2009

The official magazine of alberta’s LIFE SCIENCE INDUSTRIES

Eye on innovation FUTURE LEADERS Students Earn Accolades for Cancer Research HAll of fame Dr. William Arthur Cochrane ENERGY, Not WASTE Highmark Renewables

Need+Innovation= Opportunity inside front cover AVAC Ltd. AD ab le of C o nt e s T

President’s Message...... 4

Eye on Innovation...... 6

Hall of Fame...... 9

Energy, Not Waste...... 10

Future Leaders...... 14

Alberta Life Science Industry Awards...... 16

Members List...... 18

Partners Page...... 19

BIOZINE 2008 3 BIOZINE is the official magazine of President’s Message Alberta’s Life Science Industries. Published by Odvod Publishing nurture momentum Thank you for picking up the 2009 issue of BIOZINE. We trust you will find the articles for BioAlberta interesting and perhaps you will find an opportunity or two. Intellectual Property BioAlberta is here to help make those connections. We represent Alberta’s growing Legal Services life science industries to ensure every possibility for success.

BioAlberta provides many services for its members such as hosting a wide range of bennettjones.com/ip Publisher/ Editor activities from local events, to advisory committees, to international conferences. Orville Chubb Biozine_FEB_09_v2.indd 1 27/03/2009 11:06:42 AM These events provide educational and networking opportunities and keep us connected to our membership. Art Director Rory Lee Part of BioAlberta’s mandate is to act as the life science industries’ central voice Sales Manager representing the sector to all levels of government, to life sciences industries Karen Hounjet outside Alberta and to those interested in investing in the life sciences. Writer Since mid 2008 the global business and financial sectors have seen Caitlin Crawshaw significant changes. The world has changed with them. Our industry is Advertising Consultants not immune, qualified financial and human capital is proving more and Margaret Crowe, Vivian Fritze, more difficult to find than ever. Despite this, Alberta’s stakeholders Donna Heimbeckner throughout the life sciences industries, continue to demonstrate their commitment to, and confidence in, this sector.

This year we have included a new section called, “Eye on Innovation,” which highlights just a few of the many exciting things going on in Alberta’s life sciences industries. In, ‘Energy, Not Waste,’ we feature some enterprising farmers who were able to combine two things that Alberta may be most famous for – natural gas and beef, although not in that order.

I believe these few examples of Alberta’s solid economic 314 Capital Place position and current vitality make it the place to be. 9707-110 Street Edmonton AB, T5K 2L9 Phone 780.425.3804 Fax 780.409.9263 email [email protected] www.bioalberta.com

President Ryan Radke Marketing/Communication VP Operations and Marketing Graphic Design Aggie Mikulski Visual Identity Illustration Administrative Coordinator Web Donna Parker

Events & Membership Coordinator Sandra Wilburn 780.451.1379 odvod.com HR & Financial Coordinator Bev Pederson

