant accès à aucun traitement
By Bryden O’Gallagher, MSc, Business Operations Associate, ProteinQure
Par Bryden O’Gallagher, M. Sc., Responsable des opérations commerciales, ProteinQure
WE’RE ONLY BEGINNING TO UNLOCK AI’S POTENTIAL IN DRUG DISCOVERY
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into drug discovery promises to accelerate the development of life-saving medicines. In 2024, three Nobel Prizes were awarded to individuals who made advancements at this intersection. Captivated by the opportunity, hundreds of companies have emerged with the goal of accelerating drug discovery. While AI tools have contributed meaningfully to parts of the discovery process—such as target identification, structure prediction and lead optimization— we have yet to see fully AI-designed therapeutics reach patients.
Despite advancements in tools like AlphaFold, we’re still only scratching the surface. The real opportunity lies ahead: using AI not just to assist scientists, but to design entirely new classes of therapeutics. As a pioneer in both AI and peptide discovery, Canada is well-positioned to
ON COMMENCE À PEINE À METTRE L’IA AU SERVICE DE LA RECHERCHE EN MATIÈRE DE MÉDICAMENTS
L’intégration de l’intelligence artificielle (IA) au processus d’élaboration des médicaments promet d’accélérer la mise au point de traitements vitaux. En 2024, trois prix Nobel ont été décernés à des personnes ayant réalisé des percées à l’intersection de ces domaines. Des centaines d’entreprises ont ainsi vu le jour dans ce contexte, avec comme objectif d’accélérer la mise au point de médicaments. Bien que les outils d’IA aient contribué de manière significative à certaines phases du processus de recherche, telles que l’établissement des cibles, la prévision des structures et l’optimisation des candidats, il n’existe pas encore de traitements ayant été entièrement conçus par l’IA qui puissent être administrés aux patients.
Malgré les progrès ayant mené à des outils comme AlphaFold, nous ne sommes encore qu’au seuil de réelles avancées. Au-delà de l’IA au service des scientifiques, un
As a pioneer in both AI and peptide discovery, Canada is well-positioned to expand its global leadership.
expand its global leadership. At ProteinQure, we are harnessing cutting-edge AI to design novel peptides with the aim of delivering on the ultimate promise of this technology—creating better medicines, faster, for patients who need them most.
PROTEINQURE IS DESIGNING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PEPTIDE THERAPEUTICS WITH AI
Founded in Toronto, Canada by pioneers in quantum computing algorithms, ProteinQure has built ProteinStudio,TM a peptide design platform capable of incorporating thousands of unique building blocks that cannot be computationally modeled by other tools. By combining atomistic simulations with custom deep learning architectures, we navigate the vast design space, predicting properties of novel peptides with unprecedented therapeutic properties. We’ve partnered with over half a dozen leading pharmaceutical companies—including four of the top 25—to develop novel therapeutics across cancer, metabolic and central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Inspired by the success of our partnerships, we established an internal drug discovery pipeline in 2022. Since then, we’ve delivered a clinical candidate in oncology (PQ203) and built a diverse pipeline of preclinical programs.
WE ARE LAUNCHING THE MOST IMPORTANT TRIAL BY A CANADIAN COMPANY IN THE PAST DECADE
Our Phase I clinical trial for PQ203 is set to launch later this year, with the first-in-human dosing expected in August 2025. We’ve gathered a world-class consortium of hospitals and investigators, including Toronto’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and other top clinical sites across North America.
A successful outcome could position PQ203 for Breakthrough Therapy Designation, enabling accelerated approval and early commercialization in a market with multi-billion-dollar global potential. Sponsored by a Toronto-headquartered company, with internally developed IP, this trial represents one of Canada’s strongest opportunities in the coming years to establish a homegrown anchor company at the intersection of AI and biopharma innovation.
En tant que pionnier de l’IA et de la recherche sur les peptides, le Canada est bien armé pour renforcer sa position de chef de file sur la scène internationale.
puissant potentiel demeure à exploiter : la conception entière par l’IA de types de traitements entièrement nouveaux. En tant que pionnier de l’IA et de la recherche sur les peptides, le Canada est bien armé pour renforcer sa position de chef de file sur la scène internationale. ProteinQure s’appuie sur une IA de nouvelle génération pour élaborer de nouveaux peptides, afin que cette technologie tienne son ultime promesse, soit la mise au point de meilleurs médicaments, plus rapidement, pour les patients qui en ont urgemment besoin.
PROTEINQURE À PIED D’ŒUVRE POUR CONCEVOIR LA PROCHAINE GÉNÉRATION DE MÉDICAMENTS À BASE DE PEPTIDES GRÂCE À L’IA
ProteinQure a été fondée à Toronto, au Canada, par des pionniers de l’informatique quantique et des algorithmes. La société a créé la plateforme ProteinStudioTM, qui permet de concevoir des peptides pouvant contenir des milliers de composants uniques que les autres outils informatiques sont incapables de modéliser. Ainsi, grâce à la combinaison de simulations atomistiques et d’architectures d’apprentissage profond adaptées, nous explorons un vaste espace de conception et arrivons à prévoir les propriétés de nouveaux peptides, qui recèlent des propriétés thérapeutiques sans précédent. Nous avons noué des partenariats avec plus d’une demi-douzaine d’entreprises pharmaceutiques de premier plan—dont quatre parmi les 25 plus grandes d’entre elles— pour élaborer de nouveaux traitements contre le cancer, les maladies métaboliques et les troubles du système nerveux central (SNC).
Stimulés par nos partenariats fructueux, nous avons mis en place un processus interne de recherche pharmaceutique en 2022. Nous avons ainsi pu concevoir un candidat pour essais cliniques en oncologie (PQ203) et constitué un éventail de programmes précliniques.
NOUS ENTAMONS LE PLUS IMPORTANT ESSAI CLINIQUE RÉALISÉ PAR UNE ENTREPRISE CANADIENNE AU COURS DE LA DERNIÈRE DÉCENNIE
Notre essai clinique de phase I pour le candidat PQ203 devrait débuter dans le courant de l’année, et le premier test chez l’humain est prévu pour août 2025. Nous avons réuni un ensemble d’hôpitaux et de chercheurs de renommée mondiale, dont le Princess Margaret Cancer Centre de Toronto et d’autres sites d’essais cliniques de premier plan situés un peu partout en Amérique du Nord.
WE LEVERAGED AI TO DESIGN PQ203, A FIRST-INCLASS ONCOLOGY THERAPEUTIC
Our clinical candidate is a peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) composed of a targeting peptide and a cancer-killing payload (see Figure 1 below). Designed using our proprietary AI platform and non-canonical amino acid chemistry, PQ203 is a first-in-class treatment for triplenegative breast cancer (TNBC)—a highly aggressive subtype with limited treatment options, and a leading cause of cancer-related death among women in Canada.
L’aboutissement de ce projet pourrait permettre au candidat PQ203 d’être considéré comme une « thérapie innovante » [breakthrough therapy, FDA], ce qui accélérerait le processus d’approbation et permettrait une commercialisation rapide, dans un marché dont le potentiel est estimé à plusieurs milliards de dollars à l’échelle mondiale. Cet essai, dont le promoteur est une entreprise de Toronto et dont la propriété intellectuelle a été mise au point à l’interne, représente l’une des meilleures perspectives à court terme pour le Canada en vue d’établir une entreprise phare à la croisée de l’IA et de l’innovation biopharmaceutique.
In preclinical models, PQ203 demonstrated remarkable in vivo efficacy, significantly outperforming current alternatives. Peptide-based therapeutics offer key advantages in cancer treatment—their smaller size, compared to more common antibody-based therapies, can enable deeper tumour penetration and a potentially more favorable safety profile. Current therapies for TNBC, including those in late-stage trials, rely on shared mechanisms to which patients often develop resistance. By contrast, PQ203 delivers its cancer-killing payload through a novel target and mechanism, offering new hope for patients with few remaining treatment options.
OUR GROWING PIPELINE FOCUSES ON TISSUE
SPECIFIC DELIVERY OF GENE
THERAPY
Beyond our lead oncology candidate, ProteinQure is advancing a robust pipeline of programs that are rapidly progressing toward the clinic. We’ve focused our ProteinStudioTM peptide design platform so that the next generation of therapeutics can target virtually any cell or tissue type.
Current programs focus on delivering gene therapy to various tissues, where targeted interventions could address disorders with a genetic component. Our CNS-delivery
NOUS AVONS EXPLOITÉ L’IA POUR
CONCEVOIR LE CANDIDAT PQ203, UN TRAITEMENT ONCOLOGIQUE QUI EST LE PREMIER DE SA CATÉGORIE
Notre candidat est un conjugué peptidemédicament (CPM) composé d’un peptide de ciblage et d’un agent anti-tumorigène (voir la figure 1). Conçu à partir de notre plateforme d’IA exclusive et d’acides aminés non canoniques, le candidat PQ203 est le premier traitement de sa catégorie pour le cancer du sein triple négatif (CSTN), un sous-type très agressif pour lequel les traitements sont limités et qui est l’une des principales causes des décès liés au cancer chez les femmes au Canada.
Dans les modèles précliniques, le candidat PQ203 a fait preuve d’une efficacité in vivo remarquable, surpassant de loin les solutions actuelles. Les produits à base de peptides présentent des avantages indéniables dans le traitement du cancer : leur taille inférieure à celle des produits plus courants à base d’anticorps est par exemple susceptible de permettre une plus grande infiltration dans la tumeur et pourrait présenter une meilleure innocuité. Les traitements contre le CSTN, y compris ceux qui en sont aux derniers stades des essais cliniques, reposent sur des mécanismes communs, par rapport auxquels les patientes acquièrent dans bien des cas une résistance. Le candidat PQ203 agit au contraire sur le cancer grâce à une nouvelle cible et à un nouveau mécanisme, ce qui constitue un espoir pour les patientes à qui il reste peu d’options de traitement.
NOTRE PROGRAMME EN PLEINE EXPANSION EST AXÉ SUR LA THÉRAPIE GÉNIQUE APPLIQUÉE À DES TISSUS PRÉCIS
ProteinQure travaille à un solide ensemble de programmes pour lesquels les essais cliniques sont dans la ligne mire, au-delà de son principal candidat-médicament en oncologie. Nous avons conçu notre plateforme de mise au point de peptides, ProteinStudioTM, de manière à ce que les produits de prochaine génération puissent cibler pratiquement tout type de cellules ou de tissus.
Fig 1. AI-designed peptides for tumor-targeting therapeutics Fig. 1. Des peptides conçus par l’IA pour cibler les tumeurs
ProteinQure’s ambition is to fulfill the promise of AI in delivering lifesaving treatments to patients, while helping position Canada as a globally competitive ecosystem for the next generation of AI-powered biotech companies.
La mission de ProteinQure est de concrétiser le potentiel offert par l’IA afin de proposer des traitements vitaux aux patients, tout en contribuant à faire du Canada un écosystème compétitif à l’échelle mondiale pour la prochaine génération d’entreprises biotechnologiques s’appuyant sur l’IA.
program is our most advanced and, to our knowledge, the only demonstration of successful delivery to oligodendrocytes—a cell type involved in multiple underserved indications, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and glioblastoma (brain cancer). We’ve demonstrated proof-of-concept in mice and are planning to launch another drug candidate in 2026.
WE STRIVE TO ESTABLISH CANADA AS A WORLD LEADER IN AI AND PEPTIDE DISCOVERY
Toronto has been the birthplace of groundbreaking discoveries in both AI and peptide therapeutics—from Geoffrey Hinton’s pioneering work in deep learning and neural networks to Dan Drucker’s discovery of glucagonlike peptide 1 (GLP-1), the foundation of blockbuster drugs like Ozempic. More recently, Toronto has been the starting point for some of the earliest companies at the intersection of AI and biotech, with companies like Cyclica, Atomwise, Deep Genomics, and BenchSci leading the way.
ProteinQure’s upcoming clinical trial represents a pivotal opportunity to show that Canadian built technology can be applied in Canada for commercial purposes. This is the best near term chance to build an anchor company within the country’s ecosystem—one capable of creating hundreds of high-value jobs, across biomanufacturing, software engineering, and research.
ProteinQure’s ambition is to fulfill the promise of AI in delivering life-saving treatments to patients, while helping position Canada as a globally competitive ecosystem for the next generation of AI-powered biotech companies.
Les programmes classiques sont axés sur l’application des thérapies géniques à des types de tissus variés, alors que des interventions ciblées pourraient permettre de traiter des troubles à composante génétique. Notre traitement contre les maladies du SNC est le plus avancé et, à notre connaissance, le seul qui agit de façon efficace sur les oligodendrocytes, un type de cellules associé à de nombreux problèmes ayant des besoins non comblés, comme la sclérose en plaques (SEP) et le glioblastome (cancer du cerveau). Nous avons réalisé à cet égard une démonstration de faisabilité chez la souris et nous estimons pouvoir proposer un autre candidat-médicament en 2026.
NOUS SOUHAITONS QUE LE CANADA DEVIENNE UN LEADER MONDIAL DANS LE DOMAINE DE L’IA ET DE LA RECHERCHE SUR LES PEPTIDES
Des découvertes révolutionnaires ont vu le jour à Toronto, tant dans le domaine de l’IA que dans celui des traitements peptidiques, qu’il s’agisse des travaux pionniers de Geoffrey Hinton sur l’apprentissage profond et les réseaux neuronaux ou de la découverte par Dan Drucker du peptide -1 apparenté au glucagon (GLP-1), qui est à l’origine de médicaments à succès tels qu’Ozempic. Toronto a aussi récemment vu naître certaines des premières entreprises à la croisée de l’IA et de la biotechnologie, telles que Cyclica, Atomwise, Deep Genomics et BenchSci, qui ont ouvert la voie.
Les prochains essais cliniques de ProteinQure représentent une occasion unique de montrer qu’une technologie élaborée au Canada peut trouver une issue commerciale. Il s’agit de la meilleure occasion à court terme de créer une entreprise phare dans le secteur au pays, une entreprise créatrice de centaines d’emplois à haute valeur ajoutée dans les domaines de la biofabrication, de l’ingénierie logicielle et de la recherche.
La mission de ProteinQure est de concrétiser le potentiel offert par l’IA afin de proposer des traitements vitaux aux patients, tout en contribuant à faire du Canada un écosystème compétitif à l’échelle mondiale pour la prochaine génération d’entreprises biotechnologiques s’appuyant sur l’IA.
Unlocking the Next Generation of Medicines from Nature: A Canadian Innovation Story
Kapoose Creek Bio’s drug discovery platform is powered by cutting-edge AI and the rich biodiversity of a B.C. ecosystem
La
prochaine génération de médicaments sera issue de la nature : un exemple d’innovation à la canadienne
La plateforme de découverte de médicaments de Kapoose Creek
Bio utilise une IA de pointe et la richesse de la biodiversité britanno-colombienne
By Eric Brown, CEO, Kapoose Creek Bio
Par Eric Brown, directeur général de Kapoose Creek Bio
IT’S OFTEN SAID THAT NATURE makes the best medicines, and history has shown that to be true. From the fungal origins of penicillin to the Pacific yew tree’s gift of paclitaxel, drugs derived from nature have shaped modern medicine. Indeed, about half of all drugs used today come from nature, including antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and cancer therapies.
Yet pharmaceutical companies, once deeply invested in mining nature’s chemistry, have largely abandoned the field, deeming it too laborious, slow and expensive. Discovery has instead shifted toward synthetic libraries— easier to produce, modify, and screen. As a result, vast reserves of bioactive molecules produced in nature remain
LES MEILLEURS MÉDICAMENTS sont ceux que la nature fabrique elle-même, a-t-on coutume de dire, et cela s’est vérifié au cours de l’histoire. Des origines fongiques de la pénicilline à la découverte du paclitaxel, isolé dans l’écorce de l’if du Pacifique, les médicaments issus de la nature ont contribué à orienter la médecine moderne. En effet, près de la moitié des médicaments existants sont d’origine naturelle, qu’il s’agisse d’antibiotiques, d’immunosuppresseurs ou de médicaments anticancéreux.
Pourtant, les sociétés pharmaceutiques, qui avaient autrefois beaucoup investi dans l’exploration de la chimie naturelle, ont presque toutes abandonné ce domaine, car elles jugeaient cette approche laborieuse, lente et onéreuse. La science s’est
Eric Brown
Colourful fruiting bodies emerging from a charred stump in the Kapoose Creek rainforest. Post-fire ecology yields complex biology and unique chemistry
Des organes de fructification aux couleurs vibrantes émergent d’une souche carbonisée, dans la forêt pluviale de Kapoose Creek. Sur le plan écologique, la période qui suit un incendie produit des éléments biologiques complexes et des substances chimiques uniques
artificial intelligence intelligence artificielle
Our country’s rich ecosystems, shaped by diverse climates and interspecies evolution, are a treasure trove of bioactive chemistry waiting to be explored. By tapping into this natural wealth, we can power transformative research in biotechnology with the potential to reshape human health.
untapped, with estimates that less than 1% of this chemistry has been examined for its medicinal potential.
That’s a significant opportunity for modern medicine, and one that Kapoose Creek Bio is quickly unlocking, using artificial intelligence—and the rich biodiversity of a remote rainforest on Vancouver Island. And it couldn’t come at a better time.
AI: MEETING THE URGENT NEED FOR NEW MEDICINES
The rise of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, the need for novel oncology therapies, and the limitations of conventional small-molecule design all demand fresh approaches. Nature’s chemistry, coupled with AI’s computational power, offers an exciting path forward—one that does not require choosing between complexity and scalability.
At Kapoose Creek Bio, we’re using world-leading AI technologies to accelerate the identification of promising small-molecule medicines from nature by five-fold— dramatically reducing discovery timelines. Our proprietary AI technology platform, unEarth Rx , has been purposebuilt to accelerate early-stage discovery—just six months from screen to lead.
This platform is more than a technological breakthrough—it’s a testament to Canada’s leadership at the intersection of AI and biotechnology. By combining cutting-edge AI capabilities with the country’s rich biodiversity, Kapoose Creek Bio is setting a new global standard for innovation in drug discovery from nature.
To date, unEarth Rx has yielded notable results, including two lead compounds in neurology, KCB-100 and
orientée vers les banques d’éléments synthétiques, plus faciles à produire, à modifier et à cribler. La nature offre par conséquent toujours de vastes réserves de molécules bioactives inexplorées : on aurait analysé jusqu’ici le potentiel médicinal de moins de 1 % d’entre elles.
Il s’agit d’une formidable occasion pour les chercheurs en médecine, que Kapoose Creek Bio a saisie grâce à l’intelligence artificielle : elle explore en particulier l’incroyable biodiversité d’une forêt pluviale isolée, située sur l’île de Vancouver. Cela ne pouvait pas mieux tomber.
UNE RÉPONSE AU BESOIN URGENT EN NOUVEAUX MÉDICAMENTS
De nouvelles approches sont nécessaires en raison de l’augmentation des maladies neurodégénératives et psychiatriques, du besoin en nouveaux traitements oncologiques et du fait que la recherche relative aux petites molécules montre actuellement ses limites. Associer la chimie de l’environnement à la puissance de calcul de l’IA offre une nouvelle voie innovante, qui nous évite de choisir entre la complexité et l’évolutivité.
Afin d’accélérer la détection des petites molécules prometteuses issues de la nature, Kapoose Creek Bio s’appuie sur des technologies d’IA avancée. Grâce à celles-ci, le processus s’avère cinq fois plus rapide, ce qui réduit considérablement les délais de recherche. Notre plateforme technologique d’IA exclusive, unEarth Rx, a été spécialement conçue pour accélérer la découverte aux stades précoces de la recherche, ce qui signifie que six mois seulement sont nécessaires entre le moment du criblage et celui de l’obtention d’un candidat.
Notre plateforme constitue bien plus qu’une avancée technologique : elle témoigne du leadership du Canada à la croisée de l’IA et de la biotechnologie. Kapoose Creek Bio, en conjuguant des technologies de pointe en matière d’intelligence artificielle et la richesse de la biodiversité du pays, établit une nouvelle norme mondiale en matière d’innovation dans le domaine de la recherche pharmaceutique à partir d’éléments naturels.
À ce jour, la plateforme unEarth Rx a produit des résultats notables, dont la découverte de deux candidats en neurologie, les composés KCB-100 et KCB-200, qui font actuellement l’objet d’études en vue d’une utilisation dans les domaines de la neurodégénérescence et de la santé mentale. Ces composés pourraient générer de nouveaux traitements prometteurs pour les maladies de Parkinson et d’Alzheimer et la dépression, une contribution aux efforts mondiaux déployés par rapport à ces problèmes de santé. Notre équipe est en passe d’établir, pour les deux produits, les doses pouvant être administrées à l’humain.
forêt pluviale laissée intacte par la dernière période glaciaire, une zone riche d’une incroyable biodiversité
KCB-200, currently under investigation for use in neurodegeneration and mental health. These compounds could present promising new treatments for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases or depression, and contribute to global efforts to address these health challenges. Our team is in the process of optimizing both for human dosing.
THE POWER OF CANADA’S UNIQUE BIODIVERSITY
Kapoose Creek Bio’s initial discovery campaigns have leveraged a world-unique collection of nearly 6,000 fungal strains foraged from Kapoose Creek, a remote region on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This exceptional biodiversity of this swath of land, untouched during the last ice age, has provided fertile ground for innovation, serving as the foundation for our groundbreaking discoveries.
As we think to the future, the potential to mine chemistry from other biodiverse sites in Canada is compelling. Our country’s rich ecosystems, shaped by diverse climates and interspecies evolution, are a treasure trove of bioactive chemistry waiting to be explored. By tapping into this natural wealth, we can power transformative research in biotechnology with the potential to reshape human health.
AI’S ROLE IN IDENTIFYING NATURAL BIOACTIVE MOLECULES
AI is proving to be a game changer in drug discovery from nature, able to address and overcome three historical challenges: identifying natural bioactive molecules, unraveling their mechanisms, and advancing lead compounds through scaled production and optimization into drugs. Its precision and efficiency are nothing short of remarkable.
The traditional discovery process relied on labourintensive screening methods, making it impossible to explore the full breadth of natural chemical diversity. With AI, machine learning algorithms can analyze vast metabolomic datasets, quickly recognize patterns in
L’ATOUT QUE REPRÉSENTE LE CARACTÈRE UNIQUE DE LA BIODIVERSITÉ CANADIENNE
Les premières recherches de Kapoose Creek Bio se sont appuyées sur une collection unique au monde de près de 6 000 souches fongiques recueillies dans la région isolée de Kapoose Creek, sur la côte ouest de l’île de Vancouver. La biodiversité exceptionnelle de ce territoire, intact depuis la dernière période glaciaire, constitue un terrain fertile pour l’innovation et la base de nos travaux de recherche révolutionnaires.
Dans cette optique, nous sommes persuadés que le Canada pourra dans l’avenir tirer parti de la biodiversité d’autres sites tout aussi prometteurs. Notre pays comporte de vastes écosystèmes qui ont été façonnés par la diversité des climats et l’évolution inter-espèces. Il s’agit d’un trésor en matière de chimie bioactive qui ne demande qu’à être exploré. Ces richesses naturelles nous permettront de mener des recherches transformatrices dans le domaine de la biotechnologie, susceptibles de remodeler la santé humaine.
LE RÔLE DE L’IA DANS LA DÉTECTION DES MOLÉCULES
BIOACTIVES NATURELLES
L’IA est en train de changer la donne dans le domaine de la mise au point de médicaments à partir d’éléments de la nature, c’est-à-dire qu’elle permettrait de relever trois défis de longue date : détecter des molécules bioactives naturelles, élucider leur mécanisme, et faire passer les candidats aux étapes de la production à grande échelle et de l’optimisation en vue de la transformation en médicaments. La précision et l’efficacité de l’IA en la matière sont tout simplement remarquables.
Les procédures de recherche classiques s’appuyaient sur des méthodes de criblage si gourmandes en ressources qu’il était impossible d’explorer toute l’ampleur de la diversité chimique naturelle. Les algorithmes d’apprentissage automatique de l’IA permettent l’analyse de vastes ensembles de données métabolomiques et la reconnaissance rapide de
Fungal specimens from a single day’s foraging, displayed in the Kapoose Creek laboratory
De nombreux spécimens de champignons issus d’un seul jour de cueillette, exposés dans le laboratoire de Kapoose Creek Bio
The region of Kapoose Creek is home to a temperate rainforest untouched by the last ice age, representing a remarkable area of biodiversity
La région de Kapoose Creek accueille une
molecular structures, and help researchers efficiently map bioactive molecules in complex natural extracts. And it can do all of this in record time.
Additionally, instead of relying on random screening, AI-guided technologies can pinpoint natural sources most likely to contain novel compounds, reduce time-consuming trial-and-error approaches; and quickly differentiate known compounds from new ones, ensuring that research efforts focus on genuine drug leads rather than previously characterized molecules.
UNRAVELLING MECHANISM OF ACTION AT SCALE
Even when natural products show promise, understanding their therapeutic applications and how they work has historically been an uphill battle. AI makes it possible to rapidly generate predictions for therapeutic potential and mechanism of action, a step that once required years of experimental work.
Using AI-powered phenomics, researchers can now analyze cellular responses to natural compounds in real time, and identify their phenotypic effects without requiring prior knowledge of molecular targets. Machine learning models trained on large data sets of phenotypic effects can then suggest therapeutic indications and molecular targets for bioactive compounds, accelerating functional validation.
This ability to integrate data across metabolomics and phenomics is powerful, and further strengthens Canada’s position as a global leader in AI research and its application to biotechnology.
This ability to integrate data across metabolomics and phenomics is powerful, and further strengthens Canada’s position as a global leader in AI research and its application to biotechnology.
SCALING AND OPTIMIZING NATURAL PRODUCTS INTO DRUGS
After a promising natural product is identified and its mechanism understood, there is still a major hurdle: translating that molecule into a viable therapeutic. Here too, AI can help, by enabling more scalable drug development, including optimizing chemistry and predicting toxicity and drug likeness before costly clinical trials, increasing the likelihood of success.
sur le plan médicamenteux
tendances sur le plan des structures moléculaires; ils aident aussi les chercheurs à cartographier efficacement les molécules bioactives qui se trouvent dans les substances naturelles complexes. Grâce à l’IA, cela se fait en effet en un temps record.
De plus, plutôt que de procéder par criblage aléatoire, les technologies orientées par l’IA sont aptes à isoler les sources les plus susceptibles de contenir des composés novateurs, à réduire le tâtonnement et la durée des démarches et à rapidement distinguer les composés connus des nouveaux.
Cela fait en sorte que les efforts de recherche sont axés sur d’authentiques candidats plutôt que sur des molécules déjà caractérisées.
TOUTE LA PUISSANCE ET L’AMPLEUR D’UN
MÉCANISME D’ACTION
Comprendre le mécanisme des produits naturels prometteurs et en prévoir les applications thérapeutiques était jusqu’ici un travail de longue haleine. L’IA permet la production rapide de prévisions quant au mécanisme d’action et au potentiel thérapeutique, une étape qui exigeait auparavant des années de travaux expérimentaux.
Grâce à la phénomique assistée par l’IA, les chercheurs peuvent désormais analyser en temps réel la réaction des cellules aux composés naturels, et définir les effets de ces derniers sur un phénotype, en l’absence d’une cible moléculaire précise. Les modèles d’apprentissage automatique entraînés au moyen d’un vaste ensemble de données relatives aux effets sur le phénotype peuvent ensuite produire, pour les composés bioactifs, des suggestions d’indications thérapeutiques et de cibles moléculaires et accélérer ainsi la validation fonctionnelle.
Cette capacité d’intégration des données de la métabolomique et de la phénomique est puissante et renforce encore la position du Canada parmi les chefs de file mondiaux de la recherche assistée par l’IA et de son application en biotechnologie.
