API News
The Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, visits API
Recently we had the privilege of meeting with the Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, along with our partners the University of Alberta and Edmonton Global.
Together we shared examples of the exciting work happening in the life sciences sector and some of the opportunities that lie ahead to grow our industry and diversify our economy. See more pictures of the meeting and tour
API celebrates Enterprise Square opening
In January we joined in the University of Alberta’s event to open the newly expanded Enterprise Square.
As a partner in the Health Innovation Hub (HIH) at Enterprise Square, API is proud to be offering programs and services that help our local innovators.
Paramita Chaudhuri Basu, who joined API as our Director, Programs & Ecosystem Development as a result of that partnership, says she regularly hears how valuable these programs are.
“After each event we’ll hear how much people have learned, or how they met others in the industry who they can work with, said Paramita. “It’s creating a network of ideas and relationships that are helping people move their business ideas forward.”
API is looking forward to what future programs could be planned to support the health and life sciences industry in Edmonton, with the added support of the community that’s being built at the Health Innovation Hub.
“We’re looking at what programs would be helpful to our health and life sciences ecosystem,” said Paramita. “What is needed that doesn’t exist elsewhere? That’s where our focus is.”
Top 20 companies deliver their pitches for the Life Sciences Investment Summit
After receiving 51 applicants for the 2023 Life Sciences Investment Summit, hosted by Startup TNT and powered by API, the Top 20 were selected and they delivered their first pitch to investors on February 9.
“Our inaugural summit last year was a great success, and looking at this year’s Top 20 companies we see a lot to be excited for,” said Andrew MacIsaac, CEO of API. “API’s core purpose is to help people with good ideas in the life sciences industry turn them into reality, and this event is very important to our work.”
Next, the qualified angel investors will go through a full due diligence process with the companies, with the Top 5 finalists being announced March 9.
This leads to the finale on March 23, where the finalists will make one last pitch to try to win this year’s Life Sciences Investment Summit, and $200,000 towards their company.
Edmonton Unlimited features API’s diverse team of experts
How does a new medicine come to be? It’s a complicated process, and translational teams are a valuable resource in navigating it.
What is a translational team and how does it help turn great ideas into life-saving drugs? Edmonton Unlimited sat down with API to learn about how translational teams support industry and innovators in drug development.
Their blog and video does a great job explaining the process, and profiling some of API’s diverse team of experts who are helping bring life sciences ideas to life. Thank you to Edmonton Unlimited for profiling us – we’re grateful to be working with you to unleash the potential right here in Edmonton!
People of API
Meet Richard Roy, VP Product Development & Scale-Up
As a member of API’s senior leadership team Richard Roy brings his wealth of experience to our clients every day.
Hear from him what makes API’s work important, his background, and what some of his proudest accomplishments are.
Upcoming Events
March Health Innovator’s Meetup: The Academia to Industry Pipeline
Graduating from the halls of the university into working in the very industry you studied or are passionate about is a huge leap to make. There are so many questions and seemingly not enough answers.
How do I approach mentors?
How should I approach networking?
How can I showcase my skillset?
Join us on March 9 for our next Health Innovators’ Meetup at the University of Alberta’s Health Innovation Hub. We will touch on strategies to enter the industry job market, career planning, networking and more.
BioAlberta Annual Policy Forum
Join API’s Andrew MacIsaac at this year’s forum, where he’ll be sharing his perspective on building talent, capacity, and biomanufacturing in Alberta. The list of topics being covered this year include:
- A Life Sciences Strategy for Alberta
- The Future of Vaccines – Moving beyond mandates and the politicization of public health.
- Improving Regulatory Processes for Health Tech and Medical Device SMEs.
- Developing a Bioenergy Strategy for Alberta.
The event will be held March 7, 2023 at the Westin, Downtown Edmonton. Visit the event page for more details and tickets.
Life Science & Innovation News
Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology receives $1.5-million from GSK
The GSK Chair in Virology at the University of Alberta is getting a $1.5-million boost from the biopharma company GSK, bringing the total value to almost $6 million and ensuring future excellence in virology research.
The endowment will ensure the recruitment of high-quality scientists to future leadership roles within the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, whose membership includes some of Canada’s top virologists and immunologists who were at the forefront of the hunt for treatments and vaccines against COVID-19.
Source: University of Alberta Folio
Pacylex adds to its executive team
Pacylex welcomed Michele Libonati as Chief Operating Officer and Annette Marcantonio as VP of Clinical Operations.
Source: Taproot Health Innovation Roundup