corporate profiles 2011

A supplement to LifeSciences British ColumbiaCorporate P rofiles2011

Sponsored by

Published by

The B.C. life sciences industry is ranked among the smartest

and fastest growing research communities in the world.

Featuring:

BC Preclinical Research Consortium

Centre for Advanced Diagnostics

The Centre for Drug Research

and Development

Farm Credit Canada

Genome British Columbia

GlaxoSmithKline

Italian Trade Commission

Kalgene Pharmaceuticals

LifeLabs

Pegasus Pharmaceuticals

Pfizer Canada

Premier Diagnostic

PROOF Centre of Excellence

Rx&D

Seed IP

Stemcell Technologies

Syreon

Corporate Profiles 2011.indd 1 2/15/11 7:50:26 PM

www.lifesciencesbc.ca

www.seedip.com

www.bivmagazines.ca

http://www.biv.com/publications/spbiobc.asp


www.gsk.ca


www.fccfinancing.ca

www.italtrade.com

Italian Trade Commission Trade Promotion Section of the Consulate Generale of Italy180, Dundas Street West Suite 2002, P.O. BOX N°2M5G 1Z8 Toronto, Ontario, [email protected]: +1 416 598 1566 Fax: +1 416 598 1610

Italy atSupporting the internationalisation of Italian firms and the consolidation of their business relationships in foreign markets, the Italian Trade Commission is proudly showcasing the Italian biotech scenario with growing opportunities at BioPartnering 2011.

The successful Italian testimonials participating at BioPartnering 2011 are:A. Menarini IFR www.menarini.itC. Musso: [email protected]

Areta International www.aretaint.com L. Cavenaghi: [email protected]

Assobiotec Industry Association: www.assobiotec.it L. Vingiani: [email protected]

Bracco Imagining spa www.braccoimaging.comD. Fujii: [email protected]

CROM Group www.cromgroup.com M. Mosconi: [email protected]

Menarini Biotech srl www.menarini-biotech.comC. Panzarella: [email protected]

Pharma & Biotech AdvisorsP. Barbanti: [email protected]

Proge Farm srl www.progefarm.itE. Tosi: [email protected]

Proge Medica srl G. Dondi: [email protected]

Recordati Industria Chimica e Farmaceutica spa www.recordati.it. P. Ferlenga: [email protected]

Supporting the internationalisation of Italian firms and the consolidation of their business relationships in foreign markets, the Italian Trade Commission is proudly showcasing the Italian biotech scenario with growing opportunities at BioPartnering 2011.

The successful Italian testimonials participating at BioPartnering 2011 are:A. Menarini IFR www.menarini.itC. Musso: [email protected]

Areta International www.aretaint.com L. Cavenaghi: [email protected]

Assobiotec Industry Association: www.assobiotec.it L. Vingiani: [email protected]

Bracco Imagining spa www.braccoimaging.comD. Fujii: [email protected]

CROM Group www.cromgroup.com M. Mosconi: [email protected]

Menarini Biotech srl www.menarini-biotech.comC. Panzarella: [email protected]

Pharma & Biotech AdvisorsP. Barbanti: [email protected]

Proge Farm srl www.progefarm.itE. Tosi: [email protected]

Proge Medica srl G. Dondi: [email protected]

Recordati Industria Chimica e Farmaceutica spa www.recordati.it. P. Ferlenga: [email protected]


www.italtrade.com

for determining the sequence of a cancer

patient’s genome that are faster, more

efficient and targeted. These technol-

ogy advances are enabling the practical

application of personalized medicine.

Together, with their clinical colleagues,

they have made cancer breakthroughs

such as the identification of a gene muta-

tion in a prevalent type of ovarian can-

cer, the first-ever sequencing of a breast

cancer genome, and the identification of

a mutation in a specific gene linked to

B-cell lymphoma.

Genomics researchers are exploring

ways to put micro-organisms to work

as sustainable bioremediation agents

in the cleanup of wastewater in mine

sites. “There are micro-organisms out

there that can do all sorts of things, including the detoxifica-

tion of water,” says UBC scientist Sue Baldwin, who is leading

the $1.5-million research project. “We are relying on microbes

that are already present in the environment to do this, and using

genomics to determine how to create the conditions in which they

will thrive.” The researchers will determine the conditions neces-

sary to ensure that micro-organisms that digest metal toxins will

continue to do their jobs over time.

Devastation caused by the mountain pine beetle infestation in

BC has created large amounts of unmarketable lodgepole pine

that could supply the biofuel industry for the next 20 years and

beyond. Jack Saddler from UBC is leading a research project using

genomics to enhance enzymes that act as nature’s catalysts, liber-

ating fermentable sugars from wood so it can be used for biofuels.

“Trees are a huge store of chemical energy that can be converted

into liquid biofuel,” he says. Dr. Saddler is confident that the solu-

tion they find for coniferous trees will be transferable to deciduous

varieties, creating a renewable source of biofuel stock for future

generations.

Over the past 10 years, Genome BC has invested in $450 million

in BC-based genomics research and plans to invest another $340

million over the next give years.

