2012
Corporate ProďŹ les A supplement to LifeSciences British Columbia
Featuring: BLG Vancouver BRI Biopharmaceutical Research The Centre for Drug Research and Development Genome British Columbia GlaxoSmithKline Michael Smith Foundation MPI Research Seed IP Sirona Biochem Stemcell Technologies Tees Consulting Verisante
The B.C. life sciences industry is ranked among the smartest and fastest-growing research communities in the world
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Sponsored by
STAYING AHEAD BY STAYING INVESTED IN THE HEALTH OF CANADIANS.
As one of Canada’s leading research-based pharmaceutical companies, GlaxoSmithKline understands that scientists require commitment and resources to discover the next medical breakthrough. This is why we invested more than $141 million in Canadian research and development in 2010 alone. At GSK, we stay ahead by putting the health of Canadians before anything else. Discover more at GSK.ca
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GENOME BRITISH COLUMBIA
www.genomebc.ca
Spreading the value of genomics ... means translating research findings into real world results. Results that can make a real difference to our province, like practical tools for protecting our natural resources, new ways of diagnosing and treating disease, and better methods for developing alternative sources of clean energy. Genomics research is delivering these benefits all over British Columbia. Ask the cancer patient whose early diagnosis saved her from a ‘lifetime of worry’ ... or the beekeepers who are closer to knowing the causes of honeybee colony collapse ... or the forest managers who are able to determine which tree species are better suited to a changing climate ... or the international research team that is using genomics to improve the management of salmon fisheries and aquaculture. Genome British Columbia delivers results by investing in, managing and enabling large-scale genomics and proteomics research projects and technology platforms. Over the past decade the organization has invested over $550 million in research that has made impacts in areas of strategic and economic importance to British Columbia, Canada and the world, including human health, forestry, fisheries, agriculture, bioenergy, mining and the environment. In addition, a critical element of responsible genomics research is to provide a forum through which accompanying environmental, ethical, economic, legal and social issues can be explored so that the context for scientific research remains focussed and relevant to society. A snapshot of Genome BC’s diverse genomics research portfolio:
Reducing diagnosis time for hereditary breast cancer If a woman inherits a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, her lifetime risk to develop both breast and ovarian cancer is greatly increased over that of other women in the general population. Genome BC is supporting researchers at the BC Cancer Agency who are implementing a genomics-based technology to dramatically speed up the testing for these mutations. The sooner a woman knows she may be at risk, the sooner she and other family members can take preventative action.
Helping honeybee breeders out of a sticky situation The real buzz about honeybees is that the pollination efforts of honeybees are estimated to contribute in excess of $2.2 billion to Canada’s agricultural economy each year. In BC, honeybee pollination is responsible for nearly $500 million in agricultural production every year. However in BC almost 10,000 honeybee
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colonies were either dead or unproductive after wintering last year and cold weather was not the only cause. These losses threaten not only our honey production, but our food supply. Genome BC is supporting the development of technology to breed a more resistant honeybee — and hopefully improve the survival rates of the colonies. It’s a critical tool for ensuring the future health and viability of our honeybees — our tiny, yet mighty, pollinators.
Environmental canaries in a coal mine Animals have been used as early warning systems to protect human health since at least the early 1900s, when coal miners began taking canaries into the mines to monitor the presence of toxic gases. More recently, animals such as frogs and mussels have been studied as ‘bioindicators’ for monitoring the health of an environment or ecosystem, such as a coastal area or watershed. Genomics is taking this type of environmental monitoring to a whole new level. Effects from pollutants or other environmental stressors often manifest themselves first at the molecular level, well before the animals show obvious physical signs. Scientists are using genomics tools to detect these effects sooner, help identify possible causes and measure impacts on the environment as well as human health.
Atlantic salmon swim to the forefront of science The International Cooperation to Sequence the Atlantic Salmon Genome (ICSASG) is a multi-phase research initiative formed to chart new knowledge about this salmonid species. The challenges facing fisheries and aquaculture in BC are not limited to only our region — other regions in the world face similar challenges. Therefore, Genome BC is collaborating with international partners in Chile and Norway to collectively conduct research which is expected to generate a high-quality resource for those responsible for the management of wild salmon stocks and the salmon aquaculture industry, as well as providing a reference genome for work with other salmonids. Genome BC’s research portfolio is funded by the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada through both Genome Canada and Western Economic Diversification and over 100 end-user, industry and international partners. Contact: Richard Howlett Email: rhowlett@genomebc.ca Tel: 604-637-4379
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BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP
www.blg.com
World-class service, local expertise The life sciences industry
K
he current global economic environment poses one of the largest challenges ever facing the life sciences industry. Despite this turmoil, there remains tremendous opportunities for companies in the life sciences industry to deliver true innovation and value. !LONG THIS JOURNEY WHETHER IT BE LOOKING for ďŹ nancing or liquidity to extend your runway, growing your pipeline through in-licensing, acquisition or carrying out your own research development, protecting, asserting or defending your inventions, conducting clinical trials, navigating regulatory hurdles or helping you execute on your exit strategy or strategic alliance, Borden Ladner GerVAIS ,,0 ",' WILL BE WITH YOU EVERY step of the way.