Kapoose Creek Bio scientists use world-leading AI technologies to accelerate the identification of promising small-molecule medicines from nature by five-fold Les scientifiques de Kapoose Creek Bio utilisent des technologies d’IA de pointe pour multiplier par cinq la vitesse d’identification des petites molécules naturelles prometteuses
climates and interspecies evolution, rich ecosystems yielding a treasure trove of bioactive chemistry just waiting to be explored Le Canada évolue au gré de la diversité climatique et des relations entre les espèces de ses riches écosystèmes, qui produisent un trésor de substances chimiques bioactives inexplorées
At Kapoose Creek Bio, we have put AI to work on all of these challenges with great success. In addition to the advancement of our two potent therapeutic leads in neurology, we are accelerating the identification and advancement of natural bioactive chemicals across a range of therapeutic areas, reflecting our goal to build a functional map of all of nature’s chemistry.
Our team has benefitted tremendously from a strategic partnership with McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario; together we are advancing innovation in the Canadian drug discovery ecosystem with funding support from the National Research Council-Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), Genome Canada (OGI) and Mitacs, Canada’s leading innovation incubator.
And our progress has garnered much attention from the Canadian Life Sciences sector. Last year Kapoose Creek Bio was named a “2024 Company to Watch” by Life Sciences B.C., and our scientist Dr. Timsy Bhando earned a prestigious Mitacs Award for her lead role in discovering KCB-100, our first neurology lead.
A NEW ERA FOR NATURE-INSPIRED DRUG DISCOVERY
While synthetic drug libraries currently dominate industrial drug discovery, the untapped potential of nature’s chemistry is too vast to ignore. With AI as a guide, we are entering an era where the challenges of the past no longer define the future of drug discovery. The next generation of breakthrough medicines may already exist in nature—we just needed the right tools to find, understand, and optimize them.
Dr. Brown is a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University, a Canada Research Chair in Microbial Chemical Biology, and a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Canada and the American Academy of Microbiology.
ÉLARGISSEMENT DU PROJET ET OPTIMISATION DU PRODUIT NATUREL EN VUE D’EN FAIRE UN MÉDICAMENT
Une fois le produit naturel prometteur isolé et son mécanisme compris, une importante étape demeure à franchir : celle qui fait de la molécule un produit thérapeutique viable. Aux fins de l’élargissement du projet de développement du médicament, l’IA peut également aider à optimiser la chimie et à prévoir la toxicité et la proximité avec d’autres médicaments, avant la mise en place d’essais cliniques coûteux, ce qui améliore les chances de réussite.
Chez Kapoose Creek Bio, nous avons exploité l’IA pour réussir brillamment à relever l’ensemble de ces défis. En plus de faire progresser nos deux excellents candidats en neurologie, nous accélérons l’isolement des produits chimiques bioactifs naturels et les travaux qui les font évoluer, et ce, dans un large éventail de domaines thérapeutiques, ce qui correspond à la mission que nous nous sommes donnée de produire une carte fonctionnelle de tous les produits chimiques qui se trouvent dans la nature.
Notre équipe a grandement bénéficié du partenariat stratégique conclu avec l’Université McMaster, de Hamilton, en Ontario : ensemble, nous œuvrons à l’innovation au sein de l’écosystème canadien de la recherche pharmaceutique, avec l’aide financière du Programme d’aide à la recherche industrielle du Conseil national de recherches du Canada (PARI CNRC), de Génome Canada et de Mitacs, le plus grand incubateur d’innovations du Canada.
Nos progrès suscitent d’ailleurs un grand intérêt de la part du secteur canadien des sciences de la vie. En 2024, la société Kapoose Creek Bio s’est vu décerner le titre d’« entreprise à surveiller » par Life Sciences B.C. De plus, une de nos chercheuses, Timsy Bhando, Ph. D., s’est mérité un prestigieux prix Mitacs pour le rôle de premier plan qu’elle a joué dans la découverte de KCB-100, notre premier candidat en neurologie.
LA RECHERCHE PHARMACEUTIQUE ENTAME UNE NOUVELLE ÈRE INSPIRÉE DE LA NATURE
Alors que les bibliothèques de médicaments synthétiques dominent actuellement le monde de la recherche pharmaceutique à grande échelle, le potentiel inexploité de la chimie naturelle est trop vaste pour qu’on l’ignore. Avec l’IA pour guide, nous entrons dans une ère où la recherche pharmaceutique pourra laisser derrière certaines difficultés. La prochaine génération de médicaments transformateurs est peut-être déjà en germe dans la nature : il suffisait des bons outils pour les trouver, les comprendre et les optimiser.
Eric Brown est professeur émérite au département de biochimie et de sciences biomédicales de l’Université McMaster, titulaire d’une chaire de recherche du Canada en biochimie microbienne et membre de la Société royale du Canada et de l’American Academy of Microbiology.
Canada is shaped by diverse
Bayshore Specialty Rx: Reimagining Patient Support Through AI Innovation
BAYSHORE SPECIALTY RX is redefining the future of Patient Support Programs (PSPs) through cutting-edge technology and datadriven innovation. As a trusted leader in specialty pharmacy and healthcare services, Bayshore has always placed patients at the heart of its mission. Now, through a strategic partnership with SCALE AI & Deloitte, Bayshore is setting a new benchmark in how PSPs are delivered, managed, and optimized across Canada.
This partnership is enabling Bayshore to build and implement two groundbreaking models that will transform how patients are supported throughout their treatment journeys—ushering in a new era of proactive, personalized care.
The Patient Segmentation Model is powered by advanced artificial intelligence and designed to categorize patients based on their specific health conditions and care needs. By leveraging this intelligent segmentation, PSP staff can increase efficiency by tailoring their services to each patient’s unique profile— ensuring that support is not only more relevant, but also more impactful for those who need it most. Whether patients require intensive support or minimal intervention, this model ensures that the right care reaches the right person at the right time.
Equally innovative is the Adherence Forecasting Model, which utilizes predictive analytics to identify potential lapses in medication
adherence before they occur. This model provides real-time insights that allow PSP teams to proactively engage with patients who are at risk of discontinuing their prescribed treatment plans. By connecting with these patients early, the team can offer timely interventions that help
programs in supporting tailored solutions that meet patients where they are in their journey,” shares Morgan McNaughton, Patient Experience Lead, UCB.
These AI-driven models are more than just technological upgrades— they represent a paradigm shift in
By embracing the power of AI and predictive analytics, Bayshore is not only enhancing patient outcomes but also reimagining the very fabric of patient support in Canada.
maintain treatment continuity and ultimately improve health outcomes.
These innovative AI models deliver meaningful benefits—enhancing patient support, improving care coordination for physicians, and driving efficiency and ROI for manufacturers.
Patients: More targeted, timely support, which can reduce treatment delays and improve overall experience.
Physicians: Better aligned care coordination, allowing them to focus on clinical decisions while PSPs handle tailored support logistics.
Manufacturers: Cost savings through more efficient resource allocation and improved program ROI.
“I see great potential with both models and their value for manufacturer-owned patient support
patient care. Bayshore Specialty Rx is moving PSPs from reactive to proactive, from one-size-fits-all to hyper-personalized, and from generic data points to intelligent insights.
With innovation as a cornerstone and patients as the focus, Bayshore Specialty Rx continues to lead the charge in transforming healthcare delivery. “By embracing the power of AI and predictive analytics, Bayshore is not only enhancing patient outcomes but also reimagining the very fabric of patient support in Canada,” says Shaminder Singh, Director, Business Development, Bayshore Specialty Rx.
Setting a New Standard in Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing: AtomVie Global Radiopharma’s New
Facility is Paving the Way
WITH A GROWING NICHE INDUSTRY of specialized radiopharmaceutical modalities, Hamiltonborn AtomVie Global Radiopharma (AtomVie) shines as a global leader CDMO that has expertise in the development, GMP manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and global distribution of radiopharmaceuticals from the clinic to marketplace.
As the radiopharmaceutical industry evolves, ensuring a reliable, scalable, and high-quality supply chain has never been more crucial. AtomVie is well-positioned to address this need with a state-of-the-art, purpose-built 72,300-square-foot facility, set to open later this year. Designed for flexibility and efficiency, this expansion strengthens AtomVie’s role in advancing radiopharmaceutical development, manufacturing, logistics, and regulatory support. With a strong commitment to quality, this facility will play a key role in transforming patients’ lives with high-quality radiopharmaceuticals worldwide.
A PURPOSE-BUILT FACILITY FOR THE FUTURE OF RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS
AtomVie’s new facility has flexible infrastructure to accommodate a wide range of precursors, including proteins, peptides, and small molecules, as well as a variety of radioisotopes such as Lu-177, Ac-225, I-131, Y-90, In-111, among others. With multiple GMP production lines, the new facility significantly expands manufacturing capacity providing scalability that ensures tailored
solutions at every stage of radiopharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Moreover, the facility’s design and operations meet the highest industry standards, with plans for approval by the FDA, EMA, and other global agencies.
UNMATCHED EXPERTISE ACROSS RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING
Beyond infrastructure, AtomVie brings decades of expertise across the full radiopharmaceutical development spectrum. The team specializes in process and analytical method development, GMP manufacturing, quality control, and quality assurance, ensuring precision, efficiency, and compliance at every stage. From early-stage development to full-scale commercialization, AtomVie’s integrated approach allows for seamless transitions through each phase, optimizing workflows and accelerating time to market.
AtomVie’s Regulatory Affairs team, with over 20 years of experience, has successfully filed more than 500 radiopharmaceutical submissions, helping partners navigate complex regulatory landscapes with confidence.
Additionally, the robust logistics network enables reliable, on-time global delivery, covering 26+ countries within 72 hours with over 99% reliability in patient delivery. The facility’s proximity to 2 major international airports (John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport), and the U.S. border strengthens AtomVie’s logistics capabilities, ensuring fast, secure distribution to global markets.
With its track record, expertise and now expanded facility, AtomVie is paving the way and is setting a new standard in radiopharmaceutical manufacturing.
LIFE SCIENCES NOVA SCOTIA: Accelerating Innovation on Canada’s East Coast
FROM GROUNDBREAKING MEDICAL SOLUTIONS to cleaner energy and advanced biomaterials, Life Sciences
Nova Scotia is accelerating the journey from innovation to real-world impact.
As a not-for-profit organization, it is driving the growth of the province’s life sciences sector and supporting world-class companies that are developing cutting-edge technologies on Canada’s East Coast.
“There’s such a breadth of activity and impact that’s happening here. There is so much opportunity for both investment and global reach,” says Doris Grant, CEO of Life Sciences Nova Scotia. She notes that the sector generates more than $300 million in export sales annually and is comprised of over 100 businesses and counting.
In Nova Scotia, this strong economic foundation and global market presence plus ready access to academic institutions, a provincial health system, laboratories, and scientific expertise has created a hotbed of bioscience, innovation, and invention. Local companies are using this advantage to create cutting-edge technology that puts life sciences improvements at the forefront.
From a health perspective, there are companies developing frozen diagnostic products for bleeding and clotting disorders, to advanced wound care for skin ulcers, to a safe and effective medical device for removing rings. This province is home to a number of companies dedicated to developing products that improve lives around the world.
The province itself has myriad benefits for these companies, including highly skilled talent, an idyllic backdrop for a fulfilling life and proximity to nature. It’s an ideal destination for life sciences companies competing in the sectors of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and digital health.
“We help companies transform their research and ideas into commercialized products and solutions that cure and prevent disease, provide healthier food, and generate the next generation of biomaterials and clean energy,” says Grant, who also serves as the Managing Director of the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub at Nova Scotia Health.
Last year, a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Nova Scotia Health and Life Sciences Nova Scotia was launched, which integrates efforts and brings innovative solutions into the health system, and allows for medical challenges to be addressed more effectively.
In a post-Covid world, Life Sciences Nova Scotia offers boots on the ground work: in-person programs, lunch-andlearns, and an increasing number of networking opportunities. Recent support from the provincial government in the form of a Community Economic Development Fund is also helping the organization reach companies at all stages of growth and in more corners of the province. “We’re big believers in meeting companies where they’re at, so we offer bespoke programming and supports that accelerates their growth.”
All this work by their small but mighty team is paying off big-time. According to Grant, their membership is growing and awareness of the impact of the sector is increasing.
“There’s a real buzz afoot. We’re collectively charting a new path of alignment and collaboration within the ecosystem and our companies are benefiting. We’re building a robust and resilient life sciences community.”
Doris Grant, CEO, Life Sciences Nova Scotia
Life Sciences Nova Scotia Team, Left to right: Laurie Ann Coring, Kerri Mannette, Ciara McGlinchey, Krista Bezanson and Doris Grant
Biotech: A Watershed Moment with Miraculous Potential and Immense Challenges Les biotechs : une étape décisive, pleine de promesses, et des obstacles immenses
By Carl Hansen, PhD, founder and CEO of AbCellera
Par Carl Hansen, Ph. D., fondateur et directeur général d’AbCellera
WE ARE AT A TRANSFORMATIVE MOMENT in biology.
Just as foundational discoveries in physics in the early 20 th century led to technologies that have profoundly changed our lives, an analogous explosion of understanding and technology is happening in biology, right now
Significant advancements in molecular biology have all happened very recently: from the discovery of the double
LA PÉRIODE DE TRANSFORMATION que nous vivons fera date. Tout comme des avancées majeures en physique ont donné lieu au début du 20e siècle à des innovations technologiques qui ont transformé notre existence, la connaissance et la maîtrise de la biologie connaissent en ce moment même un bouleversement sans précédent.
helix in 1953, to PCR (1983), the human genome project (2001), and most recently, CRISPR, and computational protein engineering. To emphasize this point, consider this: if all of human history were compressed into just 50 years, the discovery of the double helix happened only three weeks ago, and the Nobel Prize for CRISPR was given yesterday morning.
After thousands of years of limited progress, we are suddenly advancing at breathtaking speed. Biotech, a field that didn’t even exist 50 years ago, is poised to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the coming decades.
And what sector could possibly be more important? We are all biological entities. We are prone to disease. Developing new medicines that improve health, relieve suffering, and extend life is one of humanity’s most important endeavors.
Despite the importance of the sector and the spectacular pace of scientific advancements, the narrative around drug development is one of immense difficulty.
THE DAUNTING REALITY OF DRUG DISCOVERY & DEVELOPMENT
In most industries, the product development cycle allows for the iteration and testing of a minimum viable product. Biotech is different:
Product Ideation: First, there needs to be an insight about human health. The problem is that less than 10% of drug programs succeed, and by far the largest failure is owing to our nascent understanding of the complexity of biology.
Toutes les avancées majeures en biologie moléculaire se sont produites depuis peu. Il y a eu la découverte de la double hélice de l’ADN en 1953, l’amplification en chaîne par polymérase (PCR) (1983), le projet du génome humain (2001), puis, plus récemment, la technologie CRISPR et l’ingénierie des protéines. Pour illustrer ce concept, imaginons que toute l’histoire humaine se déroule sur une période de 50 ans. Dans ce cas, la découverte de la double hélice ne remonterait qu’à trois semaines, tandis que le prix Nobel pour les ciseaux génétiques CRISPR aurait été attribué seulement hier.
Après des progrès lents et graduels pendant plusieurs milliers d’années, nous constatons actuellement une accélération remarquable. La biotechnologie, une discipline qui n’existait pas il y a seulement cinquante ans, est susceptible de connaître une expansion fulgurante dans les prochaines décennies.
Y a-t-il un secteur qui pourrait être encore plus crucial? Nous faisons tous partie du règne du vivant. Nous sommes sujets aux maladies. L’élaboration de médicaments novateurs qui améliorent la santé, atténuent la douleur et prolongent l’existence est l’une des entreprises les plus importantes pour l’humanité.
Bien que la recherche pharmaceutique soit une industrie vitale en plein essor technologique, la mise au point de médicaments reste un parcours semé d’embûches.
LA RECHERCHE ET DÉVELOPPMENT
PHARMACEUTIQUE À L’ÉPREUVE DE LA RÉALITÉ
La plupart des industries peuvent s’appuyer sur un processus qui leur permet de réaliser plusieurs versions et de tester un produit fonctionnel de base. La biotechnologie est un cas à part : La conception du produit : Tout d’abord, il est essentiel de comprendre la santé humaine et d’avoir une idée porteuse. Malheureusement, le taux de réussite des découvertes pharmaceutiques ne dépasse actuellement pas 10 %. La principale cause d’échec réside dans notre connaissance encore fragmentaire de la complexité biologique.
La création du produit : Même si l’idée est originale ou prometteuse, la création d’un nouveau médicament exige des investissements colossaux, des compétences pointues d’une grande diversité, ainsi que le respect de règles rigoureuses en matière de production.
L’évaluation du produit : Après que l’on a consacré plusieurs années à sa création, le moment n’est pas encore venu de commercialiser le produit. Au lieu de cela, celui-ci doit être soumis à des essais cliniques de phase 1, puis de phases 2 et 3. Ce processus peut à lui seul s’étendre sur une période de 7 à 12 ans et nécessiter des centaines de millions de dollars d’investissement. Point crucial, les sociétés n’ont aucune idée de l’efficacité réelle de leur médicament avant d’avoir obtenu les résultats des études de phases 2 et 3.
Ces constatations révèlent une dure vérité : la recherche pharmaceutique s’avère être un processus long, souvent infructueux et onéreux, et sa productivité est en fait en déclin. On évalue le coût total de chaque médicament, échecs
Carl Hansen
Despite thousands of companies and hundreds of billions spent annually on R&D, only dozens of new therapeutics are approved each year, and only a handful represent true innovation by addressing previously untreatable diseases.
Product Creation: Even with an unique insight or winning idea, developing a potential drug costs millions, requires diverse and highly technical expertise, and must be manufactured to strict regulatory standards. Product Testing: And after years of work when the product is finally made, you don’t get to sell it. Instead, it needs to be tested in a series of clinical trials, which progress through Phase 1, 2 and 3. This process alone can take anywhere from 7 to 12 years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Crucially, companies often do not know if their drug truly works until Phase 2 or Phase 3 results are available. These facts point to a stark reality: drug discovery is too slow, fails too often, costs too much, and productivity is actually declining. The all-in cost per drug, including failures, is estimated at around $2.3 billion. Despite thousands of companies and hundreds of billions spent annually on R&D, only dozens of new therapeutics are approved each year, and only a handful represent true innovation by addressing previously untreatable diseases.
DEVELOPING A DRUG IS HARD: BUILDING A SCALABLE BIOTECH IS HARDER
Compounding the difficulty of drug development is the even greater challenge of building a company that can repeatedly discover and commercialize innovative medicines.
De plus, seul un petit nombre des traitements vise à soigner des maladies jusque-là incurables et peut être considéré comme réellement innovant.
compris, à environ 2,3 milliards de dollars. Bien que des milliers d’entreprises investissent chaque année plusieurs centaines de milliards de dollars dans la R.-D., on ne compte souvent que quelques dizaines d’autorisations de nouveaux traitements par an. De plus, seul un petit nombre des traitements vise à soigner des maladies jusque-là incurables et peut être considéré comme réellement innovant.
LA MISE AU POINT D’UN MÉDICAMENT EST DIFFICILE : BÂTIR UNE ENTREPRISE DE BIOTECH SUSCEPTIBLE DE CROÎTRE L’EST ENCORE PLUS
Mettre au point des médicaments s’avère déjà complexe, mais fonder une entreprise capable de découvrir et de commercialiser régulièrement des médicaments innovants relève encore du défi. Pour arriver à produire des médicaments innovants et croître, comme Regeneron ou Lilly, une société doit posséder un produit vedette, des ressources pour en créer d’autres, ainsi qu’un solide programme de développement. En règle générale, les entreprises de ce type présentent une capitalisation boursière supérieure à 20 milliards de dollars. On compte environ trente-cinq entreprises du genre dans le monde entier. Parmi les entreprises créées ces quarante dernières années, il n’y en a que six qui entrent dans cette catégorie.
Cela s’explique en partie par le fait que, dans bien des cas, les entreprises de biotechnologie ne sont pas conçues de façon à pouvoir croître et fonctionner indépendamment. On les met sur pied de sorte qu’elles s’inscrivent dans une période d’investissement type, soit entre 7 et 10 ans, ce qui représente un délai moins long que celui nécessaire à la mise au point d’un médicament. L’objectif est d’obtenir suffisamment de données prometteuses pour que l’entreprise soit rachetée par un acteur plus important. On a peu de « temps de cerveau » et de capitaux à consacrer à la longévité de l’entreprise et aux ressources nécessaires à la commercialisation de multiples produits.
LA MOTIVATION EN BIOTECH : ON CONNAÎT TOUS QUELQU’UN QUI AURA BESOIN DE MÉDICAMENTS
Je crois fermement qu’il n’y a pas de défi plus ardu, plus complexe sur le plan technique et plus coûteux en ressources
A company capable of reliably making new medicines and scaling, like a Regeneron or Lilly, needs a blockbuster product, internal capabilities to generate more, and a strong pipeline. As a rule of thumb, companies like this typically have a market cap above $20 billion. Looking across the globe, there are only about 35 such companies. When filtering for companies founded within the last 40 years that meet this criterion, the number shrinks to only six.
Part of the reason for this is that many biotech companies are not set up to scale or go to market independently. They are founded to fit into a typical investment horizon, generally 7-10 years, which is shorter than the drug development timeline. The goal is to get enough promising data to be acquired by a larger player. Little thought or capital can be directed to building the longevity and resources needed to bring multiple products to market.
BIOTECH’S MOTIVATION: WE ALL CARE ABOUT SOMEONE WHO WILL NEED MEDICINES
I believe that developing a breakthrough drug is the single hardest, most technologically complex, capital-and-timeintensive product made in any industry.
Despite the bleak statistics and immense challenges, there is no shortage of talented and passionate people who spend their careers trying to defy the odds. So why do it? There are of course some giant winners, and biotech has proven potential to deliver impressive economic growth in cities and countries where the sector has thrived. However, looking rationally at the chance of success, you would not choose to go into biotech for the dollars. There are much easier industries to make money. I believe the motivation for the vast majority of professionals in our industry is a deep sense of purpose—the priceless reward of working at the cutting edge of science to deliver products that make a real difference to patients.
And when it does work, the results are nothing short of miraculous. One of our team worked on the clinical development of Keytruda, a drug that leverages the immune system to fight metastatic melanoma. She saw patients with only months to live. She saw their CAT scans go from showing cancerous lesions to clear. She saw them return home to their families and make plans for their future. Imagine that CAT scan belongs to you or to someone you care about. Luxturna, a gene therapy, can restore sight in children born with genetic blindness. Imagine watching a child, who previously could not navigate through a maze, walk through just weeks after treatment. Now imagine that is your child.
It is true that drug development is extraordinarily difficult. It is also true that building a scalable biotech company is even harder. But it is so worth it. Against all odds, biotech is a marvelous place to build a career and a business. Win or lose, we all take pride in working on problems that really matter and get to go home knowing that we have spent our days well.
financières et en temps, toutes industries confondues, que la création d’une nouvelle molécule pharmaceutique.
Malgré des pronostics sombres et d’énormes obstacles, on trouve encore des gens remplis de talents et de détermination pour agir contre vents et marées. Qu’est-ce qui les anime donc?
Il va sans dire que certains ont connu un succès phénoménal, et la biotechnologie a démontré sa capacité à stimuler considérablement l’économie des régions où elle s’est développée. Cependant, lorsqu’on examine objectivement les perspectives de réussite, il est peu probable que l’on choisisse ce secteur en espérant faire fortune. Certains domaines sont nettement plus rentables. Selon moi, un but inestimable motive les spécialistes de notre domaine : contribuer à l’avancée de la science en développant des produits qui ont une influence significative sur la vie des patients.
Et lorsque cela se produit, les résultats sont quasi miraculeux. L’un des membres de notre équipe a contribué au développement clinique de Keytruda, un médicament qui utilise le système immunitaire pour combattre le mélanome métastatique. Elle a rencontré des patients qui n’avaient plus que quelques mois à vivre, puis un jour la tomodensitométrie ne révélait plus aucune lésion. Ce sont des personnes qui ont pu rentrer chez elles et faire à nouveau des projets d’avenir. Imaginez que ces résultats de tomodensitométrie soient les vôtres, ou ceux d’un de vos proches. Autre exemple : la thérapie génique Luxturna, grâce à laquelle des enfants nés avec une déficience visuelle génétique peuvent retrouver la vue. Imaginez que, grâce à ce traitement, un enfant incapable de se déplacer dans un labyrinthe y parvienne quelques semaines plus tard. Imaginez maintenant qu’il s’agisse de votre enfant. Il est vrai que la mise au point de médicaments représente un défi colossal. Il est également vrai qu’il est encore plus difficile de créer une entreprise de biotechnologie capable de s’adapter et d’évoluer. Mais cela en vaut tellement la peine. Malgré tous les obstacles, la biotechnologie est un secteur extraordinaire au sein duquel faire carrière et fonder une entreprise. Que le résultat soit positif ou négatif, il reste la fierté d’avoir contribué à la résolution de questions importantes et de savoir que l’on a consacré son temps à une cause juste.
An AbCellera scientist pipettes reagents for a protein biochemistry assay Un scientifique d’AbCellera effectue le pipetage de réactifs pour un dosage des protéines
Stem Cell Therapy for the Central Nervous System
INTELIGEX INC. IS A REGENERATIVE MEDICINE company tackling one of the greatest challenges in medicine, treating conditions affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS) that remain refractory to modern medicine. We believe that the answer lies in human stem cell therapy, an emerging technology that is rapidly approaching clinical readiness and one that Inteligex is ready to lead. Over 15 years of research in the laboratory of Professor Michael Fehlings has culminated in the development of our novel human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) platform termed ReStaRT (Region Specific Stem Cell and Regenerative Therapeutic). This breakthrough cell-based therapy has been specifically designed to treat conditions afflicting the CNS and promote the repair and regeneration of cells and neural networks lost due to injury or neurodegeneration. Our ReStaRT human stem cells have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Stroke, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Age Related Spinal Cord Compression and our lead indication – Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Inteligex is at the forefront of this next great leap forward and is committed to bringing these novel human stem cell therapies to the clinic ushering in a new era of medicine for the CNS.
Traumatic SCI changes lives in an instant, often caused by motor vehicle collisions, falls, sports-related accidents, military and workplace incidents.1 For the roughly 80% of individuals who survive, the road ahead is filled with
profound challenges. About 60% experience long-term quadriparesis, leaving them with paralysis or weakness in both their arms and legs, while 40% face paraparesis, affecting their legs.2 Beyond the physical toll, these injuries steal independence. Each year in North America, around 20,000 people endure severe traumatic SCI.1 For military personnel, the risk is higher, with SCI making up 5% to 11% of modern combat injuries—a stark rise from the 1-2% seen in earlier conflicts.3,4
The financial cost is immense—estimated at $20 billion annually in the U.S.—reflecting the sheer scope of care needed: ongoing medical support, rehabilitation, and assistance for daily living.5 For a 25-year-old with SCI, lifetime healthcare costs can range from $2 million with some retained strength to $6.2 million for high quadriplegia.6 But these numbers don’t capture the full story—the lost dreams, the missed milestones, or the resilience it takes to keep going. At Inteligex, we see the people behind these statistics. Our ReStaRT stem cell platform isn’t just about easing financial burdens—it’s about restoring hope and possibility. We’re committed to solutions that help rebuild lives, because every individual with SCI deserves a future defined by more than their injury.
