Ying Tam

Loved talking about how to best train people for the bioeconomy. Thanks for the opportunity Ontario Genomics. A few things I spoke about and also learned: - Project and financial management skills are crucial. 💲📊 - In the design-build-test-learn cycle, skills in "test" are the most important. A lot of "build" will be, or already is, automated 🤖 - Experiential projects and team-based learning are key. Find every opportunity to try this out. No "real world" project is done alone. 👍 - Advocate for yourself! 🙂

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Now Accepting Submissions to Support Novel MSC & Exosome Projects with Awards Totaling Up to $100,000 - https://lnkd.in/gsDP559u   RoosterBio Inc.’s Development Award supports innovative early-stage researchers who share its common goals in emerging MSC and exosome-based therapeutics by providing them with the products and process support needed to accelerate their program. It is accepting applications until the end of the week. All applications must be submitted by THIS FRIDAY to be considered!   This award is accepting applications of novel study proposals from researchers located in North America, Europe, Japan, Korea, and Australia. Up to ten award winners will be chosen from diverse focus areas in MSC and exosome research. Each awardee will receive up to $10,000 in select RoosterBio products over a 12-month period. If exosomes or MSCs are your area of research expertise, then I highly encourage you to submit your proposal here: https://lnkd.in/gsDP559u Don't forget, you're down to your final few days to apply! #exosomes #stemcells #msc #research Kim Hastings

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✨ Insights from #AMP2024: Shaping the Future of Molecular Diagnostics Another incredible #AMP conference is in the books! The Chrysalis team loved reconnecting with friends, clients, and new prospects in the beautiful city of Vancouver. This year’s event sparked exciting discussions about the future of molecular testing. Here are three key takeaways: 🔬 MRD Testing: What Defines a Win? The debate revolves around: Accuracy: Base call reliability enables trust in the data. Read Depth: You can’t detect what you can’t see. Pure Economics: Balancing cost and scalability for adoption. Success will come from strategies that integrate the right balance of all three to drive both innovation and impact. 🤖 AI’s Role in Diagnostics: AI remains a game-changer: Reimbursement: Can AI streamline value-based policy alignment? Clinical Reporting: Turning complex data into actionable insights for better care. ⚖️ Regulatory Uncertainty: What’s next for the VALID Act (#ValidAct) under the new administration? Will implementation pause, or should we prepare for swift regulatory changes? It’s an exciting and dynamic time for the field. What stood out to you at #AMP24? Let’s keep the conversation going! Chrysalis Biomedical Advisors #strategy #molecular #pathology #genomics

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Hold my beer, eh! This breakthrough was years in the making … and it’s big. For my non-scientist contacts I will try to explain simply why these Canadian researchers may have just changed the game for one important slice of biotech and pharma. It could mean a radical short-cut to better therapies and diagnostic tests, based on antibodies. Antibodies are naturally produced in the body in response to infection and other diseases. The immune system has evolved over Billions of years to do this effectively. In a span of just a couple of weeks it produces and tests perhaps 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 antibodies. If you want to visualize that number, imagine counting all the grains of sand on all the beaches and deserts on earth. The best ones are selected and produced to fight the disease. They are incredibly effective in moving through the body and binding to their target, then either simply blocking the offensive or recruiting other parts of the immune system. Antibodies can be used as amazing tools for healthcare. An antibody can be a made into drug that only targets specific diseased cells, or blocks a specific virus. Think of a test strip that shows a clear signal only when the antibody binds its target. Many of the biggest blockbuster drugs are antibody based. It’s no wonder then, that billions of dollars are spent trying to find the perfect antibodies to use as therapies for the next disease target. But how? We can try to replicate nature - generate sequences (using AI maybe), produce and test them. Or we can try to see if lab animals will produce useful antibodies - but then what? Will these synthetic or animal antibodies be safe to use in humans? Will they be stable and effective? Years of costly R&D is involved in resolving these questions and the failure rate is very high. For every successful new therapy there are hundreds of failed programs and billions of dollars spent. So why not start with antibodies that are already known to be safe, stable and effective in a human - simply by using antibodies extracted from a human patient who has recovered from the disease?! If you think this idea is almost too obvious, you aren’t alone. In fact, physicians have been using blood from recovered patients to treat sick ones for a long time (read about Convalescent Plasma Therapy). But there’s no scalable supply of such plasma. So the problem is finding the antibody you need out of incredibly complex human biology, so you can test it, produce more of it and distribute it to thousands of patients. The solution is to isolate and sequence the important antibodies, then study them and produce more of them. My colleagues have created groundbreaking technology for sequencing antibody proteins out of the complex mixture in human blood. In this Nature Communications paper they show how it works, and that antibodies they produced this way work well to neutralize COVID for example. #biotech #canadianinnovation #antibodies #drugdiscovery #nextgenmedicine

