March Newsletter

API Stories

Showcasing Edmonton’s Life Sciences Campus: Facilities set to strengthen Canada’s Critical Drug Supply and Foster Innovation

Earlier this month, our team we’re pleased to host ADM Ritu Banerjee and Director Jocelyn Milburn from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada / Health Emergency Readiness Canada for an exclusive tour of our Life Sciences Campus at Edmonton Research Park (ERP).

The tour showcased a visit to the Biotechnology Business Development Centre (BBDC), one of our facilities within the campus, which provides access to infrastructure and resources that will help life sciences companies develop, scale and commercialize their products. We were also thrilled to share our progress in expanding incubation, training and laboratory spaces, along with the construction of the Critical Medicines Production Centre (CMPC), a cornerstone of the Canadian Critical Drug Initiative (CCDI). 

Earlier this month, we also participated in the 2025 Health Emergency Readiness Canada (HERC) Symposium, where we showcased some of our key initiatives, such as expanding our clinical and commercial manufacturing capabilities to improve accessibility for innovators and advance Canada’s health emergency preparedness.  

We look forward to strengthening our collaborations, further expanding our support for life sciences companies and enhancing Canada’s critical drug security!

Representing Edmonton Region’s Life Sciences Sector in the Global Innovation Landscape

Our CEO, Andrew MacIsaac, recently joined Edmonton leaders on a trade mission to Japan led by Edmonton Global, to represent our region’s dynamic life sciences sector as a key economic driver on the global stage.

The mission was aimed at showcasing the region’s economic strengths and potential, fostering new opportunities for trade, investment and collaboration between Japan and Edmonton. The delegation was joined by representatives from various sectors including the Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Edmonton International Airport, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), University of Alberta and supported by Explore Edmonton. We’re proud to be part of this collective effort to drive economic growth and diversification within the region, highlighting the significant contribution of our life sciences sector.

A big thank you to Edmonton Global for leading this impactful mission! We’re excited to collaborate on more opportunities that will strengthen Edmonton’s position as a global hub for investment and innovation.

Shaping the Future of Life Sciences: Highlights from BioAlberta’s Annual Policy Forum

Last month, our team had the pleasure of attending BioAlberta’s Annual Policy Forum, where we participated in valuable discussions shaping the future of Alberta’s life sciences sector. 

Our CEO, Andrew MacIsaac, and Associate VP of Engagement & Brand, Tessa Vriend, had the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and decision makers, including the Honourable Adriana La Grange, Alberta’s Minister of Health.

The forum highlighted Alberta’s leadership in various health industries such as Radiology, Diagnostics, and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), while also emphasizing opportunities for collaboration between federal and provincial governments and their significant role in driving health innovations forward.

Thank you to BioAlberta for hosting this valuable event. Here’s to fostering more crucial conversations and future collaborations that will drive positive change in the sector!

Events

EDA Xperience 2025 Leaders’ Summit & Conference

From April 9-11, Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) is hosting the Xperience 2025 Leaders’ Summit & Conference at the stunning Kananaskis in Alberta, bringing together leaders to explore economic growth and future opportunities in the province.

Our CEO, Andrew MacIsaac, will be participating as a panelist, along with other life sciences, health and biotech leaders, to discuss emerging opportunities and share strategic approaches to accelerating growth in these sectors. 

If you or your company is attending, we look forward to connecting with you there!

Learn more about the Summit

Life Sciences & Innovation News

• Entos Pharmaceuticals received a $198.5 million investment from the Government of Canada and Alberta for a nearly $200-million project to create a research and development and GMP biomanufacturing facility in Edmonton. “As a hub for next-generation therapeutics, the facility aims to foster collaborations between Entos, Canadian academic institutions, and its industry partners,” a news release said. “This effort will build expertise and knowledge to enhance Canada’s life sciences sector, strengthen Canada’s position in the global biopharmaceutical market, and attract international investments, partnerships, and talent.”
  
• The Alberta government is matching the University of Alberta‘s $100-million investment in life sciences research at the Biological Sciences Building. The investments will transform the building into what’s being called the Life Innovation and Future Technologies Centre, though an opening date has not been announced.
  
• Fluid Biomed, a startup founded by University of Calgary neurosurgeons John Wong and Alim Mitha, has raised US$27 million in Series A funding to advance its ReSolv bioabsorbable polymer-based brain stent. The device aims to improve outcomes for brain aneurysm patients by offering better visualization during scans and reducing the need for lifelong blood thinners.
  
• The American Medical Association has granted Nanostics with a proprietary laboratory analyses code for its ClarityDX technology. “This is a key milestone towards ensuring all patients have access to ClarityDX Prostate to help make more informed decisions about whether to do a prostate biopsy,” Nanostics CEO John Lewis said.
  
• Voyageur Pharmaceuticals began its Frances Creek barium contrast media project after receiving a $600,000 grant from Alberta Innovates, with $350,000 already released. The project focuses on processing high-purity natural barium sulfate for use in next-generation contrast media.
  
• Cubresa signed a Master Interface Agreement with Siemens Healthineers to support development and compatibility testing of Cubresa’s BrainPET scanner with Siemens Healthineers MAGNETOM MRI systems. The collaboration aims to expand the capabilities of PET/MRI for brain imaging, which could bring new possibilities to researchers and clinicians working to better understand neurological diseases.
  
• Future Fields reports it has produced the first functional, glycosylated recombinant human prolactin in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). According to the company, the D. mel expression system can produce more complicated proteins and perform complex post-translational modifications, including glycosylation, similar to mammalian systems.
  
• Northernmost and Mayo Clinic have signed a know-how agreement to advance the preservation and transport of donor kidneys using hypothermic machine perfusion.
  
• Northern RNA announced a strategic collaboration with Epitopea. Northern RNA will provide its biomanufacturing expertise to support Epitopea’s development of RNA-based immunotherapies for solid and hematological cancers.
  
• OncoHelix has announced a new national molecular testing program for Canadians facing biliary tract cancers. Led by the Canadian Cholangiocarcinoma Collaborative at The Ottawa Hospital, the program aims to provide access to molecular testing to help patients find effective treatments and clinical trials.
  
• Clinical trials of Pacylex‘s zelenirstat at the Cross Cancer Institute have shown promising results, including a 30% tumour reduction in a lymphoma patient within weeks and extended life for patients with advanced cancers.
  
• RJH Biosciences introduced mRNA-Fect ULTRA, a new innovation in mRNA delivery, with higher transfection rates, higher stability, and compatibility with both suspension and adherent cells.
  
• Syantra received funding from Alberta Innovates‘ AICE Market Access program to start a clinical pilot site at the May, part of the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, to begin trials of the company’s blood test for early breast cancer detection.
  
• Genome Alberta announced new investments in Alberta initiatives as part of the Canadian Precision Health Initiative, led by Genome Canada. The Government of Canada is investing $81 million through Genome Canada, with an expected total investment of $200 million through co-funding from industry, academia, and public-sector partners.
  
• The University of Alberta will receive nearly $600,000 from RDAR to investigate poultry pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
  
• The University of Calgary‘s Cumming School of Medicine is improving cancer treatment options through its Oncology Outcomes initiative, thanks to a $2-million donation from Calgary philanthropists Hugh and Laureen Borgland.