Contact: Richard Howlett

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 604-637-4379

he 21st century faces issues around

protecting our food supply, finding

sustainable sources of energy, keep-

ing our population healthy, and the need

to adapt to the effects of climate change.

Genomics’ greatest potential is that it pos-

sesses tools for addressing these key global

challenges. Genome British Columbia

aims to provide positive impacts and

solutions by investing in, managing and

enabling large-scale genomics and pro-

teomics research projects and technol-

ogy platforms. Over the past decade the

research projects it has funded have made

impacts in areas of strategic and economic

importance to British Columbia, Canada

and the world, including human health,

forestry, fisheries, agriculture, bioenergy,

mining and the environment. In addition,

a critical element of responsible genomics

research is to provide a forum through

which accompanying environmental, ethical, economic, legal

and social issues can be explored so that the context for scientific

research remains focussed and relevant to society. Genome BC’s

research portfolio is funded by the Province of British Columbia,

the government of Canada through Genome Canada and Western

Economic Diversification and over 100 international and industry

partners.

A snapshot of diversity in genomics research

Fungi or “rusts” attack and damage plants and trees, affecting

food production, threatening ecosystems and leading to billions of

dollars in lost revenues from the agricultural and forestry sectors.

Richard Hamelin from UBC and Guus Bakkeren from Agricul-

ture and Agri-Food Canada are working on identifying the key

genes involved in rust infection in order to be able to more quickly

detect and monitor rusts and more effectively prevent infection.

“A key aspect of these diseases is genetic variation that allows rusts

to overcome host resistance,” say Dr. Hamelin. The scientists hope

to find a core set of genes that relate to resistance, and eventually

identify an early-warning system for disease outbreaks.

While the human genome project took about 15 years and $3 bil-

lion, today’s next-generation sequencing technologies will soon

make the “$1,000-genome” a possibility. The research of scientists

at the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre including Marco

Marra, Robert Holt and Steven Jones is resulting in technologies


www.genomebc.ca

and immune rejection, allow-

ing the best treatments to be

chosen and applied before the

damage is done. Building on a

successful pipeline, we are dis-

covering and developing new

biomarker solutions for chronic

kidney disease, chronic obstruc-

tive pulmonary disease, and

acute and chronic heart failure.

Bridging the gap from discovery

of new diagnostics to their rou-

tine use in the clinic is complex. Our team, infrastructure, assets,

experience, and strategies overcome barriers and accelerate this

process such that we can bring health benefi ts to patients sooner,

create value, reduce costs and business risk for our partners, and

relieve our burdened health system promptly. We begin with a

clinical need, one for which biomarkers bring potential value. Th is

approach helps us bypass common pitfalls such as clinical failure

due to over-reliance on preclinical models that prove irrelevant in

humans, and focus our time and resources eff ectively. Our hub

of expert people and teams enables us to deal with development

hurdles as parallel processes that inform each other in real time

rather than as a lengthy series of siloed activities. We leverage

valuable assets, such as high-technology platforms, and quality

patient cohorts, for maximal effi ciency.

We build on extended networks throughout industry, health care

and academia, and continually seek collaborations and strategic

partnerships to enhance biomarker discovery and clinical valida-

tion as part of our mandate to reduce the burden of organ fail-

ure. Our fl exible business model and end-to-end expertise allows

opportunity to decrease risk for all partners involved. Our model

also creates training and research opportunities in science and

business. Importantly, we will reduce the fi nancial burden on the

healthcare system by preventing disease and improving health.

Can companion diagnostics speed your drug development path-

way? Seeking patient cohorts for your external validation studies?

Looking to obtain expert contract services related to biomarkers

or organ failure? Contact us to learn more about partnering or

collaborating with the PROOF Centre.

Contact: Leah Lockhart


Tel: 604-806-9853

he Centre of Excellence for

the Prevention of Organ

Failure (PROOF Centre) is

a unique, federally-funded, not-

for-profi t organization that dis-

covers, develops and implements

novel blood-based biomarker

tests to prevent and better man-

age heart , lung, and k idney

failure in individual patients.

The PROOF Centre leverages

advanced technologies, diverse

expertise, and global partners

multisectorally in pursuing its

vision. Th is synthesis allows the

PROOF Centre to create novel and powerful tests, reduce develop-

ment costs and business risks. Th e biomarker solutions also accel-

erate relief for our burdened healthcare systems and the patients

at risk or suff ering from organ failure.

Heart, lung and kidney diseases together represent a growing burden

in Canada and around the world. For millions of patients suff ering

under this burden, impaired organ function and organ failure have

a devastating impact. Th e socio-economic impact of organ failure is

enormous—one in four Canadians is estimated to be at risk. Th us, the

mission to discover, develop, commercialize, and implement blood-

based biomarker tests in clinical settings to better manage patients

with heart, lung, and kidney failure is strongly compelling.