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JSI Advanced Therapeutics Research Inc. (JATRI) is at the forefront of innovative therapeutic research, utilizing advanced facilities at Western Discovery Park and a team of scientists adept at tackling complex synthesis challenges. Our current research emphasizes the development of cyclic peptides, biodegradable lipids, and naturally occurring cyclic polyynes, utilizing our proprietary ring-closing metathesis reaction protocol. We also specialize in inhibitors, including USP7 inhibitors, Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors, and JAK inhibitors. In this discussion, we will focus on our ongoing research into VHL ligands for targeted protein degradation and their crucial role in PROTAC development. Please consult the list of VHL ligands included in the following pages. If you need support with therapeutic discovery and development or specialty chemicals, our affiliate companies—JSSI Specialty Chemicals and JSI Research Chemicals Inc.—are ready to assist. We also welcome opportunities for collaboration on contract research projects related to drug discovery and development. Additionally, we offer expertise in synthesizing biodegradable polymers and resins for your coating needs. Let’s explore how we can collaborate to advance your objectives in pharmaceuticals and beyond.

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Zentek and Triera Biosciences Ltd. Receive $1.1 Million Government of Canada Contract to Test Multivalent Aptamer Technology GUELPH, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 6, 2024 / Zentek Ltd. ("Zentek" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:ZTEK)(TSXV:ZEN), announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary Triera Biosciences Ltd. ("Triera") has received a $1.1 million Government of Canada contract to test its multivalent aptamer technology for the rapid drug discovery of therapeutics or prophylactics of highly pathogenic avian influenza ("HPAI") A(H5N1). Highlights: The Government of Canada has identified the life sciences sector as a priority of the Canadian economy and is seeking advanced medical technology solutions to address ongoing challenges Triera was awarded a $1.1 million Government of Canada R&D contract through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's ("ISED") Innovative Solutions Canada ("ISC") program:  Health Advanced And Emerging Medical Technologies Triera's multivalent aptamer technology was selected for its potential to be used as a rapid drug development platform Government of Canada testing partners include Health Emergency Readiness Canada ("HERC") within ISED, and Defence Research and Development Canada ("DRDC"), the science and technology organization of the Department of National Defence ("DND") The test will help develop a prophylactic and therapeutic for HPAI A(H5N1) following the multivalent aptamer strategy that successfully produced a SARS-CoV-2 aptamer Triera has proven the capability of the multivalent aptamer platform by developing a universal therapeutic and prophylactic that is effective against all variants of SARS-CoV-2. The contract will allow Triera to prove the capability for developing a lead candidate for HPAI A(H5N1). HERC is a new federal organization within ISED dedicated to protecting Canadians against future pandemics and delivering on Canada's life sciences and medical countermeasures readiness objectives. HERC will provide a sustained focus on advancing life sciences industrial capabilities and innovation to respond to health threats, building on significant achievements in the sector since 2020, including $2.2B that has been invested under Canada's Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. DRDC is Canada's defence science, technology, and innovation leader. DRDC develops and delivers new technical solutions and advice to the DND, the Canadian Armed Forces, and safety and security communities. This is accomplished by working with partners in industry, academia, other government departments and international allies. The contract requires Triera to develop a lead candidate for HPAI A(H5N1) within six months of the project initiation. The lead candidate will be tested for its efficacy as a therapeutic and prophylactic along with its safety profile by the Miller Laboratory at McMaster University.

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Catch a recap of a recent #ISCT2024 roundtable in #Vancouver moderated by Dalip Sethi, PhD, MBA - "Current State and Future Directions of #ProcessAnalyticalTechnologies in the CGT Space." #CellGeneTherapies #CellTherapy #GeneTherapy #PAT ISCT, International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy

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How can I explore some ideas for novel therapies? Here is my dilemma. I was in the biotech industry for 20 years, about 15 at senior levels (Director of Research, VP Preclinical). Then working for IRAP in the Canadian Federal Gov for 9 years full-time, then called back from 2020 to 2022 part-time as an technical and business assessor for many Federal and Provincial Programs. I have some ideas regarding novel therapies and other projects but I do not have access to lab facilities. Without those it is very difficult to do crowdfunding; without incubator facilities likewise. Also, without data, I don't believe that Angels or VC's here in Canada would provide funding for an idea only. I am looking for ideas or collaborators. Does anyone have ideas? Anybody interested in setting up a commercial incubator in Vancouver? Any other suggestions? Please message through Linkedin and all messages greatly appreciated. Michael