BLG’s world-class service BLG has the depth and breadth of expertise and experience to advise companies of all sizes, from start-ups to established pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, through all stages of a technology’s or product’s life cycle, from innovation to commercialization. !T ",' WE UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES FACED BY LIFE SCIENCES COMpanies. Our national life sciences team is entrepreneurial, business-minded, and has strong scientiďŹ c and technical backgrounds. ! NUMBER OF OUR PROFESSIONALS WHETHER THEY BE LAWYERS OR PATENT agents, have worked in in-house positions or have served as external general counsel to Canadian and multi-national companies that give them a unique perspective when working with clients. Our clients work with a team of professionals, knowledgeable of the industry and focused on delivering client-centred service. In building a team for the client, we draw on professionals from across the country who offer a balance of expertise, experience and local contact. In particular, BLG has lawyers and patent agents with substantial experience in pharmaceutical litigation and medicine-pricing regulatory issues.
It is with that same pioneering vision that the life sciences professionals at our western ofďŹ ces have built their practices. The Western Life Sciences Group at BLG has the bench strength to help you mitigate risk, navigate and compete in an everchanging economic environment. Serving companies from across Canada and around the globe, our Vancouver and Calgary offices offer unparalleled local support. Partners of BLG’s Western Life Science Group each have more than 10 years of experience working in the life sciences sector. s ! LAKA #HATTERJEE LAWYER AND patent agent) s *ASON (OWG CORPORATE COMMERCIAL and IP lawyer and patent and trademark agent) s 7ARREN ,EARMONTH SECURITIES LAWYER s ! NDREW ,OH CORPORATE COMMERCIAL and regulatory lawyer) s "RAD 0IERCE SECURITIES LAWYER s %RIN 0ISKO PATENT AGENT With clients ranging from publicly traded and privately held corporations, universities, and research institutions, operating in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and vaccines, BLG has one of Canada’s leading life sciences practices.
Partnering for success BLG is committed to providing not only world-class legal advice and services, but also excellent value as fee arrangements other than billing at an hourly rate are also available where appropriate. We look forward to being part of your team, and being with you every step of the way. Contact !NDREW ,OH Email: aloh@blg.com Tel: 604-640-4069 Tel: 416-367-6142
*ASON (OWG Email: JHOWG BLG COM Tel: 403-232-9415
BLG’s Western Life Sciences Group Western Canada’s reputation for breakthrough discoveries, world-class research and development are highly sought after in Canada and around the globe. Combined, British Columbia AND !LBERTA HAVE SIGNIlCANT STRENGTH TO COVER A BROAD SPECTRUM of innovation.
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THE CENTRE FOR DRUG RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CDRD
www.cdrd.ca
Transforming discovery into opportunity
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h e C e nt r e f o r D r u g Resea rch a nd Development (CDR D) is a national not-for-proďŹ t drug development and commercialization centre that deRISKS DISCOVERIES STEMMING from publicly-funded health research, and transforms them into viable investment opportunities for the private sector – thereby bridging the commercialization gap between academia and INDUSTRY We do this by collaboratING WITH OUR NETWORK OF OVER PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS FROM 20+ affiliated research institutions across Canada and select international centres to identify commercially promising projects, and then providing the state-of-the-art specialized drug development facilities, scientific and business expertise, and professional project management needed to advance the techNOLOGIES TO A STAGE WHERE THEY ARE SUFlCIENTLY DE RISKED FOR PRIVATE SECTOR CONSIDERATION CDRD’s team collaborates with principal investigators to UNDERTAKE PROJECTS WITH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMMERCIAL POTENtial, screened against rigorous scientiďŹ c and business criteria to OPTIMALLY DESIGN THEM FOR COMMERCIAL SUCCESS -ILESTONE DRIVEN outcomes-focused drug development under professional project MANAGEMENT IS THEN UNDERTAKEN AS THE PROJECTS ARE CARRIED OUT according to industry practices with strictly deďŹ ned experiments, BUDGETS TIMELINES AND REPORTING To support the projects, CDRD facilitates the leveraging of external funding via granting agencies, and through funds raised VIA #$2$ S ESTABLISHED PARTNERSHIPS WITH INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY 4HIS STRUCTURE ENABLES #$2$ TO CARRY OUT KEY EXPERIMENTS ON A NUMBER OF PROJECTS PER YEAR ENHANCING THEIR DATA PACKAGES TO identify those showing therapeutic and commercialization potenTIAL AND MAKING THEM INCREASINGLY ATTRACTIVE TO POTENTIAL COMMERCIALIZATION PARTNERS /UR COMMERCIAL ARM #$2$ 6ENTURES )NC #6) ACTS AS THE INTERFACE BETWEEN #$2$ AND INDUSTRY #6) IN LICENSES SELECTED intellectual property generated from CDRD projects directly from the afďŹ liated institution or inventor, and forms strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to FURTHER DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE TECHNOLOGIES 0ROlTS FROM #6) mOW BACK TO #$2$ TO SUPPORT FURTHER ONGOING DRUG DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
