Canada shines at BIO 2008 in San Diego

CHAMPIONING THE BUSINESS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN CANADA August/September 2008

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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. They keep processes. youquality-controlled and your rawquality materials and manufactured understrict, solution. experience, let consumables Eppendorf be your With more than 40 years of plastic technology

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Bi oBusinessBusiness 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 Spot the HR Manager

Hint: She’s also CEO, lead proposal writer, and on co ee detail every third week.

Multi-tasking may be a prerequisite for most biotechnology entrepreneurs. Yet essential functions like human resources management aren’t typically part of their scienti c training.

That’s why BioTalent Canada has produced the BioTalent HR Tool Kit—a downloadable compendium of HR best practices created speci cally for the biotechnology sector. From planning and hiring to handling dismissals and retaining valued sta, this 14-module tool kit contains the latest thinking and gives actionable advice on all the HR issues you’re likely to face. (Oh, and did we mention it’s absolutely free?)

The Tool Kit is derived from our in-depth understanding of the sector’s HR needs, captured most recently in Splicing the Data, an extensive labour market analysis of biotechnology in Canada.

Get your hands on the information you need. Visit us online. LMI Report available now. BioTalent HR Tool Kit launching National Biotechnology Week - Sept 19 -26. www.biotalent.ca . a d a n a C t n e l a T o i B f o k r a m e d a r t a s i a d a n a C t n e l a T o i

B Funded by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program News

Global report cites Canadian biotech funding crisis Significant enture financing in the private decline in VC VCanadian biotechnology sector shot investment and up 72% in 2007, but the surge may be indicative of wider issues, revealed Ernst & fundraising Young in its Beyond borders: Global biotechnology report 2008 . “Canada’s biotech industry is facing a real funding crisis,” says Rod Budd, Ernst ccording to Industry Canada’s & Young’s Canadian biotech industry leader. “In Canada, the industry market cap AVenture Capital Monitor dropped 26% in 2007, funding to public companies dropped by almost US$900 mil - quarterly report, Canada’s venture lion and the number of companies shrunk by 14% reflecting the long-awaited con - capital (VC) activity during Q1 solidation. It’s getting harder and harder to attract investors to this area.” 2008 saw a significant decline in At first glance, the Canadian biotechnology industry appeared to sustain advances investment and fundraising. Venture of the past decade. In 2007, companies generated revenues of almost US$2.7 billion capital investment in Canada totaled and attracted more than US$1 billion in capital. However, there are some disturbing $323M (129 deals) in Q1 2008, trends that bring the industry’s sustainability into question. The declining market cap is down 47 percent from $610M (136 one of the more significant trends. The depressed share values of most companies make deals) in Q1 2007. This represented it difficult to attract investors to the sector. That’s why the IPO market has been closed in the lowest quarterly investment level Canada since 2005. There was only one Canadian IPO in 2007. Public companies are in over two years and was largely being forced to partner their drugs prematurely, or for less than optimal value, because influenced by decreased foreign they are having difficulty funding expensive clinical trials. Without a strong public mar - investment in large deals. The ket ready to accept and invest in biotech stocks, Budd says, venture funding will be lim - significant contribution to total VC ited to a handful of successful private companies. And the pool of those companies is investment in 2007 from a small likely to dwindle as they move away from Canada in search of financing. number of very large deals resulted Globally, the Ernst & Young report found venture financing reached an all-time high in 2007, with investment totaling about US$7.5 billion. Companies in the in highly volatile quarterly VC levels. Americas and Europe raised more than US$29.9 billion—a new high, excluding the Venture capital fundraising reached outlier genomics bubble year of 2000. Global public biotechnology company rev - $334M in Q1 2008, slightly less enues rose by 8% in 2007, crossing the US$80 billion threshold for the first time. than the $338M recorded in Q4 Other Canadian highlights from Beyond borders included: 2007 and down 28 percent from • Revenues increased slightly, by 1% $467M in Q1 2007. • Research and development spending increased by 12% Investment in the information • Overall net loss increased 21% from US$594 million to US$722 million technology and life sciences sectors • Venture funding of private companies increased significantly in 2007, from declined significantly in Q1 2008 US$250 million in 2006 to US$353 million in 2007, half of which was compared with Q1 2007 because raised in the first quarter there were three very large deals in • The average deal size of a venture capital investment increased from those sectors in Q1 2007 and no US$4.9 million to over US$7.5 million such large deals were reported in • The number of companies in the sector decreased by 64 to 404 companies Q1 2008. www.ey.com/ca www.sme-fdi.gc.ca/vcmonitor Canada’s bio-economy growing but at risk, study finds anada’s biotechnology sector is strong and growing, reveals 35% of employers surveyed face recruitment and Cbut immediate skills shortages threaten its sustainabil - retention challenges and 34% are dealing with skills shortages. ity. A new study released by BioTalent Canada reveals The study makes clear that stakeholders—governments, enormous growth in the sector over the past two decades, associations, educational institutions and industry—must with small, well-established employers as the backbone. prioritize HR not only through direct investment in HR to However, biotech companies are struggling with a void of attract job-ready employees, but also by investing money in required skills within the current workforce, and new companies themselves. Companies need capital to deepen employees entering the sector who aren’t job-ready. their HR capacity. However, investors are hesitant with The critical role of human resources (HR) in Canada’s companies that don’t have the talent already in place. bio-economy continues to be the biggest hurdle for Educational institutions should also be ready to update employers—a reality that is having a growing impact on their curriculum to produce more job-ready graduates. the sector’s ability to stay ahead of the curve. The study www.biotalent.ca

August/September 2008 Bio Business 7 BIOTECanada named Graeme Fraser Director, Health Policy, responsible for key Deloitte urges firms to assess 5 key areas policy issues in the health sector and A Deloitte report provides a blueprint for the Canadian life sciences industry to working with members of the Health follow in order to foster future growth and success. Faced with shifting demographics, Advisory Board, Biologics and Regulatory decreasing margins, evolving regulations and rising R&D costs, the report outlines Affairs Group, and the Vaccine Industry how organizations must not only optimize the development processes, but also Committee. re-examine their underlying operational strategies. Diagnosis: Transformation. Strategies for growth in Canada’s life sciences organizations identifies five primary challenges faced by Canadian organizations today and provides strategic recommendations to help companies compete effectively. Ottawa’s Canadian Institutes of www.deloitte.com Health Research (CIHR) appointed Dr. Nancy Edwards as incoming Scientific Lack of financial liquidity Penetrating global markets – Director of CIHR’s Institute of Population – Venture capital funding in Competition for a smaller pool of invest - and Public Health (IPPH). the Canadian life sciences ment capital within Canada’s venture industry grew from $346 capital community provides a golden million in 2005 to $473 million opportunity for organizations to seek in 2007. Despite this 37% new international partnerships. Done growth, overall domestic right, they will help companies bolster Cangene Corporation , of Winnipeg, investment in life sciences has decreased R&D activity, expand announced that John McMillan , Vice-presi - due to higher, shorter-term returns in into emerging mar - dent, commercial development, is retiring other sectors. This, in turn, forces many kets, open up new after 20 years with the company. Canadian life sciences organizations to marketing channels seek out alternative methods and geo - and build relationships graphic locati1ons for their funding needs. with governments.

CANTEST appointed Brian Lowe as VP sales and market - Competition from emerging markets – As ing. Lowe will be responsible competition from emerging markets, such as India and for sales, customer relationship China, improves research and manufacturing capabili - management and marketing planning, as ties, outsourcing will likely take place beyond Canada’s well as achievement of related strategic borders. In 2order to compete, Canadian organizations directives at CANTEST. must find innovative ways to reduce their own costs and to differentiate themselves from low-cost competitors.

Industry convergence – In light of Tightening reimbursement increasing cost pressures, growing con - regulations – Canadian federal and CV Technologies named Nazir sumer demands and global competition, provincial governments face increased Noormohamed as CFO, replacing former life sciences organizations have sought to demands to do more with less in health CFO Gordon Brown, who left the compa - differentiate themselves through the con - care. This, 3in turn, requires companies ny. Noormohamed is a Certified vergence of drugs, devices and diagnos - to design their R&D recovery strategies Management Accountant with almost 25 tics—that is, creating all-in-one solutions around a demonstration of the value of years of experience in executive roles for that holistically monitor health, prescribe their products and services against public and private companies, including and deliver medication. For Canadian spiraling health care costs. 11 years as a CFO. organizations, success in this area means developing appropriate plans and 45identifying optimal partners. Markham-based Cytochroma appointed R. Richard Wieland II as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Wieland has nearly 40 years of experience in finance and financial management, at both public and private companies, and will be based in Cytochroma’s Illinois office.

8 Bio Business August/September 2008 News

Eli Lilly Canada welcomed Consumers uninformed about nanomaterials in common products Dr. Sue Mahony as its new President and General Manager. Mahony succeeds David Ricks who has new Canadian Institute for accepted the position of President Environmental Law and Policy A and GM of Lilly China. (CIELAP) report calls for mandatory labeling of nanomaterials in cosmetics, personal care products, and cleaning agents . In Canada, approximately 80 companies have been identified as Montreal’s Gemin X working on products that contain nano- Pharmaceuticals materials. The report, entitled Update appointed Dr. Glenn J. on a Framework for Canadian Gormley as President and Nanotechnology Policy , examined gaps Chief Executive Officer. in nanotechnology policy in Canada Gormley has held senior executive and makes a number of recommenda - positions at Novartis, AstraZeneca and tions for the Canadian government, Merck. Most recently, he was Global including the mandatory labeling of nanomaterials in selected products. “This Head of Clinical Development and field is so new that very little is known about the behaviour of nanoparticles in the Medical Affairs at Novartis. environment, ” says Susan Holtz, CIELAP Senior Policy Analyst and author of the report. “Substances at the nanoscale are more biologically reactive and toxic than at the (larger) micro- or macro-scale. Tissue damage to lungs, brains, and Genome Prairie appointed Dr. Wilf hearts has been found in animal species exposed to carbon nanotubes and buck - Keller as President and CEO. Keller yballs and a 2005 study of buckyballs in the environment discovered that they held the position of Director of Research are toxic to soil bacteria. ” and, most recently, Acting Director CIELAP’s paper provides seven timeline benchmarks for its recommendations General at the National Research to government. Council—Plant Biotechnology Institute. www.cielap.org

Patheon Inc. , of Toronto, announced Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion several executive management appoint - joined Emil Kolb, Peel Region Chair; ments: Eric W. Evans was appointed and Bob Delaney, MPP Mississauga— Chief Financial Officer; Paul M. Garofolo Streetsville to launch the Research is Senior Vice-president and Chief Innovation Commercialization Centre Information Officer; Warren A. Horton is (R.I.C. Centre) in June . R.I.C. Centre Vice-president Global Quality Operations; is the Region of Peel’s entry point for and Doaa A. Fathallah is Senior entrepreneurs into Ontario’s innovation Vice-president, General Counsel network to provide services to the clients Europe and Global Pharmaceutical that need them—entrepreneurs, small Development Services. firms, researchers, and investors. R.I.C. Centre is preceded by the WGTACC (Western GTA Convergence Centre). www.ric-centre.on.ca Toronto’s Transition Therapeutics Inc. appointed Elie Farah as President in PerkinElmer Inc. recently addition to continuing to serve as Chief received top honors in Financial Officer. Nicole Rusaw-George the Life Science Industry was also appointed to the position of Awards for High Throughput Screening Vice-President, Finance. (HTS) and Analysis Systems , presented by The Scientist magazine and BioInformatics, LLC. For the second consecutive The Biotechnology Initiative year, the company was welcomed Michael Stinson as Executive named a winner in the Life Director. Stinson has been a valued Science Industry Awards. member of TBI for more than 10 years. www.perkinelmer.com

