The Faces of Canadian Biotech the Faces of Canadian Biotech
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Canada shines at BIO 2008 in San Diego CHAMPIONING THE BUSINESS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN CANADA August/September 2008 TThhee FFaacceess ooff CCaannaaddiiaann BBiiootteecchh National Biotechnology Company of the Year Week issue + your calendar BioMS Medical steps into of key national the biotechnology limelight events 7 6 5 3 6 0 0 4 t n The Business of Biofuels e m e e r Canada emerges as a leader in g A — t c the global biofuel industry— u d o r P l for better or worse i a M s n o i t a Patent Protection c i l b u P When is the right time to kick n a i d a n off the patenting process? a C www.biobusinessmag.com Bi oBBusinessusiness Contents CHAMPIONING THE BUSINESS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN CANADA 22 WThiteh 1F0acyeasrso, fanCdaonnaedoiaf ntheBliaortgeecsht biotechnol - ogy deals in Canadian history—among other notable accomplishments—under its belt, BioMS and its two founders are the very definition of success in Canadian biotech. INnBitWs fif2th00ye8 ar, National Biotechnology Week is a celebration of the imagination and innovation of Canadian scientists and entrepreneurs from Vancouver to Halifax. 25 Industry pioneer Dr. John Evans reflects on ON THE COVER: today’s challenges 27 BIOTECanada’s Peter Brenders on his goals Clliiffford and Keviin Giiese off BiioMS for the week, and the year ahead Mediicall Corp..—BIIOTECanada 2008 30 Key Events Calendar The most up-to-date listing of key National Company of the Year—planned for Company of the Year—planned for Biotechnology Week events success ffrom tthe gett--go Cover photo by Darren Jacknisky, Bluefish Studios also inside 24 standards 14 5 EDITOR’S NOTE ABIlOook20b0a8ck at Canada’s formidable presence at the world’s largest, 7 NEWS global biotech conference 33 44 NEW PRODUCTS DQr&. AA lan Bernstein, executive director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise and former President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research 36 IWPh&enPisattehentriignhg t time to kick off the “There is no reason in the world I would be in the patenting process, and file for patent biotechnology business except, as I’ve always said, protection? I sleep with inside information. My wife Robin 38 found relief when she received our drug – we Discoveries Canada emerges as a leader in the knew it worked. Our motivation was always to global biofuel industry—for better or worse help some of the Robins of the world. That’s 46 been our goal, plain and simple.” NInovPaeSrscotn ia biology student Miriam Ferrer helps improve the province’s tree “ fruit industry - Clifford Giese, Chairman”, BioMS Medical Corp. August/September 2008 Bio Business 3 samples safe, and your results uncompromised. results your and safe, samples your and quality-controlled you processes. keep They understrict, manufactured and materials quality raw solution. solution. your be Eppendorf consumables let experience, technology plastic of years 40 than more With Our consumables are made ofthe highest l In theU.S.: Eppendorf NorthAmerica, Inc. 800-645-3050 www.ep-points.com at information More ep-points) 1,000 (worth Goldena ep-point!*Win l l l l w maximum rigidity provide ep Dualfilter TIPS Dualfilter ep strips or tubesPCR in standard andDNA LoBind; tubes Safe-Lock twin.tec plates PCR Plates Deepwell OptiTrack RecoverMax use with allpipettes Reloads epTIPS ith extremelyith walls thin www.eppendorf.com • Email: [email protected] hotline: • Application 516-515-2258 www.eppendorf.com • ® labeling and and labeling available in single single in available ® NewEppendorf Consumables Promotion well design well It’s YOUR sample! sample! YOUR It’s for with with available ® and and www.eppendorfna.com/advantage. and orderingnumbers are available at take advantagethisof Product offer. details mustuse ourYou specialcatalog numbers to consumables and get 1 free. same participatingthe Eppendorf of purchase 3 consumables your to lab. For a limited time only, easier than ever add to Eppendorf premium quality Our new Buy3, Get 1FREE! • In Canada: Eppendorf Canada Ltd. 800-263-8715 Ltd. Canada: Eppendorf Canada In Eppendorf Advantage Eppendorf www.eppendorfna.com/advantage offers make it Sept. 30, Sept. 2008 Buy3, Get 1FREE! Limited Offer Offer Limited April 1 – CENA.A1.0132.A © 2008 Eppendorf AG. *This offer is valid in the U.S. and Canada only. Only select consumables apply. Details qualifying consumables are available at www.eppendorfna.com/advantage. Bi oBBusinessusiness Editor’s Note Championing the Business of Biotechnology in Canada Publisher Christopher J. Forbes Putting Our Best & CEO [email protected] Executive Bernadette Johnson Editor [email protected] Face Forward Editor Theresa Rogers [email protected] Editorial Intern Erica Tennenhouse e e L Art Tammy White e c he strength of Canada’s presence at to lead in this u Director [email protected] r BIO 2008 made this year’s show a area. Companies B Contributors Arnold Ceballos notable one for many of like Lignol