The current gold standard therapeutic approach for traumatic SCI has remained the same for the past 100 years—surgery and stabilization of the spinal cord followed by physical rehabilitation.7,8,9,10 Despite intensive research
A) In the uninjured spinal cord, the cytoarchitecture remains intact, with well-organized neuronal networks, myelinated axons, and minimal immune cell infiltration. Neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes work in concert to maintain homeostasis, facilitate synaptic transmission, and preserve structural integrity.
B) Following a SCI, during the acute and subacute phases, a robust inflammatory response emerges within the lesion core. This is marked by the infiltration of peripheral immune cells, activation and hypertrophy of astrocytes, axonal dieback, and early demyelination. The microenvironment becomes saturated with pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive glia, and extracellular matrix components— particularly chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs)—which together create a potent biochemical barrier to regeneration.
C) In the chronic stage, a dense astroglial and fibrotic scar forms around the lesion, often encapsulating a fluid-filled cavity. This chronic milieu is characterized by persistent neuronal and oligodendrocyte loss, widespread demyelination, and permanent disconnection of neural circuits—hallmarks of organ-level failure.
Figure 1.0: Pathobiology of a SCI
A. Uninjured B. Subacute (~1 month after injury)
C. Chronic (~8 months after injury)
Site of SCI and cell transplantation
and the first large scale multiple centre clinical trial occurring in 1984, no drug therapy has been approved by the FDA or EMA.11 Between 1996 and 2021, there were 263 registered clinical trials that tested drug therapies for SCI; all without success.12 As such SCI has been referred to as the graveyard of neurobiology13 due, in part, to the lack of pharmacological treatments that can improve functional recovery. The failure to bring a single drug to clinic is unsurprising when we look at the pathobiology of SCI. Traumatic SCI is a highly destructive and catastrophic injury resulting in significant cell and tissue loss, resulting in the destruction of neural circuits. The injury is compounded by the impairment of multiple biological processes, with the initial injury being followed by a secondary injury response lasting up to 8 months (Figure 1.0). To date, drug therapies have targeted defined molecular pathways within the confines of the devasted spinal cord; however, this approach is ultimately flawed and does not consider the multifactorial nature of the injury. In many ways traumatic SCI can be viewed as a collapsed bridge, to allow traffic to flow from one side to the other we need to rebuild the bridge requiring all components to be used in the rebuilding, simply adding the road without the supporting foundation pillars and the suspension cables does not make a bridge. Likewise, targeting a single molecular pathway or using a single cell type will not repair or regenerate the injured spinal cord. To successfully treat SCI, we must view it for what it is, organ failure. Cell loss due to injury results in lost function and an inability to undertake normal organ function.
Figure 2.0: ReStaRT Human Stem Cell Regeneration of the Injured Spinal Cord
A) An uninjured spinal cord, illustrating the normal anatomical continuity and uniform structure.
B) A spinal cord subjected to traumatic cervical SCI without therapeutic intervention, revealing overt signs of tissue degeneration, thinning, and structural distortion—hallmarks of severe injury.
C) A traumatic cervical SCI treated with ReStaRT human stem cells (GFP-labelled-green), exhibiting markedly improved anatomical preservation. The injury site appears less collapsed and demonstrates a reduction in macroscopic damage and cavitation, consistent with tissue sparing and regenerative remodeling.
Treatment of organ failure often requires organ transplantation; however, this is not possible for the brain and spinal cord. Cell therapy represents the best chance of success for the treatment of spine and brain injuries as it accounts for the underlying cell loss and pathology of the injuries. Inteligex has developed ReStaRT Neural Stem Cells (NSCs) that replace the damaged and dead cells of the CNS, regrows lost tissue, regenerates neural networks and ultimately restores brain and spinal cord organ function (Figure 2.0). Importantly, our ReStaRT NSCs maintain cellular tripotency and act as the building blocks for this process by regenerating i) neurons to transmit electrical impulse signals, ii) oligodendrocytes to insulate neurons, and iii) astrocytes to provide support. The results are human stem cell products tailored to treat CNS afflictions specific to their location, pathobiology and timing of injury, whether it be acute/sub-acute or chronic in nature.
At Inteligex we believe that human stem cell therapy represents the primary therapy for traumatic SCI. However, to achieve maximal meaningful recovery a combinatorial approach involving our human ReStaRT NSCs, together with drug therapy to mitigate the secondary injury responses for acute/sub-acute injury, as well as electrical stimulation and exoskeletons to promote neural plasticity for chronic injury, represents the optimal clinical approach. By developing ReStaRT NSCs, Inteligex is positioned to bring human stem cell therapies to clinic that serve as the cornerstone for the treatment of diseases and conditions of the CNS, ultimately promoting meaningful functional recovery and ushering in a new era of medicine.
3. Blair, J. A. et al. Spinal Column Injuries Among Americans in the Global War on Terrorism: The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American Volume 94, e135-1–9 (2012).
4. Schoenfeld, A. J. et al. Spinal Injuries in United States Military Personnel Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan: An Epidemiological Investigation Involving 7877 Combat Casualties From 2005 to 2009. Spine 38, 1770–1778 (2013).
5. Berkowitz, M. Spinal Cord Injury: An Analysis of Medical and Social Costs. (Demos Medical Publishing, 1998).
6. NSCISC. Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures at a Glance.
7. Donovan, W. H. Donald Munro Lecture. Spinal cord injury--past, present, and future. J Spinal Cord Med 30, 85–100 (2007).
8. Lifshutz, J. & Colohan, A. A brief history of therapy for traumatic spinalcord injury. Neurosurg Focus 16, E5 (2004).
9. Ter Wengel, P. V. et al. Under pressure - A historical vignette on surgical timing in traumatic spinal cord injury. Brain Spine 4, 102825 (2024).
10. Schiller, M. D. & Mobbs, R. J. The historical evolution of the management of spinal cord injury. J Clin Neurosci 19, 1348–1353 (2012).
11. Lammertse, D. P. Clinical trials in spinal cord injury: lessons learned on the path to translation. The 2011 International Spinal Cord Society Sir Ludwig Guttmann Lecture. Spinal Cord 51, 2–9 (2013).
12. Dietz, V. A. et al. Fighting for recovery on multiple fronts: The past, present, and future of clinical trials for spinal cord injury. Front Cell Neurosci 16, 977679 (2022).
13. The Reeve Effect | The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magzine/2003/11/10/the-reeve-effect.
An Interview with Dr. Karolina Valente
Founder and
CEO
of VoxCell BioInnovation
Une entrevue avec Karolina Valente
Ph. D., fondatrice et chef de la direction de
VoxCell BioInnovation
Dr. Karolina Valente is the Founder and CEO of VoxCell BioInnovation, a Canadian biotech company pioneering 3D bioprinting to create human like cancer tissue models. With over 12 years of experience in tissue engineering, she has led VoxCell to raise over $10M CAD and earn national recognition, including The Globe and Mail’s 2025 Changemakers Award. Dr. Valente speaks to BIOTECanada about her journey in the biotech space.
FROM RESEARCH TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR TRANSITION FROM ACADEMIC RESEARCH TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO ESTABLISH VOXCELL BIOINNOVATION? WHAT WERE SOME OF THE KEY CHALLENGES YOU FACED, AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
During my Ph.D., I became increasingly aware of the limitations in current cancer research models, particularly how poorly they mimic human tissue. That realization sparked the idea for VoxCell. I wanted to translate years of academic research into a solution that could truly impact drug discovery and patient outcomes. Transitioning into entrepreneurship was challenging; I had to learn the language of business quickly, fundraising, team building, intellectual property, and so on. However, my scientific mindset helped me to remain analytical and solutions oriented. I also found strength in mentorship and surrounding myself with people who believed in our mission. The challenge of building something from scratch is immense, but so is the reward of seeing innovation move from lab bench to real-world impact.
Karolina Valente, Ph. D., est la fondatrice et la chef de la direction de VoxCell BioInnovation, une société canadienne de biotechnologie pionnière de l’impression en 3D de modèles de tissus cancéreux humains. Forte de 12 ans d’expérience en génie tissulaire, elle a dirigé le financement de VoxCell et lui a permis de récolter 10 M$ CA et une reconnaissance nationale. L’entreprise a notamment reçu le prix Changemakers 2025 du Globe and Mail. Mme Valente s’entretient avec BIOTECanada de son parcours dans le milieu des biotechs.
DE LA RECHERCHE À L’ENTREPRENEURIAT
QU’EST-CE QUI A INSPIRÉ VOTRE PASSAGE DE LA RECHERCHE UNIVERSITAIRE À L’ENTREPRENEURIAT, ET QU’EST-CE QUI VOUS A POUSSÉE À ÉTABLIR VOXCELL BIOINNOVATION? PAR AILLEURS, QUELLES ONT ÉTÉ LES DIFFICULTÉS RENCONTRÉES, ET COMMENT LES AVEZ-VOUS SURMONTÉES?
Pendant mes études de doctorat, je me suis graduellement rendu compte des limites que présentaient les modèles courants employés en recherche sur le cancer, en particulier leur piètre imitation des tissus humains. Cette prise de conscience a été l’étincelle à l’origine de VoxCell. Je souhaitais appliquer des années de recherche universitaire à une solution qui aurait une réelle incidence sur la découverte de médicaments et l’état de santé des patients. Le passage à l’entrepreneuriat a été un défi : j’ai dû rapidement apprendre la langue des affaires, les méthodes de collecte de fonds et de renforcement des équipes, les rudiments de la propriété intellectuelle, et ainsi de suite. Heureusement, mon esprit scientifique m’a aidée à voir les choses d’un point de vue analytique et à demeurer tournée vers les solutions. Le mentorat et les personnes dont je me suis entourée, qui
executive exécutif
WOMEN IN BIOTECH: LEADERSHIP & OPPORTUNITY
VOXCELL BIOINNOVATION IS A WOMEN-LED COMPANY WITH A LEADERSHIP TEAM THAT IS 75% WOMEN— HOW DOES THIS REFLECT THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF BIOTECH LEADERSHIP IN CANADA? WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN CONSIDERING A CAREER IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, OR ENTREPRENEURSHIP?
At VoxCell, women hold 75% of leadership roles, not by design, but by merit. It speaks about what’s possible when companies prioritize competence and create inclusive environments. In Canada, we’re seeing a shift: more women entering STEM, more funding targeted at women-led startups, and a growing awareness of the gender gap in biotech. My advice to women in science and entrepreneurship is to pursue your vision unapologetically. Find allies, mentors, and communities that support you. You belong in boardrooms, labs, and pitch meetings. And when you’re in those rooms, bring others with you. Diversity isn’t a checkbox, it’s a catalyst for better science, stronger companies, and broader impact.
LESSONS FROM THE JOURNEY
LOOKING BACK AT THE EARLY DAYS OF YOUR BIOTECH CAREER, WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN STARTING OUT?
If I could go back, I’d tell myself: the road won’t be linear, and that’s okay. In research, there’s a method and structure; in startups, there’s a lot of uncertainty and speed matters the most. I had to learn to embrace imperfection and iteration. One of the hardest transitions was understanding that perfection can stall progress. You must make decisions with incomplete data, adapt quickly, and be resilient. I also wish I had known earlier how powerful storytelling is. The science can be worldchanging, but if we can’t communicate it clearly, to investors, partners, or the public, it is a struggle to get traction. Now, I view communication as a core part of leadership.
croyaient en notre mission, m’ont donné de la force. Construire quelque chose à partir de rien est une tâche immense, mais voir l’innovation passer du laboratoire au monde réel procure une satisfaction tout aussi grande.
LES FEMMES DANS LES BIOTECHS : LEADERSHIP ET POSSIBILITÉS
VOXCELL BIOINNOVATION EST UNE SOCIÉTÉ DIRIGÉE À 75 % PAR DES FEMMES : DANS QUELLE MESURE CETTE PROPORTION EST-ELLE REPRÉSENTATIVE DU PAYSAGE CHANGEANT DU LEADERSHIP EN BIOTECHNOLOGIE AU CANADA? ET QUEL CONSEIL DONNERIEZ-VOUS AUX FEMMES QUI ENVISAGENT UNE CARRIÈRE EN SCIENCES, EN TECHNOLOGIE OU COMME ENTREPRENEURES?
Chez VoxCell, nous avons confié 75 % des postes de direction à des femmes, non pas pour respecter un quota, mais parce qu’elles étaient les plus méritantes. Cette situation témoigne de ce qui est possible lorsque les entreprises mettent la compétence en tête des priorités et créent un milieu inclusif. Au Canada, on assiste actuellement à une évolution : les femmes sont plus nombreuses à choisir les STIM, les fonds destinés à de jeunes pousses dirigées par des femmes augmentent, et on a de plus en plus conscience de l’écart de représentation entre les genres en biotechnologie. Mon conseil aux femmes en sciences et aux dirigeantes d’entreprises est d’œuvrer sans complexe à concrétiser leur vision. Recherchez l’appui d’alliés, de mentors et de communautés. Vous avez votre place dans les salles des conseils d’administration, dans les laboratoires et dans les séances de présentation d’affaires. Essayez aussi d’entraîner d’autres femmes avec vous. La diversité n’est pas simplement un critère à remplir : elle a un effet catalyseur et améliore la science, renforce les entreprises et permet à celles-ci de toucher davantage de gens.
LES LEÇONS APPRISES EN COURS DE ROUTE
SI VOUS VOUS RETOURNEZ SUR LE CHEMIN PARCOURU, Y A-T-IL DES CHOSES QUE VOUS AURIEZ AIMÉ SAVOIR AU DÉBUT DE VOTRE CARRIÈRE DANS
LES BIOTECHS?
Si je pouvais retourner en arrière, je me donnerais l’avertissement suivant : le parcours ne sera pas linéaire, mais ne t’inquiète pas. En recherche, on procède de façon méthodique et structurée; au sein d’une entreprise en démarrage, il y a beaucoup d’incertitude, et il faut agir rapidement. J’ai dû apprendre à accepter les imperfections et la reprise des étapes. Un des éléments les plus difficiles à comprendre pour moi a été que le perfectionnisme peut retarder les progrès. Il faut prendre des décisions même si les données sont incomplètes, s’adapter rapidement et faire preuve de résilience. J’aurais aussi aimé connaître plus tôt toute la puissance de la mise en récit. Si un projet scientifique
Live/Dead assay of VoxCell’s 3D bioprinted vascularized tissue model seeded with MDA-MB-231 cells, demonstrating post-print cell viability
Test de viabilité cellulaire effectué au moyen du modèle de tissus vascularisés bio-imprimé en 3D de VoxCell à partir de la lignée MDA-MB-231 et indiquant la viabilité des cellules après l’impression
CANADA’S LEADERSHIP IN GLOBAL BIOTECH
CANADA IS INCREASINGLY RECOGNIZED AS A GLOBAL LEADER IN LIFE SCIENCES AND BIOTECH—WHAT MAKES IT A STANDOUT ENVIRONMENT FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP?
Canada is a rising force in life sciences, and our collaborative ecosystem is a big reason why. We benefit from strong academic research, government-backed funding programs like SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) and IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program), and growing networks that connect entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors. What’s also unique is the culture of impact: Canadian biotech isn’t just about profit; it’s about creating solutions that serve people. At VoxCell, we’ve received incredible support from both federal and provincial programs, which allowed us to scale our team and our technology. I believe Canada’s blend of innovation, inclusion, and long-term thinking is setting the stage for global leadership in biotech.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF BIOTECH & LEADERSHIP
AS YOU LOOK AHEAD TO THE FUTURE OF VOXCELL AND THE BIOTECH INDUSTRY, WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL ASPIRATIONS AS A LEADER? WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE, AND HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR WORK SHAPING THE FIELD?
I envision VoxCell becoming a global standard in 3D cancer tissue modeling, helping researchers develop more
representation of VoxCell’s 3D bioprinted, vascularized tissue model
graphique du
de
a un potentiel transformateur pour le monde, mais qu’on ne sait pas le communiquer clairement aux investisseurs, aux partenaires ou au public, l’attractivité ne sera pas au rendezvous. Aujourd’hui, je vois la communication comme un élément fondamental du leadership.
LE LEADERSHIP DU CANADA EN BIOTECHNOLOGIE À L’ÉCHELLE MONDIALE
ON PERÇOIT DE PLUS EN PLUS LE CANADA COMME UN CHEF DE FILE MONDIAL DES SCIENCES DE LA VIE ET DE LA BIOTECHNOLOGIE : QUELS ÉLÉMENTS EN FONT UN MILIEU PARTICULIÈREMENT PROPICE À L’INNOVATION ET À L’ENTREPRENEURIAT?
Le Canada est une force montante en sciences de la vie, et notre écosystème collaboratif est une des raisons de ce succès. Nous tirons avantage d’un solide milieu universitaire de recherche, de programmes de financement appuyés par les gouvernements, tels que le programme de RS&DE (recherche scientifique et développement expérimental) et le PARI (Programme d’aide à la recherche industrielle), et de réseaux croissants dont font partie les entrepreneurs, les chercheurs et les investisseurs. Un autre élément unique est la culture des résultats : la biotechnologie canadienne ne vise pas uniquement le profit, mais aussi la production de solutions pour les gens. Chez VoxCell, nous avons reçu de programmes fédéraux et provinciaux une aide extraordinaire qui nous a permis d’élargir notre équipe et nos projets technologiques. Je crois que les qualités d’innovation, d’inclusion et de pensée à long terme qui caractérisent le
Graphic
Représentation
modèle
tissus vascularisés bio-imprimé en 3D de VoxCell
I envision VoxCell becoming a global standard in 3D cancer tissue modeling, helping researchers develop more accurate, ethical, and effective therapies. Personally, I want to continue pushing boundaries in both technology and leadership. That includes advocating for equitable access to biotech careers, mentoring underrepresented founders, and building a company culture that prioritizes purpose.
Canada lui permettront d’être un chef de file mondial en biotechnologie.
LA FORME QUE PRENDRA L’AVENIR DE LA BIOTECHNOLOGIE ET DE SON LEADERSHIP
LORSQUE VOUS ENVISAGEZ L’AVENIR DE VOXCELL ET DE L’INDUSTRIE BIOTECHNOLOGIQUE, QUELLES SONT VOS ASPIRATIONS PERSONNELLES EN TANT QUE DIRIGEANTE? QUELLE MARQUE ESPÉREZ-VOUS
LAISSER, ET EN QUOI VOS EFFORTS INFLUERONT-ILS SUR LE DOMAINE?
accurate, ethical, and effective therapies. Personally, I want to continue pushing boundaries in both technology and leadership. That includes advocating for equitable access to biotech careers, mentoring underrepresented founders, and building a company culture that prioritizes purpose. I hope my journey shows that science and business are not separate worlds, they are two sides of the same mission. Through VoxCell, I want to contribute to a future where innovation in oncology does not just extend life but improves its quality. Leadership, to me, is about creating the space and the drive for that transformation to happen.
Ma vision pour VoxCell est que sa modélisation 3D des tissus cancéreux devienne un étalon mondial et aide les chercheurs à mettre au point des traitements plus précis, plus respectueux de l’éthique et plus efficaces. En ce qui me concerne, je souhaite continuer de repousser les limites, tant sur le plan des technologies que sur celui du leadership, ce qui suppose de plaider pour l’équité d’accès aux carrières en biotechnologie, d’offrir du mentorat à des fondateurs d’entreprises issus de groupes sous-représentés et de mettre en place une culture d’entreprise qui met l’utilité en tête de ses priorités. J’espère que mon parcours montrera aux gens que les sciences et les affaires ne sont pas deux univers indépendants : elles sont plutôt les deux faces d’une même mission. Par l’intermédiaire de VoxCell, je veux contribuer à un avenir où l’innovation en oncologie ne fera pas que prolonger la vie, mais en améliorera la qualité. Pour moi, être une leader, c’est créer l’espace et insuffler l’énergie qui permettront une telle transformation.
Brightfield image of VoxCell’s cellular 3D bioprinted vascularized tissue model featuring MDA-MB-231, a triple-negative breast cancer cell line Image sur fond clair du modèle cellulaire de tissus vascularisés bio-imprimé en 3D de VoxCell, où l’on peut voir la lignée cellulaire du cancer du sein triple négatif MDA-MB-231 executive
CPDN Celebrates its 30th Year of Caring More
PROUDLY CANADIAN and entering its 30 th year, the Canadian Pharmaceutical Distribution Network (CPDN) has been an essential distribution service relied upon by over 1,300 hospitals and institutions, providing consolidated and direct distribution of over 4,000 pharmaceutical products on behalf of 50+ independent drug manufacturers, with next-day delivery and world-class service levels to all communities across the vast Canadian landscape.
Our Care More – Every Delivery Matters initiative is a call to action for all healthcare stakeholders to work together to enhance responsiveness to drug shortages, build a more resilient supply chain and improve delivery times and access to remote communities across Canada. “CPDN’s Care More initiative is our blueprint for success as an essential service to hospitals ensuring that all stakeholders in the supply chain are working seamlessly and with purpose to get important medicines to patients in need. Our collective efforts could save someone’s life.” stated Sav DiPasquale, President, CPDN.
CPDN is dedicated to working closely with all of our partners in the supply chain, such as, customer service, warehouse distribution and delivery providers, inspiring them to rally together and care more since we are delivering life-saving and often scarce medicines to patients across Canada. According to Caroline Lalonde, CPDN’s Director Customer Service, “Our recent Voice of the Customer surveys clearly differentiate CPDN as a trusted, responsive and reliable service provider in the market.”
Working with our strategic partners, we are also leveraging technologies such as GPS tracking, advanced analytics and AI to further improve reliability and drive efficiencies in the supply chain. CPDN respects the environment and uses market leading recyclable delivery solutions for cold chain products that eliminates the need for waste going to landfill. “We are constantly innovating with our partners to deploy leading edge solutions that drive operational and cost efficiencies across the supply chain”, says Scott Gibson, Vice President, Operations at CPDN.
CPDN is proud to be a collaborative partner, among many leading healthcare stakeholders, including Health Canada, on the SCAN Health initiative, led by Dr. Anne Snowdon—aiming to build a more resilient supply chain in Canada to better respond to future drug shortages, epidemics and pandemics. CPDN also believes in giving back to the community and continues to support Food Banks Canada and the Kids’ Health Links Foundation that helps sick youth in hospital better cope with their illnesses and treatments. As DiPasquale says, “Giving back to kids in need reinforces CPDN’s care more mantra and focuses on the reality that every child matters.”
Prince Edward Island BioAlliance: A Case Study of Collaboration & Shared Prosperity
THE YEAR WAS 2005 and building a sector focused on commercializing life science technology in Prince Edward Island might have seemed unlikely. But not so to those who could see the advantage of untapped talent, relative proximity to global markets, and the dynamic that a smaller ecosystem can bring. Fast forward to today and PEI’s bioscience sector has become a force in the rising tide of PEI’s economy.
Celebrating its 20 th Anniversary this year, the PEI BioAlliance cluster has scaled to over 50 bioscience companies employing 2,200 life science professionals and boasted $612 million revenue in 2023. The sector has grown to be the second largest industry in the province. Cluster companies exported $460 million in products and services around the world improving human, fish, animal, and plant health. This has translated into 84 per cent growth of the biosciences sector since 2018 in a province that is experiencing GDP growth that is three times faster than the rest of the country.
“Adjust the bioscience sector’s success to the size of the province and this growth is no small potatoes for Canada’s smallest province,” shares Rory Francis, CEO, PEI BioAlliance.
So, what is the sector’s secret sauce in Prince Edward Island? The immediate answer is the house is built on a solid foundation of an economic growth cluster model that is laser focused on measurable outcomes. This model helps to create a synergistic dynamic between the cluster companies and a spirit of cooperation that makes it all come together for shared prosperity.
“It’s the collaborative culture that we’ve been able to develop through the PEI BioAlliance—people are willing to roll up their sleeves,” reflects Francis. “We have business, academia, research and governments all rowing together and working beyond self-interest for the greater good of the sector.”
Rory Francis remarks that in the early days a lot of time was invested to work with interested parties to get the conditions right, creating the structure, and aligning on what matters and what doesn’t. The results have paid off both for the provincial sector but also has made an impact for the region and the country.
“The PEI BioAlliance is also making a mark beyond our shorestake the example of CASTL, a BioAlliance brainchild, that is now taking world-leading biomanufacturing NIBIRT training across Canada,
cultivating specialized talent for our national sector,” says Francis. “Or Emergence, the growth incubator for Atlantic regional sector startups that has helped 82 bioscience companies grow and raise more than $150 M in capital in the past year—talk about making a mark!”
To keep pace with the pressures from rapid growth the PEI BioAlliance recently broke ground on a $50 million BioAccelerator with support from the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island. This multi-functional facility will provide research organizations, entrepreneurs, and SMEs with lab and biomanufacturing space and support services.
The PEI BioAlliance cluster of companies and partners have built a model for bioscience sector growth that has withstood the pressures of many storms. “Together we are stronger… this is a concept that we are no strangers to within the PEI bioscience sector,” shares Rory Francis. “We are well positioned for the next 20 years and the challenges and opportunities it will bring.”
Rory Francis with PEI
Bioscience worker PEI
Enhancing Cell & Gene Therapies and Pandemic-Response Vaccines
VIRICA IMPROVES VIRAL VECTOR manufacturing for cell & gene therapies and accelerates vaccine production for pandemic readiness. By pairing its proprietary Viral Sensitizer (VSE™) compounds with High-T hroughput Virology (HTV™) screening and Design of Experiments (DoE) optimization, Virica reliably boosts titers, shortens development timelines, and lowers production costs.
BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY & EXPERTISE
• Extensive VSE Library – Virica’s extensive collection of small-molecule VSE™ enhancers boosts viral vector productivity by up to 7-fold across a wide range of vectors and cell lines.
• Rapid Optimization – HTV™ screening combined with DoE pinpoints the ideal process parameters and VSEs, accelerating life-saving therapies.
• Seamless Integration – Classified as ancillary materials, VSEs are added directly to upstream media, fitting effortlessly into existing workflows without additional equipment or process changes.
GLOBAL
IMPACT & PANDEMIC
RESPONSE
As new health threats emerge, Virica’s technology empowers vaccine makers to accelerate development while reducing production costs. By reducing timelines and costs, Virica ensures affordable stockpiling and scalable manufacturing of vital vaccines, strengthening global health security.
COLLABORATION AT THE CORE
Working with leading therapeutic developers, reagent manufacturers, and CDMOs worldwide, Virica strives to make scalable viral manufacturing accessible. Notably,
Virica’s partnership with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute’s Biomanufacturing Centre (OHRI BMC) in Canada is doing just that. “As a facility that manufactures for clinical trials, cost-effectiveness without compromising quality is imperative,” says Dr. Jennifer Quizi, Director of Virus Manufacturing at OHRI BMC “By giving our clients the option of incorporating viral enhancers like Virica’s, we can maximize the output of every manufacturing run to treat as many patients as possible cost effectively.”
Integrating Virica’s Viral Sensitizer (VSE™) technology with BMC’s proven, GMP-compliant workflows has markedly increased viral yields for AAV, oncolytic, and lentiviral vectors, with cell-t herapy applications on the horizon. This collaboration leverages complementary expertise to improve production efficiency, lower costs, and deliver robust end-to-end manufacturing solutions.
WHY VIRICA?
• Proven Results: VSEs have enhanced 50+ applications, boosting viral yield, quality, and speed while cutting manufacturing costs.
• Regulatory & Scale-Up Support: Virica supports every stage of scale-up, from research through commercial manufacturing with a diversified and secure supply chain.
• Future-Focused: As the biomanufacturing landscape evolves, Virica’s adaptable VSE platform, combined with our HTV™ and DoE services, permits unprecedented process development speeds.
Leveraging scientific rigor, deep industry knowledge, and global partnerships, Virica equips cell and gene therapy and vaccine manufacturers for today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges.