We are experienced, proven leaders and cross-disciplinary teams

from health care, business, and academia. We put our rich strate-

gic networks and diverse range of expertise and resources to work

for the PROOF Centre, anchored at St. Paul’s Hospital and hosted

by the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. We

were established as an NCE Centre of Excellence for Commercial-

ization and Research in 2008 based on over fi ve years of previous

success in biomarker discovery and development.

Replacing suboptimal diagnostics with simple, effective blood

tests is our goal; we will improve quality of life and health out-

comes for patients, help physicians provide patient-centered care,

and decrease direct and indirect costs to our healthcare system

and our society. Forging commercialization paths for develop-

ment of top Canadian innovations will also give a much-needed

boost to our economic health. We focus on developing blood

tests for non-invasive diagnosis and prediction of organ failure


www.proofcentre.ca

CDR D has entered into st rateg ic

par tnerships to create dedicated

Innovation Funds designed to sup-

port the applied research necessary

to develop a technology towards com-

mercialization. As another source of

non-dilutive capital, CDRD projects

are eligible to apply to these Innova-

tion Funds to support costs, such as

consumable and patent expenses. The

current Innovation Funds include

the Pfizer-CDRD Innovation Fund; the Genome BC-CDRD

Development Fund; and the Western Canada Innovation Fund,

which was created with the support of Johnson & Johnson and

the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.

CDRD operates as a not-for-profit entity, allowing it to work

seamlessly with public research institutions. Its commercial

arm, CDRD Ventures Inc., advances a carefully selected port-

folio of drug candidates through preclinical development, ulti-

mately licensing to pharmaceutical and biotech partners or

creating spin-off companies. The company also offers local life

science companies access to CDRD’s expertise and infrastruc-

ture through collaborations to advance programs to key valua-

tion points or to improve their ability to attract investment.

In addition to the strong collaborations established with its

funding partners, CDRD is pursuing strategic partnerships with

pharmaceutical companies and other centres of excellence across

Canada as well as in the United States, Europe, and Asia. CDRD,

through its commercial arm, also provides assistance to local

biotech companies by leveraging its technical strengths and

research capabilities to support early stage R&D programs.

Strategic partners, venture capital firms, and funding agencies

can look to CDRD to reduce development risk and provide a more

transparent means to invest in drug development projects. From the

outset, CDRD instills scientific and business discipline in the devel-

opment process, with a focus on commercialization that optimizes

resources. The diversity and breadth of development projects com-

bined with infrastructure and expertise improves the chances for

the successful commercialization of new therapeutics.

To learn more, please contact: Karimah Es Sabar, Senior VP,

Business & Strategic Affairs at

[email protected] or 604.221.7750

DRD draws on the research excel-

lence and diversity of scientists

working at academic and health

research institutions, who represent an

investment of over $1.4 billion per year

in research. CDRD supports numer-

ous projects each year. Scientific and

technical expertise guided by business

discipline, allows CDRD to make prac-

tical decisions regarding promising

technologies. Those that hold promise

as products are advanced to the next

stages for development.

There is growing interest from the pharmaceutical industry to

externalize innovation and companies are looking at new models

for accessing early stage research. CDRD provides unprecedent-

ed, reduced-risk access to new pipeline opportunities for pharma-

ceutical and biotech companies. CDRD, through its partnerships

with many affiliated institutions, is connected to an extensive net-

work of world class scientists working in many disease areas, as well

as to key opinion leaders, and research driven clinical researchers

across Canada and with institutions in the US, Europe, Austra-

lia, and Asia. CDRD broadened its reach of affiliated institutions

to go beyond British Columbia to include McMaster University,

Thompson Rivers University, and Dalhousie University as well as

MaRS Innovation – representing 14 leading Toronto-research based

institutions.

CDRD can provide specialized expertise in areas that an organi-

zation does not have in-house, or for companies who choose to

externalize development. CDRD’s divisions cover the spectrum

of pre-clinical drug development and are professionally man-

aged and operated by personnel with experience and track

records in drug development research and business. Working

with principal investigators, CDRD helps overcome scientif-

ic and project management roadblocks by identifying critical

issues required to establish therapeutic potential; conducting

pivotal pilot experiments; identifying collaborations and facili-

tating collaborative grant requests; and project management for

multi-investigator programs.

CDRD’s drug development platform has operational facilities

located on the campuses of University of British Columbia, Simon

Fraser University, and the British Columbia Cancer Agency. In

addition to the newly created biologics department, CDRD has

five divisions that support the drug development process includ-

ing target validation; screening; medicinal chemistry; drug for-

mulation and delivery; and pharmacology and toxicology.


www.cdrd.ca

Columbians suffering from chronic

pain. Through an investment of

$160,000, the society was able to

establish a Framework for Action

to initiate its work to increase the

number of general practit ioners

treating pain and decreasing wait

times for access to treatment.

P f i z er, i n pa r t nersh ip w it h

the Centre of Excel lence for the

Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF),

is also committed to improving the

standard of care and quality of life for

Canadians faced with heart, lung and kidney failure.

Pfizer believes in supporting the acceleration of knowledge-

translation and commercialization of new ideas. Pfizer has a

multi-million dollar partnership with BC’s Centre for Drug

Research and Development (CDRD) with the creation of the

Pfizer-CDRD Innovation Fund.