4 BIOZINE 2009 BIOZINE 2009 5 InEyne oon vation ViaGen gets green-light on cloning services In January 2008, the FDA announced their findings that meat and milk from Food Biopreservative to Combat cloned animals is safe to eat, concluding Listeria Monocytogenes the FDA’s most extensive food safety Edmonton biotech company University of Alberta Spin-Off review in its history. For ViaGen, a biotech CanBiocin Inc. has developed a proprietary Takes Flight company specializing in livestock genetic food biopreservative to reduce the risk For University of Alberta spin-off technologies (including gene banking of a dangerous bacteria, Listeria, that led ATGCell, 2008 was a monumental year. and cloning services), this was a major Reconstructive Health-Care to a cross-country recall of Maple Leaf “With an idea and a strong conviction to milestone. With government approval, the Services Goes Virtual meat products in 2008. The Micocin® success, we leaped from being a university company now has the green light to use The Institute for Reconstructive Sciences technology, is based on a type of natural spin-off ‘paper company’ to building a cloning in its breeding programs. “We are in Medicine (iRSM) - formerly known as and safe bacteria that combats Listeria fully-functional research facility of our a part of a technology that holds infinite COMPRU - conducts translational research present in meat products. Denise Carlson, own at the Alberta Research Council,” says potential to change the face of modern by directly integrating clinical applications Wound dressing that is safer CanBiocin’s Director of Operations, says President and CSO Ian Q. Li. In addition to a agricultural and food production, and that with research and development. iRSM and, cheaper than rivals Micocin will help food manufacturers new home, the company now has a number in itself is revolutionary,” says Dr Shawn is currently developing a leading-edge In December of 2008, Exciton reduce the risk of outbreaks and improve of new staff and two multi-year projects Walker, Director of Assisted Reproductive research environment that will incorporate Technologies Inc. filed an application with the safety of ready-to-eat meat products supported by Alberta Ingenuity Fund and Technologies. “We have only just begun tools like virtual reality and solid modeling the FDA for its latest creation, exSALT for Canadians. NRC-IRAP program. One of these projects to tap into the benefits of where cloning to recreate body parts for people who have SD7 Wound Dressing. The product is just www.canbiocin.ca involves a new method to efficiently and could take us.” been disfigured by injury, cancer or as effective as a leading product in the accurately diagnose kidney injury. www.viagen.com a congenital disease. The project has many market, but even safer to use and cheaper Rapid test system for cancer- bioFilm PA tested in Toronto www.atgcell.com benefits, including allowing surgeons to to manufacture, says CEO and President causing chemicals hospitals First Therapeutic Vaccine rehearse surgical techniques in a virtual Rod Precht. “With FDA approval anticipated Traditional testing of chemicals to Innovotech’s bioFILM PA™ offers a GrowSafe technology for Chronic Hepatitis B Infection environment and animate a virtual patient by the middle of this year, we’re in the determine if they cause cancer requires method for doctors to select antibiotics goes micro in 2010 Phase I Trial to evaluate function post-surgery. process of scaling up our manufacturing skilled technologists, expensive chemicals for tenacious biofilm infections; clusters A new microprocessor promises new Edmonton’s ViRexx, a Division of www.irsm-canada.com capabilities and have begun discussions and time, but a new test promises a of microorganisms that cause 80 per cent improvements to GrowSafe’s RFID livestock Paladin Labs Inc., has made headway with a number of large companies to faster and cheaper option. Edmonton’s of human infections. Doctors at two monitoring systems. Vice-President Alison in developing a therapeutic vaccine for Hope to celiac sufferers market and distribute the product.” PBR Laboratories Inc. is using lab-on- world renown Cystic Fibrosis hospitals Sunstrum says the chip allows for “smaller, people suffering from chronic Hepatitis It is not a cure for celiac disease, www.excitontech.com a-chip technology to create a tool that in Toronto – The Hospital for Sick Kids more powerful, more robust and cost- B infection. The company is planning but a nutraceutical product developed detects cancer causing chemicals in and St. Michael’s hospital – have begun a effective technology” for its customers. to start a Phase I trial in the first quarter by University of Alberta spinoff IGY Inc. ChemRoutes less time and for a fraction of the cost. post-market evaluation of the Edmonton For nearly two decades, the company has of 2010 for its therapeutic vaccine. may be the next best thing. Derived from Ten years after its inception, For the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, company’s diagnostic tool that is the created systems that allow researchers The vaccine was created from ViRexx’s eggs engineered to contain high amounts contract chemistry company ChemRoutes medical oncology and industrial chemical world’s first biofilm susceptibility test that to monitor the feed intake and behavior parent Chimigen® Platform, an adaptable of gluten antibodies, the additive binds Corporation now facilitates the research sectors, the technology promises to also provides doctors with guidance on of cattle. The system can now be used molecule composed of antigen(s) fused to gluten in the body, preventing it from activities of 50 pharmaceutical, speed up analysis and testing efficiency. the selection of combination antibiotics on the farm using RFID (radio-frequency with antibody components. Executive damaging the small intestine. Now, people agrochemical and biotech companies “This technology has a wide range of which are commonly used to treat identification tags) to tightly monitor the Vice-President and Chief Technology with celiac disease can dine out without worldwide. The company offers drug applications,” says company CEO Dr. patients with chronic lung infections, farm’s inputs, like feed and medical care, Officer Rajan George says the technology worrying about gluten contamination, which delivery systems to help companies R. Mehta. Since the mid-1980s, PBR like cystic fibrosis. The three-year study as well as the quality of the meat fills an important niche. “There’s nothing can ruin a perfectly good night on the town. in their own research programs. has offered research and bioanalytical started last year and is funded in part by produced. Currently, the company has out there in the market in terms of If pre-clinical human trials go well this fall, Last year, the company expanded its services to the environmental, agricultural, the National Research Council’s Industrial installed its products in five provinces and Hepatitis B and C therapeutic vaccines for the product could be on the market next product offering with several new pharmaceutical and other industries. Research Assistance Program. 14 states in the U.S.A. chronically infected people.” year, says researcher Hoon Sunwoo. templates and building blocks. www.pbr.ca www.innovotech.ca www.growsafe.com www.virexx.com www.igybiotech.com www.chemroutes.com