Energy Corp., Ensyn Secretary/ T us…including BIOTECanada’s Peter Technologies, Agrisoma and Performance Treasurer Susan A. Browne Sales Beth Kukkonen Brenders. We definitely had a strong show - Plants Inc., are creating viable second- Manager [email protected] ing (see page 15). The healthy numbers, as and third-generation fuel sources that Account Sandor Nyman well as the visible commitment of our produce not only fuel, but important bio- Manager [email protected] Federal Health Minister, Tony Clement, oils and chemical byproducts.” Promotion Nancy Sim and the many other provincial premiers Second-generation biofuels include Manager [email protected] and officials was noted by the international cellulosic biofuels made of residual feed - Promotion Jessica Forbes Co-ordinator [email protected] community, says Brenders. “It showed that stocks from the agricultural and forestry Production Roberta Dick Canada is stepping up to the plate and real - sectors, or from post-consumer sources. A Manager [email protected] ly committed to being a global leader in the generation of green hydrocarbons are also Production Sara Forget biotech space. In a tough economic year in under development from non-food based Co-ordinator [email protected] the US, that is significant.” dedicated biofuel crops such as Bio Business is published 5 times per year by Jesmar For the first time, the BIO trade floor Miscanthus grass and hybrid poplar, con - Communications Inc., 30 East Beaver Creek Rd., Suite also served as the backdrop for the associ - tinues Brenders, and through new tech - 202, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1J2. 905.886.5040 Fax: 905.886.6615 www.biobusinessmag.com One year ation’s Gold Leaf awards. Award winners nologies including pyrolosis, or genetic subscription: Canada $35.00, US $35.00 and foreign $95. BioMS Medical, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, modification of algae, bacteria and plants. Single copies $9.00. Please add GST where applicable. Bio Lignol and Deborah Brown shared their And fuel production itself is only the Business subscription and circulation enquiries: Garth Atkinson, [email protected] Fax: stories in front of a packed international tip of the iceberg, he says. “Fundamentally, 905.509.0735 Subscriptions to business address only. On audience. And what amazing stories they these technologies use, and even create, occasion, our list is made available to organizations whose have to tell. Our cover story this issue pro - greener manufacturing and industrial products or services may be of interest to you. If you’d rather not receive information, write to us at the address above or files Company of the Year BioMS processes to create fuel. So, biofuel pro - call 905.509.3511 The contents of this publication may not Medical, and its two founders Clifford and duction will not only lead to greener fuel, be reproduced either in part or in whole without the written Kevin Giese. I hope you enjoy reading it as but to a greener economy and a cleaner consent of the publisher. GST Registration #R124380270. much as I did writing and researching it. environment,” says Brenders. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. One of the interesting panel discus - I imagine this topic is likely to come 40063567 sions at this year’s BIO convention was up throughout the various programs of RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO one on biofuels. If that’s of interest to you, the National Biotechnology Week…not CIRCULATION DEPT. I would invite you to check out our to mention so many other ideas and 202-30 EAST BEAVER CREEK RD RICHMOND HILL, ON L4B 1J2 Discoveries section this issue on page 38 announcements—not least of which is email: [email protected] for Erica Tennenhouse’s interesting look the launch of BIOTECanada’s Canada: at the business of biofuels in Canada. Beyond Moose and Mountains strategy Bio Business is a proud member of Increasingly, Canada is emerging as a document, which I am eagerly awaiting. I BIOTE Canada and the Toronto leader—not surprising given its expertise look forward to some great discussions at Biotechnology Initiative (TBI). in advanced technology, and its abun - this year’s events—and I hope to see you dance of diverse feedstocks that can be all there. leveraged for biofuel production. As BIOTECanada’s Brenders adds: Cheers, “Canadian biofuel production goes Publisher of much beyond grain-based fuel, and this LAB BUSINESS Magazine technological evolution is what truly LAB BUSINESS Cards BIO BUSINESS Magazine opens doors for Canadian technology [email protected] Printed in Canada August/September 2008 Bio Business 5 BioTalent Canada is a trademark of BioTalent Canada. an in mostrecently captured HRneeds, ourin-depth from understandingofthesector’s Kitisderived Tool The it’s mention anddidwe (Oh, this sta, valued handlingdismissalsandretaining planningandhiringto From sector. specicallythebiotechnology for created the hasproduced Canada BioTalent why That’s typically part training. oftheirscientic aren’t management essentialYet functions like human entrepreneurs.