Virica combines High-throughput Virology (HTV TM) and Design of Experiment (DoE) to rapidly optimize viral vector production
Virica’s new facility and cutting-edge equipment
capacity
high-throughput virology services for cell and gene therapy and vaccine production
Canada’s Genomics Community is Built for Big Challenges La communauté canadienne de génomique est conçue pour relever de grands défis
FROM OUR FOUNDING 25-YEARS-AGO, Genome Canada embraced a bold mandate: to build a strong foundation for Canadian genomics, nurture a thriving ecosystem, support world-class talent and fund groundbreaking projects with tangible benefits for our nation.
This quarter century milestone for Genome Canada and the Canadian Genomics Enterprise network, including the six regional Genome Centres, brings immense pride. Genomics has truly delivered on its promise, revolutionizing biotechnology and impacting the lives of all Canadians.
Canada’s genomics researchers now rank among the best globally. Our companies stand as recognized innovators. And we’re seeing meaningful impacts across the country—from breakthrough health care advancements to agricultural innovation to sustainable management of natural resources.
But as much as we have achieved, we are now at a critical inflection point.
Canada finds itself in an unprecedented geopolitical environment. Our nation’s peace, security and economic wellbeing can no longer be taken for granted. Global conflicts, shifting trade relationships and technological competition between major powers have created a world order that demands greater self-reliance and strategic focus.
In this challenging context, genomics has emerged as a cornerstone technology with immense potential to strengthen Canadian sovereignty and resilience.
We’ve gone from billion-dollar genomes to hundred-dollar genomes, enabling unprecedented insights into biological systems. Advances in data management,
DEPUIS SA CRÉATION IL Y A 25 ANS, Génome Canada s’est donné un mandat audacieux : établir une base solide pour la génomique au Canada, favoriser un écosystème prospère, soutenir des talents de calibre mondial et financer des projets novateurs qui auront des retombées tangibles pour notre pays.
Ce jalon d’un quart de siècle pour Génome Canada et le réseau de l’Entreprise canadienne de génomique, y compris six centres de génomique régionaux, nous apporte une immense fierté. La génomique a vraiment tenu ses promesses, en révolutionnant la biotechnologie et en ayant une réelle incidence sur la vie de toute la population canadienne.
Les chercheurs canadiens en génomique se classent maintenant parmi les meilleurs au monde. Nos entreprises sont reconnues comme des innovateurs. Et nous constatons des retombées significatives dans tout le pays, qu’il s’agisse de progrès révolutionnaires dans le domaine des soins de santé, d’innovations agricoles ou de la gestion durable des ressources naturelles.
Mais malgré toutes nos réalisations, nous nous trouvons maintenant à un point d’inflexion critique.
Le Canada se retrouve dans un environnement géopolitique sans précédent. La paix, la sécurité et le bien-être économique de notre pays ne peuvent plus être tenus pour acquis. Les conflits mondiaux, l’évolution des relations commerciales et la concurrence technologique entre les grandes puissances ont créé un ordre mondial qui exige une plus grande autonomie et orientation stratégique.
Dans ce contexte difficile, la génomique s’est imposée comme une technologie clé, dotée d’un immense potentiel pour renforcer la souveraineté et la résilience du Canada.
Rob Annan, President and CEO, Genome Canada, and Elizabeth Douville, Board Chair, Genome Canada
Rob Annan, président et chef de la direction, Génome Canada, et Elizabeth Douville, présidente du conseil, Génome Canada
bioinformatics, artificial intelligence and quantum computing are unlocking the power of genomic data. And with breakthroughs in CRISPR and other biotechnologies, we’re opening vast new opportunities in biomanufacturing, disease management and natural resource development.
Together, these changes are fueling a biorevolution that promises to reshape our economy and society. And Canada is uniquely positioned to lead it, thanks to abundant natural resources, world-class talent and the solid foundation we’ve built in genomics research and biotechnology innovation.
That strength and potential was on full display at the first-ever Canadian Genomics Summit in Ottawa this February, where 200 leaders and innovators from across Canada’s genomics community marked our 25th anniversary and the beginning of a new chapter for our community with the launch of the Canadian Genomics Strategy (CGS).
Genome Canada is honoured to be a key strategic delivery partner in this new federal government strategy, which completes a triumvirate of investments in general purpose technologies—alongside Canada’s artificial intelligence and quantum strategies—that will uplift our economy and communities when we need it most.
At this critical juncture, the CGS is aimed at driving commercialization and adoption of genomics applications,
Nous sommes passés de génomes valant des milliards de dollars à des génomes valant des centaines de dollars, permettant d’acquérir des connaissances sans précédent sur les systèmes biologiques. Les progrès réalisés dans les domaines de la gestion des données, de la bio-informatique, de l’intelligence artificielle et de l’informatique quantique permettent d’exploiter pleinement le potentiel des données génomiques. Et grâce aux percées réalisées dans le domaine de la technologie CRISPR et d’autres biotechnologies, nous ouvrons de vastes possibilités dans les domaines de la biofabrication, de la gestion des maladies et du développement des ressources naturelles.
Ensemble, ces changements alimentent une biorévolution qui promet de remodeler notre économie et notre société. Et le Canada est particulièrement bien placé pour la diriger, grâce à ses abondantes ressources naturelles, à ses talents de calibre mondial et aux bases solides que nous avons établies dans la recherche en génomique et l’innovation en biotechnologie.
Cette force et ce potentiel ont été pleinement démontrés lors du tout premier Sommet canadien de la génomique à Ottawa en février, où 200 leaders et innovateurs de la communauté canadienne de la génomique ont marqué notre 25e anniversaire et le début d’un nouveau chapitre pour notre communauté avec le lancement de la Stratégie canadienne pour la génomique (SCG).
Feb. 6 Canadian Genomics Strategy Announcement with Yasir Naqvi, [then] parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Health and member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre (right) and Genome Canada President and CEO, Dr. Rob Annan Annonce du 6 février de la Stratégie canadienne pour la génomique avec Yasir Naqvi, [alors] secrétaire parlementaire du ministre de la Santé et député d’Ottawa-Centre (à droite) et Rob Annan, président et chef de la direction de Génome Canada
increasing access to the large-scale genomic data that feeds innovation and developing top-tier talent. Delivering on this strategy as a genomics community will be pivotal to Canada’s global position and strength in the face of mounting and highly complex new challenges.
Nations that lead in critical technologies will determine the rules of the global order, secure their economic futures and be equipped to defend their sovereignty.
This reality demands that Canada put science, technology and innovation policy at the heart of its response to current threats and plans to strengthen our national security, prosperity and resilience long-term.
By strategically leveraging our existing strengths, fostering deeper cross-sector collaboration, and focusing on clear national priorities, Canada can convert current threats to our sovereignty and way of life into transformative opportunities for communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast
Genome Canada is ready to meet this moment with urgency and purpose alongside our partners across the genomics community and across sectors:
We are advancing and deploying new mission-driven, challenge-based initiatives that translate Canadian research into transformative solutions for health, agriculture and food systems, and our environment. Aligned with new CGS investment in commercialization, data and talent, these initiatives will deliver made-inCanada solutions addressing critical national priorities, and they will help drive Canadian productivity.
We are building Canada’s genomics capacity through strategic investments in research, technology and talent. We will work in close partnership with the six regional Genome Centres—each deeply embedded in their local ecosystems, with strong networks across geographies and areas of expertise—and partners across sectors to respond to emerging needs with agility.
We are connecting industry, academia and government in powerful cross-sector alliances —aligning federal, provincial and private sector investments to amplify Canada’s genomics impact national and globally.
Génome Canada est fier d’être un partenaire stratégique clé dans cette nouvelle stratégie du gouvernement fédéral, qui vient compléter un trio d’investissements dans des technologies à usage généra—aux côtés des stratégies canadiennes en matière d’intelligence artificielle et de la science quantique—qui stimuleront notre économie et nos collectivités au moment où nous en avons le plus besoin. Alors que nous engageons dans un tournant décisif, la SCG vise à stimuler la commercialisation et l’adoption des applications de la génomique, à accroître l’accès aux données génomiques à grande échelle qui alimentent l’innovation et à développer des talents de premier plan. La mise en œuvre de cette stratégie par la communauté de la génomique sera essentielle pour assurer la position et la puissance du Canada sur la scène mondiale face à de nouveaux défis qui sont de plus en plus nombreux et complexes.
Les pays qui sont à la fine pointe des technologies essentielles seront ceux qui détermineront les règles de l’ordre mondial, qui assureront leur avenir économique et qui seront en mesure de défendre leur souveraineté.
Cette réalité exige que le Canada place la science, la technologie et l’innovation au cœur de sa réponse aux menaces actuelles et de ses plans pour renforcer notre sécurité nationale, notre prospérité et notre résilience à long terme. En tirant parti de manière stratégique de nos forces existantes, en favorisant une collaboration intersectorielle plus étroite et en se concentrant sur des priorités nationales claires, le Canada peut transformer les menaces actuelles pesant sur notre souveraineté et notre mode de vie en possibilités de transformation pour les collectivités d’un océan à l’autre
Génome Canada est prêt à relever ce défi avec empressement et détermination, aux côtés de ses partenaires de la communauté génomique et de tous les secteurs :
Nous faisons progresser et mettons en œuvre de nouvelles initiatives axées sur la mission et fondées sur les défis qui transforment la recherche canadienne en solutions innovantes pour les systèmes de santé, d’agriculture et d’alimentation, et pour notre environnement. En phase avec les nouveaux investissements de la SGC dans la commercialisation, les données et les talents, ces initiatives fourniront des solutions canadiennes pour répondre aux priorités nationales de première importance et contribueront à stimuler la productivité du Canada.
Nous renforçons la capacité du Canada en matière de génomique grâce à des investissements stratégiques dans la recherche, la technologie et le talent. Nous travaillerons en étroite collaboration avec les six centres de génomique régionaux, chacun étant profondément ancré dans son écosystème local et disposant de solides réseaux dans plusieurs régions et domaines d’expertise, ainsi qu’avec des
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE –POWERING PRECISION HEALTH
Our largest-ever genomics initiative will help transform health care in Canada through the most ambitious human genome sequencing effort in Canadian history: 100,000 genomes sequenced in the next four years to drive precision health and Canada’s competitiveness in health innovation.
The Canadian Precision Health Initiative brings together a determined community from across academia, industry and the public sector to chart a future where patients have access to more personalized, predictive, preventative and cost-effective health-care options enabled by genomic data and technology.
By design, this initiative will generate a large-scale genomic dataset representative of Canada’s population diversity—providing the feedstock for AI-powered innovation by Canadian academics and industry.
We are proud to be part of Canada’s vibrant life sciences community and look forward working with you all to continue building a healthier, more resilient and productive country for all of us. Together, we will turn big challenges into even bigger opportunities and sustainable advantages for our country. We were built for this
partenaires de tous les secteurs afin de répondre avec souplesse aux besoins émergents.
Nous établissons des liens entre l’industrie, le milieu universitaire et le gouvernement dans le cadre de puissantes alliances intersectorielles, en harmonisant les investissements du gouvernement fédéral, des gouvernements provinciaux et du secteur privé afin d’amplifier l’incidence de la génomique canadienne à l’échelle nationale et internationale.
À LA HAUTEUR DU DÉFI –PROPULSER LA SANTÉ DE PRÉCISION
Notre plus importante initiative en génomique contribuera à transformer les soins de santé au Canada grâce à l’effort de séquençage du génome humain le plus ambitieux de l’histoire du pays : 100 000 génomes séquencés au cours des quatre prochaines années pour propulser la santé de précision et la compétitivité du Canada en matière d’innovation dans le domaine de la santé.
L’Initiative canadienne de santé de précision rassemble une communauté déterminée issue du monde universitaire, de l’industrie et du secteur public pour tracer un avenir où les patients ont accès à des solutions de soins de santé plus personnalisées, prédictives, préventives et économiques grâce aux données et à la technologie génomiques.
De par sa conception, cette initiative générera un ensemble de données génomiques à grande échelle représentatif de la diversité de la population canadienne, fournissant ainsi la matière première pour l’innovation fondée sur l’IA par les universitaires et l’industrie du Canada.
Nous sommes fiers de faire partie de la communauté dynamique des sciences de la vie du Canada et nous sommes impatients de travailler avec vous afin de continuer à bâtir un pays plus sain, plus résilient et plus productif pour nous tous et toutes.
Ensemble, nous transformerons les grands défis en des possibilités encore plus grandes et en des avantages durables pour notre pays. C’est là notre mission
En savoir plus
Learn more
genomecanada.ca
Engineering Smarter Antibodies: A Global Team Anchoring the Future of Immunotherapy in Montreal
Conception d’anticorps intelligents :
une équipe internationale choisit Montréal pour y développer les immunothérapies de demain
WHAT BROUGHT TOGETHER A TEAM of experienced biotech entrepreneurs, antibody engineers, AI experts, and immunologists from around the world to build their company, Ability Biotherapeutics, in Montreal? A shared conviction that AI alone can’t solve the challenges of immune modulating therapies—but guided by experienced drug developers, it can power smarter antibody designs that overcome safety and efficacy limitations to better serve oncology and autoimmune patients.
Immune-engaging antibodies have transformed the treatment landscape for certain cancers by connecting immune cells with tumor cells. While this class of molecules has high potential, they haven’t come without trade-offs. Serious toxic effects like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) can be life-threatening. Many immune modulators also fail to distinguish healthy from diseased tissue, causing “on-target, off-tumor” toxicity. The result: serious side effects, limited dosing potential, and patients left behind.
To circumvent the problem, the industry has shifted toward creating conditionally activated therapeutics using mechanisms like proteolytic cleavage or steric hindrance for more focused anti-tumor activity. Many biotech companies have turned to increasingly complex antibody formats—bringing high costs, manufacturing risk, and reproducibility challenges that can stall development.
SMARTER LOGIC. SIMPLE FORMATS
The Ability team takes a unique approach. Their proprietary platform, AbiLeap™, is designed to generate “logic-gated” antibodies—antibodies that activate conditionally, based on multiple biological cues. And, instead of building complex molecules, Ability uses smarter design to deliver precise function in stable, developable formats.
COMMENT DES ENTREPRENEURS en biotech chevronnés, des spécialistes en ingénierie des anticorps, des experts en IA, et des immunologistes de divers horizons se sont-ils retrouvés à Montréal pour développer leur entreprise, Ability Biotherapeutics ? Grâce à une vision commune et à la conviction que l’IA seule ne peut résoudre les défis liés aux thérapies de modulation du système immunitaire. Mais avec des développeurs de médicaments aguerris guidant cette IA, la conception d’anticorps améliorés devient possible et les enjeux d’innocuité et d’efficacité peuvent être surmontés afin de mieux traiter les patients atteints de cancers ou de maladies auto-immunes.
Les anticorps modulateurs de l’activité du système immunitaire ont transformé la gamme de traitements disponibles contre certains cancers en connectant les cellules immunitaires aux cellules tumorales. Bien que cette classe de molécules soit hautement prometteuse, elles ne sont pas sans limitations. Des effets toxiques graves, tels que le syndrome de libération de cytokines (SLC), peuvent être potentiellement mortels. Plusieurs modulateurs immunitaires échouent à distinguer les tissus sains des tissus malades, causant une toxicité due à un ciblage inadéquat. Résultat : des effets secondaires importants, un potentiel thérapeutique limité par la dose, et des patients laissés au dépourvu.
Afin de contourner ce problème, l’industrie s’est tournée vers la création de thérapies activées de manière conditionnelle, en utilisant des mécanismes tels que le clivage protéolytique ou l’encombrement stérique, dans le but d’obtenir une activité antitumorale mieux ciblée. Plusieurs biotechs ont décidé d’explorer ce type de formats d’anticorps de plus en plus complexes, entraînant une hausse des coûts, un risque manufacturier, et des défis liés à la reproductibilité pouvant mettre à risque leur développement.
At the core of AbiLeap™ is a unique and powerful combination of AI and in vitro screening. Unlike many generic AI efforts, AbiLeap™ is purpose-built with one goal in mind: the patient.
Since AI models are only as good as the data they train on, it’s imperative that AI-guided drug design starts with relevant data. “Companies training AI with publicly available protein and DNA sequencing data are starting to see some success in building basic antibodies,” explains Ability Co-founder and VP of Technology, Dr. Jean-Philippe Bürckert. “But not every antibody is a drug. AI-first approaches have yet to yield molecules with the stringent characteristics required for medical use. They must be nonimmunogenic, stable, manufacturable, functional and highly specific to their disease target.”
AbiLeap™ is trained on one of the largest exclusive human antibody drug discovery databases—rich in therapeutically relevant, AI-ready data. This allows AbiLeap™’s generative AI models to understand not only what binds to a target, but what makes a viable therapeutic. AbiLeap™ then uses AI-guided library design and lab screening to generate logic-gated antibodies that activate only in the presence of disease signatures—like those in the tumor microenvironment.
Traditional methods rarely yield conditionally active binders and often take years of trial-and-error. AbiLeap™ flips that equation—producing logic-gated molecules faster, more reliably, and with designs that are practical for clinical development.
ACTIVATION LOGIQUE. FORMATS AGILES
L’équipe d’Ability a choisi une approche distincte. Leur plateforme exclusive AbiLeapMC est conçue pour générer des anticorps à « activation logique » qui s’activent de manière conditionnelle en fonction de multiples déclencheurs biologiques. Au lieu de concevoir des molécules complexes, Ability choisit une conception plus intelligente pour obtenir une fonction précise dans des formats stables aisément développables.
Au cœur d’AbiLeapMC se trouve une combinaison d’IA et de criblage in vitro aussi unique que puissante. Contrairement à plusieurs tentatives basées sur des méthodes d’IA génériques, AbiLeapMC est conçue sur mesure avec un seul objectif : les patients.
Puisque la performance des modèles d’IA est limitée par la qualité des données ayant servi à leur apprentissage, il est impératif que le design de médicaments basé sur l’IA s’appuie sur des données pertinentes. « Les compagnies qui entraînent leur IA avec des données publiques de séquençages d’ADN et de protéines arrivent à créer des anticorps de base avec un certain succès », explique le Dr Jean-Philippe Bürckert, co-fondateur et VP Technologie d’Ability. « Mais les anticorps ne sont pas tous des médicaments. Les premières approches basées sur l’IA n’ont pas encore réussi à produire des molécules respectant les spécifications rigoureuses exigées pour un usage médical. Elles doivent être non-immunogènes, stables, fabricables, fonctionnelles et hautement spécifiques à leur maladie cible ».
Jean-Philippe Burckert, Ability Co-founder and VP of Technology / co-fondateur et VP Technologie d’Ability
Patricia Giblin, SVP of R&D / VP principale, Recherche et développement
The Ability Biotherapeutics team gathered to observe the progress of construction at the future site of Inspire Bio Innovations
L’équipe d’Ability Biotherapeutics réunie pour constater l’avancement des travaux sur le futur site d’Inspire Bio Innovations
A TEAM THAT KNOWS THE TERRAIN
Designing multifunctional antibodies is just the start. “Taking drug candidates into the clinic requires a team with the translational experience to navigate the path from discovery to development,” says Patricia Giblin, SVP of R&D. “Our leadership team has a proven track record advancing such novel biologics into clinical trials.” Dr. Giblin offers deep expertise from her work at Revitope Oncology, Northern Biologics and Boehringer Ingelheim, where she led immune-oncology programs into the clinic. The group has also built high-performing teams and industry-leading platforms. Their combined expertise fuels thoughtful design and focused execution.
Today, Ability is advancing three therapeutic programs—targeting both oncology and autoimmune indications—into lead optimization as it prepares for preclinical studies. Ability is backed by $18M in seed financing and a syndicate of experienced biotech investors, led by Amplitude Ventures, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, and Investissement Québec.
FOSTERING GROWTH IN MONTREAL
But Ability’s commitment is not just about building better therapeutics, it’s about building a new generation of biotech in Montreal.
“We’re redefining what’s possible to make antibody therapeutics smarter and safer,” says Giles Day, Co-founder and CEO of Ability. “Montreal offers a uniquely collaborative ecosystem to support entrepreneurial vision.”
A leader in academic science, Montreal is rapidly becoming a thriving hub for life sciences innovation. Montreal boasts one of the highest concentrations of life sciences activity in Canada, with deep roots in research and a growing reputation for biotech innovation. Its affordability, research depth, and tight-knit ecosystem make it a natural home for fast-moving biotech startups.
L’apprentissage d’AbiLeapMC s’effectue à partir de l’une des plus larges bases de données dédiée à la découverte de médicaments exclusivement constituée d’anticorps humains, riche en données thérapeutiquement pertinentes et prêtes à l’emploi par l’IA. Ceci permet aux modèles d’IA générative d’AbiLeapMC de comprendre non seulement les interactions avec une cible précise, mais également de générer un produit thérapeutique viable. AbiLeapMC conçoit ensuite, assisté par l’IA, une banque d’anticorps ciblés et procède au criblage pour sélectionner les anticorps à activation logique qui réagissent seulement en présence de signatures liées à la maladie, comme celles présentes dans le micro-environnement d’une tumeur.
Les méthodes traditionnelles produisent rarement des ligands conditionnellement actifs et nécessitent souvent des années d’essais-erreurs. AbiLeapMC change le paradigme en produisant rapidement des molécules à activation logique, de manière plus fiable, et selon une conception pratique pour le déploiement clinique.
UNE ÉQUIPE PROCHE DU TERRAIN
Concevoir des anticorps multifonctionnels n’est que le début. « Amener des candidats thérapeutiques au stade clinique exige d’avoir une équipe ayant suffisamment d’expérience translationnelle pour avancer sur la voie menant de la découverte au développement », précise Patricia Giblin, PhD, VP principale, Recherche et développement. « Notre équipe de direction possède une expérience avérée en avancement de tels produits biologiques innovants dans les essais cliniques ». La Dre Giblin apporte une expertise de pointe acquise de son travail chez Revitope Oncology, Northern Biologics et Boehringer Ingelheim, où elle a amené des programmes d’immuno-oncologie au stade clinique. L’équipe de direction a également constitué des équipes hautement performantes et conçu des plateformes de référence dans l’industrie. Leur expertise conjointe alimente une conception réfléchie et une exécution ciblée.
A leader in academic science, Montreal is rapidly becoming a thriving hub for life sciences innovation. Montreal boasts one of the highest concentrations of life sciences activity in Canada, with deep roots in research and a growing reputation for biotech innovation.
In late 2026, Ability will move into Inspire Bio Innovations, a bold new life sciences hub in the heart of downtown Montreal. Located in the historic Montreal Chest Institute and redeveloped by Jadco Group with NEUF Architect(e)s, the facility aims to attract startups, foster cutting-edge research, and spark collaboration.
To learn more about Ability and follow the team’s progress, visit www.ability.bio or contact them at partnering@ability.bio.
Réputée pour ses sciences académiques, Montréal constitue aussi un carrefour florissant d’innovations en sciences de la vie. La ville se distingue par l’une des concentrations les plus élevées d’activités en sciences de la vie au Canada, avec de solides racines en recherche et une réputation croissante en innovation biotechnologique.
Les trois programmes thérapeutiques actuellement développés par Ability sont à l’étape de l’optimisation en vue des études précliniques et ciblent à la fois des indications oncologiques et auto-immunes. Ability peut compter sur un financement d’amorçage de 18 millions $ et un groupe d’investisseurs expérimentés en biotechnologie mené par Amplitude Ventures, le Fonds de solidarité FTQ et Investissement Québec.
STIMULER LA CROISSANCE À MONTRÉAL
L’engagement d’Ability ne consiste pas seulement à concevoir de meilleures thérapies, il s’agit pour la compagnie de bâtir une nouvelle génération de biotechs à Montréal.
« Nous redéfinissons la notion de thérapies à base d’anticorps, en augmentant leur efficacité et leur innocuité », déclare Giles Day, co-fondateur et chef de la direction d’Ability. « Montréal offre un écosystème collaboratif unique qui soutient notre vision entrepreneuriale ».
Réputée pour ses sciences académiques, Montréal constitue aussi un carrefour florissant d’innovations en sciences de la vie. La ville se distingue par l’une des concentrations les plus élevées d’activités en sciences de la vie au Canada, avec de solides racines en recherche et une réputation croissante en innovation biotechnologique. Son accessibilité, la qualité de la recherche qui y est menée et son écosystème diversifié en font un endroit privilégié pour de jeunes biotechs en pleine croissance.
Fin 2026, Ability déménagera au complexe Inspire Bio Innovations, un nouveau pôle ambitieux en sciences de la vie, situé en plein centre-ville de Montréal. Situé dans les locaux historiques de l’Institut thoracique de Montréal et redéveloppé par le Groupe Jadco avec NEUF Architect(e)s, ce complexe est conçu pour les jeunes entreprises, afin de stimuler la recherche de pointe et de favoriser les collaborations.
Pour en savoir plus sur Ability et suivre son évolution, visitez ability.bio ou contactez l’équipe au : partnering@ability.bio
From Boston to Mississauga
One life sciences startup made the unusual but smart move from expensive office and lab space in life science-centric Boston to Mississauga, Ontario
IN THE COMPETITIVE WORLD of life sciences startups, conventional wisdom has long pointed entrepreneurs toward established hubs such as Boston, a traditional biotech epicentre offering access to venture capital, prestigious research institutions and deep talent pools.
However, some life science entrepreneurs are looking to Canada—specifically Mississauga—which has innovative programs and attractive assets, skilled talent, specialized infrastructure and a supportive ecosystem.
Jane Lapon, the Canadian co-founder and board chair of Atorvia, a company developing therapeutics for organ failure, launched in Boston after working with Boston University on her initial product. But Atorvia recently moved its operation to Mississauga after discovering the University of Toronto Mississauga’s (UTM) SpinUp, a campus-linked wet lab incubator for early-stage startups.
“The Boston life sciences ecosystem is thriving, but it is expensive and highly competitive,” Lapon says. “Although we were close to moving into space there, I came across the website for SpinUp, made an inquiry and every response was absolutely fantastic. Not only are there top-notch facilities and programming, it is subsidized, making it affordable for early-stage startups. At around the same time, I was referred to OBIO ® and learned about its Women in Health Initiative, a competitive program that provided support and some funding for women-led companies through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. I applied to both, and within three months, we had lab space at SpinUp, support through the Blue Ticket program at SpinUp, funding from OBIO ® and tangible support and programming from both organizations.”
She names the opportunity to partner with University of Toronto researchers as well as the funding support, the flourishing community and SpinUp’s world-class facilities as the tipping points for her choice to move to Canada.
SPINUP’S MANY BENEFITS
SpinUp was established to address a shortage of affordable wet lab space and related supports for startups in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
“At UTM, we want to empower innovators by providing the resources, programming and connections they need to establish and grow their ventures while addressing the key
Left to right: Andrew Butrus (Associate Director, Drug Discovery & Preclinical Development), Mridul Nair (Director Translation and Clinical Science), Jane Lapon (Board Member), Caitlin Lapon (Scientist)
challenges many early-stage startups face,” says Raquel De Souza, director of partnerships & innovation at UTM.
Membership in SpinUp includes dedicated space within a state-of-the-art coworking wet lab space, access to equipment, entrepreneurship programming, academic expertise, strong research talent within the university and a robust community of like-minded entrepreneurs. The program supports a range of early-stage startups developing therapeutics, drug delivery solutions, diagnostics, food innovations and bio-based materials, enriching Mississauga’s robust life-science cluster.
“Mississauga is the second largest life sciences sector in Canada, with more than 500 companies that employ 27,000 people,” says Jackie O’Connor, acting manager of the business investment and sector development team for Invest Mississauga, whose team focuses on strengthening the city’s many sectors and makes sure the municipality provides them with supportive programming and concierge services.