6 BIOZINE 2009 BIOZINE 2009 7 Dr. Cochrane’s career has spanned the fields of medicine, biomedical research, education and business. His unique ability to envisage change and make it a reality made him Hall of Fame stand out in each field. William Arthur Cochrane was born Bill established the first full-time medical interrupted in 1973 for a brief secondment to in 1926 and grew up in Toronto’s working- research program in paediatrics at the the Alberta government where he served as class east end. He graduated from University Children’s Hospital and became Professor deputy minister of Health. of Toronto in 1949 and completed post- of Paediatrics at Dalhousie University. Dr. graduate work at leading medical schools Cochrane also put his natural talents as In 1978, Dr. Cochrane took his career in in the United States and England before a leader and businessman to work in the a new direction when he returned to Ontario returning to Toronto to establish a private building and development of the I.W. Killam as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of paediatrics practice. Hospital for Children in Halifax and began . During his tenure forming his own vision of how doctors with the company, Connaught became a Dr. Cochrane and his wife, Phyllis, moved should be trained. major international developer of flu vaccines their young family to Halifax in 1958 where for the World Health Organization and other He was given the opportunity to international health agencies. make that vision a reality in 1967 as founding Dean of Medicine After 10 years at the helm of Connaught, for the University of . Dr. Cochrane returned to Calgary where he For the next 11 years, took on new challenges as President of W.A. Dr. Cochrane served in Cochrane and Associates. The move only a number of leadership strengthened his reputation as a leading roles at the University of force in the Canadian biotechnology and Calgary, including Dean research communities. of Medicine, President and Vice Chancellor. His time at During his career, Dr. Cochrane the university was has shared his leadership with a range of organizations, from the National Biotechnology Advisory Committee, the Alberta Research Council, the Alberta Economic Development Authority and the Alberta Science and Research Authority, to private sector ventures such as Vencap Equities Alberta, Oncolytics Biotech, Q.S.V. Biologics and Resverlogix Biotech Inc. His extensive contributions to the non- profit sector include service to theR onald McDonald Children’s Charities Foundation, the Canada/China Child Health Foundation, the Calgary Rotary Club and the Banff Centre.

Dr. Cochrane was named an Officer of the in 1989. He holds many other honours, including a National Merit Award for his contribution to biotechnology in Canada, and ASTech Foundation awards for his contributions to Alberta’s science and technology sector and three honourary degrees from universities in Canada. In 2005, the Alberta Medical Association named Dr. Cochrane one of Alberta’s “Physicians of the Century.”

8 BIOZINE 2009 BIOZINE 2009 9 Need+Innovation= Opportunity Need+Innovation= Opportunity

“It made sense to look for value-added processes to add more value and mitigate some of those environmental liabilities.” Energy, -Mike Kotelko Not Alberta brothers' technological innovation from manure problem