August/September 2008 Bio Business 9 News

ACROSS CANADA

First annual report of Montréal InVivo B.C. spearheads wine In its first annual report, Montréal InVivo announced that the genomics project Greater Montréal region benefited in 2007 from over $340 Genome BC launched oWineGen, a million of investments from its members, representing billions unique international wine genomics of dollars in combined annual sales. Montréal InVivo research and development program represents over 41,000 employees working in more than with an investment of $5 million. The 620 organizations, including about 150 research centres multi-national project is led by and 80 subsidiaries of foreign corporations. In 2007, the Drs. Hennie van Vuuren and Steve greater metropolitan region benefited from the funding Lund of the University of British obtained for the creation of three Centres of Excellence Columbia Wine Research Centre in Commercialization and Research by the Montreal and Drs. Richard Gardner from Neurological Institute, the Institut de recherché en immunolo - the University of Auckland, and gie et cancérologie, Génome Québec and the Montreal Heart Michael Trought of the Marlborough Institute. In addition, this period marked the creation Wine Research Centre in New Zealand. The initiative builds of the P3G Consortium, which has its international head on knowledge gained in a previous Grape Gen project, which office in Montréal; Schering- was a collaboration with Genome Espana. “Wine production Plough Canada built its new in BC has expanded significantly over the last decade and Canadian head office in has become one of the province’s leading agri-businesses, Montréal; Wyeth invested with the BC Wine Institute reporting an overall increase in over $20 million in its sales of 149% in the period 1998-2008,” said Dr. Alan Saint-Laurent plant; and Winter, President and CEO of Genome BC. The global GlaxoSmithKline team expects to identify changes at the molecular and inaugurated its biochemical level that effect three important aspects of North American wine making: grapevine cultivation, grape processing and head office in Laval. fermentation by yeasts. www.montreal-invivo.com www.genomebc.ca

On the Alberta Scene…

Technology speeds to market with $178-million action plan Alberta entrepreneurs to benefit from technology ncreasing the number of new companies in emerging advanced tech - commercialization Inology sectors is the goal of Alberta’s action plan Bringing igh-tech companies looking to field-test new computer- Technology to Market . This $178-million plan highlights a range Hbased technologies in a customer or client setting now of coordinated actions—from a research and development tax have ready access to more support from the new Precarn credit to increased investment capital to technology-specific office opening in Alberta. The Precarn-Alberta initiative is business supports and new technopreneurship projects. The three- a three-way, $3.6 million partnership agreement among year plan combines recommendations from the Value-Added and the provincial and federal governments and Precarn Inc. Technology Commercialization Task Force report as well as other The initiative will help companies focus their research reports. Planned actions include implementation of a provincial and development projects to quickly bring better products science and research experimental development tax credit, to market. It will fund Alberta-based industry projects improved access to early-stage seed and venture capital support, involved in commercializing intelligent information and strengthened access to regional business services, introduction of communications systems technologies, that have potential technology development advisors, implementation of innovation to improve decision-making, increase cost-savings and do vouchers, and initiation of a youth technopreneurship project. tasks faster, safer or better. www.technology.gov.ab.ca www.precarn.ca

10 Bio Business August/September 2008 VELP Scientifica tools for food/feed and environmental applications: Meet Brinkmann’s newest in partner Research Analytical you know it’s gotta be good! be gotta it’s know you by Brinkmann, backed it’s if And Canada. and U.S. the in to labs quality world-renown their we’re bringing now And extraction. and distillation digestion, w.rnmn.o eal nobikancm ...806535 Canada866-260-6069 U.S.A. 800-645-3050 email: [email protected] www.brinkmann.com environmental we testing, can help. In partnership with Brinkmann In partnership ® is an international leader in for instruments If food/feed you or perform l l l l www.brinkmann.com/VELP Instrumentsand support for Complete and service support Solvent Extraction: (Soxhlet) &Dietary Raw Fiber Determinations: Kjeldahl Method: enzymatic digesters and cold extractors aspiration & neutralization

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News

In Government…

Biotechnology spending by the federal government Governments complete Science and technology (S&T) spending on biotechnology was up 1.8% in multilateral agriculture 2006/2007 to $880 million, accounting for 9% of total federal S&T framework expenditures of $9.7 billion. The higher education sector continued to be the Canada’s federal, provincial and major recipient of the federal government’s S&T spending on biotechnology in territorial Ministers of Agriculture 2006/2007, receiving 55% or $481 million of the $880 million total. completed the Quebec agreement: Federal S&T data on biotechnology comprise spending on research and develop - the multilateral Growing Forward ment and related scientific activities for both in-house performers and those outside framework. The agreement is government, such as business enterprises and the higher education sector. Data also supported by a commitment of $1.3 covers spending on full-time equivalent personnel associated with S&T activities. At billion in funding over five years for $602 million, the majority (68%) of federal S&T spending on biotechnology was allo - non-business risk management cated outside government with the lion’s share, or $481 million, going to the (non-BRM) cost-shared programs. higher education sector. The remaining $278 million (32%) was allocated to in-house The investment demonstrates the S&T activities in biotechnology. The vast majority (95%) of federal S&T biotechnology ongoing commitment to a profitable spending, about $833 million, was dedicated to research and development. and innovative agriculture, agri-food www.statcan.ca and agri-based products industry that seizes opportunities in responding to market demands and contributes to the health and Feds boost 19 clean well-being of Canadians. technology projects Canada’s position as a world-leading developer of clean technologies was bolstered as 19 clean technology projects from across Canada were Poll says innovation trumps approved to share $57 million in new invest - ments. Ranging from power generation, clean taxes and reducing red tape air and water, Sustainable Development when it comes to economic Technology Canada approved funding for the prosperity development and demonstration of projects that As the Government of Canada benefit both the environment and the economy. reviews its National Science and One highlight of this round ’s technologies Technology Strategy , a recent poll includes: A project that will demonstrate the demonstrates the link between feasibility of storing CO2 in deep saline aquifers intellectual property protection and a project that will demonstrate that it can and future economic prosperity. safely process waste creosote railway ties, while Completed in April 2008, the cogenerating electricity and process heat. random telephone survey of 1001 www.sdtc.ca Canadians was commissioned by the Public Policy Forum and undertaken by Nanos Research. Canada invests $25 million in biofuels production Results showed Canadians view Suncor Energy’s St. Clair Ethanol Plant is expanding to double its production of encouraging new discoveries and cleaner-burning, renewable energy, thanks to a $25 million investment by the innovations as a more important Government of Canada. The Suncor St. Clair Ethanol Plant currently produces 200 factor in economic prosperity than million litres of ethanol per year and will be expanded to double its capacity to 400 cutting business taxes or reducing million litres per year. The facility, which is expected to be completed in September red tape; the majority of Canadians 2009, has also received equity investment from farmers totalling $12.5 million. believe the government is doing an This project will create new opportunities for farmers who are growing the average to poor job of encouraging feedstock to produce the ethanol, as well new opportunities for those who are innovation; and high-tech products involved as financial and business partners in the plant’s expansion. and medical discoveries are seen as Check out our Discoveries section on page 38 for more about Canada’s place in sectors requiring the strongest IP the international biofuels arena. rights and enforcement.

12 Bio Business August/September 2008 NATIONAL BIOTECH WEEK 2008: LOOKING BEYOND TO BUILD CANADA

s we prepare to FKDUWLQJ WKH ZD\ IRUZDUG WR UHDOL]LQJ DPELWLRXV Acelebrate our in- QDWLRQDO JRDOV IRU &DQDGD WR EHFRPH D ZRUOG dustry’s achievements OHDGLQJ ELRHFRQRP\ )RU %,27(&DQDGD WKHVH GXULQJ WKH ¿IWK 1DWLRQDO mean real contributions to your bottom line: Biotech Week, we also ‡ %XLOGLQJ RQ WKH VXFFHVV RI RXU HQJDJHPHQW pause to look ahead WR H[SDQG UHIXQGDELOLW\ RI WKH 65 (' WD[ at the challenges still credit, will work to remove the CCPC limits EHIRUH XV DQG DVN ZKDW to ensure all companies doing research is needed to move in Canada receive a tax incentive to keep Canada’s biotechno- UHVHDUFK KHUH ORJ\ LQGXVWU\ IRUZDUG 2XU JRDO LV WR EH WKH ZRUOG¶V OHDGLQJ ELREDVHG HFRQRP\ E\  ‡ Creating a business environment where more ¿QDQFLQJ EHFRPHV DYDLODEOH WR RXU GLYHUVH VPDOO DQG PHGLXPVL]HG HQWHUSULVHV 2XU LQGXVWU\ LV SRLVHG IRU JURZWK DQG WKHUH LV no question there is an opportunity to succeed: ‡ Collaborating to create an enabling with Canada’s abundant natural resources, HQYLURQPHQW WKDW SURPRWHV DQG IDFLOLWDWHV RXU UHVHDUFK H[FHOOHQFH DQG VNLOOHG ZRUN IRUFH SURGXFW FRPPHUFLDOL]DWLRQ ZH KDYH WKH IXQGDPHQWDOV QHHGHG WR JURZ ELRWHFKQRORJ\ KHUH 7KLV \HDU &DQDGD KDV :LWK RYHU  SHU FHQW RI &DQDGLDQV WUDGLWLRQDOO\ again wowed the world with research discoveries VXSSRUWLYH RI WKH XVH RI ELRWHFKQRORJ\ ZH QHHG IURP WKH JHQHWLF FDXVHV RI DXWLVP VXVFHSWLELOLW\ to engage our partners to bring Canadians the WR WKH GLVFRYHU\ RI WKH 75,0 JHQH ZKLFK FDQ EHQH¿WV RI ELRWHFK SURGXFWV %,27(&DQDGD EORFN +,9 LQIHFWLRQ DQG WKH SRUWDEOH JHQHWLF together with our members, remains committed WHVWLQJ XQLW %XW FRQWLQXHG SURJUHVV LV QHHGHG to building a bio-based economy that will to keep ourselves competitive in the global race FDSLWDOL]H RQ &DQDGLDQ NQRZOHGJH WHFKQRORJ\ IRU ELRWHFKQRORJ\ H[FHOOHQFH DQG LQQRYDWLRQ -RLQ XV GXULQJ 1DWLRQDO %LRWHFK Week in your community and get engaged in As an industry, we have reached a critical building a biotech &DQDGD point where concerted action by our industry, by governments and by our various partners is needed to build Canada into a world-leading bio- EDVHG HFRQRP\ 'XULQJ 1DWLRQDO %LRWHFKQRORJ\ :HHN %,27(&DQDGD ZLOO EH VKRZFDVLQJ RXU Peter Brenders, leadership as a multi-billion dollar industry, and 3UHVLGHQW DQG &(2 The BIO 2008 USS Midway opening reception featured a fireworks display.

Canada had the largest country pavilion at BIO, and came complete with a Tim Hortons counter.

This year, BIO attracted 20,108 industry leaders from 70 different countries and 48 states.

14 Bio Business August/September 2008 Bio 2008

(From left to right): Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Federal Health Minister Tony Clement, and BIOTECanada President Peter Brenders open the Canadian pavilion on Day One.

Canada Shines at Bio 2008

World’s largest, global biotech conference experiences increased international activity

ith the largest country pavilion, the largest delegation United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Australia. The con - W(1,000+ Canadians), a Tim Hortons counter and some vention featured the largest gathering of biotech exhibitors in serious government representation, Canada definitely stood out history, with more than 2,100 companies, 126 of which were at this year’s Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) new, and more than 208,000 sq. feet of exhibition space, the International Convention at the San Diego Convention Center largest ever at the convention. The exhibition included more in San Diego, CA, June 17–20, 2008. than 60 domestic, country and regional pavilions representing This year, BIO attracted 20,108 industry leaders from 70 every aspect of the biotechnology industry. Canada’s pavilion different countries and 48 states. The five countries with the also ranked 1st in terms of size, followed by Germany, France, highest attendance at this year’s event include Canada, the India and Japan.