SpinUp also collaborates with members of the life science community to offer unique opportunities such as the Blue Ticket competition, which so far has been supported by Merck and AbbVie, to provide scientific and business mentorship to the winning startup and free membership at SpinUp for one year. Atorvia was the recipient of the first award, supported by Merck.
“Since May 2024, Atorvia has enjoyed close mentorship from Merck, which has been highly beneficial to both parties. We are delighted to collaborate with Merck again on the recently announced Merck Blue Ticket 2025 at SpinUp,” De Souza says, adding that SpinUp welcomes additional industry supporters for the program.
A CONNECTED ECOSYSTEM
SpinUp co-ordinates closely with SPEC Labs, a soon-tolaunch federally funded wet lab space for incubation-stage companies to grow into, allowing them to ultimately stay and grow in Mississauga.
IDEA Mississauga is also a close partner with SpinUp and hosts the IDEA Step Up Program, which supports innovative and inclusive companies to grow and overcome barriers. Participants learn to address common challenges faced by scaling companies, connect with mentors and present to investors, industry partners and City of Mississauga representatives regarding funding, scaling or partnerships.
HDAX Therapeutics, a drug discovery startup developing therapeutics to tackle unmet health-care needs in brain cancers and nervous system disorders, was one such participant and received a $500,000 grant as part of a $5.5 million provincial investment to support 11 companies to develop made-in-Ontario health-care technologies and innovations. The same year, HDAX closed an oversubscribed $4.3 million seed round.
Xatoms joined SpinUp in the fall of 2024 and is now participating in the IDEA Step-Up Program. The company’s goal is to save the lives of children who perish daily from water-related diseases caused by polluted water. In 2024, it won the STEM category of Sauga Pitch, Mississauga’s pitch competition, which is co-hosted by IDEA Mississauga, Sheridan EDGE, and UTM’s ICUBE and SpinUp accelerators.
JOIN A WORLD-CLASS LIFE SCIENCES SECTOR
Locating in Mississauga means joining a world-class life sciences sector that continues to attract significant international investment. AstraZeneca recently announced an $820 million investment in Canada, creating more than 700 high-skilled jobs. This substantial commitment will support the company’s move to a state-of-the-art facility in Mississauga.
Japanese pharmaceutical company Kyowa Kirin recently selected Mississauga for its first Canadian office, further reinforcing the region’s appeal.
Similarly, Regeneron Canada, a prominent American biotech company, chose Mississauga for its first Canadian office, joining a growing number of global life sciences organizations establishing in the area.
Are you next?
Left to right: Jane Lapon (Board Member), Andrew Butrus (Associate Director, Drug Discovery & Preclinical Development), Caitlin Lapon (Scientist)
BeiGene Becomes BeOne Medicines:
Reaffirming
Its Mission to Unite the Community Against Cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death in Canada and takes an immense toll on patients, families, and communities. We believe no one should face it alone.
FOLLOWING A GLOBAL REBRANDING initiative, BeiGene Canada is now BeOne Medicines. The new name reflects the company’s mission to unite people, science, and solutions. It signals BeOne Medicines’ deep commitment to delivering innovative medicines and collaborating with the global community to improve access for patients across Canada and beyond.
“Cancer is a leading cause of death in Canada and takes an immense toll on patients, families, and communities. We believe no one should face it alone,” said Kristian A. Stubbs, General Manager of BeOne Medicines in Canada. “Our goal is to unify the community—patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, advocates, and policymakers—in a common mission to confront cancer and remove barriers to care.”
“Many Canadian patients have participated in the clinical trials of our innovative medicines. With a diverse oncology pipeline, we anticipate bringing a number of promising new therapies into clinical trials in Canada over the coming years,” said Brad Gillesby, Country Medical Director of BeOne Medicines in Canada. “I look forward to our next chapter of growth.”
The company’s new name and logo symbolize its core values and vision. Key elements of the logo include:
Our icon with two curved lines represents the many paths we follow guided by a shining star our True North, the patients at the center of all we do.
• “Be” represents the ultimate goal for every cancer patient— to be free of disease;
• “One” emphasizes unity and collaboration across the cancer care community;
• The letters “onc”, highlighted in red within “One,” underscore BeOne Medicines’ dedication to oncology;
• The power button in the final “e” represents the continuous effort to discover treatments that turn cancer “off.” Its tilted design signifies a bold, forwardmoving path through complex scientific challenges. Since entering the Canadian market in 2021, BeOne Medicines has become a leader in blood cancer treatment. That same year, the company received approvals for Brukinsa® (zanubrutinib) for Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (WM) and relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Brukinsa has since been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL), relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), and, in combination with obinutuzumab, for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) following two or more prior therapies.*
Globally, BeOne Medicines stands out for its in-house clinical development model, one of the industry’s largest oncology pipelines, and its investment in internal manufacturing—enabling faster, more affordable access in regions where traditional pathways are limited.
In Canada, BeOne Medicines also takes a holistic approach to patient care. The myBeOne Medicines support program helps patients manage treatment costs and logistics. Collaborations with organizations like Gilda’s Toronto and Lymphoma Canada and others, reinforce the company’s role in the broader cancer support community.
“Be” represents the fundamental goal of any patient with cancer simply to be free of disease.
Power Button and Onc
The power button in the “e” represents our always “on” approach in pursuing novel molecules that turn cancer “off.” The “Onc” spelled within illustrates our redoubled commitment to oncology.
“One”
emphasizes our unity as a team and focus on bringing together patients, caregivers, scientists, healthcare providers, governments and industry with a shared mission to eliminate cancer together.
How 48Hour Discovery is Putting Canadian Innovation on the World Stage
Du criblage rapide aux produits radiopharmaceutiques : l’innovation canadienne sur la scène mondiale
By Adam Brown, Chief Business Officer, 48Hour Discovery
Par Adam Brown, directeur général, 48Hour Discovery
CANADA IS RAPIDLY EMERGING as a global force in precision medicine, and Edmonton-based 48Hour Discovery reflects the momentum of the country’s biotech ecosystem. At the intersection of chemistry, biology, and artificial intelligence, our company has pioneered a platform that radically accelerates peptide drug discovery. As the global spotlight turns to next-generation radiopharmaceuticals, 48Hour Discovery is building a bridge between innovative screening technologies and the future of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
CANADA’S COMPETITIVE EDGE IN DRUG DISCOVERY
Canada offers fertile ground for biotech innovation: worldclass academic institutions, robust public research funding, and a growing community of companies focused on platform technologies. 48Hour Discovery was spun out of the University of Alberta in 2017 and has since evolved from a research-stage startup into a global collaborator, partnering with over 25 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies around the world. Our work benefits not just from Canadian infrastructure, but also from a strong culture of scientific entrepreneurship that embraces platform thinking and interdisciplinary innovation.
ACCELERATING DRUG DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PLATFORM INNOVATION
Traditional peptide drug discovery can take months, sometimes years, to move from screening to optimization. Our proprietary phage display platform compresses this timeline dramatically. By combining DNAencoded libraries, high-throughput
grâce à 48Hour Discovery
LE CANADA EST EN PASSE DE DEVENIR une figure mondiale de la médecine de précision, et l’Edmontonienne 48Hour Discovery s’inscrit dans cette évolution rapide du secteur de la biotechnologie à travers le pays. Au carrefour de la chimie, de la biologie et de l’intelligence artificielle, notre entreprise a mis au point une plateforme qui permet d’accélérer considérablement la conception de médicaments à base de peptides. Alors que les regards se tournent vers les produits radiopharmaceutiques de nouvelle génération, 48Hour Discovery jette un pont entre les technologies de criblage innovantes et les futurs diagnostics et traitements en oncologie.
L’AVANTAGE CONCURRENTIEL DU CANADA EN MATIÈRE DE MISE AU POINT DE MÉDICAMENTS
Le Canada favorise l’innovation en biotechnologie grâce à des établissements universitaires de réputation internationale, à un important financement public de la recherche et à une communauté croissante d’entreprises axées sur les plateformes technologiques. 48Hour Discovery a essaimé de l’Université de l’Alberta en 2017 et a pu passer depuis du stade de jeune pousse de la recherche à celui des collaborations à l’échelle mondiale, grâce à des partenariats internationaux avec plus de 25 sociétés pharmaceutiques et biotechnologiques. Nos avancées bénéficient non seulement de l’infrastructure canadienne, mais aussi d’une forte culture d’entrepreneuriat scientifique, qui valorise les plateformes technologiques et l’innovation interdisciplinaire.
intersection of science and business
Adam Brown, directeur général des affaires de 48Hour Discovery : pour une croissance stratégique, à la croisée de la science et des affaires
Source: Edmonton Edge Fund / Ryan Jackson
Canada offers fertile ground for biotech innovation: world-class academic institutions, robust public research funding, and a growing community of companies focused on platform technologies.
screening, and machine learning, we can deliver optimized peptide leads in weeks rather than months. Recent advances, such as our ability to perform late-stage chemical reshaping of peptides, including the addition of linkers and chelators, further enhance the tunability of our hits.
This ability to go from “sequence to function” quickly is vital for partners developing precision therapies where time, cost, and differentiation matter.
THE FUTURE OF RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS: CANADIAN STRENGTH IN A GROWING FIELD
Radiopharmaceuticals represent one of the most exciting frontiers in oncology, with the potential to selectively deliver radiation to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Yet peptide discovery for radiopharma applications requires unique considerations: high affinity, metabolic stability, and tunable pharmacokinetics, among others.
48Hour Discovery is uniquely positioned to serve this field. Our platform enables rapid identification and chemical optimization of tumor-targeting peptides that can be paired with isotopes for both imaging and therapy. Through collaborations with academic partners and nuclear medicine groups in Canada, we’re advancing preclinical programs against high-value oncology targets.
ACCÉLÉRER LA MISE AU POINT DES MÉDICAMENTS
GRÂCE À L’INNOVATION EN MATIÈRE DE PLATEFORMES
Lorsque l’on emploie les méthodes classiques, faire passer un médicament à base de peptides de la phase du criblage à celle de l’optimisation exige souvent des mois, voire des années. Notre plateforme exclusive d’exposition sur phage permet de réduire considérablement ce délai. Grâce à la réunion de diverses bases de données d’ADN, au criblage à haut débit et à l’apprentissage automatique, nous arrivons à optimiser des peptides prometteurs en quelques semaines plutôt qu’en quelques mois. Qui plus est, des progrès récents, comme la capacité de procéder à un remodelage chimique des peptides à un stade avancé, notamment par l’ajout d’éléments de liaison et d’agents chélateurs, nous permettent d’améliorer encore l’adaptabilité de nos candidats.
Cette capacité à passer rapidement « du séquençage à l’application » est indispensable pour nos partenaires qui élaborent des traitements de précision pour lesquels le temps, le coût et le caractère distinct sont des facteurs importants.
PRODUITS RADIOPHARMACEUTIQUES : LE CANADA EN BONNE POSITION DANS UN DOMAINE EN PLEINE EXPANSION
Les produits radiopharmaceutiques représentent l’une des avancées les plus importantes dans le domaine de l’oncologie, car ils pourraient permettre à la radiothérapie de cibler les cellules cancéreuses tout en épargnant les tissus sains. Cependant, la découverte de peptides pour les applications radiopharmaceutiques nécessite des conditions spécifiques, dont une grande affinité, la stabilité métabolique et des caractéristiques pharmacocinétiques modulables.
48Hour Discovery est particulièrement bien placée pour répondre aux besoins dans ce domaine. En effet, notre plateforme permet le repérage rapide et l’optimisation chimique de peptides ciblant les tumeurs et pouvant être associés à des isotopes à des fins d’imagerie et de traitement.
Source: Edmonton Edge Fund / Ryan Jackson
We see a future where peptidebased radiopharmaceuticals are a cornerstone of cancer treatment, and where Canadian technologies power the next wave of therapeutic breakthroughs.
FROM STARTUP TO STRATEGIC COLLABORATOR
Over the past several years, 48Hour Discovery has evolved into a trusted discovery partner, supporting programs across therapeutic, diagnostic, and translational applications. While our roots are proudly Canadian, our vision is global.
We see a future where peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals are a cornerstone of cancer treatment, and where Canadian technologies power the next wave of therapeutic breakthroughs.
AI AND MACHINE LEARNING AS FORCE MULTIPLIERS
Our work is underpinned by investments in machine learning—not just to move faster, but to learn from every
Grâce à des collaborations avec des partenaires universitaires et des groupes de médecine nucléaire du Canada, nous faisons progresser des programmes précliniques ayant des cibles oncologiques de grande valeur.
D’ENTREPRISE EN PHASE DE DÉMARRAGE À PARTENAIRE STRATÉGIQUE
Au cours des dernières années, 48Hour Discovery est devenu un partenaire de confiance dans le domaine de la recherche, soutenant des programmes liés à diverses applications thérapeutiques, diagnostiques et translationnelles. Bien que nous soyons fiers de nos racines canadiennes, notre mission est internationale.
Il est clair pour nous que les produits radiopharmaceutiques à base de peptides constitueront une des pierres angulaires des traitements en oncologie et que les technologies canadiennes seront à l’origine de la prochaine vague de percées thérapeutiques à cet égard.
L’IA ET L’APPRENTISSAGE AUTOMATIQUE COMME FACTEURS DYNAMISANTS
Les investissements dans l’apprentissage automatique contribuent à la réussite de nos travaux, non seulement parce qu’elles les accélèrent, mais aussi parce qu’elles nous permettent de tirer des enseignements de chaque expérience. Alors que nous continuons à élaborer un ensemble de données à partir des résultats de criblage, des
Source: Edmonton Edge Fund / Ryan Jackson
knowledge connaissance
experiment. As we continue to build a dataset of screening results, structural insights, and in vivo performance, we are evolving toward a discovery engine that improves with each cycle. This data-centric approach is what will allow 48Hour Discovery to scale impact, not just operations.
CANADA AS A GLOBAL LAUNCHPAD
48Hour Discovery reflects the best of what Canada’s biotech ecosystem can offer: bold science, collaborative infrastructure, and a commitment to global impact. As radiopharmaceuticals gain traction and precision medicine redefines oncology, we’re proud to represent Canadian innovation on the world stage.
Adam Brown is Chief Business Officer at 48Hour Discovery. He leads the company’s strategic partnerships, business development, and international expansion. He holds an MBA and PMP designation, and is passionate about platform innovation in drug discovery.
connaissances structurelles et de la performance in vivo, nous évoluons vers un moteur de découverte de médicaments qui s’améliore à chaque cycle. Cette approche centrée sur les données permettra à 48Hour Discovery d’élargir non seulement ses activités, mais aussi ses résultats concrets.
LE CANADA EST UN TREMPLIN POUR LA RECHERCHE À L’ÉCHELLE MONDIALE
48Hour Discovery représente le meilleur de ce que l’écosystème biotechnologique canadien peut offrir : une démarche scientifique audacieuse, une infrastructure collaborative et un véritable objectif de rayonnement à l’échelle mondiale. Alors que les produits radiopharmaceutiques gagnent du terrain et que la médecine de précision redéfinit l’oncologie, nous sommes fiers de jouer un rôle de premier plan qui propulse l’innovation canadienne sur la scène mondiale.
Adam Brown est le directeur général des affaires de 48Hour Discovery. Il gère les partenariats stratégiques, le développement commercial et l’expansion internationale de l’entreprise. Il est titulaire d’un MBA et d’une certification de professionnel en gestion de projet, et il croit fermement en l’avenir de l’innovation en matière de plateformes de découverte de médicaments.
Source: Edmonton Edge Fund / Ryan Jackson
Excellence Beyond Borders
BAKER MCKENZIE HAS BEEN A TRUSTED PARTNER in the Healthcare & Life Sciences sector for over 70 years and trusted in Canada for over 60 years advising some of Canada’s leading healthcare sector participants. We have a network of over 800 specialized lawyers in 45 countries, providing comprehensive and localized legal support.
With experienced specialists in capital raising, acquisitions, partnering and licensing, corporate advisory and governance, IP, tax, transfer pricing, trade, employment, privacy and other areas, we help our clients
enter and participate in the healthcare ecosystem with an integrated entrepreneurial mindset. Throughout all stages of the business lifecycle, Baker McKenzie’s local expertise and cross-border excellence and reach make it the ideal legal partner for a company’s journey forward.
In Canada, reach out to David Palumbo, david.palumbo@bakermckenzie.com to learn how Baker McKenzie can work with a company to achieve its goals. www.bakermckenzie.com/healthcare
Unlocking Innovation: Why IDEA is the Key to Canada’s Bioscience Talent Pipeline Libérer l’innovation : les principes d’IDÉA sont la clé d’accès aux
bassins de talents pour les biosciences au Canada
AS CANADA’S BIOSCIENCE SECTOR GROWS, so does the pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to recruit, retain and compete. For many employers, it’s a race to scale research, launch new products and meet compliance demands—all while navigating an increasingly competitive labour market.
While Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) may not always seem like the first solution to these challenges, evidence shows it may be one of the most effective
At a time when broader conversations around IDEA may be shifting, BioTalent Canada remains committed to it—not out of ideology, but out of evidence. Research shows that companies with more diverse executive teams are 39% more likely to outperform their peers on profitability 1 Inclusive hiring strategies don’t just build stronger teams—they enhance innovation, improve decision-making and open
1 Dixon-Fyle, Sundiatu, et al. Diversity Matters Even More: The Case for Holistic Impact. McKinsey & Company, 2023, https://www.mckinsey.com/ featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/diversity-matters-even-more-the-case-for-holistic-impact
AVEC LA CROISSANCE DU SECTEUR DES BIOSCIENCES AU CANADA , les petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) sont confrontées à la difficulté de recruter et mobiliser du personnel tout en restant concurrentielles. Nombreux sont les employeurs qui luttent pour accélérer la recherche, lancer de nouveaux produits et répondre aux exigences de conformité dans un marché du travail compétitif. Pour relever ces défis, l’adoption des principes d’inclusion, de diversité, d’équité et d’accessibilité (IDÉA) a été démontrée comme l’une des solutions les plus efficaces
À un moment où les conversations sur l’IDÉA évoluent, BioTalent Canada demeure engagée envers ces principes. D’après les résultats de recherche, les entreprises dirigées par des équipes plus diversifiées sont 39 % plus enclines à surpasser leurs pairs en matière de rentabilité 1 Les stratégies d’embauche inclusives renforcent les équipes, stimulent l’innovation, améliorent la prise de
1 Dixon-Fyle, Sundiatu, et al. Diversity Matters Even More: The Case for Holistic Impact. McKinsey & Company, 2023, https://www.mckinsey.com/ featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/diversitymatters-even-more-the-case-for-holistic-impact
The team at Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API), recipient of the 2024-2025 I.D.E.A.L. Bioscience Employer™ Recognition Award. API is based in Alberta, Canada L’équipe d’Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API), reconnue comme Employeur Biosciences
I.D.E.A.L.MC 2024-2025. API est établie en Alberta, au Canada
doors to broader markets, helping employers thrive no matter their size or structure.
IDEA AS A BUSINESS STRATEGY—NOT A BUZZWORD
At the heart of BioTalent Canada’s approach are values that guide everything it does: diversity and inclusion, collaboration, transparency, leadership, curiosity and a science-infused, data-driven commitment to impactful outcomes. These principles are embedded in the organization’s tools and programs that support employers across the sector.
Rather than asking organizations to “do more,” BioTalent Canada helps them do better with what they already have —embedding inclusive hiring, team-building and retention strategies that are practical, measurable and aligned with long-term business goals. That alignment— between values and evidence—transforms IDEA from a buzzword into a strategy.
The benefits are measurable. Employers that apply inclusive practices report:
• More diverse and qualified candidate pools2
• Improved employee retention3
• Stronger team innovation and collaboration4 For SMEs competing with larger organizations for talent, a well-implemented IDEA strategy offers a market advantage one that meets compliance or funding requirements while boosting culture, credibility and performance.
THE TALENT REALITY FACING BIOSCIENCE EMPLOYERS
Labour market data makes the stakes clear: Canada’s bio-economy will require 65,000 additional workers by 2029, yet four in five employers report difficulty filling open positions.5 The challenge is particularly acute for SMEs, where only 30% report having a dedicated HR department —leaving hiring to founders, operations leads or scientists who are also managing R&D and compliance.
Despite growing awareness, key equity-deserving groups remain underrepresented across the sector:
• 1% of workers identify as persons with disabilities
• 1% identify as Indigenous
• 9% identify as recent immigrants
• 17% identify as internationally educated professionals
• 20% identify as visible minorities
• 34% identify as women
These gaps mean employers often miss out on highpotential talent. BioTalent Canada’s goal is to ensure they don’t have to.
2 Rock, David, and Heidi Grant. “Why Diverse Teams Are Smarter.” Harvard Business Review, 4 Nov. 2016, https://hbr.org/2016/11/why-diverse-teams-are-smarter
3 Bourke, Juliet, and Ber nadette Dillon. Waiter, Is That Inclusion in My Soup? A New Recipe to Improve Business Performance. Deloitte Australia, 2013, https:// www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/au/Documents/human-capital/ deloitte-au-hc-diversity-inclusion-soup-0513.pdf
4 Lorenzo, Rocío, et al. How Diverse Leadership Teams Boost Innovation. Boston Consulting Group, 23 Jan. 2018, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2018/ how-diverse-leadership-teams-boost-innovation
5 Close-Up on the Bio-Economy: National Report 2021. BioTalent Canada, 13 Oct. 2021, https://www.biotalent.ca/wp-content/uploads/BioTalent-Canada-LMI-National-Report-13OCT2021-1.pdf
décision et ouvrent l’accès à des marchés élargis, permettant ainsi aux employeurs de toutes tailles et structures de prospérer.
L’IDÉA COMME STRATÉGIE COMMERCIALE : PAS SEULEMENT UN MOT À LA MODE
L’approche de BioTalent Canada repose sur des valeurs fondamentales : diversité et inclusion, collaboration, transparence, leadership, curiosité et un engagement fondé sur la science et les données pour obtenir des résultats percutants. Ces principes sont intégrés dans ses outils et ses programmes qui soutiennent les employeurs du secteur.
BioTalent Canada aide les organisations à intégrer des stratégies inclusives d’embauche, de renforcement d’équipe et de mobilisation qui sont pratiques, mesurables et harmonisées avec les objectifs d’affaires à long terme. Cette harmonisation entre les valeurs et les faits transforme l’IDÉA d’un mot à la mode en une stratégie.
Les avantages des pratiques inclusives sont mesurables :
• Un accès à des bassins de candidats plus diversifiés et qualifiés2
• Une amélioration de la mobilisation du personnel3
• Une meilleure collaboration des équipes et une innovation accrue4
Une stratégie d’IDÉA correctement mise en œuvre donne aux PME un avantage sur le marché en renforçant culture, crédibilité et rendement.
LA RÉALITÉ À LAQUELLE SONT
CONFRONTÉS LES EMPLOYEURS DES BIOSCIENCES EN MATIÈRE DE TALENTS
La bioéconomie canadienne aura besoin de 65 000 travailleurs additionnels d’ici 2029. Cependant, quatre employeurs sur cinq peinent à combler leurs postes. 5 Le défi est particulièrement marqué pour les PME, où seulement 30 % disposent d’un service RH —laissant le recrutement aux fondateurs, responsables des opérations ou scientifiques, qui gèrent également la R-D et la conformité.
Malgré une sensibilisation croissante, les groupes en quête d’équité demeurent sous-représentés dans l’ensemble du secteur :
• 1 % des travailleurs s’identifient comme des personnes handicapées
• 1 % s’identifient comme des Autochtones
• 9 % s’identifient comme des personnes immigrantes récentes
• 17 % s’identifient comme des personnes professionnelles formées à l’étranger
2 Rock, David, and Heidi Grant. “Why Diverse Teams Are Smarter.” Harvard Business Review, 4 Nov. 2016, https://hbr.org/2016/11/why-diverse-teams-are-smarter
3 Bourke, Juliet, and Bernadette Dillon. Waiter, Is That Inclusion in My Soup? A New Recipe to Improve Business Performance. Deloitte Australia, 2013, https:// www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/au/Documents/human-capital/deloitte-au-hc-diversity-inclusion-soup-0513.pdf
4 Lorenzo, Rocío, et al. How Diverse Leadership Teams Boost Innovation. Boston Consulting Group, 23 Jan. 2018, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2018/how-diverse-leadership-teams-boost-innovation
5 Gros plan sur la bioéconomie : rapport national 2021. BioTalent Canada, 13 octobre 2021, https://www.biotalent.ca/wp-content/uploads/BioTalent-Canada-LMI-Rapport-National-13OCT2021.pdf
FROM STUDENT TALENT TO SECTOR TRANSFORMATION
Programs like the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) demonstrate how IDEA can be embedded into daily operations without adding administrative burden. SWPP offers support for student hires while helping employers engage emerging talent from equity-deserving groups.
Since its inception, SWPP has delivered impressive results:6
• 77% of participants identify as from equity-deserving groups
• 97% of students report a positive experience
• 99% of employers say the program helped meet their workforce needs
As outlined in BioTalent Canada’s Biosciences Booster report, these placements are helping build more diverse, future-ready teams and strengthening connections between academia and industry.
The report highlights an important takeaway: when inclusion is intentional, talent pipelines become stronger
RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING EMPLOYERS WHO LEAD
To spotlight inclusive excellence, BioTalent Canada launched the I.D.E.A.L. Bioscience Employer™ Recognition Program. Unlike traditional recognition programs, the I.D.E.A.L. Bioscience Employer designation is granted to employers that meet clear benchmarks across leadership, inclusive hiring and culture-building.
In parallel, the I.D.E.A.L. Scholarship™ invests in the next generation of bioscience professionals. The $10,000 scholarship supports post-secondary students from equity-deserving communities, including newcomers, Indigenous students and persons with disabilities entering their first year of studies. The result: a more diverse and prepared workforce and more inclusive hiring opportunities for employers.
FREE TOOLS FOR EMPLOYERS—NO HR TEAM REQUIRED
BioTalent Canada understands that time and resources are limited for many SMEs. It offers a free, bilingual suite of employer resources tailored to bioscience organizations. These include:
• Inclusive onboarding templates
• Mentorship and retention toolkits
• Wellness checklists
• Step-by-step inclusive hiring guides
Practical, adaptable, and aligned with sector regulations, these tools reduce guesswork and build more inclusive systems—regardless of company size.
And they work—because they’ve been shaped by the real-world challenges of employers like you.
• 20 % s’identifient comme des personnes issues de minorités visibles
• 34 % s’identifient comme des femmes
Ces écarts signifient que les employeurs passent souvent à côté de talents à fort potentiel. L’objectif de BioTalent Canada est de s’assurer qu’ils n’ont pas à le faire.
DE TALENTS ÉTUDIANTS À TRANSFORMATION DU SECTEUR
Des programmes comme le Programme de stages pratiques pour étudiants (PSPÉ) montrent comment l’IDÉA peut être intégré aux opérations quotidiennes sans alourdir la charge administrative. Le PSPÉ soutient l’embauche d’étudiants tout en permettant aux employeurs de recruter des talents émergents issus de groupes en quête d’équité.
Depuis sa création, le PSPÉ a obtenu des résultats impressionnants6 :
• 77 % des personnes participantes s’identifient comme appartenant à un groupe en quête d’équité
• 97 % des personnes étudiantes rapportent une expérience positive
• 99 % des employeurs affirment que le programme a contribué à répondre à leurs besoins en main-d’œuvre
Le rapport Levier de la bioscience de BioTalent Canada souligne que ces stages favorisent des équipes plus diversifiées et renforcent les liens entre le milieu universitaire et l’industrie, tout en prouvant que l’inclusion intentionnelle renforce le pipeline de talents
RECONNAÎTRE ET SOUTENIR LES EMPLOYEURS QUI
MONTRENT LA VOIE
Pour souligner l’excellence en inclusion, BioTalent Canada a lancé la certification Employeur Bioscience I.D.É.A.L.MC , décernée aux employeurs qui démontrent un leadership inclusif, des pratiques d’embauche équitables et une culture organisationnelle forte.