Recognizing the changing environment, Pfizer has invested

in a dedicated field force responsible for aligning to the needs

of those leading primary care improvement. These account

managers, health networks do not carry samples or discuss

specific products, but rather act as connectors to support the

improvement in chronic disease management including programs

like Healthcare Team Effectiveness (H.T.E.), an innovative process

designed to develop excellence in teamwork

Pfizer is a proud supporter of the Ripples of Hope Award which

was initiated by Dr. Michael Hayden. Ripples of Hope represents an

endowment fund that will form a pillar for trainees in the areas of

global health, rare diseases, mental health and biotechnology. Pfizer

is proud to have pledged $700,000 toward this fund, specifically in

support of the mental health and rare diseases traineeships.

In 2011, Pfizer will sponsor various student education activities

such as the Pfizer Prize for Excellence in Pharmaceutical Sciences

at UBC and the Student Biotechnology Network. Our company

is also pleased to be supporting the success of the Year of Science

community education initiatives, lead by the Ministry of Science

and Universities.

Ensuring good health is a priority for British Columbians,

and Pfizer Canada looks forward to continuing to work with

government, academics and other stakeholders to help the

province achieve this important goal.

Contact: Pfizer Canada – Corporate Communications


Tel: 514-695-0500 or 1-877-633-2001

uch of Pfizer Canada’s work

happens w it hin t he loca l

communities it serves and

we are proud to be active in British

Columbia, with a focus ref lecting a

core belief that to be truly healthy, it

takes more than medication. Pfizer is

also a proud partner of Life Sciences

British Columbia as it shares their

vision for a vibrant and successful

biotechnology sector in the province.

Pf izer is very proud of the work

accomplished in British Columbia

over the past few years.

In 2010, Pfizer Canada invested approximately $1 million in

communities across the province. The United Way, as well as

various other not-for-profit associations, receive grants from

Pfizer Canada to help support the valuable work they do.

In partnership with two other Rx&D member companies,

Pfizer has made a significant partnership investment with the

Government of British Columbia and the BC Ambulance Service

towards the Advanced Coronary Treatment (ACT) Foundation

to bring the ACT High School CPR program to all BC Public

Secondary Schools. This investment will help provide the

necessary test mannequins for high school students to learn the

essentials of CPR training.

Pfizer is also a proud sponsor of the Canadian Paralympic

Team and like many Canadians, cheered the team at the March

2010 winter games. Pfizer has been a supporter of Canada’s

paralympians since 1996.

If you are a member of a not-for-profit group or association

and would like to learn more about our community investment

program, please visit: http://pfizer.ca/community

Pfizer is committed to building strong partnerships in a variety of

settings that help to keep British Columbians healthy. Pfizer, the

BC Cancer Agency and the Prostate Center at Vancouver General

Hospital have come together to tackle new targets for the treatment

of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. Pfizer has dedicated $9

million to this research collaboration which is Pfizer’s single largest

investment in BC’s public medical research infrastructure.

The Pfizer/Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon

Chair in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Research at St. Paul’s

Hospital is going into its third year. Pfizer contributed $1.25 million

towards this initiative, which is the first Canadian research chair in

cardiovascular disease prevention and health policy.

Pfizer continues to invest in the Pain BC Society to support

its work to improve the quality of timeliness of care for British


www.pfizer.ca

More than a decade ago,

LifeLabs recognized that the

future of laboratory diag-

nostics would be shaped by

emerging genetic technolo-

gies and developed molecular

diagnostics as a core capacity

to improve the quality of lab

diagnoses. Now, years later,

the Molecular team is able to

provide faster, more sensitive

results using advanced cost-

effective techniques.

LifeLabs’ BC-based labs were

the first medical laboratories in the province to achieve ISO 15189

accreditation – an international quality standard.

Medical quality is promoted by our team of medical scientific

experts. This widely respected medical team of Microbiologists,

Hematopathologists, and Biochemists guide the testing services

provided by LifeLabs as well as support physicians by providing

consultation services to assist in the interpretation of test results.

As a national organization, LifeLabs has the capacity to collabo-

rate broadly across the country. Our position as a major labora-

tory services provider makes us an ideal partner to government,

academia and industry.

We work with research institutions and other healthcare provid-

ers to identify the best possible diagnostics tools to raise standards

in patient care.

We also work closely with patient advocacy organizations,

chronic disease groups and pharmaceutical organizations to sup-

port advancements in disease management and treatment and an

improved quality of life for patients living with chronic illnesses.

Through our team of dedicated employees and focus on access,

innovation, quality and results we are well positioned to make a

significant difference in the health and well-being of Canadians.

Contact LifeLabs today to explore innovative partnership

opportunities with a leading lab services provider.