August/September 2008 Bio Business 15 The BIO International Convention included hundreds of Canadian Events during the week included the Canadian sessions covering biotech trends, policy issues and technological Kick-Off Reception; the Province of Manitoba & State of innovations, and the world's largest biotechnology exhibition Minnesota—Annual Partnering Reception; Gowling’s Life and featured keynotes and sessions from key policymakers, sci - Sciences BIO 2008 Dinner; the Ontario Business Breakfast; entists, CEOs, and celebrities. More than 300 international Rendez Vous Quebec; the Atlantic Canada Reception; and public officials used the convention to make vital connections Soiree Canada. and drive change on key issues. The all-star keynote line up Canada also used the week to strengthen its ties with included Gen. Colin L. Powell, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger California furthering the Canada-California Strategic (R-CA), and J. Craig Venter, PhD. Innovation Partnership—a cross-border research consortium Indeed, in addition to the 23 BIOTECanada members that focused on the areas of cancer and infectious diseases, among presented at the BIO Business Forum, BIO attendees heard others. In one of the most significant bit of Canadian news of from several Canadian government officials among them: the week, the two partners announced they will join forces on a Federal Health Minister Tony Clement; Ontario Premier three-year agreement between the Cancer Stem Cell Dalton McGuinty; Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach; Ontario Consortium and the California Institute for Regenerative Economic Development Minister Sandra Pupatello; Quebec Medicine (CIRM) (for more information, see page 18). Minister Raymond Bachand; as well as officials from Health BB Canada and from key provincial departments.

BIOTECanada co-hosted this year’s Canada Soirée at the San Diego Zoo, which attracted 1,400 guests.

BIO attendees were treated to a Gala Reception in the Gaslamp Quarter.

16 Bio Business August/September 2008 Bio 2008 Seen and Heard at BIO

Seems like all of Canada is here—look around, the The [Canadian] pavilion is huge this whole country flew down. year…maybe a tad too spread out. But there’s no question it is attracting visitors. The free Tim Hortons coffee helps. Current research points to cancer stem cells as holding the key to a better understanding of how the disease spreads andtherefore potentially California is committed to being a better treatments…By working together across leader in stem cell research, but no one borders and bringing together the top scientists state or nation should do this alone,” from both countries to tackle cancer stem cell stated Governor Schwarzenegger.
“Entering into collaborations such as
research, I believe we will be able to shorten the time to bring great improvements to the lives of [this Canadian partnership]…have great those affected by cancer. potential in improving the lives of not only Californians, but people around the world.
- Canada’s Minister of Health, the Honourable Tony Clement - California Governor Arnold 
Schwarzenegger My goal is to meet as many potential U.S. For a relative newcomer to the industry, I feel like partners as possible. There isn’t a better venue to I’ve managed to meet the entire Canadian do that than BIO. One day of meetings has biotechnology industry…forget about all the already paid for the trip. international peers I’ve connected with.



August/September 2008 Bio Business 17 Dare to go higher

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BIOTECanada Celebrates Canadian Leadership

Alberta’s BioMS takes home top Gold Leaf Award at BIO 2008

anada celebrated leadership excellence at the formal pres - Centation of the BIOTECanada Gold Leaf Awards at the Canadian pavilion at BIO in San Diego. The awards were introduced and presented by Federal Health Minister Tony Clement, who spoke about the value of biotechnology to our economy and society. Edmonton-based BioMS Medical, developer of a drug for Multiple Sclerosis, took top honours as Company of the Year (see Cover story, page 22). Kevin Giese, President and CEO of BioMS Medical accepted the award, and attributed the significant efforts of the company’s dedicated employees with its progress. Burnaby’s Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Vancouver’s Lignol Energy Corp. won Early Stage Company of the Year for the Health and Industrial & Agriculture categories respective - ly. Xenon won for its novel pain molecules in development in partnership with Roche, Takeda and Novartis Pharma AG. The (From top to bottom): Toronto’s MaRS Discovery second award went to Lignol for its development of fuel-grade District; Minister Clement joined Ronnie Miller ethanol and biochemicals from forest biomass (see page 38 for (left), Roche, to present the Company of the Year more on Lignol and Canada’s biofuels business). award to BioMS CEO Kevin Giese (middle); EMD “Both of these leading firm are stellar examples of Canadian Serono Canada’s Deborah Brown; Vancouver’s innovative thinking, research and development,” said Lignol Energy Corp.; and Burnaby’s Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. BIOTECanada President and CEO, Peter Brenders. “Once commercialized, their products will make a significant contri - bution to the global economy.” The national Industry Leadership Award went to industry pioneer Dr. John Evans of MaRS, founding Chairman of the innovative MaRS Discovery District commercialization hub in Toronto (see story, page 25). BIOTECanada also honoured the immense contribution of Deborah Brown, President of EMD Serono Canada, with the Contribution to the Association Award, for her leadership in creating the BIOTECanada Industry Ethics Guidelines, to which all members subscribe. Nominated and judged by biotech industry leaders, the awards honour companies and individuals who have demonstrated leadership, innovation and financial suc - cess in 2007. This year’s recipients demonstrate the maturity of the Canadian biotech market with sig - nificant partnerships with the U.S. and interna - tional markets. www.goldleafawards.com

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Bio 2008 ...Noteworthy at Bio Clement, Schwarzenegger Join Forces to Fight Cancer anada and California, two world leaders in the tant discoveries linking cancer stem cells to cancer have Carea of cancer stem cell research, will join been made by Canadian and Californian researchers.” forces to gain a better understanding of The Canadian partners in CSCC (Canada the role cancer stem cells play in the Foundation for Innovation, Canadian Institutes of development of the disease. Health Research, Stem Cell Network, Ontario “I am proud to announce Institute for Cancer Research and Genome Canada) are Canada will contribute more than expected to make an initial investment of more than $100 $100 million to the Cancer Stem million Canadian dollars in the collaboration. CIRM will Cell Consortium (CSCC), which support the collaboration through its existing programs. will work with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) in this exciting Report Ranks Massachusetts Top on new partnership,” said Tony Clement, Technology and Science Assets Minister of Health at the BIO 2008 assachusetts, which just passed a $1-billion life sciences bill to invest in International Convention. He was joined by Dr. Alan Mhigh-tech infrastructure and research and development over the next 10 Trounson, President of the California Institute for Regenerative years, maintains its lead as the U.S.’s top state in technology and science, Medicine (CIRM), Robert N. Klein, Chairman of the according to the Milken Institute. The state is in the best position to achieve Governing Board of CIRM and Dr. Martin Godbout, CEO of high-quality economic growth thanks to its vast array of technology and science Genome Canada and Chairman of the Board of the Cancer assets, says the Milken Institute’s 2008 State Technology and Science Index , Stem Cell Consortium. which ranks the 50 states in terms of their technology and science assets, and The three-year agreement lays the foundation for CIRM and their ability to leverage those resources to achieve economic growth. CSCC to explore collaborative approaches to evaluate, fund and Massachusetts ranks first, followed by Maryland, Colorado and California . monitor cancer stem cell research projects. According to the report, regional competition for technology industries has The first potential area for collaboration under consideration increased since the last release of the Index in 2004. Not only are states vying is the upcoming CIRM Disease Team grants. These grants will with each other for human capital and resources, but countries like China and provide an opportunity for researchers in California and India are increasing the competition on a global level. At the same time, the Canada to collaborate, broadening the potential pool of expert - post-9/11 decrease in international graduate students and flat or decreased ise that can be applied toward research in a specific area. federal funding for research and development are applying negative pressure Dr. Jim Till, the President of the CSCC, explained, “Cancer to states that are not making serious investments to build and retain these 21st stem cells have recently been a focus of much research as a pos - century industries. www.milkeninstitute.org sible cause of cancer recurrence and many of the most impor -

North Carolina High School Student Wins Biotechnology Research Competition Ottawa student finds new way to diagnose flu viruses—and represents Canada at BIO event

fter a talent search that spanned the U.S., Canada and Western Australia, the winner of the 2008 sanofi-aventis International ABioGENEius Challenge was announced at BIO 2008: Mingjuan Zhang, a new graduate of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Durham, N.C. Zhang’s project was titled Characterization of a Synthetic Microbial Pathway for the Production of Bioplastics . As the BioGENEius Challenge first-place winner, Zhang will receive an award of $7,500. She was one of 16 finalists, represent - ing six U.S. regions, Western Australia (for the first time this year) and Canada. They presented their research this week to a panel of distinguished scientists, educators, and biotechnology leaders who chose first- through fourth-place winners. All competitors displayed their research for the estimated 20,000 BIO Convention attendees. Grade 12 student Maria Merziotis of Ottawa’s Hillcrest High School competed for Canada at the international BioGENEius Challenge at BIO 2008. The 17-year-old student earned top national honours among 14 regional entries in the 2008 sanofi- aventis BioTalent Challenge (SABC) . She won the top $5,000 national prize, plus a $1,000 prize for the project with the greatest commercial potential. Merziotis’ ground-breaking study demonstrated the potential of a new way to diagnose, and perhaps prevent, influenza . The application of her research related to identifying different influenza types has already been Maria Merziotis tested by Health Canada with encouraging results. The Canadian competition, now in its 15th year, included teams from every took home province and, for the first time, a team from northern Canada, which investigated the potential link between arsenic in north - top Canadian ern snow and cancer rates in local communities. honours.

August/September 2008 Bio Business 21 NBW 2008

Company of the Year BioMS steps into the Canadian biotechnology limelight The Faces of Canadian Biotech

(From left to right): Clifford and Kevin Giese of BioMS Medical

hen Clifford and Kevin Giese first founded BioMS formed BioMS Medical Corp. (TSX: MS) in 1999. The com - Medical, they didn’t have a clue what success in the pany was spun out of the University of Alberta —which still Wbiotechnology space might look like. But that didn’t stop owns shares in the company. Giese’s wife Robin found relief the seasoned entrepreneurs from instinctively planning for it . when she received the drug —initially discovered by Dr. Ken “We came in very naïve…except that, at the end of the day, we Warren and Ingrid Catz at U of A— as part of the early phase knew our [drug] compound worked. But we had no idea what a one studies at the university. trial would look like, or what was totally involved in getting a trial “There is no reason in the world I would be in the biotech - going. It was a big learning curve for us, but we always tried to nology business except, as I’ve always said, I sleep with inside plan for success,” says Clifford Giese, Chairman of the Board of information. We knew [the drug] worked,” says Giese. “There’s BioMS Medical Corp., of Edmonton. “That took us down a lot a lot of Robins of the world that want this and need it and we of different roads…and some very expensive roads. ” think it will help them. That’s what it’s about for us. Our moti - Almost 10 years—and many accomplishments and acco - vation was always to try and help some of the Robins of the lades, including one of the largest biotechnology deals in world. That’s been our goal, plain and simple.” Canadian history—later, most pundits in the life sciences sector BioMS’s lead technology, dirucotide (MBP8298 ) is for the would argue the company is the very definition of success. treatment of MS—in essence, it is a designer drug for patients Inspired by an experimental compound that slowed the with immune response genes HLA-DR2 and 4, who make up advancement of his wife multiple sclerosis (MS) , Clifford about 70 per cent of all MS patients. According to the compa - Giese, along with his brother Kevin (President and CEO), ny, in an autoimmune disease such as MS, the goal is to maxi -