A family farm goes green IN THE BEGINNING, the Kotelko It dawned on them they might Now, the plant – which sits next door Waste brothers ran a mixed farm: a grain be able to add value to their manure, too. to the feedlot – provides energy for the operation with 120 Hereford cattle on “We were producing huge quantities of it Highland Beef’s operations as well as the side. But it was not yielding the kind and it had value as crop nutrients and as about 700 homes in Vegreville and of returns they’d hoped for. In 1980, they a soil fertility builder,” says Mike. Two Hills, Alberta. decided to make a change – they opted to prioritize cattle farming. “We were trying They began to explore a The plant uses a process called anaerobic to add more value to the grain commodity,” technology that would harness the digestion, Kotelko explains. “What we’re explains Mike. “At the time, there were high methane found in cow manure – which doing is a boil process to convert carbon interest rates and declining grain prices, so was abundant –but existing technologies into energy. Of course, manure is full of converting the grain – or some part of it – had not been designed for cow pies. organic carbon and nutrients, so we do into beef, started us feeding cattle.” a biological process to create methane “Any of these biogas technologies gas that in turn can be used to generate Few things are as Albertan as a The farm steadily evolved into a have always focused on liquid manure, electricity and heat,” he says. bright red farm house surrounded large-scale cattle operation. In 1994, which comes from dairy or hogs by acres of rolling fields – except, adopting technologies that reduce with 18,000 heads of cattle and 16 full- generally, or maybe from humans, The plant has effectively transformed perhaps, for the tall, steel dome environmental impact, increase time staff, the brothers were named the for that matter,” he says. a nuisance (36,000 head of cattle produce next door, where animal waste is efficiency and stress adding value Western Regional Finalists in Canada for a lot of waste) into a much-needed being recycled into biogas using to operations. Innovation has Entrepreneur of the Year. The next year, But manure from cattle is “a very commodity: energy. “We have manure cutting-edge techniques. become the name of the game for they were listed among Canada’s fastest challenging material to work with,” in very high quantities – that’s one of long-time farmers committed to growing companies by Profit magazine. as it has a thicker consistency and the real positive gains for the cattle and Since settlers first came to the living off the land. inevitably becomes packed with dirt, renewable energy industries.” province to lay down roots, With one on-site biogas plant Towards the end of the 1990s, cement and other environmental farming has shaped Alberta’s Highland Feeders, a family farming harnessing the power of cattle the operation was starting to plateau contaminants during collection. Evolution of a good idea culture and bolstered its economy. enterprise in Vegreville, Alberta., manure, and a number of other and government was putting more While beef farming continues to be But in recent years, economic is arguably leading this movement. renewable energy projects in pressure on large farming operations This led the brothers to partner with a principal business interest (Highland stresses and new environmental Since the birth of their farm more the works, brothers Bern and to go green. “It made sense to look the Alberta Research Council to create a Feeders continues to be one of Canada’s regulations have put pressure on than 25 years ago, they have Mike Kotelko are helping to meet for value-added processes to add pilot plant that could process cattle waste biggest feedlots), the Kotelko brothers farmers’ bottom lines. As a result, become bonafide stewards of the province’s energy needs more value and mitigate some of those effectively. Development started in 2001 have expanded their renewable energy traditional farming is rapidly the earth. and green the beef industry. environmental liabilities,” adds Mike. and was completed in early 2005. vision beyond the gates of their farm.

10 BIOZINE 2009 BIOZINE 2009 11 Need+Innovation= Opportunity

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The Alberta advantage Recently, the Kotelko brothers partnered In the last year, interest in with long-time family friends, brothers Evan renewable energy has skyrocketed and and Shane Chrapko, to create Highmark the provincial government has shown Renewables, a private company that builds increased commitment to developing on Highland Beef’s renewable energy non-petroleum-based energy sources, success. At the moment, the company’s says Mike. He is excited for what the science team is refining the technology new policies will mean for his company for other industries, including the food and believes the changes will help the processing industry, says Mike. “The biogas province get ahead of the curve. “They’ve technology has a broader application made very significant commitments to than the specific integrated plant we’ve renewable energy and biofuel that are been working with at the feedlot. Biogas going to be very positive,” he says. province’s farming industry creates waste technology can be integrated with the materials that can be efficiently recycled food processing industry… as well as He’s particularly excited about Alberta’s into biogas, making Alberta’s ethanol municipalities that don’t have proper new renewable fuel standards. In December greener than most varieties in the world. waste water treatment facilities.” 2008, the province announced that It is also a boon for the beef industry, commercial fuels will be required to contain which is still recovering from the impacts This summer the company will start at least five per cent ethanol or biodiesel by of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. on a construction project to expand the 2010. “This is a major opportunity that existing biogas plant in Vegreville and we’re looking to fill,” says Mike. For the Kotelko brothers, the fuel several projects to integrate ethanol plants regulations are sure to open up all kinds with other operations. Within five years, the He is quick to point out that the of new opportunities for their burgeoning company hopes to have about four more initiative has wide-reaching benefits.I t is energy empire. “We’re really excited about biogas plants in construction in Alberta. a major win for the environment, as the the future,” says Mike.

