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Going for Gold: Gold Leaf Awards Honour Biotech Innovation and Success BioMS Medical, Lignol Energy Corp., Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Chairman of MaRS Discovery District and President of EMD Serono Canada honoured with prestigious industry awards OTTAWA (June 11 2008) – BIOTECanada today announced the 2008 winners of the prestigious Gold Leaf awards. Nominated and judged by biotech industry leaders, the awards honour companies and individuals who have demonstrated leadership, innovation and financial success in 2007. Edmonton-based BioMS Medical, developer of a drug for Multiple Sclerosis, took top honours as company of the year. "BioMS Medical clearly stood out to the selection committee," said BIOTECanada Chairman, Rainer Engelhardt. "With the largest Canadian deal ever with Eli Lilly and Company this company has successfully built a Canadian trial medication into a drug ready for the global market." The early stage company award went to Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. for its novel pain molecules in development, and to Lignol Energy Corp. for its development of fuel-grade ethanol and biochemicals from forest biomass. "Both of these leading firms are stellar examples of Canadian innovative thinking, research and development," said BIOTECanada President and CEO, Peter Brenders. “Once commercialized, their products will make a significant contribution to Canada’s economy."  Simon Pimstone of Xenon Therapeutics The association also awarded a national industry leadership award to Dr John Evans, founding Chairman of the innovative MaRS Discovery District commercialization hub in Toronto; and an award for association leadership to Deborah Brown, President of EMD Serono Canada, for her leadership in creating the BIOTECanada Industry Ethics Guidelines, to which all members subscribe. Awards are judged by the BIOTECanada board of directors on the basis of strict criteria. The newly rebranded awards are presented annually by BIOTECanada. Forty-five nominations for thirty-two nominees were received this year. ABOUT BIOTECanada BIOTECanada is dedicated to the sustainable commercial development of biotechnology innovation in Canada. It is the national industry-funded association with over 220 members representing the broad spectrum of biotech constituents including emerging and established companies in the health, industrial, and agricultural sectors, as well as academic and research institutions and other related organizations. Contact: Kasia Majewski, Director of Communications BIOTECanada 613-230 5585 x 257 cell: 613 219 2770 kasia.majewski@biotech.ca  Ross MacLauchlan of Lignol Energy Corporation |
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