22 Bio Business August/September 2008 stage clinical trials: MAESTRO-01, a pivotal phase II/III trial for secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients in Canada and Europe; MAESTRO-02, an open-label safety extension study to MAESTRO-01; MAESTRO-03, a pivotal phase III trial for SPMS patients in the United States that includes approximately 510 patients, and is being conducted at 68 trial sites ; and MIND - SET-01, a phase II trial for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients in Europe. By all accounts, MBP8298 is well -positioned with blockbuster potential in a large, underserved market. “We have had great success in recruiting patients into the [MAESTRO-03 ] trial, which is a testament to the promise of our approach and the efforts of our investigators,” says Kevin Giese. “Since initiating this trial in June 2007 we have been delighted by the enthusiasm of the patients and clinical groups participating across the U.S.” In 2007, BioMS completed a public offering raising gross proceeds of $44,275,000, one of the largest public biotech offer - ings in 2007. And in December of the same year, the company signed one of the biggest deals in the history of Alberta and Canadian biotech: to co -develop and market MBP8298 with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Company. The licensing and development agreement grants Eli Lilly exclusive worldwide rights to dirucotide (MBP8298), in exchange for an $87 million There is no reason in the world I would be in the biotechnology business except, “as I’ve always said, I sleep with inside information. We knew [the drug] worked.” mize the effectiveness of a drug but minimize its overall impact upfront payment, sales milestone payments up to US$410 mil - on the immune system. MBP8298 re-educates the immune sys - lion and escalating royalties on sales commensurate with the tem to re-establish some control over the part of the immune current stage of development of the product if MBP8298 is suc - system that is involved in the disease process while leaving the cessfully commercialized. system largely unaffected so as to continue to respond normal - “We did conclude one of the biggest deals in Canadian his - ly to environmental threats. tory and we thought probably we would get noticed and we did MS is thought to affect as many as 2.5 million people world - and that’s great. Having been vetted by a company like Lilly and wide, including approximately 75,000 in Canada . It is caused by them taking such a big position—that was a big deal for us. damage to myelin, the protective sheath surrounding nerve Certainly I think it caught the attention of the whole biotech fibers in the central nervous system, which interferes with mes - world,” says Clifford Giese. sages from the brain to the body. Symptoms of MS may include In light of such accomplishments, it is not surprising BioMS vision problems, loss of balance, numbness, difficulty walking was awarded with this year’s Company of the Year award from and paralysis. Approximately 40 per cent of all MS patients BIOTECanada. According to the association’s Chairman, have the secondary progressive form of the disease. Rainer Engelhardt the company clearly stood out to the selec - Today Dirucotide (MBP8298) is being studied in four late- tion committee. “With the largest Canadian deal ever with Eli

August/September 2008 Bio Business 23 NBW 2008

Lilly, BioMS has successfully built a Canadian trial medication into a drug ready for the global market, ” he says. At BIO 2008 in San Diego in June, Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach congratulated the company in a speech about “moving Alberta to the next generation economy ”. “We know innovation is the way to do it. And Alberta is already the site of some notable biotech deals including what’s been billed as one of the largest licensing deals in Canadian history, and indeed the world,” he said . “This is an Alberta story all the way. I was pleased to learn BioMS was named 2008 Company of the Year by BIOTECanada. This industry recognition, and the transaction with Eli Lilly , represents one of the many successes coming out of Alberta, where world class research and devel - opment is being recognized around the world. I ’d like to see more deals like this happening in our province.” BioMS has also been named as a 2008 finalist in Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Clifford and Kevin were nominated within the biotechnology and technology category. According to Barry Munro, Director of the Ernst & Young

Success is when you get market approvals. It’s that

simple. In the biotech Awards for Entrepreneurship in 2005 . “ “We’re just a little Western biotech compa - game, you either have ny. We’ve been a small player, working hard and we’ve been successful in raising money over the years, but I don’t think anybody has it or you don’t. really paid us a lot of notice because we are pretty small. We have no revenue and like a lot of other companies, we’re trying to raise Entrepreneur of the Year Awards program for the Prairies enough money to get some science done,” says Clifford Giese. region, “The energy, ingenuity, resiliency and pa”ssion displayed “And we believe we’ve got the goods.” by our Prairies entrepreneurs are inspiring.” The Prairies region Indeed, the company has triumphed in spite of, or perhaps winners will be announced at a banquet on October 21 , 2008 , because of, its nimble size. When Bio Business interviewed and the overall winner will represent the region at the national Kevin Giese in 2006, he said his secret to success was, among banquet in November. other things, staying manageable: “My views are simple: a The BioMS duo is quite familiar with awards, having been strong belief in the potential benefit of your technology drives the recipient of many significant prizes over the years. Earlier the people in your company; small is easier to manage (out - this summer , Clifford Giese—who in the 1970s founded Mr. source where you can) in a growth company ;… and work on Lube Ltd. and grew it into the largest quick oil change chain in your public company profile and financing capabilities as if they Canada—was named one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential were a core part of your business (which they are). ” People by Alberta Venture magazine. Meanwhile, a lawyer by It’s hard to keep telling the same story, admits Clifford Giese, training , Kevin Giese took home a BioAlberta Achievement especially without showing positive cash. In most normal busi -

24 Bio Business August/September 2008 ness situations, he says, com - Monitoring Board (DSMB) panies are rarely placed in conducted the scheduled the predicament that so interim analysis of efficacy many biotech firms are. “In and safety and recommend -

normal situations, you create s ed that the trial continue to o i revenues and balance that d completion. Based on the u t against expenses. But it’s S DSMB decision, Eli Lilly h s i pretty tough to balance any f agreed to provide the $10- e u expenses when you have no l million milestone payment B , y

revenues. We’ve certainly k to BioMS as part of the s i watched our cash. We work n terms of the licensing and k c a

in the back of a warehouse J collaboration agreement. n and we haven’t tried to e “We are very encouraged r r spend any more money than a by the safety board’s recom - D we’ve had to.” y mendation,” says Kevin b o Fortunately, BioMS has t Giese. “This positive review o h been rewarded by great P is an important milestone stakeholders —a sharehold - for BioMS and our partner, er base that has been very loyal, and has stepped up to the plate Eli Lilly and Company, and moves us one step closer to when the company needed money, he continues. our goal of bringing this important therapy to multiple “Basic business principles apply in whatever you do, and one sclerosis patients.” of the tough things about biotech is you work very hard, and So what does success look like for BioMS and the Giese you’ve either got it or you don’t. That’s tough,” he says. “I believe brothers? “It’s well defined here. Success is when you get market our shareholder base has always supported us because they also approvals. It’s that simple. In the biotech game, you either have it believe in our story. ” or you don’t,” says Clifford Giese, adding he believes successes are And though it’s been years in the making, the time of reck - needed in every area of business in order for investment to con - oning is not far away for BioMS. Giese says the major milestone tinue . “Otherwise why would anybody play the game? Canada he is looking forward to now is data. Between now and the end does need the odd win to encourage people and show them that of next year, the company will receive results on two of its cur - you can be a stakeholder and actually win in this game. rent trials. “We’re in a very blessed country—we have great universities, “This is the time for us to find out what we’ve got,” he says. we’ve got great people working on great compounds. There are “I’ve had two children and now grandchildren—you anticipate a lot of white coats working. And, you have to believe that many it, and you get involved and it takes nine months. This thing has of them have compounds and treatments and vaccines and taken nine years. Wow. It seems like forever. But that’s also why medicines that will help the people of the world,” he continues. it’s so exciting to be so close to firm data.” “It’s important to keep their work going because successes will Last month, BioMS announced positive interim analysis for happen in my opinion. Ultimately, good technology will always the MAESTRO-01 trial. The Independent Drug Safety show itself.” BB

Biotechnology Here, Now and in 2020— Bioscience Networking Session and National NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK LAUNCH Biotechnology Week Kick Off in Prince Edward Island Thursday, September 18 Saturday, September 19, 11:30 a.m. Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montreal, QC National Research Council—Institute for Nutrisciences and www.imagenenation.ca Health, UPEI Campus, Charlottetown, PEI The fifth annual National Biotech Week kicks off with a timely Contact: Rose Fitzpatrick, PEI BioAlliance at and topical panel on the present and future of biotech in Canada. [email protected] Moderated by Dennis Trudeau, the panel will build on the newly A stand up lunch and bioscience networking session will be released BIOTECanada annual public opinion survey to discuss followed by the official kick off to NBW 2008. Guest Speaker why biotech matters and do Canadians care? The launch con - Nora Cutcliffe, Ph.D., BioPharma Consultant, will present cludes with a networking reception. “Communicating Science in the Business of Biotech”.

August/September 2008 Bio Business 25 NBW 2008

Industry pioneer reflects on today’s challenges Dr. John Evans—winner of BIOTECanada’s Industry Leadership Award—draws from past experiences

n addition to honouring BioMS Medical and several other Canadian success stories (see page 18), BIOTECanada also Tools for Protecting & Commercializing Life Science Irecognized Dr. John Evans, Chairman of the innovative MaRS Monday, September 22, Discovery District commercialization hub in Toronto for his industry leadership. 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Dr. Evans has been engaged in medical education, academic Landmark IV Technology Centre, administration, government service, charitable foundations and 1628 Dickson Ave. Room 3 at Basement Level, Kelowna, BC business. He is associated with the birth of biotechnology in Contact: Wei Liu, at [email protected] Canada due to his role overseeing the evolution of Allelix Inc. into Join Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP professionals Dr. Konrad a public company, and its strategic merger with NPS A. Sechley, Principal, Patent Agent and Cynthia Shippam-Brett, Pharmaceuticals. In 2000, he was instrumental in the creation of Technical Consultant—Patents, for this half-day workshop. Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District. He galvanized a group of The session will address issues relating to commercialization public and private sector leaders behind a new convergence centre and protection of life sciences technologies with topics ranging that would bring together scientists, entrepreneurs and investors from trade secrets, patents, and trademarks, to corporate focused on maximizing the potential of Canadian innovation. structure, financing and tax. This is a good opportunity for Though he has what he calls an observer position at MaRS executives, management and technology transfer professionals today as Chair, he remains involved and interested in the evolu - working in the life sciences to review recent developments in legalities relevant to life sciences companies, and to tion of the centre and of the industry. “I’m not part of the lead - ensure their company is on the right track towards ership anymore. But I am keeping my foot in the door. I have a commercial success. real interest in the progress being made…it’s a wonderful bird’s

26 Bio Business August/September 2008 eye view of what’s happening across the board in development 4th Annual London BIOlympics and commercialization. I’m privileged to have a front-row seat to watch this very exciting process.” Thursday, September 25, Dr. Evans was also strongly involved with the National Biotechnology Advisory Committee, established in 1987. He 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. draws from this experience to make several interesting observa - Centennial Hall, London, ON tions on today’s biotechnology scene: “The interesting thing for Contact: Allison Fisher, Educational Outreach Liaison at me is that the committee’s challenges and experiences are being allison.fisher@ techalliance.ca, or (519) 858-5059 repeated today in almost an identical form, but the circum - This exciting and interactive event is designed to engage senior stances have changed, and the global competition in biotech - elementary students and get them excited about the world of nology has intensified many-fold.” biotechnology. BIOlympics involves teams of elementary students He cites several similar issues including the competition for paired with community leaders, competing in fun biotech-related experienced managers; the availability of venture capital—par - challenges. Will Our Lady of Lourdes come back to defend their ticularly at feed stage—and the need to encourage the federal title or will there be a new BIOlympics champion? It’s anyone’s government to become an active participant in advancing guess because this year the BIOlympics will feature brand new biotechnology with the type of policy and financial support that challenges. The London Biotech Week Community Celebration & BBQ will follow the BIOlympics, and commemorate London would offer a stable base, and provide sustainable advances in Biotech Week. The BBQ lunch—which takes place at noon— this important sector. will bring together community members from across the city “The reason we’re still struggling with the same issues is that including business, research, civic, and educational leaders we underestimated the duration of time to take a discovery to for a celebration of innovation. market, and we underestimated grossly the amount of money www.techalliance.ca required in order for that process,” says Dr. Evans. He believes current efforts—like BIOTECanada’s Canada: Beyond Moose and Mountains strategy and discussion process— are on the right track, tackling such issues realistically. “We have to be very bold in recommending and searching out support from public and private sector , and [encouraging] sustainable policies Presented by October 20-21, 2008 that will offer advantage to the commercialization process of the The Old Mill, Toronto, ON enormously strong research base that exists here in Canada. ” 5th Annual Dr. Evans is a Companion of the Order of Canada, member of the Order of Ontario, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, Fellow of the Royal College of CLINICAL TRIALS Physicians (London), Master of the American College of Physicians and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. BB IN CANADA Creating Greater Competitive Advantage in Today’s Global Market A Little Biotech Goes a Long Way with keynote speaker Dr. Roberta Bondar KEYNOTE PRESENTATION Wednesday, September 24, 12:00 p.m. Clinical Trials Contribution to National R/D Strategies: Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon, SK Economic Drivers for Canada For tickets contact the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Carl Viel, Chief Executive Office, Montreal InVivo Commerce at (306) 244-2151

In 2007, Canada’s first woman astronaut signed on as Sponsors BIOTECanada’s first national biotechnology champion. Her goal is to engage Canadians and broaden the discussion about biotechnology and its potential. As a medical researcher and neurobiologist, she encourages people to see how biotechnology helps in our daily lives. She also promotes its vast potential in Media Partners third-world countries. “Looking at Africa and AIDS or smallpox, or new strains of TB—we have to start developing and looking at using the natural world around us as a way of coping with these things,” she says. Enroll Today! Call 1 888 777-1707 or fax 1 866 777-1292 Register online at www.insightinfo.com

August/September 2008 Bio Business 27 NBW 2008

In Conversation with… Peter Brenders On the occasion of National Biotechnology Week 2008, Bio Business turned to BIOTECanada president and CEO Peter Brenders to find out his thoughts and goals for the week, and the year ahead.