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The Pandemic was a real education to Canada, and it's reliance on technologies and companies outside this country. When push came to shove, and the world was competitng for valuable resources to test for Covid, Canada was left out in the cold (literally). We had no access to extraction technologies, and no vaccine capabilities ourselves. DMark Biosciences played a pivotal role in supplying Canada with RNA extraction instrumentation and kits. Our partners of Revvity, MolGen, and Complete Genomics provided instrumentation and kits throughout Canada, where traditional suppliers refused to sell to Canada. Now that Canada is gearing up its vaccine response for the next pandemic, @DMark is here to help again. We have partnered with L7 Informatics for over a decade providing the best Enterprise Science platform available on the planet to manage the data required to enable biomanufacturing. This webinar will help you learn how L7/ESP will speed the time to market for Drugs from development to commercialization, Reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies, and provide a single source of truth for scientific data and process management throughout the product lifecycle management. Whether your field is protein, genomics, multi-omics, research, diagnostics, development or manufacturing, L7 will provide huge value for your scientific life sciences data management.

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The latest issue of BIOTECanada ‘s Insights Magazine has an article that we wrote at IRICoR on the value of the research entreprise and its contribution to supporting the life sciences industry! Enjoy! #research #innovation #lifesciences

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Not only is Vancouver the home of our Nanomedicines business, its the location for ISCT 2024. I ll be there, as well as many colleagues from across our business, including my great colleagues in Cell Therapy who have an exciting announcement. We will be sharing updates on the topics below- hope to see you there. 👉 End-to-end manufacturing of autologous CAR T cell therapies with a new cell therapy manufacturing platform 👉 Regulatory T cell expansion in the Xuri cell expansion system W25 👉 Closed, semi-automated harvest of iPSC scale-up workflow using the Sepax C-Pro with CultureWash protocol 👉 Optimization of multiplex CRISPR-Cas9 editing of human primary T cells using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and subsequent off-target evaluation 👉 Strategies for producing clinical and commercial RNA-LNP drug products And there's more...follow this link to discover all the ways you can connect with us at ISCT: https://lnkd.in/dpry_teB #mrna #car-t #lnp #nanomedicine

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NanoVation Therapeutics™, a Vancouver, BC, Canada-based platform company developing technologies to overcome barriers to nucleic acid delivery, raised an undisclosed amount in funding. Convergent Ventures led the round. The company intends to use the funds to support the further advancement of its lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology platform for RNA delivery to cells outside of the liver, including completing large animal studies. https://lnkd.in/gfAfCPJT

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Join us October 3rd for our next webinar where top industry leaders will share their hard-earned insights and strategies on extending your cash runway, negotiating better deals, and maximizing resources without stifling growth. With speakers who have been in your shoes, this interactive session will provide actionable tips you can implement immediately to help your startup reach its next milestone. Submit questions in registration or via the Q&A function day of. We look forward to seeing you and "chatting" next week! #lifescience #startups #fundraising #biotech

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Come meet Chad and I to discuss your drug development needs

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🎤 Seragene Therapeutics presenting at Biotech Showcase™ in our #SeedShowcase specialized track! Erika Siren, CEO of SeraGene Therapeutics, will present how the company is committed to reimagining the treatment of coagulation disorders through innovative RNA and nanomedicine technologies. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company’s therapeutic focus areas include gene therapy, hematology, and orphan/rare diseases. 🗓️ Register to attend and learn more: https://lnkd.in/eVfUegPD Are you a pioneering biotech startup looking to gain a competitive edge in today’s challenging landscape? Seed Showcase highlights emerging companies with under $2M in funding that are developing innovative therapeutic products. Taking place at Biotech Showcase, Seed Showcase is happening January 13–15, 2025, in San Francisco, CA, with virtual sessions from January 16–17 on the partneringONE platform. This conference offers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase your organization and connect with strategic partners. 📝 Apply to present your innovations: https://lnkd.in/ekZuFZ5p 🌁 What to expect at Biotech Showcase: https://lnkd.in/eRq7FKg4 #BiotechShowcase #DemyColton #EBDGroup #LifeSciences #GeneTherapy #Hematology #RareDiseases #Innovation #Investors #Partnering #SerageneTherapeutics EBD Group Demy-Colton