Contact: Les Jickling, Director, Business Development


Tel: 604-412-4429

ifeLabs Medical Labo-

rator y Ser v ices , t he

largest diagnostic labo-

ratory in Canada, has been

partnering in the creation

of health innovations for

over 50 years. As an impor-

tant member of an extended

healthcare team, we play a

vital role in the delivery of

patient-focused care. Each

year, we provide more than

50 million laboratory tests

to over 10 million patients

and nearly 20,000 physi-

cians in Canada.

Studies estimate that up to 80% of all clinical treatment deci-

sions are based on results from laboratory tests. Our test results

enable healthcare providers to better prevent, diagnose, treat and

monitor illness and disease in patients, while biotechnology and

pharmaceutical companies rely on our lab results and specimen

collection networks for effective clinical trials. LifeLabs is a key

partner in delivering better outcomes in patient care.

LifeLabs’ extensive infrastructure means patients and physicians

can access our services quickly, conveniently and close to home –

removing barriers to patient participation in studies and trials by

providing the necessary infrastructure for specimen collections.

With an integrated network of courier services, specimen col-

lection centres, testing facilities and medical professionals, we are

able to provide local access to regional and national expertise in

laboratory testing.

Most test results are available to physicians and caregivers

within hours of specimen collection, and by providing results

electronically, they can access this information as soon as it is

available.

We invest in new technologies and have developed novel method-

ologies and approaches that have been presented at international

scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed medical

journals.

In the 1990s, we envisioned a patient-centred future where

lab results would be available electronically to caregivers, pulling

data from multiple lab sources to provide a single cohesive report.

LifeLabs was a partner in the creation of Excelleris, a software

and services health information management company dedicated

to providing healthcare professionals with fast, accessible patient

information.


www.lifelabs.com

to save technicians time and to standardize cell

separation procedures. RoboSep® eliminates the

hands-on steps involved in cell separation, includ-

ing reagent addition, incubation, and pipetting.

We have recently developed a revolutionary new

instrument, STEMvision, to automate the identifica-

tion and counting of hematopoietic colony-forming

cell assays required in bone marrow research, cord

blood banks and transplantation labs. This standard-

izes these tests, removing the variability associated

with human counting and increasing lab capacity.

Our new ClonaCell™ EasyPick, developed in

collaboration with Hamilton Robotics, automates

clone isolation in a high throughput manner. Opti-

mized for use with ClonaCell™ semi-solid media,

our platform offers rapid and efficient development

of cell lines for biopharmaceutical production.

STEMCELL Technologies has solid manufacturing capabilities in

our headquarters in the Lower Mainland. We are proud to have

earned ISO 13485:2003 Certification for our research, manufac-

turing and shipping facilities in Canada, the US and France.

Our processes incorporate rigorous selection of raw materials

and quality control processes. STEMCELL knows that a number

of other factors also contribute to achieving consistent research

results for our customers, including training and access to timely

and effective technical assistance.

STEMCELL is committed to working together with scientists to

develop new products that will help perform their experiments

better and faster. If there is a product or service that is not offered,

STEMCELL’s team is able to discuss specific experimental require-

ments with researchers, and design and manufacture customized

reagents for their needs.

STEMCELL’s Contract Assay Service works with pharma and

biotech scientists to develop and perform flexible custom-designed

experiments. By harnessing STEMCELL’s industry-standard

reagents and extensive stem cell biology expertise, pharmaceutical

and biotech companies can rapidly screen products at the earliest

stage of development, thereby saving valuable time and resources

in the development process.

STEMCELL’s teams have participated in more than 200 collaborative

projects in 18 different countries. With over $3.5 million dollars in con-

tributions to the Canadian Stem Cell Network, STEMCELL is actively

driving Canadian research. Locally, STEMCELL has collaborated with

and helped fund over forty research groups. For more information

about STEMCELL Technologies, please visit www.stemcell.com.

STEMCELL Technologies Inc is a privately-

owned biotechnology company that helps

power leading-edge life science research

around the world. Scientists performing stem cell,

immunology, cancer, regenerative medicine and

cellular therapy research are among those who rely

on our cell culture media, cell separation products

and ancillary reagents.

We have over 400 science-oriented employees,

including 100 PhDs / MScs working in the creation of

novel products, providing consistent, unfailing quality

in producing these products, and by standing with

our customers around the globe to provide training,

one-on-one assistance and technical support.

Driven by our love of science, and our passion

for quality, STEMCELL now delivers over 1500

products to more than 70 countries worldwide.

STEMCELL’s first product, MethoCult®, quickly became the

world’s best selling methylcellulose-based medium for growing

and characterizing blood-forming stem cells by in vitro colony

assays and is now considered the industry standard.

Our scientists continue to develop media to support academ-

ic and industrial researchers in the standardization of stem cell

research. This includes the development of standardized media

for the expansion and evaluation of stem and progenitor cells

from many sources including: hematopoietic, embryonic, induced

pluripotent, mesenchymal, neural and a variety of epithelial tis-

sues including mammary and prostate.

STEMCELL’s cell separation products allow researchers to

isolate virtually any cell type, including immune, hematopoietic,

mammary and tumour cells. In addition to off-the-shelf cell

separation kits, STEMCELL offers customized cell separation

products. Working together with our knowledgeable technical

support team, researchers can access STEMCELL’s expertise to

design specific kits to meet their unique needs.

