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BIV Magazines: LifeSciences 2008 Raising the bar Recipients of this year’s LifeSciences BC Awards Compiled by Joel Mckay LifeSciences BC announced its 2008 LifeSciences BC Awards in March this year. Seven awards covering six categories recognized individuals and companies that made significant contributions to the development of B.C.’s biotechnology industry. LifeSciences BC is a non-profit advocacy group that represents and promotes the biotechnology and life sciences community in B.C. The recipients at this year’s 10th annual ceremony included: Don Riddle, Pyng Medical Corp., Bob Rieder, Bernie Bressler, Roger Foxall, Martin Taylor and Lignol Energy Corp. Genome BC Award for scientific excellence Don Riddle received the award for his accomplishments in the field of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. Riddle is a professor at the University of British Columbia, specializing in C. elegans, a microscopic worm that shares many characteristics that are similar to human biology. He’s earned international credit for helping to develop the genetic framework that led to the sequencing of the nematode, the most numerous multi-cellular animals on earth. His work also served as a model for the human genome. Riddle became Genome BC’s chief scientific officer in 2004, where he developed a scientific strategy organizing the field of biotechnology and life sciences in B.C., and helped create the Canadian Proteomics Network. Medical device company of the year The award went to Pyng Medical Corp. and its president and CEO, David Christie. Pyng is the developer of the FAST1 Intraosseous Infusion System, an alternative to conventional IV systems. So far, Pyng has shipped more than 120,000 FAST1 systems, and it was selected as one of the top 10 companies in the ‘2007 TSX Venture 50’ for solid financial metrics in 2006. Executive of the year Bob Rieder, chairman and CEO of Cardiome Pharma Corp., received the award for his development of drug programs, including vernakalant, the company’s lead product for the treatment of atrial fibrillation or abnormal heart rhythm. Rieder has served as chairman and CEO of Cardiome, a cardiovascular drug development company, since 1998. Prior to that, he was vice-president at MDS Ventures Pacific Inc., and has served as a director of nine private and public technology companies. Lifetime achievement award Awards were given to Bernie Bressler and Roger Foxall for their work in developing and promoting the life sciences and biotechnology industry in B.C. Bressler was honoured for his lifelong commitment to the industry, and his belief in the commercialization of intellectual property developed at universities and research hospitals. From 1996 to 1999, he was vice-president of research at UBC, and helped develop the university industry liaison office that creates and manages biotechnology transfers and spin-offs. Foxall received the award in part for his part in the creation of Genome BC, where he was, among other positions, president and CEO and helped develop partnerships among Canadian universities, research centres, governments and the private sector. Leadership award Dr. Martin Taylor began his career as an assistant professor in geography at McMaster University in 1974 after completion of his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia. His key career legacy is the demonstrated value of interdisciplinary inquiry which led to the creation of several institutes and departments demonstrating that philosophy. In 1994 and 1995, Dr. Taylor served as McMaster’s acting vice-president of research and in that role established the Institute for Water, Environment, and Health. It is the first and still sole branch of the United Nations University in Canada. Dr. Taylor’s research leadership role was expanded when he was recruited to the University of Victoria in 1998 as its first vice-president of research. During his tenure, until 2007, research programs experienced unprecedented growth from $20 million to $100 milllion. This expansion also saw the creation of major national research platforms including NEPTUNE Canada, the world’s first regional cabled deep ocean observatory and VENUS, its sister coastal observatory. Together they represent a $100 million investment. Dr. Taylor was also instrumental in the establishment of a national proteomics platform in partnership with Genome British Columbia and Genome Canada, which serves international clientele from the private sector, government and academia. Emerging life sciences company of the year Lignol Energy Corp. and Ross MacLachlan, its president and CEO, received the award. The Burnaby-based company is a research and development company that is moving closer to the commercialization of its ‘biorefinery’ technology. Lignol’s technology uses an ethanol-based modified organosolv that divides and recovers wood fibers that can then be used as renewable fuels and chemical products. The company recently invested $15 million in the development of a Biorefining Technology Development Centre at the British Columbia Institute of Technology in Burnaby. • The awards were presented by Ernst & Young; Farris, Vaughan, Wills and Murphy, LLP; Genome BC; Raymond James; and Rx&D (Canada’s research-based pharmaceutical companies). Media sponsor: BIV Magazines. |
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