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Si nce becomi ng f u l ly operational just four years ago, CDR D has ex pa nded from a provincial to a national organization, been recognized as a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) by the Federal Government, and emerged as one of the world’s leading drug development and commercialization organizations – while successfully achieving all our original objectives: s )NCREASING 2 $ CAPACITY in British Columbia by building a full pre-clinical drug development platform with 85 full-time highly qualiďŹ ed staff; s -AKING RESEARCH DISCOVERIES MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR CLINICAL DEVELopment and commercialization by successfully advancing 40 technologies toward commercialization; s 0ROVIDING A NEW RESEARCH AND TRAINING MODEL FOR BUILDING THE pool of highly-qualified personnel by training 83 post-docs, co-op students and interns; and s &UELING AND STRENGTHENING THE REPUTATION OF "# S LIFE SCIENCES community and attracting investment by becoming internationally recognized as a leading model and organization, establishing afďŹ liations with academic Centres of Excellence on four continents, and developing partnerships and attracting investment from the world’s top global pharmaceutical companies INCLUDING 2OCHE 0lZER AND *OHNSON AND *OHNSON 5LTIMATELY THROUGH THE WORK OF #$2$ HEALTH RESEARCH DISCOVeries have a much greater prospect of being developed into new medicines; the life sciences industry is fuelled with a robust pipeline of new pre-validated technologies; and the societal returns on PUBLIC RESEARCH INVESTMENT ARE MAXIMIZED Contact: For more information on The Centre for Drug Research AND $EVELOPMENT PLEASE VISIT WWW CDRD CA
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SIRONA BIOCHEM
www.sironabiochem.com
Portfolio of enhanced carbohydrate compounds
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irona Biochem is a biotechnology company specializing in carbohydrate-based chemistry. With our subsidiary TFChem, we are applying a proprietary chemistry technology towards the development of an SGLT inhibitor for diabetes, a cancer vaccine antigen, depigmenting and anti-aging agents for cosmetic use, adjuvants for biological material preservation and inducers for recombinant protein production.
Therapeutics – SGLT inhibitor for type 2 diabetes & cancer vaccine antigen Preclinical studies continue for Sirona Biochem’s SGLT inhibitor program for diabetes. Preliminary studies in rodents demonstrated that the company’s compound eliminated glucose through the urine in a dose-dependent manner. The compound also reduced blood glucose excursions following a glucose challenge against untreated groups. Ancillary pharmacology studies such as in vitro ADME, toxicology and safety profiles have been completed. The most recent study of diabetic rats treated with Sirona’s compound showed a reduction in glycemia similar to control lean rats. There were strong correlations between the decrease in blood glucose level and the excretion of urinary glucose. A preclinical package is expected to be ready by the end of 2012. A patent was filed in 2008 for a first family of new chemical entities. Another application was filed in 2011 to protect a second family of compounds. Sirona Biochem is also developing a stable Tn Antigen towards the development of a new anti-TACA cancer vaccine. A patent has been filed in 2010 and converted to PCT in 2011 in order to protect the technology.
In addition to the skin depigmenting agent, Sirona Biochem’s cosmeceutical portfolio also includes compounds that maintain the viability of skin fibroblasts under stress conditions. Studies are being undertaken to further evaluate this new family of compounds as anti-aging agents.
Biological ingredients – inducers & adjuvants Sirona Biochem is also producing biological inducers to initiate protein expression in E.coli more efficiently than currently marketed inducers. These enhanced and more stable inducers will contribute to improve production and product margins of recombinant proteins. In a recent study, Sirona Biochem’s inducer compound induced synthesis of a soluble recombinant protein in E.coli for up to 24 hours. In addition, Sirona Biochem’s compound produced more protein compared to a commercially available inducer at the same concentration and demonstrated a longer duration of effect. Studies also demonstrate that our inducer can induce expression at a concentration far below the commercially available inducer. A second phase of testing will be performed on two additional, more challenging proteins to express. The studies are expected to be completed in the 2nd quarter of 2012. A patent was filed in 2011 and further expansion of the patent is planned for 2012. Sirona Biochem’s Biological Ingredients program also includes adjuvants for organ, tissue and cell preservation destined for culture or transplant. A new series of glycopeptides has been identified for this purpose and studies are underway to further evaluate their preservation properties.
Commercialization strategy Cosmeceuticals – skin depigmenting & anti-aging agents for cosmetic application Sirona Biochem’s subsidiary, TFChem, is developing depigmenting agents as skin lighteners for cosmetic use. These agents are mimetics of arbutin and will be evaluated to determine their ability to inhibit melanin synthesis on skin explants. Toxicity studies will also be conducted to test the compounds for irritation, sensitization, phototoxicity, ocular tolerability, genotoxicity and skin microbial toxicity on cell culture and skin explants. In November 2011, TFChem received a major funding grant from the French government to advance its depigmenting agent program to a commercially-ready stage. A patent was filed in 2011 to protect the structure, chemical process and applications of this family of compounds.