12 BIOZINE 2009 BIOZINE 2009 13 Future Leaders

Cancer research earns students cancer treatment. The twins worked with Dr. Hasan Uludag, a U of A researcher in national accolades nanoregenerative medicine, to create a delivery system composed of polymers As participants in a BioAlberta-sponsored research program, and lipids to infiltrate cancer cells with Hazal and Mustafa Babadagli created a novel delivery system Small Infering (SI) RNA. This type of RNA for infiltrating cancer cells with a disabling agent is thought to slow the production of enzymes that cancer cells use to break down the extracellular matrix surrounding healthy cells. While most students happily fritter It goes without saying that the away their free time chatting with friends sister and brother come by their passion “By breaking down this matrix, the on Facebook, twins Hazal and Mustafa for science honestly: their mother is cancer cells can swoop in,” explains Mustafa. Babadagli prefer to kick back with the latest a pharmacist, their dad a petroleum issue of Scientific American or Nature. engineering professor at the University By injecting the SI RNA, the twins of Alberta, and four aunts and uncles hoped to silence the gene expression of one The twins are now university students, are medical doctors. particular enzyme, MMP-2. but they have been cozying up to scientific publications since their high school days. “A lot of our relatives are in (the The ultimate goal of the research was “They get us interested in some of the new sciences), so we kind of got interested in it to keep localized cancers from spreading, science that’s coming out,” says Mustafa. from growing up in that environment,” says which compounds treatment challenges. Hazal. In fact, when her family vacations in “The devastation that occurs is greater He and his sister recently created some Turkey each summer, she and her brother and the side-effects are greater,” explains new science themselves. Last year, the duo have been known to volunteer at their Mustafa. participated in a BioAlberta-supported uncle’s in-vitro fertilization clinic. student competition – the Sanofi-Aventis For four months, he and Hazal spent BioTalent Challenge – that pairs science- The twins got their first hands-on as many as seven hours a week tinkering minded high school students with science experience as junior high students in Uludag’s lab after school. It was a large established life science researchers. They participating in Science Olympics. The commitment for the busy International even snagged a fourth place prize in this experience paved the way for their later Baccelaureate students, but it was a fun national competition. involvement with the Sanofi-Aventis experience, insists Mustafa. Biotalent Challenge. Now first year students at the U of A, The Babadagli twins first got involved Mustafa is studying engineering and Hazal with the program two years ago as Grade 11 is in general sciences, but will apply for students at Edmonton’s Old Scona Academic pharmacy at the end of the year. Both plan High School. to pursue research.

That first year, the twins’ passion The twins say participating in the translated into a first place standing program has opened many doors. In in the provincial finals, and a ninth addition to earning $5,000 for placing in place standing nationally. But last year’s provincial competition, they last year, as Grade 12 students, earned an additional $2,000 for their they did even better, fourth-place prize. The experience has securing the provincial win helped with scholarship applications and fourth place in the and will make it easy to secure summer national competition. research jobs, among other things.

And small “The number of opportunities wonder: their research that this challenge has created for project addressed us – it’s amazing,” says Mustafa. “It’s a critical niche in overwhelming, in some ways.”