The platforms used to isolate cells include EasySep® – an

immunomagnetic approach where cells are bound to antibody-

linked magnetic particles and separated using a magnet, and

RosetteSep® – an immunodensity approach, where unwanted

cells are removed using antibodies linked to red blood cells and

separated using density-gradient centrifugation.

In addition to development of media and cell separation kits,

STEMCELL has also developed a number of instruments to auto-

mate life science research. RoboSep® is a fully automated system

for cell separation using our EasySep® immunomagnetic approach


www.stemcell.com

time-efficiently design and

find active peptides for target

proteins. Combined with pep-

tide array, this algorithm has

assisted our scientists in find-

ing promising peptide can-

didates for treatment of Par-

kinson’s disease, HIV/AIDS,

thromboembolic diseases and

anaphylaxis.

Taking advantage of the

SMCD and OBET technolo-

gies, Pegasus has successfully

developed four Careseng®

product lines of anti-cancer,

stem-cell stimulation, health

promotion and cosmetics, which feature high oral bioavailability

and well-recognized effectiveness. Supported by well-designed

pre-clinical studies and convincing clinical trials, four Careseng®

products have been approved as new anti-cancer and cardiovascu-

lar drugs in the Republic of Georgia since 2007. New drug applica-

tions in Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Moldova are also under

way. To date, Pegasus has completed preclinical studies of a drug

candidate for bone marrow recovery and reconstitution, and the

application for FDA IND will be submitted in late 2011.

Pegasus has forged extensive collaborations with worldwide uni-

versities, research institutes, hospitals and clinics, including Uni-

versity of California, Los Angeles, University of British Columbia,

Simon Fraser University, University of Alberta, Tokyo University

of Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Taipei College

of Physical Education and Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital (Bei-

jing, China). Also, Pegasus has established several subsidiaries and

joint ventures in Mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore and several

other countries in Southeast Asia, aiming to double its market share

in the next three years. Currently, Pegasus and the National Can-

cer Center of Georgia are cooperatively establishing a world-class

cancer treatment and research center, helping translate up-to-date

advances in cancer research into patients’ wellness.

In the past fifteen years of research and development of natural

herbal drugs and active peptides, Pegasus has grown into a multi-

national corporation with over 200 employees. With its revolu-

tionary technologies and gifted scientists, Pegasus will continue to

play a leading role in herbal drug modernization and is commit-

ted to delivering its knowledge of health benefits from traditional

herbal drugs to and making a better life for patients.

Contact: James Cao, Vice President; Clint Cheng, Business

Development Director; Martin Wang, R&D Director

Email: [email protected];

Tel: 604-303-9952

egasus Pharmaceuticals

Group Inc. (“Pegasus”)

is a Canadian high-tech

biopharmaceutical company

that is specialized in research

& development, manufactur-

ing and commercialization of

phytocompounds and biologi-

cally active peptides.

Pegasus takes a leading

posit ion in natura l herbal

drug modernization and has

received enormous funding

from various authorities, espe-

cially, the National Research

Council of Canada.

With talented scientists of diverse expertise and whole-heart-

ed dedication, Pegasus has developed several world-leading tech-

nologies in natural herbal drug R & D.

1) Selective Metabolites Compound Drug (SMCD) technology

helps scientists quickly characterize active chemical ingredients

in long-used traditional herbal drugs such as Ginseng. Also, it

revolutionizes the manufacture of many herbal drugs to meet

the FDA requirements for new drug application. Profiting from

SMCD, Pegasus has gained a thorough understanding of active

chemicals in Ginseng, one of which shows a strong stimulatory

effect on bone marrow and stem cell growth, typically useful for

bone marrow reconstitution after bone marrow transplantation

and recovery after cancer chemotherapy. In addition, Pegasus has

identified several other promising drugable anti-cancer candi-

dates which show great cytotoxic effect on cancer cells and inhibi-

tory effect on multidrug resistance protein P-GP.

2) Oral Bioavailability Enhancement Technology (OBET) com-

prises a series of innovative formulation techniques which drasti-

cally improve the oral bioavailability of herbal drugs more than

fivefold to a level sufficient to achieve pharmacological activity

upon oral administration. OBET technology tackles the difficul-

ties in developing traditional herbs into modern oral preparations

with regard to oral effectiveness. Based on above technologies,

Pegasus has acquired five ratified patents and seven pending ones

in Canada, USA, European Union, China, Singapore, etc.

Pegasus has established a peptide research laboratory, one of

few laboratories in the world able to provide commercial pep-

tide array services. This cutting-edge technology allows scientists

to investigate protein-protein interactions in a robust and high-

throughput way. Using peptide array, Pegasus has mapped first

in the world, the whole antigenic epitopes of SARS coronavirus

in 2004, and the latter could be used for vaccine and protective

antibody development. Furthermore, Pegasus has developed a

unique peptide design algorithm enabling researchers to cost- and


www.ppginco.com

Contact:

Email:Tel:


www.bcprc.ca

and China. These programs link Syre-

on, the study sponsor, and leading site

investigators in a continuous process to

guide the operation, analysis and publi-

cation of each study.