What are you looking forward to most during National are and where we are going to our partners, to governments and Biotechnology Week? to the general public. That is what this strategy is about. National Biotech Week is really an opportunity for the industry to The board developed a draft discussion paper over the win - share information, and to be an active part in growing our sector. ter, and we spent this spring and summer going around Canada This is our fifth annual National Biotech Week and what gathering input from everyone in the sector. The interest level stands out for me is the growth we have achieved in the pro - was high, and certainly we had very substantive discussions that gram over the last five years. This year we have targeted pro - contributed significantly to the final document. What we found grams in every region of the country. We have a national edu - is a cross-country consensus that the industry wants to lead and cation day, where we have outreach to students at all levels we have the strategies identified to do so. Specifically, the doc - across Canada, and a National Advocacy Day where the indus - ument focuses on three core areas for growth: access to capital try will engage with our elected officials—not only in Ottawa for growing companies; building our regulatory capacity; and but in the provinces as well. increasing the number of science-educated graduates needed to BIOTECanada is very excited to launch NBW this year in work in our industry. Montreal, with a provocative panel moderated by Dennis Trudeau, looking not only at the benefits of biotechnology and In your view, what is the single most important thing the its possibilities to manage the transformation to a fully new Canadian industry should do to achieve/maintain leadership economy—part of what we are experiencing right now—but at in the biotech economy? the significant challenges that face our industry today: access to We need a national goal that will involve all our partners, be it capital, regulation, the need for more graduates. These are all government, our excellent research and commercialization facil - significant risks to the future of Canadian biotechnology, but ities, or our diverse association partners. Canada: Beyond Moose also represent opportunities for the sector to come together now and Mountains provides that focus by identifying the opportu - with our partners and seek long-term solutions. nities for the industry, and proposing tangible strategies that We have an incredibly strong team this year, thanks to our will take us towards Canada’s leadership in biotechnology. National Biotechnology Accord partners across Canada, so I Our companies want to lead because they see the gap encourage you to participate in the week. between where the industry is now and where it could be. There are opportunities to increase our access to capital for growing What can you tell us about the Canada: Beyond Moose and firms; to build a regulatory environment that both protects Mountains strategy that you have launched? intellectual property, and effectively enables market access for This document began with discussion at the BIOTECanada innovative products; and to get graduates interested in, and board back late 2007. There was a sense in the industry that we going into, careers in biotechnology. As Canada: Beyond Moose were at a reflective point in our development. There is a real and Mountains highlights there is a role here not only for gov - expansion in the number of business, regulatory and legislative ernments, but also there is work the industry could do. For issues that now impact the industry and that means an opportu - example, we could become better at marketing ourselves inter - nity to harness these changes and present our vision of who were nationally to attract investors to our industry. There is a lot of

28 Bio Business August/September 2008 natural capacity and a strong foundation in Canada already for ment partners to looking at science education in Canada to biotechnology, and as an industry if we take the opportunity to introduce science into the K-12 curricula and establishing lead now, we can build a world-leading bio-based economy. scholarships at all levels to enable research at our universities. Of course our important overarching goal will continue to be What will your main focus be in the latter part of this year creating an enabling business environment in Canada. This from a policy perspective? includes not only the above, but consideration of creating a BIOTECanada’s main focus throughout this year will be to leading intellectual property and data protection regime in implement our Moose and Mountains Canada strategy. We are Canada to spur research efforts; creating supportive government focusing on some key initiatives that can really make a differ - procurement policies and an overall broader approach to ence to the industry. This year, we were able to get changes to building an innovative economy that includes branding the SR&ED program enacted that will enable more Canadian Canada internationally as a scientific powerhouse, rather than a firms to take advantage of this program. We need to take the tourist destination. BB next step: right now only Canadian-controlled private compa - nies (CPCC) qualify for the 35 % SR&ED credit. The majori - BioTalent Canada to Launch New BioTalent HR Tool Kit ty of small biotech companies—those in greatest need of SR The diversity and rapid growth of Canada’s bio-economy means &ED support to drive their research and development—do not an organization’s HR efforts need to be focused, flexible and fall under this definition. Recognizing the funding situation in efficient. While effective recruitment, investing in skills this sector we need to open up the CPCC requirements. This development and integrating staff into an organization’s business will be a key focus for the Association throughout the year. model are proven strategies for staff retention and commercial A second area of focus will be to build, attract and retain the success, time to plan these efforts is often limited. skills we need both for biotechnology research and commercial - This downloadable and easy-to-use BioTalent HR Tool Kit will include practical guidelines, templates, policies and procedures ization. For the industry our priority is getting more young that can be tailored to an organization’s individual requirements. people to pursue careers in the sciences and attracting and The BioTalent HR Tool Kit will be available for free download at retaining biotechnology leaders. Some of the initiatives were are www.biotalent.ca. focusing on there include, working with our provincial govern -

August/September 2008 Bio Business 29 NBW 2008

(Event listings provided by BIOTECanda as of press time. For up-to-the-minute items, please visit www.imagenenation.ca )

In its fifth year, National Biotechnology Week is a celebration of the imagination and Ninnovaation otf Cianoadiannscienatistsland eBntreprienoeurs ftromeVanccouvehr to Hnalifaxo. Thelnaotional gy agenda involves every region of the country and is designed to inform Canadians and showcase excellence in Canadian biotechnology. Events include everything from advocacy programs, public awareness campaigns and educational forums, to career fairs, and company tours.

Sept. 19-26, 2008

Life Sciences BC Breakfast speaker series: Sept. 17 Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver, BC [email protected] . Dr. Mathai Mammen, Co-founder, Senior VP 7:30- 9:00am Research, Theravance Inc.

Biotechnology Here, Now and in 2020 Sept. 18 Université du Québec à Montréal www.imageneation.ca (National Biotechnology Week launch) (UQAM), Montreal, QC

Toronto Biotechnology Initiative (TBI) Sept. 18 Metro Hall, Toronto 416-426-7293 or [email protected] Network Breakfast Meeting 7:30-10:00am Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster Sept 19 Trent University, www.innovationcluster.ca Quarterly Membership Breakfast 7:30-9:30am Peterborough, ON 4th Annual Montreal InVivo Sept. 19 Holiday Inn Midtown, www.forumemploiinvivo.com/ Life Sciences Career Fair Montréal, QC index.php/langswitch_lang/en Bioscience Networking Session and Sept. 19 Research Council— Rose Fitzpatrick, PEI BioAlliance, National Biotechnology Week Kick Off 11:30 am -1:30pm Institute for Nutrisciences , [email protected] in Prince Edward Island and Health UPEI Campus, Charlottetown, PEI

Alliances and Partnerships: Sept. 22 Cirano and École A Challenge for Biotechs—Study Release tba Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, QC Regional Media Launch in London Sept. 22 London, ON www.techalliance.ca Tools for Protecting & Commercializing Sept. 22 Landmark IV Technology Centre, [email protected] Life Science 8:30am-12:00pm Kelowna, BC

Alberta: “Learn about the Biotechnology Sept. 22 Computing Science Center, [email protected] or sector and its exciting career opportunities!” 12:00-12:50pm University of Alberta Campus, www.bioalberta.com Student Pizza Lunch and Information Session Edmonton, AB

National Advocacy Day Sept. 23, All day Ottawa, ON www.biotech.ca

INNOVET: Animal Health Sciences Conference Sept. 23-24 Saint-Hyacinthe, QC www.innovet.ca/propos.php Saskatoon Educational Outreach Day Sept. 23-24 University of Saskatchewan’s 9:30am College of Agriculture and Bioresearches

National Biotech Week Celebration Sept. 23-24 Teatro Restaurant, [email protected] or 1:30 pm Calgary, AB www.bioalberta.com

Launchpad: London Biotech Week Kick-Off Sept. 23-24 National Research Council, www.techalliance.ca 4:00-6:00pm London, ON

LifeSciences BC Annual General Meeting Sept. 23-24 Vancouver Club, [email protected] 2:30-3:30pm Vancouver, BC LifeSciences BC Partner Appreciation Reception Sept. 23-24 Vancouver Club, [email protected] 3:30-5:30pm Vancouver, BC

Launch of the Sanofi Aventis BioTalent Challenge Sept. 24 Vancouver, BC Jennifer Seigfried, ( 604) 602-5227

30 Bio Business August/September 2008 Week 2008 Key Events

A Little Biotech Goes a Long Way Sept. 24 Saskatoon Inn, Greater Saskatoon Chamber of with Dr Roberta Bondar 12 :00pm Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, SK Commerce , (306) 244-2151 A Little Biotech Goes a Long Way For Students Sept. 24 Ed Feehan High School, Roy Sondershausen , 2:00pm Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, SK (306) 659-7550 Accelerate London Business Seminar Sept. 24 National Research Council, www.techalliance.ca 4:30-6:00pm London, ON Ottawa Cleantech Initiative Breakfast Sept. 24 Sheraton Ottawa Hotel www.ottawacleantech.com 7:30 -9:00am O’Connor Room, Ottawa, ON

3rd Annual Guelph Innovation BioGolf Tournament Sept. 24 Guelph Lakes Golf www.guelphinnovation.com 9:30am and Country Club, Guelph, ON

“Biotech Made Simple” Sept. 24 Royal Glenora Club, Edmonton, AB (780) 425-3802, BioAlberta/Amgen Canada Education Session 1:30-3:30pm [email protected] or www.bioalberta.com

Saskatchewan Provincial Advocacy Day Sept. 25 The Saskatchewan Legislature, www.ottawavts.com/2007 All day Regina, SK Darcy Pawlik, Ag-West Bio , (8 :00am pancake breakfast ) [email protected]

Ontario Advocacy Day with TBI Sept. 25 tba Ali Ibrahimi , [email protected] All day

Quebec Provincial Biotechnology Advocacy Day Sept. 25 tba www.bioquebec.com

Toronto Life Sciences Coalition Sept. 25 TBI, MaRS Centre Heritage Building, (416) 426-7293 or 12:00pm Toronto, ON [email protected]

4th Annual London BIOlympics Sept. 25 Centennial Hall, London, ON Allison Fisher, 8:30am -1 2:00pm [email protected] or (519) 858- 5059 Tools for Protecting & Commercializing Life Science Sept. 25 Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wei Liu at [email protected] 8:30am-12:00pm Vancouver, BC

London Biotech Week Community Sept. 25 Centennial Hall, www.techalliance.ca Celebration & BBQ 12:00-2:00pm London, ON

National Biotech Week Celebration— Sept. 25 Copper Pot Restaurant, (780) 425-3802 Edmonton Networking Event 4:30-6:30pm Edmonton, AB [email protected], or www.bioalberta.com

Biotechnology 101 Sept. 26 MaRS Centre, Heritage Building, Ali Ibrahimi , (TBI/CBERC/MaRS) 10:00 am-12:30pm Toronto, ON [email protected] or Alison Symington , [email protected] London Secondary School Biotechnology Sept. 26 Select secondary schools , www.techalliance.ca Awareness Campaign London, ON

SoCRA 17th Annual Conference Sept. 26 The Westin Bayshore, Wei Liu , [email protected] Vancouver, BC

August/September 2008 Bio Business 31 Over the past century the face of Canada has changed.

