Today's News

Vancouver, BC, July 12, 2022--(T-Net)--LifeSciences BC announced this week the recipients of the 24th Annual LifeSciences BC Awards. The awards recognize the achievements of individuals, companies, and organizations that have had success in advancing successful health innovations and contribute to BC's life sciences ecosystem.

According to the report, B.C. Life Sciences Update 2021: Building on a Foundation of Innovation, British Columbia's ecosystem has never been stronger. The report, released by The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade in collaboration with Life Sciences BC, cites that the province is home to the fastest growing life sciences sector in Canada, employing 18,000+ people at 2,000+ companies.

Vancouver also recently ranked the highest of all Canadian cities in the 2021 Life Sciences edition of the Global Startup Ecosystem Report, further demonstrating the critical significance and potential far reaching impacts of the scientific discoveries and innovations taking place within the province.

The 2022 Life Sciences BC Award Winners are:

Individual

• Dr. Don Rix Award for Lifetime Achievement in Life Sciences - Dr. Simon Pimstone
  
  
• Genome BC Award for Scientific Excellence - Dr. Lauchlan Fraser
  

Company

• Deal of the Year - Precision NanoSystems
  
  
• Emerging Life Sciences Company of the Year Award - Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals
  
  
• Medical/Digital Technology Company of the Year - Thrive Health
  
  
• Milton Wong Award for Leadership - adMare BioInnovations
  
  
• Strategic Life Sciences Partner of the Year - Genome BC
  
  
• Life Sciences Company of the Year - Acuitas Therapeutics
  

Impact

The BC Life Sciences sector has received worldwide recognition for its innovation throughout the pandemic. While acknowledging that there are several BC companies and individuals who have and continue to make meaningful contributions, LifeSciences BC recognized physicist and biochemist Dr. Pieter Cullis for his contributions to the field of lipid nanoparticles, which are essential to mRNA vaccines as a delivery system, citing his scientific entrepreneurialism and advancement of life sciences research through a Global Impact Award.

• Global Impact Award - Dr. Pieter Cullis
  

Wendy Hurlburt, President and CEO of LifeSciences BC

Wendy Hurlburt, President and CEO of LifeSciences BC said, "LSBC's Annual Life Sciences BC Awards, presented by Farris, is our moment to honour the efforts of many within our sector whose work is dedicated to advancing biological research and drug discovery to improve and save lives. We congratulate this year's award winners, as they truly reflect the extraordinary talent within BC's ecosystem, and the diverse ways our community continues to make its mark on the sector worldwide through pushing the boundaries of innovation to create life-changing treatments, therapies, and technologies."

Scott Phillips, Life Sciences BC Board Chair and CEO of Starfish Medical

Scott Phillips, Life Sciences BC Board Chair and CEO of Starfish Medical said, "The 2022 LSBC awards underscore why BC is known as a global leader in the life sciences sector, and the work and dedication of this year's recipients showcases a new wave of innovation that can and will continue to positively impact health care and patient outcomes. We congratulate all of this year's winners for the work ethic they consistently demonstrate in their day-to-day efforts to advance life-changing research, product development and technology, and clinical application."

The 2022 Life Sciences BC award winners will be recognized at this year's 24th Annual Life Sciences BC Awards on September 22, 2022. To learn more about the 24th Annual Life Sciences BC Awards Gala, visit the LifeSciences BC awards page. The Awards Gala is one of the many events hosted by Life Sciences BC each year.

About Life Sciences BC

Life Sciences BC is a not-for-profit, non-government, industry association that supports and represents the life sciences community of British Columbia through leadership, facilitation of investment and partnering, and promotion of our world-class science and industry.

Life sciences sectors, from biopharmaceuticals and medical technology to digital health and medical devices, are integrated into our organization and all that we do, ensuring that no life sciences sector is working in isolation — and that all sectors come together in a comprehensive, complementary, and coordinated fashion.

Throughout the year, Life Sciences BC undertakes numerous programs and projects in support of these sectors. These include public policy initiatives, facilitating linkages between global industry and our local organizations, raising the profile of our industry internationally and thus facilitating investment and global partnering opportunities, and helping nurture economic development in British Columbia through the life sciences industry.