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Sirona Biochem Corp. plans to develop its programs to completion of preclinical studies. It will seek a partner for clinical and commercial development of its programs. The company is prepared to begin partnering discussions on three programs – SGLT inhibitor for diabetes, biological inducer for recombinant protein production and the skin depigmenting agent to be used as a skin lightener for cosmetics. The company is publicly-traded on the TSX-Venture Exchange in Canada under the stock symbol SBM and company continues to raise capital through private placements and seek non-dilutive funding through grants. Contact: Sean Cunliffe, Chief Business Officer Email: scunliffe@sironabiochem.com Tel: 604-282-6062
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STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES INC
www.stemcell.com
STEMCELL Technologies Inc – BC’s largest biotech company STEMCELL Technologies Inc. is a global leader in the rapidly growing healthcare research sector. The company develops and manufactures high quality standardized tissue culture media, cell separation reagents and instruments and distributes them to customers in over 70 countries. Our products support leading edge scientific research in stem cell biology, immunology, cell therapy, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and drug discovery. STEMCELL is an international firm with over 400 science-oriented employees in 10 countries, including: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Australia, Singapore and China. Our head office, research and manufacturing activities are all located in our Vancouver facilities. Founded in 1993, STEMCELL remains privately held, with profits re-invested to spur greater product innovation and to support growth which averages over 20% per annum.
Award winning specialized media products: 2011 Breakthrough Product in Stem Cell Research Our scientists are constantly developing novel, cutting-edge media that support academic and industrial stem cell researchers. These efforts were recognized at the 2011 Life Science Industry Awards® with STEMCELL winning the 2011 award for Breakthrough Product in Stem Cell Research. The 2011 Life Science Industry Awards were selected by 6,082 life scientists, drawn from all regions of the world, who nominated and voted for the best performing supplier in 29 distinct product categories. These awards provide a unique venue allowing scientists to recognize the quality and innovation of their suppliers upon whose products the success of their research depends.
Cell separation products STEMCELL has also developed novel cell separation products which allow researchers to isolate virtually any cell type, including immune, hematopoietic, mammary, mesenchymal and tumour cells. The platforms used to isolate cells include EasySep™ – an immunomagnetic approach, and RosetteSep™ – an immunodensity approach.
Research robotics In addition to development of media and cell separation kits, STEMCELL has also developed a number of instruments to automate life science research. RoboSep™ is a fully automated system for cell separation, designed to save technicians time and to standardize cell separation procedures. STEMvision™ was recently launched to automate the identification and counting of hematopoietic colony-forming cell assays required in bone marrow research, cord blood banks and transplantation labs. Our new ClonaCell™ EasyP-
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ick, developed in collaboration with Hamilton Robotics, accelerates cell line development by automating clone selection.
A global exporter with ISO certification STEMCELL Technologies has solid manufacturing capabilities in our headquarters in the Lower Mainland. We are proud to have earned ISO 13485:2003 certification for our research, manufacturing and shipping facilities in Canada, the US and France. Our processes incorporate rigorous selection of raw materials and exacting quality control processes that have made STEMCELL a symbol for quality in life science research.
Helping scientists locally and globally STEMCELL is committed to working together with scientists to develop new products that will help perform their experiments quickly and reliably. Where needed, our team is able to discuss specific experimental requirements with researchers, and design and manufacture customized reagents tailored to their needs. STEMCELL’s Contract Assay Service also works with pharma and biotech scientists to develop and perform f lexible custom-designed experiments. In addition, STEMCELL supports all customers in achieving consistent research results by offering personalized training courses and access to timely and effective technical assistance.
Committed to science and scientists STEMCELL’s teams have participated in more than 200 collaborative projects in 18 different countries. With over $3.5 million dollars in contributions to the Canadian Stem Cell Network and over forty local research group collaborations, STEMCELL is actively driving Canadian research. Locally, STEMCELL has collaborated with and helped fund over forty research groups.
Come grow with us We have a number of positions currently open for both lab-based and business roles in our Research and Development, Manufacturing, Quality Control, Microbiology, Marketing and Sales departments. We advertise new positions often – check our website regularly. STEMCELL is constantly looking for talented scientists in a variety of departments. If you have a PhD or MSc in a relevant field and would like to be considered for an upcoming position, please visit our website at stemcell.com and submit your resume through job posting “Future Positions.” Please be sure to indicate the department(s) that are of interest to you. Contact: For more information about STEMCELL Technologies, please visit www.stemcell.com.