So have we.

Since our company was founded in Canada nearly a century ago, the face of our country has changed – and so have the health needs of Canadians. Yesterday, we pioneered innovative products and techniques that changed the lives of diabetic patients, improved cardiovascular outcomes and that helped eliminate diseases such as smallpox, polio and diphtheria and overall extended life expectancy in Canada. Today, 2,200 dedicated employees at our pharmaceutical division in Laval and at our vaccines division in Toronto are using groundbreaking methods and technology to find cures and treatments for current health challenges. But one thing has not changed – our commitment to providing essential, innovative medicines and vaccines that help people improve their health and the quality of their lives. Because health matters to all Canadians. www.sanofipasteur.ca www.sanofi-aventis.ca Q&A

Question and answer with Dr. Alan Bernstein, Executive Director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise and former President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

mong his many accomplishments, Dr. Alan ABernstein has held the positions of Director of Molecular and Developmental Biology at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, he was the founding president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and currently serves as executive director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise. He has recently been the recipient of a num - ber of prestigious awards, including the 2008 Gairdner International Award, the Wightman Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by The Biotech Initiative (TBI). Dr. Bernstein is an internationally respected researcher in the fields of cancer, hematopoiesis and genomics.

Q: How did you get into the medical research field? My role was to articulate a vision and to implement it, building up a whole new national organization that would span A: I did my graduate work at University of Toronto with Jim everything from basic biomedical research to research on end of Till, who was one of the co-discoverers of stem cells. After I got life care and improving the health of Canada’s aboriginal my Ph.D, I wanted to work in Europe for a few years. I was very populations, for example. It was a very broad mandate, a very interested in genetics and cancer by that point. RNA tumour exciting one. I view those seven years as a wonderful opportunity viruses as they were called then (they’re now called retroviruses) —exhausting, but I enjoyed it tremendously. were becoming increasingly popular as organisms of choice to study how cancer genes might act. So I did my post doc at Imperial Cancer Research Fund (now known as Cancer Research Q: What was the vision for CIHR? UK) in London with Steven Martin and Robin Weiss, who were doing some of the very early work on trying to identify the genes A: The vision for it was a much bolder organization; I think it’s on a virus called Rous sarcoma virus. That laid the groundwork probably still unique in the world in a couple of ways. First, the for the Nobel Prize winning work that Harold Varmus and mandate for CIHR is not just biomedical and clinical work, Michael Bishop were doing at the time. Then I went back to which is typical of national granting agencies in this area. But in Toronto and got a position where I had done my Ph.D. addition it included research on health services and population health. And secondly, the structure is quite unique in that we were asked to create virtual institutes, so not bricks and mortar, Q: What was your role at CIHR? no intramural research program like the NIH here in the U.S., but virtual institutes. We actually created 13 of these virtual insti - A: I was asked by the government of Canada to build up an tutes in areas as traditional as cancer research to ones that are still entirely new organization that would replace the old Medical quite unique, like aboriginal peoples’ health. Research Council of Canada. When I started, on the last year of MRC, the budget was about $275 million and when I left the budget of CIHR (in direct costs) was over $800 million. Q: Do you have an ongoing role with CIHR?

August/September 2008 Bio Business 33 Q&A

A: Very little actually. I think it’s not healthy for someone have or should have a role in developing a vaccine, to help facil - who’s been the leader, as in my case, I was the first leader, to be itate that and make it happen. So I think my role, as executive muddling in what’s going on there. I think that makes it diffi - director, is to articulate a vision for the enterprise, and to imple - cult for your successor. And so I very consciously see my role ment that vision. now as to be available when I’m asked to give advice, but other - wise to stay out of it. I’m very interested of course in what direc - tion the CIHR will go in the future. I feel it’s in part my baby, Q: What advice would you give to people thinking of and so I’m very interested in seeing now that it’s grown up what entering the medical research field? it does with its life. A: I can’t think of a more exciting, rewarding, and gratifying career. One of the challenges is that not enough young people Q: As executive director of Global HIV Vaccine are choosing a career in health research, not just in Canada, but Enterprise, what activities have you been involved with? in the whole western world. I think that’s unfortunate because there are very few professions these days where you can use your A: The reason I decided to take this job was three-fold. One brain, have almost complete freedom to pursue what interests is, obviously the challenge of HIV Aids is enormous. It’s got to you, and hopefully do things which are not just intellectually be the most serious health challenge facing the planet today. rewarding, scientifically rewarding, but also will benefit your Secondly the science of HIV and developing a vaccine has obvi - country and mankind. And you’re not going to become a bil - ously been extremely challenging, we don’t have a vaccine yet. lionair, but you’ll have a very comfortable living and a very sat - And so that intrigued me as a scientist to help contribute to isfying one, and you get to work with young people your whole that. Third, the model of the enterprise is a very unique model. life because the graduate students that work with you are always In a sense we’re not really a new organization, and we’re not a the same age, whereas you’re getting older. Now there are a lot funder. Rather, we’re a small virtual organization working with of frustrations and challenges, but in what rewarding job isn’t all the funders, and any country that wants to join in the scien - there? I think we’re in a very exciting revolution right now in tific community and with industry, indeed with everybody who biomedical research. BB

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When is the right time to kick off the patenting process?

By Arnold Ceballos

housands of researchers and scientists in Canada work every day to create, develop and Tultimately bring to market new and innova - tive products. These forms of intellectual property are often the most valuable asset owned by a life sci - ences firm, which may have invested millions of dollars in developing them. In many cases, patent protection is sought in order to protect these valuable assets. However, intellectual property rights vary from country to country and it is vital for those in the life sciences field to understand the processes for obtaining such protection. Among the important considerations one must bear in mind are issues surrounding when to file patent applications.

Patents provide an exclusive time-limited right to make, use and sell inventions. They cover new inventions (which include processes, machines, manufactures, and compositions of matter) as well as useful improvements on existing inventions. In the life sciences area, patentable inventions cover a wide range of fields, from pharmaceutical formulations to agricultural applications to biotechnology. The monopoly granted to the patent owner is thus extremely useful, whether the owner will be producing the inven - tion itself or licensing their rights to others. For an invention to be patentable in Canada, it must be novel (that is, not publicly disclosed anywhere in the world before the

36 Bio Business August/September 2008 IP & Patenting filing date of the first patent application), non- year grace period, which permits the applicant to obvious (there has to be some ingenuity, such that file their patent application within one year of that it would not be obvious to a person skilled in making a public disclosure of their information, that particular art) and useful (it has to have spe - without the public disclosure being considered cific utility and be operative). In order to obtain ‘prior art’ that could defeat the application. For patent protection, an application must be filed those interested in the Canadian and United which sets out the invention in great detail. The States markets, the grace period provided in these process to the issuance of a patent is usually quite two countries does provide a window for the long and involved. inventor to determine the marketability of their Once a patent is issued, an invention in invention before having to spend money on Canada is protected for a period of 20 years from preparing and filing patent applications. However, the filing date. Generally, a patent is granted under other jurisdictions such as Europe and Japan do the law of each country and the term is governed not provide such a grace period, meaning that pre - by each nation’s specific law, which for many coun - vious public disclosure can be used against the tries is twenty years from the filing date of the applicant as prior art. application, like Canada. Generally speaking, If protection will be sought in several countries patent rights are granted to the first person to file and, since most countries outside Canada and the a patent application, assuming they are the inven - United States require absolute worldwide novelty, tor or have obtained rights to the invention. Thus, this will affect decisions as to when and where the if an inventor can prove that they were the first to first application will be filed and when any public have conceived of the invention, they would not be disclosure can occur. It is a good idea to seek advice able to obtain a patent if another inventor had filed from a patent lawyer with respect to issues such as an earlier application. The United States is a what constitutes public disclosure, as well as to notable exception to this principle, although help develop a strategy regarding which countries patent reform being considered in the United to file in. States may be changing this in the near future. The Patent protection is often most useful for those United States approach is currently based on who wish to obtain a monopoly on products that granting protection to the first to invent, rather are easy to copy or reverse engineer. An alternative than the first to file. Other jurisdictions, such as to patent protection which can also be considered Japan and Europe, follow the first to file principle, is reliance on trade secrets. These comprise knowl - as does Canada. edge that provides a company with a competitive Since Canada is a first to file jurisdiction, it is advantage as a result of that knowledge being recommended that an application be filed as soon secret. This strategy can be considered for such as possible, in order to obtain priority over some - things as processes that cannot easily be reserve one else filing an application for the same inven - engineered. However, this protection only lasts as tion. In addition, since patent protection will only long as the secrecy is maintained, and this can be be granted to an invention that is novel, ie. not very difficult to do for a long period of time, often previously publicly disclosed, an applicant must leaving patents as the preferred route. consider filing a patent application early, in order Whether for an established multinational cor - to avoid defeating it through prior public disclo - poration or a start-up, developing a successful cor - sure of their own invention. Public disclosure gen - porate strategy that recognizes the importance and erally includes such things as presenting details of value of intellectual property is essential to success. the invention at a conference or publishing it in an As the National Research Council in the United academic journal. States noted, the growth of biotechnology in the In addition to prior public disclosure of the United States is due largely to the link between invention by the applicant themselves, the novelty industry and academic science, facilitated by the of an invention can be challenged based on any availability of biotechnology patents. And key to information that is publicly available at the earliest this is an appreciation by the inventor as to when filing date. Thus, from a practical perspective, the they must kick off the patenting process. BB later an application is filed, the more information possibly becomes available which can be used to Arnold Ceballos practices intellectual property law challenge the novelty of the invention. with Pain & Ceballos LLP in Vaughan, Ontario. He Canada and the United States do provide a one can be reached at [email protected].