En parallèle, la Bourse I.D.É.A.L.MC investit dans la relève en biosciences en offrant 10 000 $ à des personnes étudiantes postsecondaires issues de groupes en quête d’équité—dont les personnes nouvellement arrivées au Canada, les personnes étudiantes autochtone ou personnes handicapées. Ce soutien favorise une main-d’œuvre plus diversifiée et des pratiques d’embauche plus inclusives.
OUTILS GRATUITS POUR LES EMPLOYEURS : AUCUNE ÉQUIPE RH REQUISE
BioTalent Canada comprend les contraintes de ressources des PME et offre des outils gratuits et bilingues pour les employeurs. Ces ressources incluent :
6 Levier de la bioscience : rapport national 2023. BioTalent Canada, 21 septembre 2023, https://www.biotalent.ca/fr/reports/levier-de-la-bioscience/
A TRUSTED PARTNER WITH PROVEN IMPACT
BioTalent Canada practices what it promotes. The organization has earned national recognition, including:
• Best Leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2024 Best Ottawa Business Awards)
• Certified Great Place to Work® (six consecutive years)
• 5-Star DEI Employer (Canadian HR Reporter)
• Best Workplaces in Healthcare (2023)
These accolades reinforce BioTalent Canada’s role not just as a thought leader, but as a practical ally for employers navigating complex workforce needs.
GETTING STARTED IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK
You don’t need a full HR department to build an inclusive workplace. You just need a starting point.
• Download free IDEA-focused Employer Resources at biotalent.ca/resiliency
• Learn how your organization can qualify for the I.D.E.A.L. Bioscience Employer™ designation at biotalent.ca/IDEALEmployer
• Tap into the Student Work Placement Program at biotalent.ca/Co-opFunds
• Find additional employer support programs at biotalent.ca/programs
• Support the next generation of talent through the I.D.E.A.L. Scholarship™ at biotalent.ca/ IDEALScholarship
Let BioTalent Canada support your organization’s talent management strategy. Unlocking innovation starts with unlocking potential. Contact us today at info@biotalent.ca.
• Des modèles de programmes d’accueil et d’intégration inclusifs
• Des boîtes à outils en matière de mentorat et de mobilisation
• Des listes de contrôle en matière de mieux-être
• Des guides par étapes pour établir un processus d’embauche inclusif
Pratiques, adaptables et conformes aux réglementations du secteur, ces outils réduisent les incertitudes et aident à constituer des systèmes plus inclusifs. Et ça fonctionne! Ces outils sont conçus à partir des défis vécus par des employeurs comme vous
UN PARTENAIRE DE CONFIANCE AVEC UNE FEUILLE DE ROUTE ÉPROUVÉE
BioTalent Canada pratique ce qu’elle promeut. L’organisation a acquis une reconnaissance nationale, notamment :
• Best Leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion remis par Best Ottawa Business Awards en 2024
• Certifiée Great Place to WorkMD (six années consécutives)
• 5 Star DEI Employer remis par Canadian HR Reporter
• Best Workplaces in Healthcare en 2023
Ces reconnaissances témoignent de son rôle comme leader d’opinion et alliée pratique dans le domaine.
COMMENCER N’EST PAS SI DIFFICILE…
Vous n’avez pas besoin d’un service RH complet pour constituer un lieu de travail inclusif.
• Téléchargez gratuitement des ressources pour les employeurs axées sur l’IDÉA en cliquant sur biotalent.ca/ resilience
• Découvrez comment votre organisation peut se qualifier pour la certification Employeur Bioscience I.D.É.A.L.MC . Cliquez sur biotalent.ca/EmployeurIDEAL
• Explorez les capacités du Programme de stages pratiques pour étudiants en cliquant sur biotalent.ca/ FondsCooperatif.
• Trouvez des programmes additionnels de soutien aux employeurs à l’adresse biotalent.ca/programmes.
• Soutenez la prochaine génération de talents grâce à la Bourse I.D.É.A.L.MC . Cliquez sur biotalent.ca/BourseIDEAL
Permettez à BioTalent Canada de soutenir la stratégie de gestion des talents de votre organisation. Libérer l’innovation commence par libérer le potentiel. Écrivez-nous dès aujourd’hui à info@biotalent.ca
Carter Yott, recipient of the inaugural I.D.E.A.L. Scholarship,™ currently studying Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University Carter Yott, l’un des premiers lauréats de la Bourse I.D.É.A.L.MC, actuellement étudiant en génie biomédical à l’Université McMaster
An Interview with Rory Francis, CEO, Prince Edward Island BioAlliance
Une entrevue avec Rory Francis, directeur
général
de la Prince Edward Island BioAlliance
Rory Francis has been CEO of the Prince Edward Island BioAlliance since 2005. The BioAlliance a economic cluster development partnership of bioscience businesses, academic and research organizations, and government agencies that includes 50 companies earning over $600 million in annual sales, making the bio sector the second largest industry in the Province. Rory is a founder of the Emergence – Atlantic Canada’s Bioscience Business Incubator, Natural Products Canada – a national natural products ecosystem and business accelerator, the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) – Canada’s national ecosystem for biopharmaceutical manufacturing skills and training, and VetHealth Global – one of the top animal health and nutrition business conferences in the world.
LOOKING BACK: TRANSFORMING PEI’S BIOSCIENCE INDUSTRY
OVER YOUR TENURE, PEI’S BIOSCIENCE SECTOR HAS GROWN INTO A KEY ECONOMIC DRIVER. WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT THE SECTOR’S TRANSFORMATION?
I have had the great good fortune to take what was a merely an idea of bio-based economic diversification that we hatched in 1998 and formalized in 2005, and with the shared vision of many dedicated partners, to see that idea become a true economic engine for Prince Edward Island. We now have an enviable track record of hi-tech biosciencebased businesses being launched, others attracted to our Cluster, with the recognition that our innovation ecosystem was of a quality that those businesses wanted to be in Prince Edward Island to accelerate their success. That’s very rewarding, and a tribute to all those who took the risk of supporting a private-sector-led economic development strategy as the best model for generating prosperity for the community.
Rory Francis est le directeur général de la Prince Edward Island BioAlliance depuis 2005. BioAlliance est un partenariat de développement économique qui regroupe des organisations bioscientifiques commerciales, universitaires et de recherche, ainsi que des organismes gouvernementaux. Cinquante des entreprises qui en font partie totalisent un chiffre d’affaires annuel supérieur à 600 millions de dollars, ce qui fait du secteur des biosciences la deuxième plus grande industrie de la province. Rory Francis est aussi l’un des fondateurs d’Émergence, l’incubateur d’entreprises de biosciences du Canada atlantique, de Produits naturels Canada, un écosystème et un accélérateur d’entreprises du domaine des produits naturels à l’échelle nationale, de l’Alliance canadienne pour la formation et le développement de compétences en sciences de la vie (CASTL), l’écosystème national de développement professionnel en fabrication biopharmaceutique au Canada, et de VetHealth Global, l’une des rencontres d’affaires les plus importantes du domaine de la santé et de la nutrition animales au monde.
RETOUR EN ARRIÈRE : LA TRANSFORMATION DE L’INDUSTRIE DES BIOSCIENCES DE L’Î.-P.-É.
AU COURS DE VOTRE MANDAT, LE SECTEUR DES BIOSCIENCES DE L’ÎLE-DU-PRINCE-ÉDOUARD EST DEVENU UN MOTEUR ÉCONOMIQUE ESSENTIEL. DE QUOI ÊTES-VOUS LE PLUS FIER LORSQUE VOUS SONGEZ À LA MÉTAMORPHOSE DU SECTEUR?
Je suis heureux d’être parvenu à faire de ce qui n’était en 1998 qu’une idée de diversification économique fondée sur les biotechnologies une proposition officielle en 2005, puis un véritable moteur économique pour l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, grâce à la collaboration et à la vision d’un grand nombre de partenaires dynamiques. Nous pouvons aujourd’hui être fiers de ce bilan en matière de lancement d’entreprises de haute technologie en biosciences et du pouvoir d’attraction que notre pôle a eu sur d’autres sociétés. Notre écosystème d’innovation est d’une qualité telle que des entreprises, le
LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP & IMPACT
YOU’VE PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE LIFE SCIENCES ECOSYSTEM IN EASTERN CANADA, WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR LEADERSHIP?
I’m a sucker for a challenge, and proving that it can be done in what is considered a relatively rural, remot—from big cities—part of North America has been very satisfying; seeing how leaders from the business community, researchers, academic organizations, investors, and governments at all levels, can be motivated to work even beyond self-interest to advance a coordinated and focused strategy, keeping the bigger goal of economic prosperity in mind.
And we’ve developed new constructs that we saw as essential to our growth but that we needed to operate at larger scale to ensure sustainability. For example, Emergence – Atlantic Canada’s Bioscience Business Incubator, Natural Products Canada – a national natural products ecosystem and business accelerator, the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) – Canada’s national ecosystem for biopharmaceutical manufacturing skills and training, and VetHealth Global – one of the top animal health and nutrition business conferences in the world. These were invented here and I think are a strong testimony to the regional, national, and international impact of our Cluster.
THE GLOBAL RISE OF PEI’S BIOSCIENCE SECTOR
PEI IS NOW RECOGNIZED INTERNATIONALLY, WITH LANDMARK DEALS LIKE AGILENT’S $925M USD ACQUISITION OF BIOVECTRA AND MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH’S $1.3B USD INVESTMENT IN ELANCO’S FISH HEALTH ASSETS, INCLUDING THEIR GLOBAL FISH VACCINE DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURING SITE IN PEI. WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS MADE PEI SUCH AN ATTRACTIVE LOCATION FOR GLOBAL BIOTECH INVESTMENT?
The success stories you mentioned, and others like them, are so very influential in demonstrating to the world the sophistication of these companies in PEI; their leadership, technology, skilled workforce, and their ability to serve global customers from a PEI base.
I think it all comes back to our innovation ecosystem model: building key technology strengths, using a disciplined approach to identify promising new companies with unique technologies targeting specialized market segments, and assisting those companies in reducing scientific and business risk. We focus on their critical path to commercial success. We’ve also reached outside human health technologies to include animal health, fish health, and related diagnostics.
With a portfolio of quality early-stage innovators, larger companies take notice. Those larger companies are here either because they see the value and invest in those
constatant, ont souhaité s’installer à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard pour leur croissance. C’est très gratifiant : il faut en remercier tous ceux qui ont pris le risque de soutenir une stratégie de développement économique menée par le secteur privé. Cet engagement était un signe clair qu’il s’agissait du meilleur modèle pour assurer la prospérité de la collectivité.
UN EXEMPLE DE SAVOIR-FAIRE ET DE RAYONNEMENT
VOUS QUI AVEZ JOUÉ UN RÔLE ESSENTIEL DANS LE DÉPLOIEMENT DES SCIENCES DE LA VIE DANS L’EST DU CANADA : QU’EST-CE QUI A ÉTÉ LE PLUS VALORISANT DANS CE TRAVAIL DE LEADER?
J’adore les défis, et je suis d’autant plus fier que j’ai réussi à prouver qu’une telle initiative était possible dans une région plutôt rurale et éloignée des grandes villes d’Amérique du Nord. Le fait que les chefs d’entreprise, les chercheurs, les organisations universitaires, les investisseurs et tous les ordres de gouvernement aient été motivés à l’idée de travailler dans un esprit collectif afin de mettre en place une stratégie concertée et bien définie, tout en gardant à l’esprit l’objectif plus général qu’est la prospérité économique, a aussi été très gratifiant. Nous avons également mis au point de nouveaux mécanismes que nous considérions comme essentiels à notre croissance, mais que nous devions mettre en œuvre à plus grande échelle pour en assurer la viabilité. Qu’on pense à Émergence, l’incubateur d’entreprises de biosciences du Canada atlantique, à Produits naturels Canada, un écosystème et un accélérateur d’entreprises du domaine des produits naturels à l’échelle nationale, à l’Alliance canadienne pour la formation et le développement de compétences en sciences de la vie (CASTL), l’écosystème national de développement professionnel en fabrication biopharmaceutique au Canada, ou à VetHealth Global, l’une des rencontres d’affaires les plus importantes du domaine de la santé et de la nutrition animales au monde, ces initiatives sont nées ici et je pense que cela témoigne de la portée régionale, nationale et internationale de notre pôle.
Rory Francis (right) is pictured with CASTL Executive Director Penny WalshMcGuire (left) at the opening of CASTL’s Charlottetown Biomanufacturing Training Facility in 2022 / Rory Francis (à droite) et Penny Walsh-McGuire (à gauche), la directrice générale de CASTL, lors de l’ouverture du centre de formation en biofabrication de CASTL à Charlottetown en 2022
smaller companies, or those smaller companies have attracted the private capital needed to grow their businesses here.
The work is to continue to improve the quality of the business environment for companies large and small, so that we are successful in the global competition for technology, talent, and investment.
THE NEXT CHAPTER: OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEI BIOSCIENCE
AS YOU PREPARE TO PASS THE TORCH, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MOST EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD FOR PEI’S BIOSCIENCE SECTOR?
Applications of bioscience and biotechnology are providing essential solutions to the world’s biggest societal challenges: human health and pandemics, global food security, and environmental degradation, including climate change. The opportunities are limited only by our business acumen, creativity, and scientific expertise. Prince Edward Island’s bio sector companies can be serious contributors of the products and services that the world needs.
What’s also very exciting is seeing the next generation of your entrepreneurs from across Canada and across the world who really want to tackle these challenges. That’s where a collaborative cluster community like the BioAlliance can really help—providing that mentorship, support and navigation that is critical to their success.
Hon. Dennis King, former Premier of PEI (left) announced at BIO 2024 San Diego federal/provincial support for the construction of the BioAccelerator facility with CASTL CEO Penny Walsh-McGuire, Hon. Gilles Arsenault, former Minister of Economic Development and PEI BioAlliance CEO Rory Francis L’honorable Dennis King, ancien premier ministre de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard (à gauche), a annoncé à BIO 2024 San Diego qu’une aide fédérale-provinciale avait été accordée en vue de la construction de l’installation BioAccelerator. Il est accompagné de Penny Walsh-McGuire, la directrice générale de CASTL, de l’honorable Gilles Arsenault, ancien ministre du Développement économique, et de Rory Francis, le directeur général de PEI BioAlliance
UN RAYONNEMENT À L’ÉCHELLE INTERNATIONALE POUR LE SECTEUR DES BIOSCIENCES DE L’ÎLE-DUPRINCE-ÉDOUARD
L’Î.-P.-É. EST DÉSORMAIS RECONNUE À L’ÉCHELLE INTERNATIONALE, GRÂCE À DES TRANSACTIONS MARQUANTES, TELLES QUE L’ACQUISITION DE BIOVECTRA PAR AGILENT POUR 925 MILLIONS DE DOLLARS AMÉRICAINS ET L’INVESTISSEMENT DE 1,3 MILLIARD DE DOLLARS AMÉRICAINS DE MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH DANS LES ACTIFS AQUACOLES D’ELANCO, PARMI LESQUELS SON UNIQUE SITE DE MISE AU POINT ET DE FABRICATION DE VACCINS POUR LES POISSONS, INSTALLÉ DANS LA PROVINCE.
SELON VOUS, EN QUOI L’ÎLE-DU-PRINCE-ÉDOUARD EST-ELLE UN LIEU SI ATTRAYANT POUR LES INVESTISSEURS ÉTRANGERS DANS LE DOMAINE DE LA BIOTECHNOLOGIE?
Ces transactions et ces investissement, et d’autres du même genre, sont très importants pour les entreprises de l’Î.-P.-É. Ils permettent de montrer au reste du monde notre leadership, notre technologie, notre main-d’œuvre qualifiée ainsi que notre capacité à approvisionner les clients du monde entier à partir de l’Î.-P.-É.
Selon moi, tout cela est lié à la nature même de notre processus d’innovation en écosystème, qui consiste à se doter d’atouts technologiques clés, à mettre en place une approche rigoureuse pour repérer les nouvelles entreprises prometteuses qui possèdent des technologies uniques destinées à des marchés spécialisés, et à les aider à limiter les risques scientifiques et commerciaux. Nous mettons tout en œuvre pour assurer leur succès commercial. Au-delà des technologies liées à la santé humaine, notre action s’étend aussi à la santé animale, à la santé des poissons et aux diagnostics qui s’y rapportent.
Grâce à la qualité de nos jeunes pousses innovantes, nous suscitons maintenant l’intérêt des grandes entreprises. Celles-ci s’installent ici soit parce qu’elles souhaitent investir dans ces petites entreprises qu’elles considèrent comme très prometteuses, soit parce que ces dernières ont attiré les capitaux privés nécessaires à leur développement, ce qui les inspire.
Somme toute, il s’agit de continuer à améliorer la qualité de l’environnement commercial pour les entreprises de toutes tailles, ce qui nous permettra de nous démarquer sur la scène internationale et d’attirer ici les entreprises technologiques, les talents et les investissements.
VERS DEMAIN : QUELLES PERSPECTIVES POUR LES BIOSCIENCES À L’Î.-P.-É.?
ALORS QUE VOUS VOUS APPRÊTEZ À PASSER LE FLAMBEAU, QU’EST-CE QUI FERA BRILLER, SELON VOUS, LE SECTEUR DES BIOSCIENCES DE L’ÎLE-DUPRINCE-ÉDOUARD DANS L’AVENIR?
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
AS YOU STEP INTO RETIREMENT, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS WORKING TO BUILD CANADA’S BIOSCIENCE ECONOMY?
I’ve lots of projects on the go outside of BioAlliance and a few ideas that may be helpful. But I am looking forward to more ‘flex time’. Advice? Well that’s a tall order. I’ve learned a great deal from many of those same leaders over my career, so I’d probably be giving them their own advice.
As a closing, somewhat provocative thought, I suggest a different approach to our economic model in Canada and the biotech industry is long overdue and that this is the opportune moment to address our ability to be more competitive. One of the most important enabling conditions for the success of the bio sector in our province has been the willingness of our government partners, provincial and federal, to allow an industry-led partnership that includes research and academia, investment, and governments to lead on economic strategy development and implementation. Doesn’t sound like a big deal? It’s huge! It’s rare! That intentional alignment of energy, resources, and purpose is a powerful force that can get things done. Roles and responsibilities are clear, collaborative mechanisms are in place. We have to stop expecting that governments have the answers. Sure, governments are essential partners. Public policy is a huge determinant. But that should be developed in the context of industry-led strategy, and in the Canadian political geography, that means regional and provincially focused strategy networked across the country. In the new geo-political context we find ourselves, it’s time for a new approach.
Le rôle des biosciences et des biotechnologies est de fournir des solutions essentielles aux plus grands enjeux du monde : la santé humaine et les pandémies, la sécurité alimentaire, et la détérioration de l’environnement causée par les changements climatiques. Il ne tient qu’à nous d’aiguiser notre sens des affaires, notre créativité et notre expertise scientifique. Il est clair que les entreprises biotechnologiques de l’Île-du-PrinceÉdouard peuvent jouer un rôle important dans la production des produits et des services dont le monde a besoin.
Par ailleurs, il est très encourageant de constater que la nouvelle génération d’entrepreneurs du Canada et du monde entier souhaite réellement s’attaquer à ces problématiques. Un grand pôle collaboratif tel que BioAlliance peut alors se révéler très précieux, car il assure le mentorat, le soutien et la coordination qui sont essentiels à leur réussite.
ET MAINTENANT, QU’EST-CE QUI VOUS ATTEND?
À L’AUBE DE LA RETRAITE, QUELS CONSEILS DONNERIEZ-VOUS À LA NOUVELLE GÉNÉRATION DE DIRIGEANTS QUI ŒUVRE À RENFORCER L’ÉCONOMIE
DES BIOSCIENCES AU CANADA?
Je travaille à de nombreux projets au-delà de BioAlliance, et je n’ai pas dit mon dernier mot, mais je me réjouis à l’idée d’avoir un horaire plus souple. Quant à des conseils, il est toujours difficile d’en donner, mais au fil de ma carrière, j’ai beaucoup appris des mêmes dirigeants, et je transmettrais donc probablement les conseils qu’ils m’ont donnés.
En guise de conclusion, je suggère l’adoption d’une approche différente de celle du modèle économique actuel au Canada. On n’a que trop tardé au sein de l’industrie biotechnologique, et le moment est venu d’aborder sa capacité à être plus concurrentielle. Le succès du secteur des biosciences dans notre province repose notamment sur l’engagement de notre gouvernement provincial et du gouvernement fédéral : ils ont permis la mise sur pied d’un partenariat qui inclut le secteur de la recherche et les universités, les investisseurs et les gouvernements, et ils ont accepté que ce partenariat soit dirigé par l’industrie, qui élabore et met en œuvre la stratégie économique.
Ça peut paraître banal, mais, en fait, cette dynamique exceptionnelle vaut son pesant d’or. Le fait de réunir tous ces groupes apporte plus que de l’eau au moulin! Les rôles et les responsabilités sont clairs, et des mécanismes de collaboration ont été instaurés. Nous devons cesser d’attendre toutes les réponses de la part des gouvernements. Bien sûr, ce sont des partenaires essentiels. Les politiques publiques sont très déterminantes. Mais elles devraient être conçues en fonction d’une stratégie élaborée par l’industrie; au sein de la géographie canadienne, cela signifie une stratégie axée sur les régions et les provinces, au sein d’un réseau national. Il est temps d’adopter une nouvelle approche au vu du nouveau contexte géopolitique que nous connaissons.
Rory Francis addresses crowd attending the Taste of Atlantic reception at BIO 2023 (Boston)
Rory Francis s’adresse à la foule qui assiste à la réception « Taste of Atlantic » [un petit goût de l’Atlantique] à BIO 2023 (Boston)
PEI BioAlliance CEO Rory Francis has been a leader at the forefront of expanding biosciences sector both in PEI and in the Atlantic region for over 20 years Depuis plus de vingt ans, le directeur général de PEI BioAlliance, Rory Francis, est à l’avant-garde du développement du secteur des biosciences à l’Île-du-PrinceÉdouard et dans la région de l’Atlantique
Building Canada’s regenerative medicine future:
How CCRM is Driving Innovation and Growth
THOSE OF US WHO HAVE WORKED in the stem cell field for the last 15 years will recognize this sentiment: “If Canada’s game is hockey, its science is stem cells.”
Canada is known around the world as a hockey country, just as it is acknowledged for its excellence in stem cell research. One day soon, it will be regarded as a global player in regenerative medicine, but it will take continued leadership, investment and collaboration for that to happen.
Since it was established in 2011, Toronto-based CCRM has been enabling academics and industry to commercialize their discoveries, while tackling the big problems in regenerative medicine to propel Canada forward in the field.
“Canada has so much potential in regenerative medicine,” says Michael May, President and CEO, CCRM. “I’ve witnessed tremendous progress in academic science and new company creation, along with the growth of an experienced workforce. If we work together, we can get the puck across the line.”
CCRM’s mission is to generate sustainable health and economic benefits through global collaboration in regenerative medicine, and cell and gene therapy (CGT). It has helped to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and commercial success by providing the expertise, funding and infrastructure needed to accelerate innovation.
Through venture creation, strategic collaborations, workforce development and manufacturing scale-up, CCRM has created an ecosystem that fosters home-grown innovation in Canada while attracting global investments. CCRM’s unique model has engaged more than 200 organizations worldwide, trained approximately 600 highly qualified personnel, and provided CA$20 million annually in essential services to numerous companies, supported by tens of millions in investments in specialized facilities.
CCRM has launched and scaled 18 portfolio companies, which have collectively raised over CA$1.2 billion.
TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BIOMANUFACTURING TALENT
The success of Canada’s regenerative medicine sector depends on having a skilled workforce to support its growing manufacturing needs. Recognizing this challenge, CCRM partnered with Montreal-based CellCAN in 2021 to establish the Canadian Advanced Therapies Training Institute (CATTI).
CATTI provides specialized training in biomanufacturing, with a focus on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for advanced biotherapeutics. By equipping professionals with the expertise needed to support this rapidly evolving sector, CATTI is strengthening Canada’s talent pipeline.
SCALING MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES THROUGH OMNIABIO
To meet the increasing demand for CGT manufacturing, CCRM launched a commercial-stage contract development and manufacturing organization in 2022. OmniaBio Inc. provides state-of-the-art manufacturing solutions for immune cell therapies, induced pluripotent stem cell therapies, and lentiviral vectors.
In 2024, OmniaBio opened a North American CGT manufacturing and artificial intelligence centre of excellence. With cutting-edge GMP-compliant facilities, and a vision to manufacture a disease-free world, OmniaBio is helping to bring life-changing therapies to patients in Canada and beyond.
Visit CCRM’s website at www.ccrm.ca to learn more about its ecosystem-building work.
Bioreactors
Cell Therapy Manufacturing with AI-Powered Automation
OmniaBio Inc. has opened the doors to a North American cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing and AI centre of excellence, Canada's largest contract development manufacturing organization facility dedicated to CGT.
EARLY DEVELOPMENT TO COMMERCIAL CAPACITY AI AND
OmniaBio is built upon a decade of experience supporting 60+ clients across 150+ projects through our partnership with CCRM. We specialize in the following technology platforms: Immune cell-based therapies, induced pluripotent stem cells and viral vectors.
PURPOSE-BUILT CAPACITY
Toronto, Canada
40,000 sq. ft.
PD, MSAT, AD/QC
10 clean rooms
Hamilton, Canada
120,000 sq. ft.
PD, MSAT, AD/QC
2
15 clean rooms
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE
Canada’s Rare Disease Strategy: A Critical Test for Innovation, Access, and Equity
By Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President, Innovative Medicines Canada
FOR THE MILLIONS OF CANADIANS living with rare diseases, this is a turning point.
Now that all provinces and territories have signed on to Canada’s National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases, there is an opportunity for the country to see real progress on improving research, screening and diagnosis, and access to rare disease treatments. For patients, families, and the biotech community alike, this is a moment of cautious optimism.
It’s also a reminder that real impact depends on what comes next.
Rare diseases, by their very nature, present immense challenges to healthcare systems: they’re difficult to diagnose, complicated to treat, and require a high degree of specialization.
Rare diseases are not that rare. Collectively, these conditions affect many. More than three million Canadians are living with a rare disease, according to the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD). Many patients face years-long diagnostic journeys, only to find that effective treatments are unavailable in Canada or are delayed by regulatory and reimbursement hurdles.
Currently, only 60 per cent of rare disease therapies available in the U.S. and Europe make it to Canada. For those therapies that do, it’s often up to six years later than in the U.S. or Europe. For patients, that’s a lost opportunity for intervention, a prolonged period of suffering, and in some cases, a matter of life or death.
The March 2023 federal commitment of up to $1.5 billion over three years was an important step toward addressing this inequity. Now, with every province and territory signed on to implement this strategy, we have a chance to transform how rare disease care is delivered in Canada. But we’re only just beginning. To ensure meaningful outcomes, we must push for ambitious, coordinated action across jurisdictions.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO THE BIOTECH SECTOR
For those in the biotech and pharmaceutical space, the signing of these agreements is a signal that Canada is serious about adopting innovation in rare disease care.