14 BIOZINE 2009 BIOZINE 2009 15 2008 AwardsAssociation for Life Science Industries

Emerging Company of the Year

Picomole Instruments Inc. is the 2007 Scientific Achievement & grand prize winner of the VenturePrize Innovation Business Plan Competition. Its flagship product, LifeSens™, is designed to offer Dr. Lopaschuk, an AHFMR Scientist, is convenient point-of-care test solutions for Company of the Year the Scientific Director of the Mazankowski the screening, diagnosis, and management Alberta Heart Institute and Professor of cancer and other diseases through the BioMS Medical Corp. is a Canadian of Pediatrics and Pharmacology at the quantification of multiple exhaled breath based biotechnology company engaged in University of Alberta. His pioneering work biomarkers in a user-friendly, cost-effective the development and commercialization of in cardiovascular research has greatly format. In addition to performing actual novel therapeutic technologies. Their lead improved our understanding of how heart breath analysis with the technology, the technology is for the treatment of multiple disease may be caused and potentially company has recently completed the sclerosis (MS) and is being evaluated in two prevented. His work has led to applications development of its portable prototype, pivotal phase III clinical trials in secondary in the treatment of heart disease that both ahead of schedule and under budget. progressive MS and a phase II clinical trial have changed the field of cardiovascular in relapsing-remitting MS. medicine and benefitted the care of The many benefits of this technology patients suffering from heart disease. will broaden the market opportunities to In December 2007, Eli Lilly and include human health, veterinary health, Company and BioMS Medical entered Dr. Lopaschuk has a long and drug screening, personalized medicine, and into a licensing and development distinguished career as one of Canada’s potentially border security. The company agreement that was one of the largest top cardiovascular scientists and in 2007, thus has the potential to secure licensing drug licensing deals in Canadian history was awarded the Life Long Research agreements for the additional applications – valued at $410 million. Achievement Award of the Canadian and is in the process of doing so. Cardiovascular Society. Not only is he BioMS Medical was founded with the active on various boards and foundations, It is with Dr. Cormier’s entrepreneurial mission to deliver an effective and safe but he is also the President and CEO of mindset, leadership capabilities, treatment to people with multiple sclerosis. the biotechnology company, Metabolic and internal drive that Picomole has With the tremendous accomplishments Modulators Research Ltd. Boasting over developed LifeSens™ technology and that they have achieved to date, the 180 publications, Dr. Lopaschuk is truly the team required to aggressively move company is closer than ever to fulfilling deserving of this year’s Award for Scientific this product into the market in a strategic that commitment. Achievement and Innovation. and efficient manner.

