Building Biotech – Creating New Opportunities in the BC Bioeconomy

EVENT SUMMARY

The Student Biotechnology Network is delighted to kick off the 2018-2019 season with our annual Building Biotech Event. This year, with Building Biotech: Creating New Opportunities in the BC Bioeconomy, we hope that the stories that are shared and ideas exchanged inspire you to continue to reach for the stars.

If the success of previous events is anything to go by, this evening is an excellent opportunity to re-connect with other enthusiastic students and industry professionals, while gaining insight and perspectives on the local life sciences industry over a delicious three course dinner.

ABOUT

The SBN Building Biotech event is a business formal event at the beautiful Coast Coal Harbour Hotel. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the current state of the life sciences industry in BC and gain insights as to which areas within life sciences are growing and declining, as well as learn about what economic factors influence the local industry. Our expert panel of speakers will also give their outlook on the future of life sciences in BC.

The following organizations were present at last year’s event:

Amgen
Augurex Life Sciences Corp.
BCIT Biotechnology
Cannevert Therapeutics
CAPRA International Marketing
CDRD
Contextual Genomics
Cross Pacific Capital Partners
Genome Sciences Centre, BCCA
Health Canada
KPMG LLP
MITACS
Paladin Labs Inc.
Precision NanoSystems Inc.
Simon Fraser University
STEMCELL Technologies Inc.
Tait Labs
University of British Columbia
ZymeWorks Inc.

Speaker Bios

Surjit Dixit, Ph.D. has been with Zymeworks Inc. since 2007 functioning as its Vice President, Technology. As the field of drug discovery has expanded from small molecules to protein therapeutics, Zymeworks has been at the forefront of employing rational protein engineering technologies for the development of best-in-class engineered protein therapeutics, aimed at creating tailored multispecific and multifunctional biologics. Surjit has a Ph.D. in the area of molecular biophysics from Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi.

Dr. Bojana Turicis an entrepreneur with extensive experience in implementing new technologies into clinical use. At present, she is fulfilling a role of VPOperations at Aspect Biosystems, a Vancouver based private company. Aspect developed 3D bioprinters and prints tissues “on demand”. Previously, she was a part of the executive team at Perceptronix Medical, a Vancouver based private spin-off company from BC Cancer Agency. She led the company through all steps as a leader and executor of the first strategic commercial activities. Dr. Turic has extensive experience coordinating clinical trials, executing regulatory approvals and providing on-site clinical and laboratory training. In 2014 she joins Cross Pacific Capital Partners, a boutique VC in Gastown, as an entrepreneur in residence, where she reviewed various biotechnology companies and assessed their maturity for initial investments. In 2015 she joined Landing Medical, a China-based company, where she was a member of an international business development team, bringing technology outside of China through regulatory approvals and first commercial alliances. Dr. Turic completed her MD at the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina where she held the position of Assistant Professor of Medical Microbiology. She finished her fellowship in Medical Microbiology at the University of Zagreb, Croatia.

Véronique Lecault, Ph.D. is an MSL alumnus and the Co-Founder of AbCellera, a UBC spin-off focused on the discovery and development of next-generation therapeutic antibodies. AbCellera’s discovery platform integrates cutting-edge technologies in immunology, microfluidics, genomics, bioinformatics, and computation. The company was recently awarded the Life Sciences BC Growth Company of the Year and recognized on the 2018 Life Science Ready to Rocket list. As a researcher, scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur, Véronique enjoys working at the interface of technology and biology, pushing the boundaries of science with AbCellera’s multidisciplinary team to bring better therapies to patients.

Helen Sheridan, MA, CRHP is Senior Vice President of Human Resources at STEMCELL. Helen joined STEMCELL in late December 2015 and is responsible for leading efforts supporting the company’s goal to become the greatest workplace for people passionate about creating a healthier community through science. Helen has been a core contributor through her leadership in positioning ourselves as an employer capable of attracting and developing our existing and future team members through this next phase of growth. Prior to joining STEMCELL, Helen led HR teams in a number of companies known for their high performing organizational cultures. Early in Helen’s career, she led the global HR function for Crystal Decisions, one of Canada’s greatest high tech success stories. Helen also led the HR functions at smaller Canadian companies including 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and Apparent Networks. She has operational experience, having led customer advocacy and PMO at Radiant Technologies. At the Provincial Health Services Authority, Helen led strategic human resources, and set the organization on a path to become one of Canada’s top 100 employers. Most recently, Helen worked at Finning International. She has partnered and built several companies of her own in multiple sectors including building design, consulting, high tech, and currently co-owns a small restaurant with her husband, a well-renowned chef. Helen completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Victoria in 1992 and later an MA in Organizational Systems specializing in leadership and Organizational Development from Saybrook University in 2010. She has two teenage boys and enjoys much of what the British Columbia outdoors lifestyle has to offer.