The biotech sector has long been at the forefront of developing targeted therapies for rare disease populations, often navigating steep scientific and regulatory challenges along the way. With dedicated investment and a commitment to examining how to develop, collect, and evaluate the use of real-world data and evidence for reimbursement decision-making, we can now envision a future where Canada is not only a beneficiary of global innovation but a key player in its development.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NEXT
The true value of the current bilateral agreements will be measured in the patient outcomes delivered. There are several areas critical to the success of the national strategy:
1. A CLEAR, NATIONAL DEFINITION OF RARE DISEASES
Adopting a consistent definition of rare disease, such as the internationally recognized threshold of fewer than 1 in 2,000 people, will help ensure that policies and programs are aligned across jurisdictions. Quebec already uses this benchmark, and national harmonization will support data sharing, research, and equitable access.
2. A DEDICATED REVIEW AND ACCESS PATHWAY
Rare disease drugs don’t fit neatly into existing regulatory frameworks. Their small patient populations often make traditional clinical trials and health technology assessments difficult. A specialized pathway that recognizes these realities and incorporates tools like real-world evidence and innovative, outcomes-based reimbursement models is essential.
3. CENTRES OF EXPERTISE ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Centres of expertise can serve as hubs for diagnosis, care coordination, research, and education. Whether through in-person services or telemedicine-enabled satellite clinics, these centres will be critical to addressing the diagnostic odyssey that so many rare disease patients endure. A good example to follow is the Care4Rare approach lead by CHEO in Ottawa.
4. INTEGRATION OF REAL-WORLD EVIDENCE
Real-world evidence enables governments to assess how a drug performs in real-life settings, facilitating more flexible and outcome-based reimbursement agreements. We welcome the commitment to examine the use of real-world evidence for common list drugs at the provincial reimbursement level and encourage the government to facilitate data sharing across jurisdictions and discuss the use of these data sets for areas such as regulatory approval and health technology assessment.
5. CONTINUED COLLABORATION WITH INDUSTRY AND STAKEHOLDERS
Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) and its members are committed to co-creating sustainable access models with governments to ensure that patients receive the treatments that they need. IMC is open to partnering on novel pricing agreements, performance-based funding, and shared-risk frameworks that ensure value for money.
6. A NEED FOR TRANSPARENCY
Many of the decisions that the federal government and provinces made regarding the national strategy were made without input from patients, providers, or manufacturers. Drugs on the common list remain unknown, including to the companies that produce them, until after they complete negotiations. This creates uncertainty and challenges
supply chains when companies cannot prepare for what is next. We call upon government to be transparent and work with the sector to ensure therapeutics can be delivered when needed.
A CALL TO BE BOLD
A well-implemented strategy opens the door for stronger partnerships between industry, academia, and government. It creates incentives for early-stage research, encourages more robust clinical trial activity on Canadian soil, and enhances our ability to collect real-world evidence. These are all crucial components of a vibrant life sciences ecosystem. For biotech firms working at the edge of scientific possibility, this kind of policy alignment is essential to de-risking innovation and bringing new therapies to patients faster.
This kind of ecosystem also offers hope to patients and parents searching for a diagnosis and navigating a fragmented system, as well as to researchers and clinicians seeking solutions for those in their care.
Unlike the Pharmacare Act, we see opportunity with the rare disease strategy. It provides a choice to provinces to sign on to what they need most with an appropriate transfer of funds to the provinces
The agreements are signed. The dollars are committed. Now it’s time to deliver on the promise.
Gilead Sciences’ Canadian Approach to Global Innovation and Community Partnerships
L’approche canadienne de Gilead Sciences en matière d’innovation mondiale et de partenariats communautaires
FOR OVER 35 YEARS, GILEAD SCIENCES has developed innovative therapies for HIV, hepatitis C, and emerging viruses like COVID-19. Our work has transformed HIV disease management and cured millions with hepatitis C. We›re now advancing long-acting HIV regimens for treatment and prevention, partnering with community to end the epidemic, and developing new therapies for hepatitis B, D, and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
Gilead is also a growing oncology company, with clear leadership in cell therapy, and works with multiple patient and medical partners to provide new hope for people with cancer. From antibody-drug conjugates and small molecules to cell therapy-based approaches, Gilead’s
AU COURS DES 35 DERNIÈRES ANNÉES, GILEAD SCIENCES a mis au point des traitements innovants contre le VIH, l’hépatite C ou des virus comme la COVID-19. Nos travaux de recherche ont permis de transformer la prise en charge du VIH et de guérir des millions de personnes atteintes d’hépatite C. Aujourd’hui, nous mettons au point des régimes médicamenteux à action prolongée en vue de la prévention et du traitement du VIH, nous œuvrons en partenariat avec les communautés pour mettre fin à l’épidémie et nous développons de nouveaux traitements contre les hépatites B et D et la cholangite biliaire primitive (CBP).
Le volet oncologique de Gilead est par ailleurs en pleine croissance, ce qui nous permet d’occuper une position de
Reporters on a tour of the interior of Gilead’s R&D Facility, while scientists review protocols for product manufacturing Des journalistes visitent l’intérieur du centre de R.-D. de Gilead, tandis que des scientifiques vérifient les protocoles de fabrication des produits
“Canada is the backbone of some of our most important global scientific innovations,” said Paul Petrelli, Vice-President and General Manager, Gilead Sciences Canada.
research and development (R&D) programs are creating possibilities for people with both solid tumour and blood borne cancers. Gilead is proud that Canada plays a critical role in this innovation via clinical trial participation, investments in Canadian R&D, and a strong ‘made in Canada’ manufacturing presence.
“Canada is the backbone of some of our most important global scientific innovations,” said Paul Petrelli, VicePresident and General Manager, Gilead Sciences Canada. “It’s reassuring for Canadian patients and healthcare providers to know that we have almost 100 active clinical trial sites across the country, and more than one third of our global tableting supply is manufactured in Ontario— both examples of our deep Canadian presence.”
The majority of Gilead’s Canadian medicines have a manufacturing presence here in Canada—with innovative products across each of our therapeutic areas in virology, oncology, and inflammation. This means a more stable supply of medicines for Canadians, and more stable prices due to exemptions from the global tariffs and trade policies, although this remains a very dynamic environment.
Under the leadership of Greg Klak, Vice President of Operations at Gilead Alberta, the Edmonton location is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that plays a pivotal role in the research, development, and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Recently, the facility helped to advance innovation around a global therapy used to treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer—the most aggressive type of breast cancer and historically difficult to treat. The facility is also ramping up efforts to support a currently investigational long-acting, twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention therapy—enough to support tens of thousands of doses per year.
“We proudly reinvest ~15% of our annual revenues back into Canadian R&D, equating to roughly $100 million annually,” continued Petrelli. “Gilead has consistently outperformed our industry peers with R&D investments in Canada, while exceeding the PMPRB industry target every year since we began reporting in 2005.”
Both Gilead’s Canadian headquarters in Ontario and its R&D facility in Alberta also foster a welcoming and dynamic workplace culture—recognized year after year by being named a Top Employer in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and in Alberta, respectively. The organizations pride themselves on attracting and retaining high-performing
leader dans le domaine de la thérapie cellulaire. Gilead met à contribution de nombreux patients et partenaires médicaux en vue d’offrir un nouvel espoir aux personnes atteintes d’un cancer. Des conjugués anticorps-médicaments aux petites molécules en passant par les approches en thérapie cellulaire, les programmes de recherche-développement (R.-D.) de Gilead ouvrent des perspectives pour les personnes atteintes de cancers à tumeur solide ou à diffusion hématogène. Gilead est fier que son établissement canadien joue un rôle essentiel dans cette évolution, grâce à des essais cliniques, à des investissements dans la recherche-développement au pays et à une forte activité de fabrication, pour des produits « faits au Canada ».
« Notre établissement canadien est à la base de certaines de nos plus importantes innovations scientifiques à l’échelle mondiale », indique le vice-président et directeur général de Gilead Sciences Canada, Paul Petrelli. « Il est en effet encourageant pour les patients et les prestataires de soins de santé canadiens de savoir que nous disposons de près de 100 sites d’essais cliniques en activité dans le pays, et que plus du tiers de nos stocks de comprimés à l’échelle mondiale proviennent de l’Ontario : deux exemples qui témoignent de notre présence forte au Canada. »
La majorité des médicaments canadiens de Gilead sont en partie fabriqués au Canada, dont des produits innovants dans chacun de nos domaines de prédilection que sont la virologie, l’oncologie et les maladies inflammatoires. Ainsi, bien que le contexte demeure dynamique, nos infrastructures nous permettent d’assurer un approvisionnement et des prix plus stables pour les Canadiens en ce qui concerne ces médicaments, puisqu’ils ne sont pas visés par les politiques commerciales et les droits de douane internationaux.
Le site d’Edmonton, un établissement de fabrication de pointe dirigé par le vice-président des opérations de Gilead Alberta, Greg Klak, joue un rôle essentiel dans la recherche, le développement et la production de principes actifs.
L’établissement a récemment contribué à des travaux qui portaient sur une approche thérapeutique utilisée à travers le monde pour le traitement du cancer du sein triple négatif métastatique—le type de cancer du sein le plus agressif et jusqu’ici le plus difficile à traiter. Il intensifie également ses efforts en vue de la production d’un traitement injectable à action prolongée, toujours au stade de la recherche, qui serait administré deux fois par an et viserait à prévenir le VIH.
L’établissement pourrait produire des dizaines de milliers de doses par an.
« Nous sommes heureux de pouvoir réinvestir environ 15 % de notre chiffre d’affaires annuel dans la R.-D. au Canada. Il s’agit d’une contribution qui totalise environ 100 millions de dollars par an », poursuit M. Petrelli. « Gilead a toujours investi davantage en R.-D. que ses pairs au Canada, tout en faisant chaque année, depuis ses premières déclarations en 2005, beaucoup mieux que ce qu’exige le CEPMB en matière de prix. »
Canadian talent, with a focus on creating an inclusive workplace that is representative of the diverse communities Gilead serves.
In 2024, Gilead provided medicines to over 65,000 Canadians across its therapeutic areas, including in HIV prevention, a critical focus for the organization. Canada is experiencing its highest surge in new HIV cases in over a decade, and on average, 6 Canadians die every week of HIV-related illnesses and 46 more are newly diagnosed with the virus. Gay, Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV, which is why Gilead has made unprecedented investments in this area to support community efforts.
“Each year, Gilead provides approximately $6 Million in grants, donations, and sponsorships to community and healthcare organizations from coast to coast to coast,” continued Petrelli. “Our grants program provides resources to community and medical organizations, who as a result were able to support ~650,000 Canadian patients in 2024, almost equivalent to the population of Vancouver.”
Indigenous communities in Canada face many challenges in accessing health-care services, particularly for HIV and viral hepatitis. Despite comprising just 5% of Canada’s population, Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately affected by these diseases, making up for 18.2% of all new HIV cases and facing higher rates of Hepatitis C compared to non-Indigenous groups.
“At Gilead Canada, we are driven by our purpose of making the world a healthier place, and that means going beyond our medicines,” continued Petrelli. “Through an unprecedented $4 Million investment over 3 years, we are helping to improve health outcomes for Canadian Indigenous communities and empower them to take care of their health and well-being autonomously.”
Gilead met de l’avant une culture d’entreprise accueillante et dynamique tant au siège social situé en Ontario qu’à son centre de R.-D. en Alberta. C’est la raison pour laquelle l’entreprise est reconnue année après année comme étant l’un des meilleurs employeurs de la région du Grand Toronto (GTA) et de l’Alberta. Gilead se targue d’attirer et de retenir les meilleurs talents canadiens, et ce, en mettant notamment l’accent sur le fait d’offrir un lieu de travail inclusif, représentatif de toute la diversité des communautés au service desquelles l’organisation œuvre.
En 2024, plus de 65 000 Canadiens ont pu bénéficier des produits offerts par Gilead dans l’ensemble de ses domaines thérapeutiques, dont la prévention du VIH, l’une des grandes priorités de l’organisation. On observe au Canada la plus forte augmentation de nouveaux cas de VIH depuis plus d’une décennie. En moyenne, chaque semaine, six Canadiens meurent de maladies liées au VIH et quarante-six personnes reçoivent un diagnostic d’infection par le virus. Les communautés homosexuelles, noires et autochtones et les autres communautés racisées continuent d’être les plus touchées par le VIH. Gilead a donc réalisé des investissements sans précédent dans ce domaine afin de leur venir en aide.
« Gilead verse chaque année environ 6 millions de dollars sous forme de subventions, de dons et de parrainages à des organisations communautaires et de soins de santé d’un bout à l’autre du pays », précise M. Petrelli. « Notre programme de subventions a permis d’apporter de l’aide à environ 650 000 patients canadiens en 2024 par le biais des organisations communautaires et médicales avec lesquelles nous collaborons, soit presque l’équivalent de la population de Vancouver. »
Les communautés autochtones du Canada, de leur côté, peinent à accéder aux services de santé, en particulier en ce qui concerne le VIH et l’hépatite virale. Bien qu’ils ne représentent que 5 % de la population canadienne, les peuples autochtones représentent 18,2 % de tous les nouveaux cas de VIH, et l’hépatite C est plus répandue au sein de ces communautés que chez les groupes non autochtones. « Chez Gilead Canada, nous ne nous contentons pas de fabriquer des médicaments. L’objectif est de contribuer à une meilleure santé pour tous », explique M. Petrelli. « Un investissement sans précédent de 4 millions de dollars sur trois ans nous permet non seulement d’améliorer l’état de santé des populations autochtones du Canada, mais aussi de leur donner les moyens de prendre en charge leur santé et leur bien-être. »
Dans un contexte où les entreprises du secteur des sciences de la vie sont soumises à une pression croissante pour investir aux États-Unis ou y rapatrier la fabrication et où les patients et les prestataires de soins de santé s’inquiètent de l’origine des produits, Gilead continue d’investir et de renforcer sa présence au Canada. Fort de près de 500 employés au Canada et d’un éventail de
Local reporter filming the exterior of Gilead’s R&D facility in sunny Edmonton, Alberta
Un journaliste filme l’extérieur du centre de R.-D. de Gilead, à Edmonton, en Alberta, par une journée ensoleillée
With almost 500 employees across Canada and a promising pipeline across our therapeutic areas, Gilead will continue to discover, develop and deliver innovative therapies in Canada for people with difficult to treat and life-threatening diseases.
At a time when life sciences companies are facing increasing pressure to invest in or repatriate manufacturing to the U.S., and patients and healthcare providers are concerned about where products are sourced, Gilead is reinvesting and recommitting to its strong Canadian presence. With almost 500 employees across Canada and a promising pipeline across our therapeutic areas, Gilead will continue to discover, develop and deliver innovative therapies in Canada for people with difficult to treat and life-threatening diseases.
Fort de près de 500 employés au Canada et d’un éventail de produits prometteurs dans différents domaines thérapeutiques, Gilead continuera à mener des activités de recherche-développement et à créer des traitements innovants au Canada pour les personnes souffrant de maladies difficiles à traiter ou potentiellement fatales.
produits prometteurs dans différents domaines thérapeutiques, Gilead continuera à mener des activités de recherche-développement et à créer des traitements innovants au Canada pour les personnes souffrant de maladies difficiles à traiter ou potentiellement fatales.
Margaret Kisikaw Piyesis, okimâw, (CEO), of CAAN Communities, Alliances & Networks, Gilead’s partner for the $4 Million GLOWS Indigenous Health Grant
Margaret Kisikaw Piyesis, okimâw (PDG) de CAAN Communities, Alliances & Networks, le partenaire de Gilead dans le cadre de la subvention GLOWS Indigenous Health, qui s’élève à 4 millions de dollars
The Future of Integrative Medicine
How the NPM Integrator Platform is Transforming Healthcare
BRIDGING NATURAL MEDICINE AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE WITH AI
The medical landscape is undergoing a radical transformation, and at the centre of this shift is the Naturopathic Pharmacology Machine (NPM) Integrator, a patent pending, AI-driven platform redefining how healthcare professionals approach treatment. Developed by MediChain Health Solutions Inc., this groundbreaking technology seamlessly integrates natural medicine with pharmaceuticals, offering a precision-based, data-driven approach to patient care.
Gone are the days of choosing between conventional medicine and natural therapies. The NPM Integrator proves that the best outcomes arise from synergy, not separation. With AI-powered analytics, real-time data processing, and an extensive botanical compendium, healthcare practitioners can now personalize treatments with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency.
HOW THE NPM INTEGRATOR WORKS
At its core, the NPM Integrator is a clinical decision-support system designed to eliminate guesswork in integrative medicine. It offers:
• Comprehensive Patient Data Analysis – Scans medical history, lab reports, and genetic markers for a full-spectrum health assessment.
• AI-Powered Treatment Matching – Identifies optimal natural compoundpharmaceutical combinations based on mechanisms of action (MOA).
• Advanced Clinical Nutrition Guidance – Creates customized meal plans aligned with each patient’s metabolic profile.
By reducing trial-and-error prescribing, the platform enhances patient safety, streamlines clinical workflows, and empowers practitioners to provide more effective, science-backed treatments.
The medical landscape is undergoing a radical transformation, and at the center of this shift is the Naturopathic Pharmacology Machine (NPM) Integrator, an AI-driven platform redefining how healthcare professionals approach treatment.
UNLOCKING THE POWER OF AI-DRIVEN NATURAL MEDICINE
One of the NPM Integrator’s most revolutionary features is its AI-enhanced botanical compendium—a digital library with over 1,000 medicinal plant profiles. This resource allows healthcare providers to:
• Instantly access scientific data on natural compounds and their therapeutic applications.
• Identify synergistic interactions between herbs and pharmaceuticals.
• Prevent drug-herb interactions with AI-powered alerts. This innovation not only validates the role of natural medicine in modern healthcare but also ensures that treatment decisions are evidencebased and safe.
WHY THIS MATTERS: A GAME CHANGER FOR CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT
The NPM Integrator is proving especially valuable for complex chronic conditions, including:
• Metabolic disorders – Creates AI-driven dietary and supplement protocols to enhance metabolic function.
• Neurological conditions – Matches neuroprotective compounds with pharmaceuticals to support cognitive health.
• Cancer support therapies –Provides integrative oncology strategies backed by clinical research.
By addressing the root causes of disease rather than just managing symptoms, the platform is reshaping how healthcare professionals approach chronic illness.
MEDICHAIN HEALTH SOLUTIONS INC.: THE INNOVATION POWERHOUSE
The company behind this groundbreaking platform, MediChain Health Solutions Inc. is setting a new standard in AI-driven precision medicine. By combining artificial intelligence, blockchain security, and machine learning, the company ensures data privacy, interoperability, and real-time clinical insights.
WHY BLOCKCHAIN MATTERS IN AI-POWERED
HEALTHCARE
As AI adoption in medicine grows, so do concerns about data security and transparency. MediChain Health Solutions Inc. has addressed these challenges by integrating blockchain encryption into the NPM Integrator, offering:
• Patient data security – Eliminates unauthorized access risks.
• Transparent AI decision-making
– Provides an audit trail for AI-generated reports.
• Decentralized medical data access
– Improves collaboration across healthcare systems. This fusion of AI and blockchain ensures that medical data remains secure, tamper-proof, and accessible only to authorized professionals, setting a new ethical standard for digital healthcare.
A MUST-HAVE TOOL FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
For medical doctors, naturopaths, pharmacists, functional medicine practitioners, and biotech researchers, the NPM Integrator is more than just a tool—it’s a catalyst for a smarter, more integrative future in medicine.
WHO CAN BENEFIT?
• Doctors & Naturopaths – Integrate AI-driven natural medicine into clinical practice.
• Pharmacists & Formulators
– Leverage AI to explore drugbotanical synergies.
• Functional Medicine Practitioners – Develop root-cause treatment plans backed by real-world data.
• Biotech & AI Developers –Contribute to the next generation of precision medicine solutions.
JOIN THE AI-DRIVEN HEALTHCARE REVOLUTION
The future of medicine is here, and it’s AI-powered, integrative, and patientcentered. For those looking to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape, the NPM Integrator is an essential resource.
• Read the Book: Revolutionizing Integrative Medicine with AI, Natural Compounds, and Pharmaceuticals by Michael C. Withrow.
• Explore the Platform: Visit www. npmintegrator.com.
• Transform Your Practice: Experience the power of AI in personalized, integrative healthcare.
As technology continues to redefine medicine, one thing is clear—the future belongs to those who embrace intelligent, data-driven innovation. And with the NPM Integrator, that future starts today.
Additionally, they call for strengthening partnerships between industry, academia, and policymakers to align training programs with real-world demands.
Financial and logistical barriers to training are also discussed extensively. Smaller firms, in particular, face challenges in funding and releasing staff for training without disrupting operations.
To overcome these barriers, the reports propose scalable training solutions, including self-directed online modules and immersive in-person workshops, which are both cost-effective and flexible.
THE CANADIAN ALLIANCE FOR SKILLS AND TRAINING IN LIFE SCIENCES (CASTL) is dedicated to building a skilled, adaptable, and industry-ready workforce for Canada’s biomanufacturing sector. To ensure that its training programs align closely with actual industry needs, CASTL recently commissioned a market study that led to the development of two key reports— Future-Ready: Developing Key Competencies for Canada’s Biomanufacturing Workforce and Navigating the Talent Landscape: Labour Market Information Shaping the Biomanufacturing Workforce. Prepared in partnership with BioTalent Canada with support from the Future Skills Centre, these reports provide a comprehensive analysis of skills gaps, training requirements, and workforce expansion priorities essential for sustaining and advancing Canada’s leadership in biomanufacturing.
The findings underscore a need for skilled workers, with the bioeconomy requiring over 65,000 additional workers by 2029, including more than 16,000 for biomanufacturingspecific roles.3 Central to this challenge is bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements. Employers emphasize competencies in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), laboratory skills, and hands-on technical experience as critical for workforce readiness. However, gaps in practical skills remain a significant obstacle, with many post-secondary graduates lacking the hands-on experience necessary for immediate productivity.
CASTL’s reports advocate for an expanded and diversified talent pipeline, highlighting the need for inclusive hiring practices and targeted reskilling programs. Addressing the industry’s reliance on intra-industry hiring, the reports recommend tapping into adjacent talent pools, such as workers from pharmaceutical and food production sectors, through short, specialized certifications.
By outlining a clear roadmap for workforce development, CASTL not only addresses the immediate skills shortages but also positions itself as a thought leader in Canada’s biomanufacturing industry. The organization’s commitment to fostering a skilled, adaptable, and inclusive workforce ensures that Canada remains competitive on the global stage.
To gain deeper insights into the skills gaps, training priorities, and strategies essential for strengthening Canada’s biomanufacturing workforce, we invite you to explore the full reports— Future-Ready: Developing Key Competencies for Canada’s Biomanufacturing Workforce and Navigating the Talent Landscape: Labour Market Information Shaping the Biomanufacturing Workforce
UNLOCK SAVINGS ON CASTL TRAINING FOR YOUR TEAM Canadian biomanufacturers are invited to save 50% on customized CASTL training programs to upskill or cross-train eligible employees. Training must be completed by December 31, 2025. Consult the ad on the opposite page for more details about the CASTL BioWorks program and seize this opportunity today!
ABOUT CASTL
The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) is Canada’s biomanufacturing training partner, dedicated to developing skilled talent to drive the country’s thriving biomanufacturing sector. With state-of-the-art, GMP-simulated facilities from coast to coast (in Charlottetown, PE; Montreal, QC, and Vancouver, BC), CASTL delivers hands-on, industry-informed training alongside flexible online learning. As Canada’s exclusive provider of National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) programs, CASTL offers world-class education with support from adMare BioInnovations and its adMare Academy, shaping the next generation of life sciences professionals.
CASTL Training facilities: British Columbia, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island
Capital BioVentures Empowers Canada’s Next Generation of Biotech Pioneers
As a biotech accelerator led by seasoned industry leaders, CBV empowers the region’s most promising biotech start-ups by providing strategic guidance, purposebuilt infrastructure, and critical nondilutive funding.
CANADA’S BIOTECH SECTOR is entering an era of transformation, and Capital BioVentures (CBV), a new biotechnology accelerator program in the nation’s capital, is ready to help. Headquartered in Ottawa, CBV is redefining how early-stage biotech innovation is supported, de-risked, and launched in the region.
As a biotech accelerator led by seasoned industry leaders, CBV empowers the region’s most promising biotech start-ups by providing strategic guidance, purpose-built infrastructure, and critical nondilutive funding.
CBV launched in the summer of 2024, thanks to an injection of capital from the Government of Canada’s Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). It is a not-for-profit organization founded independently from academic institutions and research hospitals in the region. This independence allows CBV to take an ecosystem-wide and institutionagnostic approach that supports its
mission: to remove barriers to growth for Canadian biotech companies so they can raise funds and scale.
At the core of CBV’s model is a holistic view of Canada’s biotech landscape. With strong partnerships across academic institutions, hospitals, industry stakeholders, innovation organizations, and funders, CBV is not just helping individual companies—it’s helping build an innovation pipeline. This ecosystem position allows CBV to identify and support high-potential ventures at some of the most challenging and exciting stages of development.
CBV’s three-pillar support model incorporates its Expert-in-Residence (EIR) program, access to high-quality, fully equipped lab space, and nondilutive capital. The EIR program features a global network of more than 70 biotech professionals spanning key functional areas, including intellectual property, corporate strategy, product development, business development,
CBV Lab Space
CBV client working in their new lab suite
research, regulatory affairs, clinical strategy, and more. At the highest tier of support, these experts are embedded directly into company operations, offering hundreds of hours of support per year to select clients.
CBV’s bespoke EIR programming is one of its key differentiators. Recognizing that not all companies face the same challenges, CBV’s EIRs spend considerable amounts of time with newly admitted companies to assess and define their critical gaps. CBV then designs objective-oriented projects tailored to each company, ensuring that programming delivers maximum impact by supporting their most critical, value-creating milestones. CBV also assists companies on their financing journeys by providing on-the-ground support at major investment conferences around the world, including pre-conference preparation and post-conference follow-up. These services can be critical in helping first-time attendees get the most out of these events, and the team is looking to expand this offering to more Canadian ventures.
Recognizing that infrastructure is often a bottleneck for early-stage biotech, CBV has acquired more than 6,500 square feet of lab space in collaboration with institutions across the Ottawa ecosystem—with plans to expand. They have also sourced over $2M worth of high-end research equipment to ensure clients are well equipped in their new labs. For prospective clients, the CBV team acts as a concierge for lab placement, offering services such as space scouting, rental negotiation, equipment procurement, and operational support. This ensures companies can direct their time and capital toward product development. CBV also provides selected Ottawabased ventures with up to $100,000 in non-dilutive capital, alongside lab access and integrated EIR support. This funding can be used for proof-ofconcept data generation, product
development, business development and corporate strategy, offering early-stage innovators a critical runway to reach their next milestones.
CBV is already growing quickly. Its inaugural cohort is comprised of 12 diverse and ambitious companies from the Ottawa region advancing innovations in oncology, infectious disease, heart disease, diagnostics, synthetic biology, and more. Five of these companies have received lab space placements, and threeNuvoBio Corporation, Rhythm Biotherapeutics, and Yellowbird Diagnostics, have received the non-dilutive grants. Backed by FedDev Ontario, CBV has quickly positioned itself as a key driver of Ottawa’s growing biotech ecosystem.
Recent national partnerships are further amplifying CBV’s impact and unlocking new opportunities for Canadian ventures to scale and succeed. Funding from the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) has enabled CBV to expand its EIR program nationwide. A collaboration with the Stem Cell Network (SCN) will accelerate the
With a focus on de-risking breakthrough innovations, a growing network of national partnerships, and a powerhouse team of biotech leaders, Capital BioVentures is helping fuel the next wave of Canadian biotech success.
commercialization of regenerative medicine technologies by combining SCN’s funding mechanisms with CBV’s business advisory expertise.
With a focus on de-risking breakthrough innovations, a growing network of national partnerships, and a powerhouse team of biotech leaders, Capital BioVentures is helping fuel the next wave of Canadian biotech success.