16 BIOZINE 2009 BIOZINE 2009 17 Cantega Technologies Inc. Ortho Biotech (Silver) Ceapro Inc. Parlee McLaws LLP ChemRoutes Corporation Patheon Inc. Association for Life Science Industries Chenomx Inc. PBR Laboratories Inc. Partner Recognition CQI Consulting Ltd. Pfizer Canada Ltd. (Platinum) Membership List CV Technologies Inc. (Silver) Pharmahorizons Inc. (Silver) Cyplasin OncoScience Inc. Picomole Instruments Inc. ACAMP Deloitte & Touche PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (Silver) Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. (Silver) Progress R+D Magazine Promotive Communications Inc. Ag-West Bio Inc. Edmonton Economic Development Corporation AHFMR and BioAlberta have joined forces to give early Pfizer Canada Inc. is a leader in Canadian healthcare stage Alberta biotechnology companies an opportunity research, investing more than $137 million in research and Alberta Agricultural Research Institute Eli Lilly Canada Inc. QSV Biologics Inc. to make global business connections. The BIOAccess development activities, contributions and partnerships in Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Epsilon Chemicals Ltd. Research Services Office, University of Alberta Program provides support for companies to attend the BIO 2007. Pfizer funds more research worldwide than any other Exciton Technologies Inc. Research Tax Services International Convention in Atlanta, GA. The BIOAccess award pharmaceutical company. We may span the world but our Alberta International & Intergovernmental recipients for 2009 are: Exciton Technologies Inc., Picomole most important work happens within the local communities Relations Fisher Scientific International Inc. Sanofi Pasteur Limited Instruments Inc., and TheraCarb Inc. we serve- like here in Alberta. Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP SciMed Laboratories Inc. Research (Platinum) The Foundation has supported 62 people at biotechnology Every year we invest over $3.5 million into Genome Alberta (Gold) SemBioSys Genetics Inc. (Silver) companies in Alberta since 1996, including interns, industrial a number of highly promising initiatives starting with the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Carbohydrate research awards, and senior recruitment health industry support of numerous basic sciences and clinical research Global I.Q. SinoVeda Canada Inc. Science awards. AHFMR is a key player in the province’s research and programs. Pfizer Canada is proud to be active in the province (Silver) State of Illinois, Canada Office innovation system. with a focus that reflects our core belief that, to be truly Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Machine Learning GlaxoSmithKline Inc. healthy, it takes more than medication. Pfizer is giving back GrowSafe Systems Ltd. Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. Alberta Ingenuity Fund across a range of initiatives to help keep Alberta healthy, Hannibal Ventures Inc. Taiga BioActives Inc. safe and strong. Alberta Advanced Education and Technology (Patron) ICCI Tarquin Consulting Inc. Alberta Research Council (Silver) IGY Inc. TEC Edmonton Alberta Science and Research Authority iHear Unicare Inc. TheraCarb Inc. Amgen Canada Inc. Innovotech Inc. ToxTest – Alberta Research Council Antibe Therapeutics Inc. iRSM University of Alberta – Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Aqua Air Systems Ltd. Isotechnika Inc. (Silver) – Faculty of Medicine AstraZeneca Canada Inc. (Gold) J.A.R. Pharmaceuticals Ltd. University of Calgary – Department of ATB Financial Joseph Wu Consulting Microbiology & Infectious Diseases ATGCell Inc. KMT Hepatech Inc. University of Lethbridge ATP Scientific Recruiters Inc. KPMG LLP University Technologies International Inc. AVAC Ltd. (Gold) Lloyd Sadd Insurance Brokers Ltd. (Silver) Bennett Jones LLP Lock Search Group ViaGen Inc. Best Management Services Inc. Marsh Canada Limited VWR International Biolithic Corporation Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute W.A. Cochrane & Associates Biolipids Inc. McCarthy Tetrault (Gold) WAI BioProcess Solutions BioMS Medical Corp. (Silver) MTN Consulting Associates Westlink Innovation Network Ltd. BioNeutra Inc. Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. (Gold) BIOTECanada Metabolic Modulators Research Ltd. BOWNE Micralyne Inc. Individual Members

Calgary Technologies Inc. Monsanto Canada Inc. Atkinson, Ian Tesarowski, David (Dr.) Camire Group NAEJA Pharmaceutical Inc. (Silver) Mack, Christopher Barker, Sharon Sustrik, Gordon Redmond, Mark (Dr.) Canada’s Research Based Pharmaceutical Natraceutical Canada Inc. Aubrey, Robert Welsh, Michael To learn more about Alberta’s growing bioindustry, visit our website at www.bioalberta.com Companies (Rx & D) Northern Alberta Clinical Trials & McKay-Carey, Mary Jane Desai, Pete (Dr.) Canadian Bio-Systems Inc. Research Centre (NACTRC) Swanson, Eric Sheridan, Beverley A. Back, Donald (Dr.) Griffith,I rwin (Dr.) CanBiocin Inc. Oncothyreon Inc. Perry, Richard (Dr.) Sklar, Cameron

18 BIOZINE 2009 BIOZINE 2009 19 ETBiozine:Layout 1 3/25/09 11:26 AM Page 1

Edmonton...

There are several good reasons why Edmonton is Alberta’s capital, a sophisticated You’ll grow better here Edmonton is home to one of Canada’s major city of over a million. Your key people will find biotechnology clusters. it a great place to live and raise a family. It’s a city of festivals, great green spaces, arts and To begin with, there’s over $70 billion in culture, excellent health care and education. regional capital investments. Edmonton Explore the possibilities. Research Park provides subsidized, specialized labs and office space for startups. Commercialization support systems have For more information, contact Charlene Navarra helped create breakthrough successes. Business Development Manager University of Alberta is a globally respected North America research center. Edmonton has world-class [email protected] point-of-care systems. In fact, the future (780) 917-7631 Edmonton Clinic is already being called “The Mayo of the North.” The environment here is entrepreneurial and cost-effective, with an educated workforce.

20 BIOZINE 2009 www.edmonton.com