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MICHAEL SMITH FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH RESEARCH
www.msfhr.org
Investing in a healthier BC
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n 1993, UBC researcher Dr. Michael porting discovery, our awards have a proven Smith became British Columbia’s first multiplier effect, improving researchers’ Nobel Laureate, earning international ability to engage teams and attract additionacclaim for his groundbreaking advances in al funding to advance knowledge on critigenetic studies. For Dr. Smith, a humble and cal health issues. We also fund systems and gregarious molecular biologist, the Nobel networks to share resources across the provPrize was the culmination of a brilliant ince, including BC BioLibrary, BC Clinical Genomics Network, BC Proteomics Network, career. For BC, it was a milestone pointCentre for Drug Research and Development, ing to the province’s potential as a leader in and Population Data BC. health research. )NSPIRED BY $R 3MITH S LIFELONG COMmitment to supporting BC researchers, Solutions for BC’s health system the Michael Smith Foundation for Health MSFHR plays a vital role in mobilizing 2ESEARCH -3&(2 WAS FOUNDED IN BC’s health research community to identify with a mandate to enhance the province’s urgent priorities and fast-track the developCAPACITY FOR WORLD CLASS RESEARCH /VER THE ment of solutions. As a respected non-parpast decade, we have partnered with the tisan facilitator, we bring together people MSFHR is named for Nobel Laureate, Dr. provincial government to invest more than as part of collaborative networks and platMichael Smith (1932 – 2000), a pre-eminent MILLION IN NURTURING TALENT AND BUILDforms that put research knowledge to use in BC scientist whose commitment to excellence ing infrastructure across all areas of health improving health care. Among the projects positioned BC’s health research community on research. The result has been a remarkable we have funded and managed are: the world stage. transformation of BC’s health research landscape. s "# .URSING 2ESEARCH )NITIATIVE n SUPPORTING RESEARCH ON NURSING At the time of MSFHR’s founding, BC’s health research enterpractice and policy prise was at a crossroads. Despite the success of Dr. Smith and s -ONITORING %VALUATION AND ,EARNING 3YSTEM -%,3 n EVALUATother research leaders, the province was under-performing in its ing health system change initiatives ability to attract federal grant funding and faced the loss of top s "# %THICS (ARMONIZATION )NITIATIVE n STREAMLINING THE ETHICS scientists to other jurisdictions. MSFHR has played a central role review process for multi-centre research studies in reversing this trend and creating a vibrant research community s 2APID RESPONSE RESEARCH n ADDRESSING URGENT HEALTH ISSUES SUCH that is now recognized worldwide. We have funded more than as SARS and H1N1 1,800 research-related positions and promoted connections and MSFHR is a provincial leader in knowledge translation and collaboration across sectors. frequently convenes forums and workshops to promote the effecAs BC’s provincial health research support agency, MSFHR tive application of research evidence by scientists and end-users. takes a province-wide view of health research gaps and opportu- We also bring together universities, health authorities, charitable nities with a focus on two priorities: investments in people and organizations, and government stakeholders for health research resources, and solutions for BC’s health system. planning and action. As we enter our second decade under the leadership of new PresIDENT #%/ $R $IANE &INEGOOD -3&(2 WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT Investments in people and resources MSFHR funding programs build BC’s research capacity by recruit- our best and brightest to discover, connect and engage to improve ing and retaining top scientists, helping them build strong research the health of individuals across BC and around the world. programs, and supporting the mentorship of up-and-coming invesTIGATORS /UR AWARD COMPETITIONS HAVE FUNDED MORE THAN Contact: Bev Holmes, PhD, Vice-President, %XTERNAL 2ELATIONS "USINESS 3TRATEGY RESEARCHERS n FROM STUDENTS TO SENIOR INVESTIGATORS n AND RESEARCH TEAMS 4HESE RESEARCHERS ARE ACTIVE ACROSS THE PROVINCE EXAMINING E-mail: bholmes@msfhr.org everything from cells and genes to treatments and cures, disease Tel: 604-714-6600 prevention and health system improvements. MSFHR funding has supported numerous discoveries and “world ďŹ rstsâ€? that have improved health and saved lives. Among these breakthroughs are better protection for the brains of newborns, improved detection of autism in children and new approachES TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CANCER )N ADDITION TO SUP-
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BRI BIOPHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH
www.bripharm.com
BRI ...your drug development specialist “We strive to earn your trust and confidence”
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or more t ha n t wo decades, BRI has assisted hundreds of biotech and pharmaceutical companies on their pre-clinical and clinical development programs. Being one of the few privately owned CRO with capabilities in bioanalytical, in-vivo and in-vitro DMPK and xenograf t animal models in Western Canada, BRI’s uncompromising study protocols, stringent quality control measures, and relevant study design allows them to build trusted and long-lasting partnerships with their highly valued clients.
The success stories In 2004 and 2007, two virtual biotech companies located in San Francisco and Los Angeles engaged BRI for development of bioanalytical assays in support of their IND-enabling and clinical program. In 2009, both companies licensed their drug candidates to big pharmaceutical companies for $700 million and $900 million, respectively. A Seattle biotech company approached BRI in 2008 for a series of in-vivo and in-vitro DMPK and mechanistic studies. This biotech company was acquired for $600 million in 2011. BRI’s successful track record in providing accurate and quality data while adhering to the strict guidelines of GLP, cGMP, and FDA regulations has played an important role in these companies’ success.