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2025 New Members
Nouveaux membres de BIOTECanada en 2025
Baker McKenzie has been a trusted partner in the Healthcare & Life Sciences sector for over 70 years and trusted in Canada for over 60 years advising some of Canada’s leading healthcare sector participants. They have a network of over 800 specialized lawyers in 45 countries, providing comprehensive and localized legal support. With experienced specialists in capital raising, acquisitions, partnering and licensing, corporate advisory and governance, IP, tax, transfer pricing, trade, employment, privacy and other areas, they help their clients enter and participate in the healthcare ecosystem with an integrated entrepreneurial mindset.
Borealis was founded on the premise that a convergence of scientific and translational breakthroughs is enabling the field of RNA medicines to treat kidney diseases and beyond. Borealis builds on the success of Chinook Therapeutics, a clinical-stage kidney disease company that was acquired by Novartis in August 2023 for $US3.5 billion. Their team is made up of experienced drug hunters with extensive expertise in kidney disease, targeted delivery of RNA therapeutics, translational systems biology and data sciences, translational biology, chemistry, DMPK and pharmacology.
CereCura
Nanotherapeutics is a preclinical neuroscience biotherapeutics company discovering and developing new treatments combining lipid nanoparticles (LNP) and RNA to treat intractable diseases of the CNS. The company’s brain Bioreactor technology platform enables the delivery of therapeutic proteins to the brain, by harnessing a subset of brain cells into producing and secreting the therapeutic protein, for a long-lasting time-course and with widespread distribution.
Baker McKenzie est un partenaire de référence dans le secteur des soins de santé et des sciences de la vie depuis plus de 70 ans. Le cabinet d’avocats possède une antenne au Canada depuis plus de 60 ans, et il compte parmi ses clients certains des principaux acteurs du secteur des soins de santé au pays. Son réseau de plus de 800 avocats spécialisés, répartis dans 45 pays, lui permet d’offrir une aide juridique globale, adaptée aux réalités locales. Fort d’une équipe de spécialistes expérimentés en matière de mobilisation de capitaux, d’acquisitions, de partenariats et de licences, de conseil et de gouvernance d’entreprise, de propriété intellectuelle, de fiscalité, de prix de transfert, de commerce, d’emploi et de protection de la vie privée, entre autres, Baker McKenzie aide ses clients à s’intégrer et à contribuer au système de soins de santé, en mettant l’accent sur l’esprit d’entreprise.
Borealis a été fondée dans l’idée que les percées scientifiques conjuguées à la recherche translationnelle permettraient de traiter les maladies rénales et d’autres problèmes de santé grâce aux médicaments à base d’ARN. Borealis fait appel pour ses travaux à Chinook Therapeutics, une société spécialisée dans les maladies rénales à un stade avancé, qui a été acquise par Novartis en août 2023 pour 3,5 milliards de dollars américains. Leur équipe est composée de spécialistes de la pharmacologie qui possèdent une grande expertise dans le domaine des maladies rénales, de la mise à point de traitements ciblés à base d’ARN, de la biologie translationnelle (notamment des systèmes), des sciences des données, de la chimie, du métabolisme et de la pharmacocinétique (DMPK) et de la pharmacologie.
CereCura Nanotherapeutics est une société de biotechnologie qui effectue des travaux de stade préclinique en neurosciences; elle conçoit de nouveaux traitements associant des nanoparticules lipidiques et de l’ARN pour le traitement de maladies du SNC actuellement incurables. La plateforme de type bioréacteur de CereCura permet d’administrer des protéines thérapeutiques au cerveau, en incitant une sous-population de cellules cérébrales à les produire et à les libérer, pour une distribution de longue durée et à grande échelle.
Dalriada, through its TURN-KEY ™ Drug Discovery services model, provides a full suite of drug discovery, medicinal chemistry and intellectual property services for semi-virtual, lean biotechnology clients who focus on developing small molecule therapies. With R&D operations in Mississauga, Canada, Dalriada builds focused teams with expertise in MedChem, Biology and ADME to allow for the most rapid and cost-effective project execution and value building. Dalriada has niche expertise in several areas including covalent drug discovery, GPCR programs, targeted protein degradation, novel heterobifunctional modalities and CNS programs, with proprietary screening platforms in several of these areas.
Eder Therapeutics provides optimal pharmacological solutions for patients living with rare diseases. For all targeted diseases, their goal is to complement the pharmacological treatment with an adapted integrated care approach, providing an optimal solution that will highly impact the quality of life of patients living with rare diseases. Their first pipeline asset is a potentially improved AAV gene replacement therapy for LPL deficiency, a rare and severe lipid disease.
Eurofins CDMO
Alphora, a Canadian contract development and manufacturing organization operating within the Eurofins global network of companies, provides fully integrated process development and GMP manufacturing solutions for small molecule Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Biologics and Drug Products, supporting biopharmaceutical companies from early development to commercialization.
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Our Ahead Together strategy means intervening early to prevent and change the course of disease, helping to protect people and support healthcare systems. We focus on the science of the immune system and advanced technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas: infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/immunology, and oncology.
Dalriada dispose d’un modèle de services en recherche pharmaceutique appelé TURN-KEY,™ qui lui permet d’offrir une gamme complète de services de recherche pharmaceutique, de chimie thérapeutique et de propriété intellectuelle à des clients en biotechnologie dont l’entité est semi-virtuelle, et donc allégée, et qui se concentrent sur le développement de traitements à base de petites molécules. Ayant des activités de R.-D. à Mississauga, au Canada, Dalriada met en place des équipes spécialisées dans les domaines de la chimie thérapeutique, de la biologie et de l’ADME afin d’assurer la réalisation rapide et rentable des projets et de créer de la valeur ajoutée. Dalriada possède une expertise de niche dans plusieurs domaines, notamment en matière de recherche sur les médicaments covalents, de programmes relatifs aux RCPG, de dégradation ciblée des protéines, de nouvelles modalités hétérobifonctionnelles et de traitements des troubles du SNC. Elle possède à cet effet différentes plateformes de criblage exclusives dans plusieurs de ces domaines.
Eder Therapeutics offre des solutions pharmacologiques optimisées aux patients atteints de maladies rares. L’objectif de l’entreprise est de combiner pour toutes les maladies concernées un traitement pharmacologique à une approche de soins intégrés adaptée, afin de fournir une solution optimale qui aura un effet considérable sur la qualité de vie des patients atteints de maladies rares. Son premier actif en cours d’élaboration est une thérapie génique à vecteurs adénoassociés (VAA) qui pourrait contribuer à remédier au déficit en lipoprotéine lipase, une maladie lipidique rare et grave.
Eurofins CDMO Alphora est un sous-traitant de développement et de fabrication membre du réseau mondial d’Eurofins, qui propose des solutions entièrement intégrées de développement de procédés et de fabrication conformes aux BPF pour les ingrédients pharmaceutiques actifs, les produits biologiques et les médicaments à petites molécules. L’entreprise accompagne ainsi les sociétés biopharmaceutiques de la conception jusqu’à la commercialisation.
GSK est une multinationale biopharmaceutique qui s’est donné pour mission de réunir science, talent et technologie pour prendre une longueur d’avance sur la maladie. Sa stratégie « Avançons ensemble » vise une intervention précoce apte à prévenir la maladie ou à en modifier le cours; l’entreprise souhaite ainsi contribuer à la santé des gens et appuyer les systèmes de santé. Nous axons nos efforts sur la science du système immunitaire et les technologies de pointe et investissons dans quatre grands domaines thérapeutiques : les maladies infectieuses, le VIH, l’appareil respiratoire et l’immunologie, et enfin l’oncologie.
NanoVation Therapeutics is a pioneer in the design and creation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for nucleic acid delivery. The company’s LNP technologies aim to overcome the limits of existing approaches to nucleic acid delivery, including the ability to target tissues outside the liver (extrahepatic delivery). NanoVation’s lead technology is its proprietary long-circulating LNP (lcLNP ™) platform, which enables functional nucleic acid delivery to extrahepatic cell types and has demonstrated an improved therapeutic index in preclinical studies. NanoVation partners with leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies to enable the development of genetic medicines for previously untreatable diseases.
Progenicyte Bio is the translational arm of Progenicyte Japan, a biotechnology spin-off of the University of Central Florida (UCF) rooted in decades of pioneering research in neuroscience, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine. As a vital part of Progenicyte’s global innovation network, Progenicyte Bio is dedicated to bridging discovery and application by supplying high-quality human-derived exosomes and producing human mini brains. These platforms are essential for advancing therapeutic development and enabling sophisticated in vitro disease modeling. Supporting a diverse pipeline of proprietary technologies—including exosome-based diagnostics and drug delivery, small molecule–driven regenerative therapies, and portable biosensing devices—Progenicyte Bio plays a central role in our mission to tackle unmet medical needs across neurology, oncology, infectious diseases, and aging-related conditions.
Rhythm Biotherapeutics is pioneering novel exosome therapies designed to prevent and cure atrial fibrillation. The company’s lead asset, preparing for phase one trial, is focused on preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation, a serious and common complication of open chest cardiac surgery that results in increased morbidity and healthcare costs. Extensive, published and compelling animal studies demonstrate safety and an 87% risk reduction in postoperative AF. The company’s pipeline includes treatments for patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation.
NanoVation Therapeutics fait figure de pionnier dans la conception et la création de nanoparticules lipidiques en ce qui a trait à l’administration d’acides nucléiques. Ses technologies relatives aux nanoparticules lipidiques ont pour objectif de pallier les limites des approches existantes en matière d’administration d’acides nucléiques, notamment de permettre que soient ciblés des tissus non hépatiques (administration extra-hépatique). La technologie phare de NanoVation est sa plateforme exclusive de nanoparticules lipidiques à longue circulation (lcLNP™), qui permet la transmission d’acides nucléiques fonctionnels à des types de cellules extra-hépatiques; des études précliniques ont démontré que cette méthode améliorait l’index thérapeutique. NanoVation travaille en collaboration avec des entreprises pharmaceutiques et biotechnologiques de renom afin de développer des médicaments génétiques devant traiter des maladies jusque-là incurables.
Progenicyte Bio est la division de Progenicyte Japon. Elle a essaimé de l’University of Central Florida (UCF) et de décennies de recherche novatrice en neurosciences, en biologie des cellules souches et en médecine régénérative, et elle est spécialisée en recherche translationnelle. En tant qu’élément vital du réseau mondial d’innovation de Progenicyte, la division Progenicyte Bio a pour objectif de trouver des applications à la recherche, et elle produit en ce sens des exosomes humains de haute qualité et des « minicerveaux » humains. Ces programmes sont essentiels à l’évolution des soins de santé et à la modélisation avancée des maladies in vitro. Apportant son appui à un large éventail de projets technologiques exclusifs—dont un programme de diagnostics et d’administration de médicaments basés sur les exosomes, des thérapies régénératives à base de petites molécules et des dispositifs de biodétection portatifs— Progenicyte Bio joue un rôle central dans la mission de son entreprise mère, qui consiste à répondre aux besoins médicaux non satisfaits dans les domaines de la neurologie, de l’oncologie, des maladies infectieuses et des affections liées au vieillissement.
Rhythm Biotherapeutics est à l’origine de traitements innovants à base d’exosomes destinés à prévenir et à guérir la fibrillation auriculaire. Le produit phare de l’entreprise, qui s’apprête à effectuer des essais de phase 1, vise à prévenir la fibrillation auriculaire postopératoire, une complication grave et fréquente de la chirurgie à cœur ouvert qui entraîne une augmentation de la morbidité et des coûts des soins de santé. De vastes études probantes menées sur des animaux ont fait l’objet de publications selon lesquelles l’innocuité et une réduction de 87 % du risque de fibrillation auriculaire postopératoire sont démontrées. Le programme de développement de l’entreprise comprend des traitements à l’intention des patients atteints de fibrillation auriculaire paroxystique et persistante.
STEMCELL Technologies provides high-quality cell culture media, cell separation technologies, instruments, accessory products, and educational resources to scientists around the world working on stem cell, immunology, cancer, regenerative medicine, and cellular therapy research. At STEMCELL, the company is dedicated to improving lives through advanced knowledge and scientific discovery, through their commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in STEM and the life sciences industry, and through their investments in sustainability, community, and social responsibility. Rooted in scientific expertise and rigor, they are a company of Scientists Helping Scientists, and they care deeply about making the world a better place.
Variational AI is redefining the unit economics of drug discovery through the power of generative AI. The founding machine learning (ML) team comes from leading AI research labs at Google, Microsoft, MIT, Caltech, and D-Wave Quantum working with established drug discovery leaders to develop Enki™, the industry-leading foundation model for small molecule drug discovery.
ViewsML is a techbio company transforming precision medicine and diagnostics through virtual biomarkers. Its core platform virtualizes antibodies and immunostaining to predict biomarker expression at the single-cell level, both spatially and quantitatively, reducing a days-long process to mere minutes. This innovation enables superior drug characterization, precise patient stratification in clinical trials, and the virtualization of diagnostic assays for precision medicines.
YYZ Pharmatech (YYZ) is a deep tech company endeavoring to profoundly progress new medicine for patients by revealing the plasma proteome. YYZ has pioneered powerful technologies to discover, validate, characterize and assay even the most elusive low-abundance proteins and peptides from plasma. The company’s science is supported by 20+ years of research & peer-reviewed publications.
STEMCELL Technologies est une entreprise spécialisée dans la production de milieux de culture de cellules de haute qualité, les technologies de séparation cellulaire, ainsi que les instruments, les accessoires et les documents nécessaires à ces travaux. Elle sert une clientèle internationale composée de chercheurs dans le domaine des cellules souches et en immunologie, en oncologie, en médecine régénérative et en thérapie cellulaire. STEMCELL s’est donné pour mission d’améliorer la qualité de vie grâce aux progrès de la science, à un engagement envers la diversité et l’inclusion dans les STIM et le secteur pharmaceutique, ainsi qu’à des investissements dans le développement durable, les initiatives locales et la responsabilité sociale. Ancrée dans l’expertise et la rigueur scientifiques, cette entreprise est constituée de chercheurs qui soutiennent d’autres chercheurs, et elle souhaite profondément contribuer à un monde meilleur.
L’entreprise Variational AI œuvre à redéfinir, grâce à la puissance de l’IA générative, l’économie unitaire qui caractérise la recherche sur les médicaments. Les membres de l’équipe fondatrice qui s’est consacrée à l’apprentissage machine sont issus de grands laboratoires de recherche en IA, tels que ceux de Google, de Microsoft, du MIT, de Caltech et de D-Wave Quantum. Ils ont travaillé avec des chefs de file établis du domaine de la mise au point de médicaments pour développer Enki™, le modèle de base du secteur pour le développement de médicaments à base de petites molécules.
ViewsML est une société de biotechnologie qui révolutionne la médecine de précision et les diagnostics grâce à des biomarqueurs virtuels. Sa plateforme principale crée des anticorps et de l’immunomarquage virtuels, qui permettent de prévoir l’expression des biomarqueurs dans la cellule, tant sur le plan spatial que quantitatif. Le processus, qui dure normalement plusieurs jours, prend ici seulement quelques minutes. Cette technologie révolutionnaire améliore la caractérisation des médicaments, la stratification précise des patients pendant les essais cliniques et la simulation des analyses diagnostiques en vue de traitements personnalisés.
YYZ Pharmatech (YYZ) est une entreprise d’innovation de rupture dont la mission est de faire évoluer les nouveaux médicaments grâce à ses travaux sur le protéome plasmatique. YYZ a développé des méthodes de pointe pour détecter, valider, caractériser et analyser les protéines et les peptides les plus difficiles à trouver—compte tenu de leur très faible concentration dans le plasma. La société se fonde sur plus de 20 ans de travaux de recherche et de publications évaluées par des pairs.
Become a Global Biotech Week Collaborator and spotlight your role in shaping Canada’s biotech momentum.
Global Biotech Week 2025 is your chance to engage with policymakers, innovators, and the public in a week-long celebration of biotechnology’s global impact — and it all started right here in Canada.
From September 21–27, take part by hosting an event, launching a new resource, or amplifying the message across your networks. Whether it’s a fireside chat, facility tour, livestream, or just a powerful social post — there’s a role for everyone.
Let’s showcase how Canada’s biotech ecosystem is setting the pace for global innovation.
Host or support an event
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Planning an activity or event for Global Biotech Week?
Let us help you promote it. Visit GlobalBiotechWeek.ca to learn more.
Celebrate the power of biotech to improve lives, drive innovation, and shape a better future. Learn More
Canada Can’t Wait
IN A WORLD WHERE LIFE SCIENCES innovation is both a healthcare necessity and a major economic driver, Canada must act with urgency. Research is advancing rapidly across the globe, delivering new, life-saving therapies—and Canada must keep pace.
Cancer care is at the forefront of this innovation. By supporting the translation of homegrown innovations in cancer immunotherapy, Canada ensures patients can access cuttingedge treatments without leaving the country. But this commitment must be sustained and expanded.
At the heart of this effort is BioCanRx, a national network
building a uniquely Canadian approach to innovation. Focused on cancer immunotherapy, BioCanRx provides the funding, resources, and expertise to move discoveries from the lab to the clinic—bridging the critical “translational gap.”
BioCanRx fosters collaboration between scientists, policy and regulatory experts, and biomanufacturing partners across the country. This integrated approach ensures that promising therapies are not only developed but made in Canada, by Canadians, for Canadians.
The model is working. An initial $40 million investment from the Government of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence was leveraged into nearly $110 million in partner contributions between 2015 and 2024. In that time, 34
immunotherapies have advanced toward the clinic, nine spinout companies have been created, and Canadian innovations have led to 35 patent applications across 18 global jurisdictions.
With new support from the Strategic Science Fund—$38 million over five years—BioCanRx recently announced $12 million in funding for 20 new projects and support for Canada’s biomanufacturing capacity. Canadian-developed CAR T therapies like CLIC1901, CLIC1902, GPNB-CAR T, and point-of-care treatment options, are among the many examples of how this homegrown ecosystem is delivering impact.
BioCanRx is also investing in the next generation of talent through training and internships, ensuring a pipeline of expertise to drive future breakthroughs.
This made-in-Canada approach works. But to sustain and scale it, continued investment and international collaboration are needed. In today’s global landscape— with mounting pressures and constrained access to international therapeutics—Canada can’t wait. Building Canadian solutions, at home, is more than smart policy: it’s a national imperative.
Stéphanie Michaud, President and CEO BioCanRx
Fuelling Life Sciences Innovation
From Sugars to Solutions: Celebrating a Decade of Canadian Health Innovation
BIOTECHNOLOGY IS ADVANCING at an unprecedented pace, and one emerging frontier with vast potential is glycomics—the study of complex sugars called glycans. These sugars coat the surface of every living cell, from bacteria and viruses to plants, animals, and humans. Glycans are key players in how cells communicate, how the immune system functions, and how diseases like cancer and viral infections take hold.
Once seen as the “dark matter” of biology, glycans are now recognized as vital to nearly every biological process. They provide a critical layer of insight beyond DNA and proteins—shaping disease progression, immune responses, and therapeutic efficacy. As researchers continue to decode their complexity, glycomics is driving new innovations in diagnostics, vaccines, biomanufacturing, and regenerative medicine.
Like genomics two decades ago, glycomics is at a pivotal moment. Strategic, sustained investment is needed to unlock its full potential and deliver health and economic benefits. Already, glycomics research is powering breakthroughs—from universal donor blood to nextgeneration cancer therapies, as well as innovations in agri-food systems and environmental health. In 2024, five of the world’s top ten glycan-linked therapeutics generated $76 billion USD in global sales, and the global market for glycomics-based therapeutics is projected to reach $257 billion USD by 2028.1
Since its inception in 2015, GlycoNet has connected Canada’s leading glycomics researchers, becoming the country’s largest research and innovation network in glycomics and a global leader in the field. With support from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Science Fund and Canada Foundation for Innovation, GlycoNet and its Integrated Services have leveraged $35 million in state-ofthe-art infrastructure to provide comprehensive research, development, and specialized services for academia and industry. GlycoNet continues to strengthen partnerships, co-fund innovative research, promote training and entrepreneurship, and accelerate the translation of discoveries into impactful health solutions.
10 CANADIAN GLYCOMICS BREAKTHROUGHS DRIVING BIOINNOVATION
As GlycoNet celebrates a decade of impact, here are 10 standout discoveries and innovations from GlycoNet Investigators that highlight how glycomics is advancing biotechnology across sectors:
1. Tackling Parkinson’s Disease
David Vocadlo (Simon Fraser University) has developed a way to measure the activity of an enzyme closely linked to Parkinson’s Disease. In collaboration with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Roche, his team is advancing diagnostic capabilities and potential treatment strategies, resulting in several patent applications.
2. Revolutionizing Cryopreservation for Regenerative Medicine
PanTHERA CryoSolutions, founded by Robert Ben (University of Ottawa) and Jason Acker (University of Alberta), develops next-gen cryopreservation technologies for regenerative medicine and transplantation. With an earlier $4 million USD in investment, PanTHERA achieved first-in-human and first-in-clinic applications, advancing cell and tissue preservation. In April 2025, its success led to acquisition by BioLife Solutions—while keeping operations and talent anchored in Canada.
3. A Cost-Effective Vaccine for a Healthier Swine Industry
Mariela Segura (University of Montreal) and Todd Lowary (Academia Sinica / University of Alberta) are developing a carbohydrate-based vaccine for Streptococcus suis —a zoonotic pathogen affecting both pigs and people. Being further developed through a $1.6 million partnership with the International Development Research Centre – Canada, this vaccine
offers a sustainable, antimicrobial-free solution for Canada’s swine industry.
4. Accelerating Drug Discovery
Founded by Ratmir Derda (University of Alberta), 48Hour Discovery has built a powerful molecular discovery platform that speeds up drug development. Since its founding in 2017, the company has generated over $12 million in revenue and formed partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies across oncology and beyond.
5. Creating Universal Blood and Organs
Founded by Stephen Withers, Peter Rahfeld and Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu (University of British Columbia), Avivo Biomedical is redefining transfusion and transplant medicine through ABO blood group conversion technologies to create universal donor blood and organs. Supported by partners including the Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Blood Services and the Mayo Clinic, this innovation could reduce donor blood and organ shortages.
6. Next-Gen Antibodies to Fight Cancer
Carbaform Biosciences, created by David Vocadlo and Robert Britton (Simon Fraser University), has developed a faster, lower-cost process for producing highly potent anti-cancer antibodies—up to 50 times more effective at targeting cancer.
7. Enhancing Antiviral Strategies and Pandemic Preparedness
Robert Britton (Simon Fraser University) created a scalable three-step method for producing nucleoside analogues—crucial building blocks for drug development. This breakthrough led to several patent applications, a $1.25 million multi-partner project, and ultimately, the launch of Cloudburst Biotech.
8. Making Strides in Alzheimer’s Disease
Matthew Macauley (University of Alberta) is leading development of a promising approach to Alzheimer’s treatment that targets a carbohydrate-binding protein in the brain. This approach has raised significant interest from industry.
9. Targeted Drug Delivery for Gut Diseases
GlycoCage technology, developed by Harry Brumer and Laura Sly (University of British Columbia) uses specialized carbohydrates to “cage” medications and release them precisely in the gastrointestinal tract, improving treatment for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
10. Monitoring Ocean Health in a Changing Climate
Yves St-Pierre (INRS) is advancing glycan-based and multi-omics biomarkers to track environmental stressors in marine ecosystems—tools with growing relevance in the face of global climate change.
BUILDING ON CANADA’S LEADERSHIP IN GLYCOMICS
From medicine to agri-food systems, glycomics is unlocking solutions to some of our most complex challenges in health and sustainability. As we look to the next decade, glycomics is a strategic advantage that entrepreneurs and leaders in biotech are increasingly leveraging. Canada has been at the forefront of this field and with ongoing investment, we will continue to see homegrown discoveries translate into benefits for patients, industries, and communities.
At GlycoNet, we believe collaboration fuels innovation. We invite organizations, researchers, and innovators across industries to join us in accelerating the development and commercialization of glycomics-based solutions. Together we can shape a healthier, more sustainable future.
1 The Insight Partners. (2022). Glycomics Therapeutics Market: Forecast to 2028
OBIO® and CATTI Pursue Their Efforts to Increase Domestic Biomanufacturing Capacity
A FEW MONTHS AGO, OBIO ® and the Canadian Advanced Therapies Training Institute (CATTI) announced their partnership to address the escalating demand for skilled personnel in the rapidly growing field of cell and gene therapy (CGT) biomanufacturing, a distinct area of the industry requiring specialized skill sets compared to conventional biopharmaceutical manufacturing. So far, 68 people completed either the Aseptic Techniques and Cell Culture Bootcamp or the Quality Control – Microbiology Bootcamp. Each one-week on-site Bootcamp provides hands-on experience that helps participants master key skills such as cell culture, aseptic techniques, good documentation practices, sterility testing and environmental monitoring, with proficiency assessed by experienced trainers. Additionally, online self-paced training modules in Advanced Therapies GMP, CGT commercialization, IP and licensing, and professional development skills are available to complement both main offerings. At the end of Q2-2025, a fully remote training option (~40 hours of learning modules) will also be implemented for specific roles not requiring hands-on experience. A Quality Control – Analytical Bootcamp and a Closed Systems and Engineered Cellular Immunotherapies Bootcamp are also under development.
As a testimonial to the value and effectiveness of the program, a participant shared: “The Biomanufacturing for Advanced Therapies – Aseptic Techniques & Cell Culture training was a game-changer for my career. As someone with a background in regenerative medicine, I was looking to transition into the biomanufacturing sector, but I knew that hands-on experience in GMP-compliant cell culture and aseptic techniques would be crucial. This program delivered exactly that. I can confidently say that completing this program played a key role in helping me secure my new job in the biomanufacturing field.”
This collaboration aims at upskilling 280 people across Canada before the end of March 2026 and supports eligible participants with training subsidies. This program is funded by Upskill Canada (powered by Palette Skills) and the Government of Canada. Employers with a growing need for talent in biomanufacturing of cell and gene therapies are invited to contact OBIO ® and CATTI to learn more about the graduates of the program.
“Developing a highly skilled biomanufacturing workforce for in-demand roles is key to enable Canadian companies to commercialize cell and gene therapies in Canada and increase domestic biomanufacturing capacity,” says Dr. Maura Campbell, President and CEO of OBIO ® . “We are thrilled to be part of this important initiative by delivering the national Biomanufacturing for Advanced Therapies Training Program in partnership with CATTI and Upskill Canada.”
“Participant feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing how the training has helped them develop new skills, land new jobs, or take on greater responsibilities,” says Vanessa Laflamme, CEO of CATTI. “We’re excited to partner with OBIO ® to deliver training in a fully operational lab that simulates GMP environments. This setting allows trainees to build hands-on experience in a realistic context—where mistakes become learning opportunities rather than costly setbacks.”
ABOUT OBIO®
OBIO ® is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to address the needs of the next generation of companies developing innovative human health products. www.obio.ca
ABOUT CATTI
The Canadian Advanced Therapies Training Institute (CATTI), delivers hands-on and virtual training for efficient and rapid upskilling of the biomanufacturing workforce required in Canada and internationally, including highly specialized hands-on training to produce cell and gene therapies. www.catti.ca
ABOUT UPSKILL CANADA, POWERED BY PALETTE SKILLS Upskill Canada is dedicated to bridging the gap between employers and the talent they need to innovate and grow. On graduation, our diverse talent pool of mid-career professionals brings industry-specific expertise, transferable and professional skills honed through rigorous training to your workforce. paletteskills.org/upskill-canada
280 people across Canada will be trained in Advanced Biomanufacturing for Cell and Gene Therapies and ready for hire
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