20th anniversary
| Compiled by Shawn Lawrence
Biotechnology 20th Anniversary Special: Years 16 to 20!
Biotechnology Focus in the years 2013 to 2016
This marks the final installment in our Biotechnology Focus twentieth anniversary celebration series. In this edition, we look back at our past issues from the years 2013 to 2016. February 2013
June 2013
November 2013
June/July 2014
Continuing with our cross-Canada regional spotlights, our focus this month once again shifts to Canada’s west coast, to BC’s burgeoning life science sector. We start things off with Daniela Fisher’s feature story on Dr. Ali Tehrani’s company Zymeworks, and its unique model for smart drug design. Of course, we all know the successes that have since unfolded for Zymeworks, but we’re still very proud of the fact we were one of the first to cover this company. Among the other BCstories from this issue, we spotlight the Proof Centre, CDRD, and Life Sciences BC.
Running down this month’s editorial lineup, we had stories on Biofuel developments and innovation in Canada, a spotlight piece on agri-food discovery place and going beyond the bench to scale up great ideas, and a guest column on gene patents exploring whether or not human genes are patentable.
In our cover story, Ian Rogers discusses umbilical cord blood banking (UCB), the differences between private and public banks, and the latest indications and discoveries for UCB cells. Also in this issue, we look at biosimilar patent enforcement in Canada, spotlight immunotherapy and cancer cell therapy company Stem Cell Therapeutics (now Trillium Therapeutics). In industry news, Endo Health buys Canadian specialty drug maker Paladin Labs for US$1.6 billion.
Stories from this special Ontario edition include a spotlight piece on the new commercial engine for Ontario cancer technologies The Fight Against Innovation Trust (FACIT); an innovator piece on NSAID developer Antibe Therapeutics; a Q&A with Clinical Trials Ontario president and CEO Susan Marlin, a profile piece on McMaster University’s Biomedical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Centre and an analysis piece on the state of Ontario’s biotech and life science sector.
Vol. 16 No. 1
March 2013 Vol. 16 No. 2
In this Hot Button issue we cover industry trends, jobs, productivity, innovation and imminent changes in policy around R&D tax credits. There’s also a great advice piece inside on going public via the reverse takeover route.
Vol. 16 No. 5
July/August 2013 Vol. 16 No. 6
With ABIC 2013 set to take place in Alberta, we took a closer look Alberta’s innovation ecosystem via feature stories on the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, AVAC Ltd., Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, Alberta Innovates Health Solutions, and Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions.
2013
Vol. 16 No. 9
December 2013/ January 2014 Vol. 16 No. 10
In this special issue, we looked at how Ontario-as well as Canadian life science companies in general-can find ways to tap into emerging market opportunities ( through international partnerships and collaborations. In industry news, U.S based Versant Ventures expands its operations into Canada launching Blueline Bioscience Inc. in Toronto and Inception sciences in Vancouver.
2013
2014
Vol. 17 No. 3
August/September 2014 Vol. 17 No. 4
Just a decade after his father (Dr. Francesco Bellini) appeared on our cover, Bellus Health CEO Roberto Bellini repeats the feat.
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2014
Biotechnology Focus in the years 2013 to 2016
2013 April 2013
September 2013
February/March 2014
October/November 2014
June
With the Bio 2013 set to take place in Illinois, our cover story for this Ontario focused issue not only looked at Ontario’s growing bio-product sector, but also new ways the province was attracting outstanding companies. Rounding out the issue, we interviewed the new head of Ontario’s Ministry of Research and Innovation, Reza Moridi for the very first time. Thankfully, it’s a friendship that is still going strong today.
The Canadian biotech sector goes under the microscope in this edition via our Canadian biotech survey response story and Wayne Schnarr’s editorial submission Canadian biotech - the path forward. In positive news, Lumira’s Jacki Jenuth and Peter van der Velden observe the opening of the IPO window south of the border and wonder if the same trend could take place in Canada. Finally, the featured innovator this month was Canadian industry icon Dr. Albert Friesen, a prominent player in the development of Canada’s first biotech product WinRho®.
Inside this edition, Durhane WongRieger and Christine Bayaert explore Canada’s rare disease and orphan drug landscape, while citing the need for developing a proper framework strategy to treat rare disorders. Next, Dr. Mona Sabharwal uses the panCanadian Oncology Drug Review (pCODR) process as an example for raising the bar for new drug and technology reviews in Canada. Wrapping this issue up is Tony Pullen’s five page special report “Is Canadian biotech coming to life” which looked at the past, present and future of the capital markets for Canadian biotech companies.
Inside, Saskatchewan’s Ag-West Bio celebrates its 25th anniversary. Jonathan Goodman formerly the CEO of Paladin Labs introduces our readers to his new company Knight Therapeutics, and industry veteran Anthony Giovinazzo discusses the challenges of funding clinical trials specific to smaller biotech companies.
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Vol. 16 No. 3
May 2013
Vol. 16 No. 4
Our cover story this month discusses the general public’s role in drug discovery and innovation, specifically as it relates to clinical research and patient engagement in personalized medicine. Running down the rest of the editorial lineup, the Biointerfaces Institute opened at McMaster University, the Standards Council of Canada launched a National Biotech Standards Committee, and InterVac received its final certification.
Vol. 16 No. 7
October 2013 Vol. 16 No. 8
Inside this Quebec themed issue: the U.S. Supreme court finds isolated DNA not patentable. The nearly completed CRCHUM, Montreal’s new super hospital gets ready for its grand opening. The NEOMED Institute solidifies its reputation as a one stop shop for drug development, and the CQDM celebrates its 5th anniversary.
28 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS December 2017/January 2018
Vol. 17 No. 1
April/May 2014 Vol. 17 No. 2
Strategic funds are on the rise in Canada, with venture groups raising funds that are anchored by major strategic partners, such as big pharma companies.
Vol. 17 No. 5
December 2014/January 2015
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Aug
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Vol. 17 No. 6
In his cover story Canadian Healthcare Technologies: What’s Hot & What’s Not? Wayne Schnarr suggests investor interest in the sector is increasing and tells our readers what areas are seeing the most activity. In our innovator spotlight, Anthony Giovinazzo discusses Cynapsus Therapeutics and its lead product for the management of “OFF” motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. While in his Across Canada piece Error or Folly?, experienced biotech executive David Allan underlines the reasons basic research development in Canada is in a sorry state.
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