GLP accreditation by Standard Council of Canada BRI is accredited by Standard Council of Canada for its GLP compliance while holding a current GMP Establishment Licence through Health Canada. All IND enabling studies and clinical bioanalytical studies performed at BRI follow the following regulations and guidelines. This allows data generated at BRI to be submitted to USA, Canada, Japan and all OECD countries. s 5NITED 3TATES &OOD $RUG !DMINISTRATION &$! 21 CFR Part 58 s *APANESE -INISTRY OF (EALTH ,ABOR AND 7ELFARE -(,7 Ordinance No. 21 s /RGANIZATION FOR %CONOMIC #OOPERATION AND $EVELOPMENT (OECD), Series on Principles of Good Laboratory Practice and Compliance Monitoring Monograph #1 to 15 14
metabolism studies including metabolic stability, inhibition, induction and ADMET related plasma protein binding studies are often performed at BRI to define druglike properties.
AAALAC accredited animal facility with cytotoxic drugs handling capability BRI’s rodent facility is accredited by AAALAC and has performed numerous dose range finding, PK, bioavailability, metabolite excretion and mass balance studies. Dried blood spot assay technique is used to allow serial blood collection in small rodents to reduce variability of PK data. With Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) and cytotoxic compound handling capabilities, cell-based and patient-derived xenograft models for oncology drug efficiency screening are offered at BRI. Their cell repository contains over 100 cancer cell lines, providing a wide selection and flexibility to its clients.
Thermo Watson™ LIMS data management system To support IND-enabling animal TK/PK or clinical PK, the use of Thermo Watson™ LIMS for sample and data management is a plus. BRI’s bar code system enables BRI to store and manage thousands of samples and process its data effectively and efficiently. To handle multiple site clinical studies, bar-coded labeled sample vials, customized sample collection kits, ultra low temperature freezer, IATA and TDG specified shipping container, pre-filled waybills and commercial invoices are just a few solutions that BRI offers to allow a smooth sailing of their clients’ clinical studies.
Stand out from the crowd The clients of BRI benefit from a wide range of services including LC/MS/MS bioanalytical assay, ELISA assay, hybridization assay, in-vivo and in-vitro DMPK and efficacy xenograft models. These services are delivered by highly experienced scientists with specializations in the development of synthetic small molecules, microRNAs, RNAs, nucleotides and peptides drugs. BRI is known for providing “fit-for-purpose” research in integrated drug development with competitive pricing. It has an outstanding record of client satisfaction and dedication to meet the highest standards in scientific “best-practices,” integrity of data, timeliness and professional service.
C nuclear substance licence
With 14C nuclear substance licence, BRI can efficiently identify metabolites and determine tissue distribution using 14C-labeled compounds. In additional to metabolite identification, other in-vitro
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Contact: Ms. Clara Faan, VP Business Development Phone: 604-432-9237 x224
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TEES CONSULTING CORP
www.teesconsulting.com
Fun with patents Private corporation since May 2008 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Sales in 2011: about $190K
Business Provision of patent-related services, namely patent procurement, patent portfolio building and maintenance, patent or portfolio assessments for IP licensing or purchase, and the preparation of freedom to operate opinions
Personnel Three: Susan Tees, B.Sc., Registered Patent Agent, one part-time accountant, one parttime office assistant.
History Susan fell in love with patents when she was introduced to a filing cabinet full of them in 1987, while she was a young microbiology undergrad working for a company called Quadra Logic Technologies (now QLT Inc.). Asked to catalogue the contents of the cabinet, she became fascinated by the pattern of application, objection and arguments that formed patent prosecution. Many years have passed since 1987, and Susan has worked for a number of Vancouver companies to provide each with their own filing cabinets full of patents. She wrote the patent bar exams in the United States (1999), and Canada (2004) and became a registered patent agent. When Susan opened Tees Consulting in 2008, she traded dealing with filing cabinets for dealing directly with people. “The people who start businesses believe in their dreams, and are courageous enough to bet their livelihoods on making them come true. It is a thrill to be able to help them achieve their goals.” Susan’s patent practice falls into three categories: set up and ongoing support for clients with existing patent families, diligence for venture capital financing, and patent procurement for independent inventors. Susan is not a lawyer, but a patent agent authorized to perform patent prosecution and offer patent-related opinions and services.
Competition There are good patent law firms in town, and in the United States, that Susan has to compete against for clients. These other firms offer quality work, but Susan has some advantages over them. Without a pool of support staff or a downtown office to pay for, she can afford to keep her rates low. Without hundreds of clients including large corporations, Susan is unlikely to be conflicted out of providing defensive services when a smaller client needs them.
