BC Biotech to Present at Vancouver Board of Trade Policy Forum - B.C.’s Place in the Global Technology Community: Competing Against the Best

BC Biotech Executive Director, Karimah Es Sabar will present at the Vancouver Board of Trade’s Policy Forum - B.C.’s Place in the Global Technology Community: Competing Against the Best November 23 at 7:30 am. 

Ms. Es Sabar will present how British Columbia’s biotechnology sector compares to other jurisdictions, and what industry, academia, and government must each do in order for us to compete.

Event details and registration. 

Please note: BC Biotech members can register at the Board of Trade member rate.

Raising Our Profile: British Columbia Biotechnology Brings Value to International Partners

BC Biotech Executive Director, Karimah Es Sabar and Director of Operations & Communications, Barry Gee promoted British Columbia’s biotechnology sector at several national and international conferences this fall including BioJapan, BioContact Québec, BioPartnering Europe and CORDIA. 

At BioPartnering Europe, BC Biotech launched a promotional video showcasing British Columbia as a “Life Sciences Leader, Lifestyle Winner”, and inviting delegates to visit our “scientific paradise” during BioPartnering North America in Vancouver this February.  To obtain DVD copies of this video, contact Raman Bhullar. 

BioPartnering North America Less Than Three Months Away

Applications are still being accepted to make an Open House or Emerging Company Presentation at the 4th Annual BioPartnering North America in Vancouver.  Confirmed Open House Presenters for 2006 include: Allon Therapeutics, Inc., CANTEST BioPharma Services, Celator Pharmaceuticals, Engene Inc., Inimex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Protox Therapeutics, Stressgen Biotechnologies, and Urigen.

With the assistance of JETRO Vancouver and International Trade Canada, BC Biotech is coordinating a workshop titled Partnering With Japanese Companies - A Global Link. Recognizing the importance of Japanese companies to the international biotech industry, and the interest they have in partnering and investing, this workshop will offer attendees the opportunity to learn how to effectively develop relationships and execute deals with Japanese pharmaceutical companies and VCs. 

For more information on BioPartnering North America and to register, visit

http://www.techvision.com/bpn/

Biotechnology in BC 2006 - Book your space now and save!

Early bird savings in effect until  December 31, 2005

BC Biotech and Business in Vancouver are preparing the 2006 editions of Corporate Profiles and Biotechnology in BC. The Corporate Profiles are distributed to delegates of the 4th Annual BioPartnering North America and is also included in Biotechnology in BC which is widely distributed throughout the year.

For more information and rates, contact Business in Vancouver Special Publications at 604-688-2398.

Confirmed bankers and VCs attending include: Greg Wade (Pacific Growth), Quynh Pham (Delafield Hambrecht), Eric Schmidt (SG Cowen), Mark Monane (Needham), Patrick Herron (Frazier), George Milstein (Pacific Growth Equities), Rod Ferguson (JPMorgan), Cathrine Friedman (Morgan Stanley), George Montgomery (Montgomery and Co.),  Mark Sechrest (SG Cowen), Bob Nelsen (ARCH), and Becky Robertson (Versant).  Karen Bernstein of BioCentury will also be chairing a session.

To apply to present, visit http://www.investnorthwest.org/

BC Biotech Marks National Biotech Week

Events Focused on Advocacy and Preparing Future Leaders

Students from Lower Mainland high schools answer questions to win National Biotech Week t-shirts at the "Crimes, Passion and Biotechnology” seminar.

Advancing our strategic goal of developing human capital, BC Biotech and BCIT’s Biotechnology Program also welcomed over 150 high school students and teachers to BCIT for “Crimes, Passion and Biotechnology”, a seminar to introduce students and teachers to careers in biotechnology and to the sanofi-aventis Biotech Challenge.  Thank you to speakers Dr. Lesley Esford and Dr. Michelle Brazas of BCIT, Mr. Hiron Poon of RCMP Forensic Services, Dr. Monisha Scott, of Inimex Pharmaceuticals and Dr. Julian Davies of UBC Microbiology for their dynamic and informative presentations.

The Student Biotech Network attracted over 110 students to their Fall Kickoff Event.

Later that week, the Student Biotech Network held its 4^th Annual Kick-off Event. 

Over 110 students and 33 mentors from the local community listened to presentations and a panel discussion on the commercialization process for new innovative therapies generated from academia. 

Speakers Natalie Dakers, CEO of the Centre for Drug Research and Development, Dr. Bob Hancock, Professor of Microbiology and Immunnology at UBC and Caroline Calmettes - Manager, Contracts & Agreements at the UBC UILO took offered their views in the discussion moderated by Linda Bartz of Genome BC.

If you missed the event, you can view the presentations at http://www.sbn.ubc.ca.

BC Biotech wrapped up Biotech Week with its 14^th Annual General Meeting, with special guest, Peter Brenders, President of CEO of BIOTECanada.

L-R: Karimah Es Sabar, Executive Director BC Biotech, David Hall, Chair, BC Biotech and CFO Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Peter Brenders, President and CEO, BIOTECanada at BC Biotech's Annual General Meeting.

Dr. Robert Sindelar, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia; Mr. Scott Cormack, President and CEO of OncoGenex Technologies; and Mr. Bill Newell, Chief Business Officer of QLT Inc. were appointed to the Board of Directors with Mr. Newell taking on the role as the Vice-Chair.  

At the AGM, BC Biotech released its 2004-2005 Annual Report. To download your copy of the Annual Report, click here.

Partnering Day Links Local Companies with Key Business Development Contacts

On September 22, BC Biotech was pleased to have senior representatives of Roche Pharma's international licensing group visit Vancouver for a one-day partnering event with several BC Biotech companies.  Other pharmaceutical companies have expressed interest in hosting a similar event.  Please watch biolinks and www.bcbiotech.ca for details.

Pharmaceutical Leader Encourages Biotech-Pharma Partnerships

Over 170 guests attended BC Biotech’s Breakfast Speaking Series on September 16^th to hear Jean-Michel Halfon, President & CEO of Pfizer Canada speak about the need for the life sciences industry to partner, in order to ensure Canada creates a “true climate for research and innovation that is reflected at every level of our public policy and our healthcare system.”