Syreon studies span multiple therapeu-

tic areas, and range from phase I new

drug evaluation through longitudinal

phase IV investigation of pharmacoeco-

nomics and quality of life under condi-

tions of normal clinical practice. Syreon has extensive expertise in

each of these areas, from the design, analysis and statistical mod-

eling of therapeutic information to the evaluation of health qual-

ity and economic outcome. Our clinical specialists have served as

advisors to the biopharmaceutical industry and government in

many aspects of clinical therapeutics and drug evaluation, and are

involved in large international studies in this field.

In 2010 Syreon was pleased to announce the expansion of the

Syreon Research Institute (SRI) as a desired provider for expert

health economics research to the pharmaceutical and biotech-

nology sectors of Europe and North America. SRI represents an

international team of highly focused professionals supported by

powerful departments specializing in data management, statistical

analysis and economic modeling to ensure that new products are

optimally priced for rapid market uptake and are tightly aligned

with patient and provider needs. Real-time monitoring of patient,

provider, caregiver, community and institutional resource use is

coupled with detailed cost vectors for each disease state to provide

precise and dynamic estimation of direct and indirect costs of

care, caregiver burden, and economic loss due to illness. Draw-

ing together the unique perspectives of industry, government,

and academia SRI is the ideal partner for helping your company

move from product development to creating value, and realizing

benefits in the shortest possible timeframe.

Syreon’s unique goal is to ensure excellence in the complex &

rapidly changing world of healthcare, and our unprecedented

repeat business rate is a ref lection of quality, reliability and

commitment to our clients.

Contact: Michelle Dittrick


Tel: 604-676-5900

n today’s research environment,

shorter development cycles and intense

competition are serious threats, and

new drugs or medical devices often

struggle to achieve their profit and volume

objectives. Precise and comprehensive

understanding of market opportunities,

therapeutic benef its, data capture

technologies, regulatory controls, and

site and patient recruitment are critical to

overcoming these challenges.

As a lead i ng c l i n ica l resea rch

organization specializing in the use of digital information

systems for all aspects of global health sciences research, Syreon’s

advanced computing technologies, specialized therapeutic and

economic expertise and global reach combine to provide leading

edge clinical and economic research programs ideally adapted to

the fast pace of modern drug, diagnostics and device evaluation.

Syreon combines expertise in molecular medicine, biostatistics,

clinical therapeutics, economics, health outcomes measurement,

and economics to conduct national and international phase I to IV

clinical studies. Our teams have extensive experience in all areas

of clinical research, extending from developmental therapeutics

to formal clinical trials and longitudinal disease-based registry

studies in a broad range of therapeutic areas from infectious

diseases to complex multisystem disorders.

Services encompass study development, project management,

site recruitment and operation, data management, on-site

monitoring, pharmacovigilance, medical writing, and statistical/

scientific analysis, health modeling and reporting. Advanced

internet technologies provide immediate and continuous

access for authorized research and clinical personnel for study

communications or electronic data capture and reporting. Syreon

studies are designed to be flexible and scalable and can incorporate

from one to many hundreds of participating sites with continuous

recording of multidimensional data in real time.

Working with an elite portfolio of global pharmaceutical partners

Syreon developed ClinStream™, a proprietary electronic research

system which links participants in the clinical research process

in over 40 countries for the secure and seamless integration of

genomic, laboratory, clinical, health and economic data.

Syreon’s international investigator networks and multi-centre

studies have enrolled from 30 to 30,000 subjects at more than 1000

sites spanning North America, South America, Western Europe,

the Middle East, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Australia, Taiwan


www.syreon.com

KalGene Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Kalgene”) is a Canadian company focused on the development of oncology therapeutics and companion diagnostics. The company’s product pipeline is at various stages of research and development.

Its oncology programs are aimed at improving clinical and survival outcomes through the use of personalized medicine, with a particular focus on breast, bladder, epithelial and thyroid cancers. KalGene is partnering with many of North America’s leading clinician- scientists and academic institutions to deliver personalized cancer diagnostics and drugs that maximize positive patient treatment outcomes.

www.kalgene.com

KalGene specializes in converting promising oncology research into prescribable personalized medicine.

KalGene specializes in converting promising oncology research into prescribable personalized medicine.


www.kalgene.com

y p

You have questions. We have answers.

Call us at 604 678 9274.


www.pet-ct.ca

Please refer to www.lifesciencesbc.ca for further information on these companies.

