Businesses in the biotechnology space incorporate biological processes into the creation of products and technology to further clinical research, drug development and medical treatments. Biotech falls under the life sciences industry, which has been flourishing in and around Vancouver. Here’s an overview of some of the city’s top biotech companies working on technology and therapeutics to address an array of diseases.
Top Biotech Companies in Vancouver
- AbCellera
- Aspect Biosystems
- Zymeworks
- STEMCELL Technologies
- Acuitas Therapeutics
Biotech Companies in Vancouver to Know
AbCellera runs a biotech platform that develops antibody therapeutics and treatments. Its technology is able to search deeply, broadly and quickly to isolate and develop potentially useful antibodies. The company uses its tech to work with drug developers on fast tracking the process that brings a drug from discovery to clinical readiness.
Aspect Biosystems makes bioprinted tissue therapeutics that doctors use to repair, replace or support biological functions — for example, organ function — in the human body. Its pancreatic tissue therapeutic, which is in development, is engineered to be surgically implanted to support pancreatic function in diabetic patients, potentially eliminating their dependence on insulin.
Zymeworks creates therapeutics for treatment-resistant cancers and other “unmet medical needs,” like conditions that present a challenge to treatment, such as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The company combines its technology and expertise to engineer biospecific and multifunctional protein therapeutics and has released a series of promising clinical data sets on new treatments.
STEMCELL Technologies is a life sciences company that specializes in developing cell culture media and cell separation products that are used in stem cell therapies, immunology, regenerative medicine and research into cellular therapy. Its work and products facilitate advances in life sciences research, and the company operates lab training courses to serve the same ends.
Acuitas Therapeutics specializes in developing drugs and vaccines for conditions that are challenging to treat, such as HIV, malaria and cancer. The company says it’s the industry leader in developing the lipid nanoparticle delivery systems for nucleic acid therapeutics, which include mRNA therapeutics and DNA therapeutics.
Amgen is a global biotechnology company that focuses on discovering and developing treatments for patients with serious illnesses. Founded in the 1980s, the company has long used AI and data science to inform its research and development efforts and even created a proprietary protein language model, or pLM, to predict properties using artificial intelligence. Its product portfolio includes treatments for arthritis, anemia and leukemia, among other illnesses.
Lucent BioSciences is a locally founded company that works to develop sustainable crop solutions. Its products, such as non-toxic, microplastic-free coatings and other solutions, deliver advanced solutions to prompt soil and seed health. According to Lucent BioSciences, its products are climate-positive and designed to improve harvest yields.
Notch Therapeutics develops T cell treatments for blood cancers. It derives its T cells from induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs, which provide better targeting and penetrating capabilities when fighting diseases. Notch Therapeutics was founded in 2018 and has multiple treatments in the development stage.
Bold Therapeutics focuses on developing metallotherapeutic treatments for cancer. Although metallotherapeutic therapies are rarely used in medical practice, they harness metal-based components to effectively treat advanced forms of cancer. Bold Therapeutics looks to leverage its treatment knowledge to advance the novel treatment category.
Betterlife Pharma is a Vancouver-based biotech company developing non-hallucinogenic treatments for neurological disorders. It currently has therapeutics for depression, anxiety and neuropathic pain in its development pipeline.
