PHARM TO TABLE

“There’s probably a cure for cancer out there somewhere within an academic lab because they don’t have access to the tools to move forward. It’s trapped there and may never see the light of day.”— Andrew MacIsaac, CEO Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation

WORDS BY HEIDI JOHANNSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA

Never in Andrew MacIsaac’s academic endeavours did he ever see himself bringing life saving research to the world. With a background in economics, he understood the broad strokes of science and was able to translate it to the business side of things. Recognizing a noticeable void in opportunity, Andrew worked to bridge the gap in drug development. He utilized that expertise to develop Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API), a non profit institution, founded to provide translational to commercialized life sciences.

API pulls teams together to help innovators bring their product further down the road. scientists looking to build their companies with a viable path from discovery to patient. A key factor to successfully establishing over 75 million dollars in partnerships between industry, academia, government, and donors is diversification of product. API recognizes that drug development needs all kinds of disciplines to be viable. From Cannabis to Artificial Intelligence (AI), API strives to establish the right model to keep these innovators in Canada, benefitting Canadians.

With strong ties to The University of Alberta, Andrew sits as the Assistant Dean of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. A proud association of collaborators and academic partners, it’s a pedigree of excellence with API at the helm, bridging academia and industry. Andrew is quick to A plug and play pharmaceutical company for

point out that Edmonton has an impressive international reputation in life sciences.

Although modest, his goals for API are nothing short of impressive. To have an impact, to create life changing successes right here in Edmonton, and to drive Alberta forward. www.appliedpharma.ca