Core LifeSciences BC Members

Stage of Development Fields of Study Tools Diseases

Dru

g D

isco

very

Pre-

Clin

ical

Stu

dies

Phas

e 1

Clin

ical

Stu

dies

Phas

e 2

Clin

ical

Stu

dies

Phas

e 3

Clin

ical

Stu

dies

On

Mar

ket

Bio

-Pro

duct

s

Bio

info

rmat

ics

Dia

gnos

tics

Envi

ronm

enta

l

Ther

apeu

tics

Vacc

ines

Bio

-Pro

cess

ing

Dru

g D

eliv

ery

Gen

e Th

erap

y

Gen

omic

s

Hig

h-Th

roug

hput

Scr

eeni

ng

Lab

Reag

ents

Prot

eom

ics

Aut

oim

mun

e D

isea

ses

Canc

er

Card

iova

scul

ar D

isea

ses

Infe

ctio

us D

isea

ses

Infla

mm

ator

y D

isea

ses

Met

abol

ic D

isea

ses

Neu

rolo

gica

l Dis

ease

s

Organizations

Alectos Therapeutics

Allon Therapeutics Inc.

Amgen British Columbia Inc.

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Aquinox

Augurex Life Science Corp.

Boreal Genomics

Cardiome Pharma Corp.

Celator Pharmaceuticals Inc.

enGene Inc.

Farabloc Development Corp.

GenomeDx Biosciences Inc.

Globe Laboratories Inc.

iCo Therapeutics

I. G. MicroMed Environmental Inc.

Inimex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

iProgen

Kinexus Bioinformatics Corporation

MSI Methylation Sciences Inc.

Natural Pharma

Network Immunology Inc.

Neurodyn Inc.

OncoGenex Technologies Inc.

Ondine Biomedical Inc.

Protox Therapeutics Inc.

QLT Inc.

Qu Biologics Inc.

SignalChem

Sirius Genomics Inc.

Sirona Biochem

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Valocor Therapeutics, Inc.

Vifor Pharma

Welichem Biotech Inc.

Wex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Zalicus Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Zymeworks


Contract Research Organizations


Preclinical Services Clinical Services General Services

Dru

g D

isco

very

Bio

info

rmat

ics

Bio

anal

ytic

al S

ervi

ces

Ana

lytic

al S

ervi

ces

Path

olog

y Se

rvic

es

Toxi

colo

gy

Phas

e I C

linic

al S

tudi

es

Phas

e II

Clin

ical

Stu

dies

Phas

e III

Clin

ical

Stu

dies

Phas

e IV

Clin

ical

Stu

dies

Stud

y M

onito

ring

and

Rep

ortin

g

Data

Man

agem

ent a

nd S

tatis

tics

Stra

tegi

c Co

nsul

ting

Regu

lato

ry

Cont

ract

Man

ufac

turi

ng

Prod

uct D

evel

opm

ent

cGM

P/G

LP c

ompl

ianc

e

Qua

lity

Ass

uran

ce

Teac

hing

and

Tra

inin

g

Organizations

ASKA Research (a Division of Valerie Willetts & Associates)

Aurora Biomed Inc.

BRI Biopharmaceutical Research Inc.

CanReg Inc.

Enlighten Clinical Diagnostic Associates Inc.

GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Inc.

Healthmetrx (CEQAL)

I. G. MicroMed Environmental Inc.

Lifebank Corp.

Northern Lipids Inc.

PBR Laboratories

PharmaNet

PharmEng Technology

Rondaxe

SBW Ltd

SignalChem

Syreon Corporation

Wax-it Histology Services Inc.

LifeSciences British Columbia supports and represents the biopharmaceutical, medical

device, bioproducts & bioenergy, and greater life sciences community of British Columbia

through leadership, advocacy and promotion of our world-class science and industry.

For more information, please visit www.lifesciencesbc.ca.

Growing Canada’s Bio-Economy


www.lifesciencesbc.ca

Medical Devices

Fields of Study Company Type

Den

tal D

evic

e

Med

ical

Equ

ipm

ent

Med

ical

Sup

plie

s

Test

ing

Inst

rum

ents

Imag

ing

Dev

ice

Des

ign

Oth

er

Man

ufac

ture

r

Dis

trib

utor

Dev

elop

er

Organizations


Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. OEM

Arbutus Dental Centre Dental Service

Biolux Research Ltd.

BioMers Products, LLCProduct Names – SimpliClear & ASTICS

Daan Diagnostics

Emergo Canada Consulting Inc. (Regulatory Consultant)

Evasc Medical Systems

Farabloc Development Corp.

Heart Force Medical

Innovatek Medical Inc.

Kardium Inc.

LED Medical Diagnostics

LifeScan Canada Ltd. (Diabetes)

LightIntegra (Transfusion)

Neoteric Technology LimitedBlood management software

Neovasc Inc.

Ondine Biomedical Inc. Photodisinfection

Premier Diagnostic Health Services Inc

Progressive Health Innovations Inc. / AFX

Sports Med, Rehab, Athletic Training

Romich Medical Fund Women’s healthcare

Sorin Group Cardiac

Starfish Medical (Contract Manufacturing)

Ultrasonix

Urodynamix Technologies Ltd.



www.canadapharma.org

Patenting biotechnology advancements requires experience. And no one has more experience

than Seed IP Law Group. With expertise in immunology, biochemistry and pharmacology,

we’re a team of scientists who also understand the legal and business side of biotechnology.

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corporate profiles 2011

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