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Process When Susan meets prospective clients, she helps them determine whether filing a patent is truly in their interest, and what it will do for their businesses. For example, spending $150,000 on patenting something internationally, when sales will not exceed $5,000 and the market is only North America, is a poor strategy! Before an inventor engages a patent agent to secure his invention as a patent application (prior to discussing it with others, for example), he should be aware of what alternatives are available to any potential buyer, and really put himself in the buyer’s shoes. Does the invention solve a problem, reduce costs or improve performance? Can the effect of the invention be achieved without the invention? If filing a patent application still makes sense, does the proposed “invention” qualify for a patent? The general rules of novelty, inventiveness and usefulness are fairly universal across borders. The invention must not have been discussed, shown publically, or sold. Clients should understand how much patenting will cost before they begin. Drafting and filing a patent application is not the only cost involved in obtaining and keeping a patent, although at $3,000 to $8,000, it is certainly a large one. Over the next three to five years, Susan will advocate for the patent application before the patent office in order to have it granted. The work this will take can only be estimated, but may be a few thousand dollars more. Some countries, including Canada, charge annuities for every year a patent is pending, and for every year after grant until expiry (20 years after filing). It is definitely a “user pay” system.
Challenges Tees revenues depend on many variables over which Susan has no control. Her clients are all people she has worked for before, or people referred to her, and their businesses change over time. She also has a small network of colleagues with similar but not identical practices with whom she trades leads. “However, we eat from the same table, and the recession has made everyone a little hungrier these days.” To get and keep clients, one has to be very competitive. “There are patent attorneys in the United States charging $1,000 per hour, and to spend $20,000 on a single over-drafted patent application was common. Now, there is seems to be a healthy appetite for straightforward quality at a more reasonable fee.” Contact: Susan Tees Email: stees@teesconsulting.com Phone: 604-839-4284
2/7/12 2:06:21 PM
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MPI RESEARCH
www.mpiresearch.com
Leading the way in early drug and device development
D
PI Research is a f ull-ser v ice Contract Research Organization that partners with biopharmaceutical, medical device, animal health, and chemical companies in meeting their preclinical research and development needs. Scientific knowledge and experience, integrity, trust, teamwork, and dedication to strong and enduring sponsor relationships are the defining attributes that characterize us as a highperformance, high-quality organization committed to bringing safer and more effective products to the world. Our open and responsive culture is evident in the collegial, collaborative atmosphere where we conduct thousands of drug safety, discovery, bioanalytical, and analytical studies each year. MPI Research, with global headquarters in Mattawan, Michigan, takes pride in being selected by companies who want a CRO partner on the leading edge of drug development. Committed to excellence in quality across all services and at all levels, MPI Research operates in full compliance with international, federal, and state regulatory agencies. Our regulatory and quality assurance programs include s !!!,!# )NTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION s #OMPLIANCE WITH &$! %0! 53$! %-%! /%#$ )#( AND *-(7 GUIDANCES AND REGULATIONS s $EDICATED 1UALITY !SSURANCE WITH REGISTERED 1! PROFESSIONALS 21!0 ',0 s #ONTINUOUS OPERATIONAL AUDITING INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTORS s /NGOING CUSTOMIZED INSPECTION OF ',0 STUDIES AND REPORTS s ,EAN 3IX 3IGMA Our sponsors not only benefit from our familiarity with regulatory agencies worldwide, but are also able to take full advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities, robust infrastructure, and cuttingedge technology in which we have heavily invested.
Our human resources are especially important to us, since it is impossible to deliver unsurpassed service quality if the staff is not first-rate as well. MPI Research has developed a rigorous selection and training process at all levels of the organization that has produced one of the lowest staff turnover rates in our industry. The recently completed $65 million growth initiative added 370,000 square feet of capacity to the Mattawan facility, which now totals over one million square feet. It includes large, integrated, environmentally controlled animal rooms, special-purpose laboratories, and resource facilities located throughout the complex to accommodate virtually any type of sponsor need. Our capacity and resources are the reasons we can assure our sponsors of timely study starts and report delivery, to keep their studies moving forward so that research milestones are achieved. At MPI Research, our dedication to being a solutions-oriented partner goes beyond the modern facilities, innovative procedures, and scientific expertise. Our team of nearly 1,300 employees, ranging from technicians to veterinarians, pathologists, and senior-level scientists, is there for our sponsors to ensure all their needs are met. We are proud of our long-term relationships with our existing sponsors and are equally excited about building partnerships with new ones. Most important, we are committed to the success of all our sponsors, ensuring each the same level of scientific excellence, technical quality, and passion for their success, irrespective of the size and/or number of studies we conduct for them. Contact: MPI Research Phone: 269-668-3336 Email: info@mpiresearch.com
The quality and integrity of our services are paramount, and we realize that is why so many of our sponsors do repeat business with us. Careful consideration is given to each strategic growth initiative so that these factors are not compromised. Any expansion of facilities is accompanied by proactive growth initiatives for staffing, technology, and equipment.
Corporate Profiles 2012.indd 12
2/7/12 2:06:21 PM
Core LifeSciences BC Members
U U
enGene, Inc.
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iCo Therapeutics Inc.
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Indel Therapeutics Inc.
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iProgen Biotech
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Kinexus Bioinformatics Corp.
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MRM Proteomics Inc.
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MSI Methylation Sciences Inc.
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Neurological diseases
Metabolic diseases
Inammatory diseases U
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PaciďŹ c Rim Laboratories U
Phyton Biotech LLC U
QLT Inc. U
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ReplicCel Life Sciences
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STEMSOFT Software Inc
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STEMCELL Technologies Inc
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Sirius Genomics Inc Sirona Biochem Corp
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Qu Biologics Inc.