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🎉 Celebrating a decade of CRISPR screening: Back to 2015 🎉 For 2015, we chose to highlight a landmark publication by first author Traver Hart and the team around Jason Moffat from University of Toronto (Hart et al., Cell 2015). The publication stands out as the first comprehensive CRISPR screening using multiple contexts to study general cell fitness and synthetic lethal interactions. It opened avenues for the development of targeted therapies that can exploit cancer vulnerabilities, offering more effective and personalized treatment options for patients.   Summary of key findings and impact: ▶ Comprehensive gene mapping: Using high-resolution, genome-wide CRISPR screens, the first set of core essential fitness genes were identified. These are crucial for the survival of cells, and, today, serve as critical controls for most unbiased screens. These genes also represent potential targets for novel therapies, as inhibiting them could impair cancer cell growth without affecting healthy cells. ▶ Personalized therapeutic targets: The study's high-resolution approach also revealed genotype-specific cancer liabilities, or genetic weaknesses unique to particular cancer mutations. These findings underscored the importance of tailoring cancer treatments to a patient's specific genetic makeup, advancing the field of personalized medicine. ▶ Advancing drug discovery: Demonstrating the efficacy of CRISPR-Cas9 in large-scale genetic screens, the study underscored the transformative potential of gene editing technologies in functional genomics and therapeutic discovery. The team uncovered new therapeutic targets, which could be exploited in the development of cancer therapies. This approach was particularly important for addressing cancers that were resistant to conventional treatments.   In 2015, this study was a game changer, demonstrating the potential of #CRISPRscreening as a tool for dissecting the complex genetic dependencies of cancer cells. It did not only enhance our understanding of cancer biology, but also marked a crucial step towards the realization of precision oncology, offering hope for more targeted, less toxic therapies for cancer patients.

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Take home from cell and gene therapy meeting ISCT 2024: ISCT, International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy meeting in #Vancouver is over and the good news is that cell&gene therapies are advancing rapidly. 📍It was encouraging and stimulating to see Emily Whitehead, the first patient treated with CAR T cells, to be with us and talking to us. Very motivating for my next work. 💎CAR T cells have truly revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies, but unfortunately only 4% of people with advanced or metastatic cancers are eligible for CAR T therapies. ❓ Reasons?: high costs, complicated logistics and low manufacturing capacity ❓ What is happening now and where is the field moving to solve that? 💡 Manufacturing equipment for CAR T cells is evolving rapidly to save resources and produce the product at a lower cost 💡 POC: Advanced manufacturing technology will allow the expansion of manufacturing sites closer to patient care 💡 CDMOs offering more complex and faster services to facilitate cell therapy development and manufacturing 💡 Allogeneic off-the-shelf products (NK cells, macrophages, allo T cells,...) are in advanced development to produce many doses from one production batch, which will reduce the price per dose, reduce product heterogeneity and improve logistics. 💡 Non-viral systems are in clinical trials and will allow cheaper manufacturing with better safety for patients. 💡 In vivo CAR-based therapy is in early development, but will hopefully offer CAR gene transfer directly into immune cells without the need for cell manufacturing (at least for some indications). 🗻 And this will hopefully further escalate in future... 💡 Solid cancers: Improving the technology to be successful in solid cancers ( 90% of all cancers) will dramatically increase the indication range for CAR-based or similar therapies. 💡 Autoimmunity: Importantly, CAR technology is massively expanding to non-hematologic malignancies such as autoimmunity (8-10% of the world population). ❓ 💡 Any other comments or thoughts? ---------------- At the SaxoCell Cluster for cell and gene therapy in #Saxony, #Germany, we are working together on these and other CGT technologies to further revolutionize the treatment of #cancer, #autoimmunity and other life-threatening #diseases. https://lnkd.in/gf6D2ETB #ISCT2024 #ISCT #SaxoCell #CellGene #CGT #Technology #manufacturing #Therapy #CART #NKcells #CARNKcells #cancer #immunotherapy #Innovations #autoimmunity #EtmDresden

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#Scientists from University of Toronto have developed the AI-Guided Ionizable Lipid Engineering (AGILE) platform, a synergistic combination of deep learning and combinatorial chemistry. AGILE streamlines ionizable #lipid development with efficient library design, in silico lipid screening via deep neural networks, and adaptability to diverse cell lines. https://lnkd.in/e2RaE28F #mRNA #LNP #Development #Drugdevelopment #AI #AGILE #Engineering #insilico #lipids

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