August/September 2008 Bio Business 37 The BIG BBuussiinessss

Canada emerges as a leader in the global biofuel industry—for better or worse

38 Bio Business August/September 2008 Discoveries ooff BBiiooffuels

(From left to right): Darren Anweiler, Cathleen Kneen, and Mike Sulatisky

By Erica Tennenhouse

s the era of cheap oil draws to a close, the search for ethanol in their gasoline, and there are currently three million cars alternatives is well underway. A number of potential in Brazil running on 100% hydrous ethanol. Although the indus - solutions to declining fossil fuel supplies exist, includ - try’s success has fluctuated over the years, current high oil prices ing hydrogen, natural gas, and hybrids. But biofuels are have made Brazil’s ethanol industry difficult to match by any leading the charge as the most popular option world - other country. wide for those trying to reduce fossil fuel use, or avoid them. The United States earns the title of the world’s largest oil user, Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable because they require while its biofuel productivity is second only to Brazil’s. Corn millions of years to form in the Earth’s crust. Biofuels, on the ethanol is the major biofuel produced in the United States, and has Aother hand, are produced from recently dead biological material, been heavily subsidized by the government. However, it’s becom - and are thus a renewable energy source. Biofuels can be broken ing understood that production of corn ethanol is expensive, ener - down into ethanol, a substitute for gasoline, and biodiesel, a gy-intensive, and inefficient compared to sugarcane ethanol. replacement for petroleum diesel. The European Union ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2002 in Biofuel industries are globally expanding. In the last two or attempt to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A tar - three years, biofuel production in Canada had started to pick up. get was set that committed participating countries to cut emis - In 2007, Canada came in fourth behind the largest biofuel pro - sions of six GHGs by at least 5% between 2008 and 2012. ducers in the world: the U.S., Brazil, and the European Union. Biodiesel, derived from plant oil or animal fat, is the primary bio - Arguably, the most notable case study to date is Brazil’s fuel in Europe. While it is simple to produce, the oils that are ethanol industry, which uses sugarcane as its primary feedstock. used to make biodiesel are costly. Substantial subsidies are With the world’s largest sugarcane crop, and ever-increasing required for the continued production of biodiesel in Europe. yields, the cost of ethanol production in Brazil is low. Ever since Together, Indonesia and Malaysia produce and export the the 1930s, Brazil has been incorporating between 5% and 25% greatest amount of palm oil (used to create biodiesel) in the

August/September 2008 Bio Business 39 Discoveries

world. Palm oil is derived from oil palm plantations, which Cleaner than Gasoline? require the clearance of rainforest. Since many of the rainforests One of the biggest pushes for biofuels in Canada is the green fac - in these countries sit above peat bogs, carbon is released in large tor. Using plant biomass—in Canada, primarily corn, wheat and quantities when these forests are cleared, which has resulted in straw—to create transportation fuel is said to be clean because it the term ‘deforestation diesel’ being created by environmental reduces tailpipe emissions of carbon monoxide, particulates, activists. Nevertheless, palm oil production is a prosperous indus - nitrous oxides and other pollutants. Biodiesel, produced mainly try for Southeast Asia. from vegetable oil and animals fats, is also regarded as an Back in Canada, the House of Commons recently passed Bill improvement for hazardous emissions. C-33, which legislates that gasoline must be blended with 5% Last year, scientists at Environment Canada studied the ethanol by 2010 and diesel fuel must contain 2% renewable con - GHG emissions from vehicles using regular unleaded fuel and tent by 2012. Beyond the environmental motives, Bill C-33 aims those running on 10% ethanol blends. They reported that the to encourage the growth and development of the biofuel indus - tailpipe emissions between the ethanol and gasoline vehicles did try in Canada. To help accomplish this goal, the Canadian gov - not differ significantly in GHG content, contrary to the widely ernment has provided a $2.2 billion subsidy for biofuel produc - held belief that ethanol is a cleaner alternative. ers, $500 million of which will be set aside for development of Some have argued that only examining tailpipe emissions pro - next-generation biofuel technologies. The new blending mandate vides incomplete information. The net energy balance over the will require roughly 2 billion litres of ethanol and 600 million entire production cycle—from growing feedstocks, to processing litres of biodiesel to be produced. and refinement, to emissions—is a better way to estimate the In Canada, there are currently 16 ethanol plants either built or overall environmental impact of a particular biofuel. Indeed, the under construction, and three biodiesel plants. Once completed, combustion of corn ethanol releases carbon dioxide, but the the $400 million Dominion Energy Services, LLC biodiesel and growth of corn crops also removes carbon dioxide from the ethanol refinery in Alberta will be one of the largest biofuel plants atmosphere. in the world. Cathleen Kneen, chair of Food Secure Canada, takes this But amidst such ‘progress’, nearly every aspect of the biofuel holistic approach to understanding the effect of biofuels. But she industry has sparked controversy. There are ongoing debates over finds that looking at the entire production cycle only reveals the environmental benefits of biofuels, energy security, the role of ethanol’s shortcomings: “The production of any kind of crop at government subsidies, how farmers are affected, the contribution this point in time is based on a fairly large injection of fossil fuel of biofuels to food inflation, and the advantages and disadvan - into the equation,” she explains. Considering the amount of ener - tages of various types of biofuels. gy consumed by farm equipment, cultivation, fertilizers, irrigation, harvesting, transport of feedstocks, process - ing, and transport of fuel—all of which are reliant on fossil fuels—the net energy benefit of ethanol is thought to range from modest to negative. “I don’t think Calculating the energy balance of we have begun to biodiesel is a complicated matter as well. A chief concern is the conversion of natural tap the ingenuity areas, like forests, grasslands, and peatlands, to biofuel cropland. The amount of carbon of people in released in the process of land conversion might outweigh the low carbon emissions Canada to address of vehicles running on biodiesel. While biofuel promoters often omit cer - this problem.” tain key steps from their energy cost accounting, biofuel critics may overvalue the energy costs associated with biofuel produc - tion. Ethanol plants produce a variety of products, including corn sweeteners, carbon dioxide for soft drinks, and corn gluten, which is used to feed livestock. The quantity of energy used to create these products is often lumped into the energy cost attributed to ethanol production, causing the energy

40 Bio Business August/September 2008 balance of the production cycle to appear more negative than it really is. Whether biofuels have a positive or negative energy balance, promoting them as a clean technology could give off the impression that vehicle use has no effect on the environment. Todd Alexander Litman, director of the Transport Policy Institute in British Columbia, told Inter Press Service in 2007 that improvements in fuel efficiency and use of biofuels results in an increase in vehicle use, which makes “traffic congestion, accidents, road and parking facility costs, and the lack of options for non-drivers worse.” Nevertheless, development of biofuel vehicles is underway. Mike Sulatisky, the Alternative Energy Development Business Unit Manager at Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), explains that SRC has been working with alternative fuels since the mid-1980s, starting with natural gas vehicles, then moving into hydrogen fuel, ethanol and biodiesel. Among the alternative fuel vehicles they have developed are a dual-fuel ethanol truck, an ethanol tractor, a bi-fuel natural gas truck, and two bi-fuel natu - ral gas cars. “Things are moving forward to alternative fuel, and “Things are moving forward to progress is being made both in research institutes like SRC, and by companies like GM and Honda,” says Sulatisky. alternative fuel, and progress

Food for Thought is being made both in research Biofuels have taken a share of the blame for rising global food institutes like SRC, and by prices. Along with biofuels, several factors have been implicated in the burgeoning food crisis, which include an increase in pro - companies like GM and Honda.” tein-based diets, a growing demand for animal feed, poor har - vests due to bad weather, and higher oil and fertilizer prices. However, second-generation biofuels haven’t started to per - Diversion of corn to ethanol contributed to the 50% increase meate the biofuel industry. As Bob Gallant, President and CEO in corn prices in 2006/2007, causing farmland to become more of GreenField Ethanol, explains “at this stage, nobody has pro - expensive, soy prices to increase due to conversion of fields to duced cellulosic ethanol commercially. An international race is on corn, and beef prices to rise because corn is used to feed cattle. to be the first to do so.” Recent protests in Mexico over the sharp increase in corn tortilla Although second-generation biofuels have the benefit of side prices have garnered media attention. stepping the food vs. fuel debate altogether, they have other lim - A statement issued by The Honourable Gerry Ritz, The itations. Recent reports have highlighted harvest residues as Honourable David Emerson, and the Honourable Beverley J. being important for maintaining soil quality, and determining Oda on June 4 pointed out that achieving the mandate of Bill C- crop productivity. Using cellulosic waste for fuel production 33 will require only a small proportion of food crops to be used means that it cannot be used as a soil amendment. to make ethanol: “the environmental benefit will be the equiva - Another way to reduce the diversion of food crops to fuel pro - lent of taking 1 million cars off the road while 95% of Canadian duction would be to increase the efficiency of cropland use and to cropland will continue to produce safe, healthy food.” choose crops that can grow in marginal soils for biofuels—this But even a small loss of food crops might not be a viable would keep high-quality soils available for growing food. Jerome option. Kneen sums it up, stating: “The proposal that crops, Konecsni, the former president and CEO of Genome Prairie, which are and could be used for food, could instead be used for explains that the capability exists to increase the yield of canola fuel in a world where we see increasing need for fuel in the future, by 25%, with the use of new technology. As well, current research strikes me as being counterproductive to say the least.” aims to expand the use of land so that marginal lands could pro - There is an argument that the threat to food supplies could be duce crops. “I don’t think it has to be an either/or situation,” he eliminated with cellulosic biofuels, which are produced from says. “I think we should be asking ourselves ‘how can we do both, residual non-food biomass, such as stems, leaves and husks of and what do we need to do to meet the world’s food demand and food crops, or industry waste such as wood chips. GHG emission also be a solution?’” savings for cellulosic biofuels are thought to be an improvement However, Kneen is not convinced that growing crops on mar - over first-generation biofuels like corn ethanol. ginal lands is a realistic plan. “I’ve been a farmer,” she says, “and

42 Bio Business August/September 2008 Discoveries

ously a huge market [for it].” The key limitation with cellulosic ethanol remains the enzy - matic reaction. Currently, the enzymes used to break cellulose chains into fermentable sugars are only roughly 50% efficient, while the process of refining crude oil is about 85% efficient. The poor conversion efficiency of cellulosic feedstocks to ethanol makes cellulosic ethanol an expensive alternative. However, infrastructure requirements, which pose problems for most biofuels from practical and financial standpoints, may not be an issue for cellulosic ethanol. With a few exceptions, ethanol is not shipped via pipelines because it is corrosive to metal piping. Technical modifications to allow ethanol to be transported through pipeline are possible, but costly. However, since cellulosic ethanol can be produced over a wider range than ethanol from food crops, the point of cellulosic ethanol produc - tion could theoretically always be a short distance from the point of consumption, reducing the need for a pipeline. Biobutanol is considered the holy grail of biofuels—it can be I know that if something grows on marginal soils, it will grow transported via pipeline, it can be used at a higher percentage in better on good soils, and I can make more money.” She adds that cars than ethanol with no alterations, and it can be produced from since farmers very rarely make much money, it is wrong to assume algae, which grows extremely quickly and has a high oil content. that just because something can be grown on marginal land it will “Butanol has nice features which address the shortfalls of be, especially if there is a good market for it. ethanol,” says Darren Anweiler, the SRC’s BioProcessing Team Leader, which is why he lists it as one of the most promising bio - The Outlook on Alternatives fuels. Unfortunately, it probably won’t be commercially available With oil prices consistently over $120/barrel and supplies for a number of years because major hurdles still must be over - decreasing, the Germany-based Energy Watch Group released a come in the purification process. comprehensive study this year concluding: “peak oil is now,” and sharp declines in oil supply are projected. Meanwhile, worldwide energy demand is expected to rise. “Supply and demand are run - ning along opposite tracks,” says Gallant. “At this stage, nobody has High commodity prices are affecting crop and food prices. Feedstocks for ethanol and biodiesel are becoming increasingly produced cellulosic ethanol expensive due to the rising prices of fertilizer, water for irrigation, and the oil used to run vehicles for transportation of harvested commercially. An international crops. Taking production of feedstocks and the costs associated with processing into account, ethanol emerges as one of the most race is on to be the first to do so.” expensive fuels. Looking five years into the future, Peter Brieger, Chairman Clearly a number of alternative fuel sources exist. But first and CEO of GlobeInvest Capital Management Inc., believes generation biofuels—despite the fact that they are recognized as that consumption of ethanol from food crops will be “virtually being less than ideal solutions to the energy crisis—are becoming down to zero,” and cellulosic ethanol will be widely produced. the most widely used alternatives. One viewpoint is that ethanol GreenField Ethanol, Iogen Corporation and Lignol Energy from food crops can act as a stepping-stone on the path to a bet - Corporation are three Canadian companies that are engaged in ter alternative. But the fact remains that money devoted to first R&D focused on cellulosic ethanol production. Lignol recently generation biofuels is money that is not being invested in research won BIOTECanada’s Gold Leaf award for Early Stage and development of more promising biofuels. Company of the Year for its development of fuel-grade ethanol Or perhaps alternative fuels are not the answer at all. “I think and biochemicals from forest biomass. The company’s partner - it was Einstein who said that the height of stupidity is to do the ships with major international firms have led to significant same thing again as you did before, expecting a different out - investment and growth for the company. “We’re seeing very come,” says Kneen. “We’re seeking a technological solution to a promising results,” says GreenField Ethanol’s Gallant, who technological problem. We should look outside that paradigm. I expects that commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plants will don’t think we have begun to tap the ingenuity of people in become a reality in three to five years. Brieger adds, “there’s obvi - Canada to address this problem.” BB