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OncoGenex Technologies Inc.
Protox Therapeutics
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Neurodyn Inc.
Ondine Biopharma Corporation
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Network Immunology Inc.
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MedGenesis Therapeutix Inc.
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GenomeDx Biosciences
Inimex Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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Boreal Genomics Cardiome Pharma Corp.
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BioMark Technologies Inc.
Infectious diseases
U
U
Cardiovascular diseases
Augurex
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Cancer
U
Autoimmune diseases
U
Proteomics
U
Lab reagents
U
Diseases High-throughput screening
Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Genomics
U
Gene therapy
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U
Drug delivery
U
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Bio-processing
U
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Tools
Vaccines
U
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Therapeutics
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Amgen British Columbia Inc.
Environmental
Allon Therapeutics Inc
Diagnostics
U
Bioinformatics
U
Fields of study
Bio-products
Alectos Therapeutics
On market
Phase 3 clinical studies
Pre-clinical studies
Phase 2 clinical studies
Organizations
Drug discovery
Phase 1 clinical studies
Stage of development
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Valocor Therapeutics Inc.
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Xenon Pharmaceutials Inc.
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Zalicus Pharmaceuticals Ltd
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Zymeworks Inc.
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Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Vifor Pharma
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Please refer to www.lifesciencesbc.ca for further information on these companies.
Corporate Profiles 2012.indd 13
2/7/12 2:19:37 PM
Contract Research Organizations
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Aurora Biomed Inc. BC Cancer Agency's Investigational Drug Program (IDP)
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BC Preclinical Research Consortium (BC PRC) BRI Biopharmaceutical Research Inc.
Strategic consulting
Regulatory
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Maxxam Analytics MPI Research, Inc.
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Northern Lipids Inc.
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Wax-it Histology Services
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Syreon Corp. Viva Pharmaceutical Inc.
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PBR Laboratories Inc.
Corporate Profiles 2012.indd 14
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Lifebank Cryogenics Corp.
SBW LTD
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Globe Laboratories Inc.
PharmaNet/i3
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CanReg Inc.
Healthmetrx (CEQAL)
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Teaching and training
Data management and statistics
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Quality assurance
Study monitoring and reporting
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cGMP/GLP compliance
Phase IV clinical studies
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Product development
Phase III Clinical studies
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Contract manufacturing
Phase II clinical studies
ASKA Research
General Services
Phase I clinical studies
Clinical Services
Toxicology
Pathology services
Analytical services
Bioanalytical services
Bioinformatics
Organizations
Drug discovery
Preclinical Services
U
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2/7/12 2:20:01 PM
Medical Devices
Arbutus Dental Centre Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Biolux Research Ltd. Arbutus Dental Centre
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bioLytical Laboratories, Inc. Biolux Research Ltd.
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Rapid diagnostic device U U U
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Heart Medical Inc. Inc. EmergoForce Canada Consulting
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Innovatek Medical Inc. Evasc Medical Systems
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Sorin Group Canada Inc., Neoteric Technology Limited Mitroflow Division
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Neovasc Medical Inc. StarFish
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Progressive Health Innovations Inc. / AFX
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Manufacturer
Developer
Distributor
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Starfish Medical
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Implantable Transvascular, Stimulation
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Contract manufacturing (Diabetes)
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(Transfusion) Cardiovascular
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Blood management Cardiac software
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Airway management Photodisinfection
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Cancer
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Cardiac
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(Contract Manufacturing)
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Ultrasonix U
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Women’s healthcare U
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Transfusion
Romich Medical Fund Sorin Group
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Verisante Premier Diagnostic Health Services Inc
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Diabetes
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Neovasc Inc. LifeScan Canada Ltd. Pyng Medical Corp. LightIntegra Response Biomedical Corp.
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Kardium Inc. Lungpacer Medical, Inc.
Urodynamix Technologies Ltd.
Risk management, softwareNames V&V– Product SimpliClear & ASTICS
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(Regulatory Consultant)
Innovatek Medical Inc. LightIntegra Technology
Verathon Medical (Canada) ULC Ondine Biomedical Inc.
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Heart Force Medical LifeScan Canada Ltd.
LED Medical Diagnostics
Dental service OEM Dental Service
Daan Diagnostics Farabloc Development Corp.
Kardium Farabloc Development Corp. LED Medical Diagnostics
Other U
Critical Systems Labs Inc. BioMers Products, LLC Evasc Medical Systems
Company type
Device design
Imaging
Testing instruments
Medical supplies
Dental Device
Organizations
Medical equipment
Fields of study
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Please refer to www.lifesciencesbc.ca for further information on these companies.
Corporate Profiles 2012.indd 15
2/7/12 2:20:16 PM
Seed Intellectual Property Law Group PLLC
Custom Crafted Intellectual Property Solutions ‌ Since 1962.
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206.622.4900
Corporate Profiles 2012.indd 16
www.SeedIP.com
701 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
2/7/12 2:06:30 PM