August/September 2008 Bio Business 43 Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry ion trap instruments Thermo Fisher Scientific announced the launch of its Thermo Scientific ITQ Series of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) ion trap instruments, featur - ing external ionization. The ITQ 700 GC/MS system combines full scan ion trap sensitivity with a small footprint for laboratories with limited space. The ITQ 700 is capable of achieving a mass range of 700 amu. The ITQ 900 incorporates best- in-class full scan sensitivity of ion trap mass spectrometry with the increased flexi - bility of the Thermo Scientific TRACE GC Ultra gas chromatograph. It expands the working mass range of a typical GC/MS system to 900 amu. The ITQ 1100 system Viscosity test cup features internal timing pins features new advanced MS/MS (MSn) functions. These high performance ion trap-based GC/MS systems are ideal for laboratories seeking the most powerful A new efflux test cup for performing high viscosity GC/MS platform and optimal flexibility. Thermo Scientific patented Pulsed Q fluid measurements in order to preset a process Dissociation Mode (PQD) is now available on a GC ion trap system. The ITQ 1100 controller and validate its operation is being intro - also features a 250 L/sec turbo-molecular pump, the Thermo Scientific Vacuum duced by Norcross Corporation. The Norcross Cup Probe Interlock and Data Dependent Scanning. This integrated system provides an is an efflux test cup designed for manually meas - extended mass range up to 1100 amu. uring the viscosity of hotter, thicker fluids than conventional Zahn or Shell cups. Featuring internal timing pins, a user simply dips the cup into any fluid up to 50,000 cps, regardless of temperature, and then measures the time it takes for the fluid Improved Sample Preparation to drain from pin-to-pin, rather than from the bot - Biotage introduced the EVOLUTE tom. Measuring laminar flow instead of the turbu - CX sample preparation range. lent or transitional flow out the cup’s bottom, the EVOLUTE CX is a mixed-mode Norcross Cup is available with several different resin-based SPE sorbent for the hole sizes to correspond with various viscosity extraction of basic drugs from ranges. Suitable for use with hot fluids, it is made biological fluids using a generic of brass and stainless steel, and has a brass chain procedure, minimizing method to permit measurements in awkward positions development time for bioanalysts. under pipes and equipment. EVOLUTE CX removes protein, phospholipids, and salt interfer - ences, delivering cleaner extracts with high repro - ducibility for accu - rate quantitation and trouble-free analyses through pre-clinical and clinical trials. A combination of robust polymer chemistry, uniform coverage of sulfonic acid (SO3-) groups and optimum exchange capacity provide greater than 85% recovery on a broad range of sample matrices. The surface characteristics of every batch are tested to ensure consistency. A combination of optimized pore size, sorbent chemistry and associated generic method results in extremely clean extracts for LC-MS/MS.

Pre-aseptic room disinfectant system Xenon Corporation introduced the new system that employs pulsed UV light to achieve bio-reduction and the surface saniti - zation of boxes, bags, and carts prior to entering an aseptic room.The SteriPulse RS-3000 Aseptic Sanitization System is designed to eliminate any bio-contaminate from packages entering an aseptic room, instantly and safely, without heat or chemicals. Featuring pulsed UV light technology to disinfect the packages, this system is capable of 4 log kill in less than one second, making it ideal for high-speed, in-line conveyor sys - tems. Faster, safer, and more effective than chemicals, the SteriPulse RS-3000 Aseptic Sanitization System is totally “green” and the UV light exposure significantly reduces the possibility of having infected packages (which are stored at a loading dock in a dirty area) from entering an aseptic room. Modular system components include lamps, a controller, and a power supply.

44 Bio Business August/September 2008 Products

Easy pouring with 5L and 10L beakers Volumetric titrator stores data Pouring fluids from Bel-Art Products’ new Scienceware 5 L and JM Science announced the new 10 L large beakers and pitchers is now easier and more accu - AQUACOUNTER Volumetric Karl rate. The new 5 L and 10 L beakers have raised numeric gradu - Fischer Titrator (AQV-300). This reli - ations for better viewing of volume and a hand grip at the base able, easy-to-use titrator has state- to provide greater control when pouring. Bel-Art has also of-the-art performance features enhanced the Scienceware® 5 L and 10 L graduated polypropy - which allows measure of moisture lene pitchers with the same hand grip at the base and updated content from low to high concen - the design of the molded handle to provide a more secure grip. trations quickly and accurately. The AQV-300 has six built-in calculation modes to accommodate solid, liquid Films have strong adhesive for PCR sealing and storage and gas samples. It includes a statis - tics package with one-touch calcu - Excel Scientific introduced the ThermaSeal A Sealing File. These lations. Four files with preset condi - films are an advanced version of classic ThermalSeal® polypropy - tions can be stored in memory and lene films. ThermalSeal A films incorporate a stronger and thicker allows instant recall of data for up adhesive layer for more secure sealing of microplates in PCR and to 20 samples. A built-in detector storage applications. Although shaped to fit within the rim of monitors titration status and a raised-rim plates for more reliable sealing of all wells, ThermalSeal direct key access allows entry of A films can also be used for sealing standard microplates. Each film titration parameters. This compact has two removable end tabs that aid in positioning the film to the unit with a very small footprint has plate. Recommended temperature range is -40 °C to +125 °C. balance and computer interfaces for GLP and ISO documentation. Test gas blending system Includes download software for transferring results to a laptop KIN-TEK’s AutoBlend is a computer-controlled, multi-channel gas or PC. Choice of thermal printer blending system for supplying a continuous flow of adjustable or impact printer is available. composition test gas mixture. Applications include sensor evaluation, analytical methods development and validation, contaminant effects testing, catalyst testing, odor simulation, gas filter testing and other applications requiring complex test gas mixtures. The system can add multiple trace concentration components to a flowing gas stream. The AutoBlend features six independently controlled permeation channels. Each channel can contain up to 8 compounds for a total of 48 compounds. Additionally, there are two dynamic headspace channels that allow controlled addition of common environmental background vapors. Mixtures can be supplied dry or humidified and can be delivered at up to 20 psig pressure. Permeation tubes installed in each channel emit a small, precisely known flow of each component compound. Permeate from each tube mixes with a carrier gas flow to form a base mixture for each channel. The computer system controls the proportionate combination of flow from the various channels with a precisely controlled dilution flow to form the mixture.

Safe pipetting Biohit Safe-Cone filters are now available for the Biohit line of precision pipettors and are a unique innovation for safe pipetting. These tip cone filters offer an added advantage in preventing con - tamination of the pipettor and the sample. Regular use of Safe-Cone filters will prolong the service life LIST OF ADVERTISERS & WEBSITES of the pipettor by protecting the internal mecha - BioTalent ...... Page 6 ...... www.biotalent.ca nisms. Parts of the pipettors are also protected from Biotech Canada ...... Page 13 ...... www.biotech.ca vapors and/or liquids which might otherwise enter Brinkmann ...... Page 11 ...... www.brinkmann.com Caledon Labs ...... Page 29 ...... www.caledonlabs.com the instrument, thus contaminating or damaging E-Newsletter ...... Page 34 .... www.biobusinessmag.com those internal components. Contaminated pipettors Eppendorf ...... Page 4, 20, 48 .... www.eppendorf.com also pose an extremely high risk of cross-contamina - Fisher Scientific ...... Page 2 ...... www.fishersci.ca tion of the sample. Safe-Cone filters are ideal for all Innomar ...... Page 18 www.innomar-strategies.com liquid handling applications requiring safe, accurate, Insight Info ...... Page 27 ...... www.insightinfo.com and precise delivery of fluid samples. These filters Rescue 7 ...... Page 35 ...... [email protected] are available in two versions: Safe-Cone Standard Sanofi ...... Page 32 ...... www.sanofi-aventis.ca Filters for general work, and Safe-Cone Plus filters Tory’s ...... Page 17 ...... www.torys.com for radioactive, cell culture, and molecular biological UCB ...... Page 41 ...... www.ucb-group.com applications, among others. VWR ...... Page 47 ...... www.vwr.com

August/September 2008 Bio Business 45 In Person Miriam Ferrer Nova Scotia biology student helps improve province’s tree fruit industry

iriam Ferrer, a postdoctoral fellow in the Biology Department at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, is work - M ing on a project that aims to improve the consistency of organic apple tree yields from year to year. Her results could significantly help apple growers in Nova Scotia, who collective - ly produce about 9% of Canada’s annual apple crop. Ferrer’s research project was the result of an internship through the MITACS Internship Program and a partnership with the Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre. Through MITACS, she was given the opportunity to work with the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association, an organization that assists in the growth and development of the Nova Scotia tree fruit industry. The problem faced by many apple growers is that in certain years, trees will produce a large crop with many apples, leav - ing their resources exhausted for the following year. Ferrer’s research aims to find a material that will cause trees to produce a substantial number of high-quality apples on a yearly basis Last year, Ferrer tested the effects of twenty organic products, including vinegar, egg whites, and seawater, on apple tree pro - duction. Another twenty products were tested this year, and Ferrer has been able to narrow down five products that might produce the desired effect on Honeycrisp apple trees. A second MITACS internship, which started in May, is allow - ing Ferrer to continue with her research. This time, she will be conducting trials to determine the optimal amounts and concen - trations of each organic material. The aim is to be able to intro - duce a new product to apple farmers worldwide. While she continues to investigate the apple tree production cycle, Ferrer has two other projects on the go under the super - vision of Dr. Sara Good-Avila at Acadia. One project examines how self-incompatibility evolved in hermaphroditic domestic plants, and the other project focuses on self-incompatible plant species that are endangered in Nova Scotia. Broadly, her research concerns the evolution of self-incompatibility systems in two plant families: Asteraceae and Rosaceae. Ferrer received her undergraduate degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. From there, she entered straight into the Ph.D program at the same University, after which she worked at Instituto de Ecología, AC (INECOL). Once finished her postdoctoral fellowship at Acadia, Ferrer plans to move back to Mexico and continue with research. BB

46 Bio Business August/September 2008 Leave other hot start PCR enzymes in the dust.

Ladies and gentlemen, start your enzymes Hot start PCR is the amplification vehicle of choice and scientists are looking for ways to get better results and maximum value. The Stratagene Paq5000 Hotstart DNA polymerase delivers both. It has been specially formulated to save time and give you better hot start results with a wider range of target lengths, and it costs significantly less than other hot start PCR enzymes.

High-traction specificity: Amplification of a 3.9 kb Robust yield: Comparison of genomic DNA amplification Long on performance: Amplification of a 6 kb Human fragment of the Human α1 Antitrypsin gene using Paq5000 using the Paq5000 Hotstart DNA polymerase and ß-globin target from 100 ng human genomic DNA with Hotstart DNA polymerase and hot start Taq polymerases hot start Taq DNA polymerase from various suppliers Paq5000 DNA polymerase at 30 sec/kb extension time from various suppliers. Reactions were performed using (competitors I, Q, R, A, C). Reactions were performed (lanes 1 and 2) and Taq DNA polymerase from various manufacturers’ recommended conditions. using manufacturer’s recommended conditions. suppliers at 1 minute/kb extension time (lanes 3-10).

Take a test drive Register to receive a sample of Paq5000 Hotstart DNA Polymerase. Quantities are limited so please contact your nearest Agilent sales representative or visit: www.stratagene.com/HotSample .

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© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2008 G A f r o d n e p p E 8 0

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