The Impact of B.C.’s Life Science Innovations: Q&A with AbCellera and Acuitas Therapeutics

British Columbia (B.C.) has the fastest-growing life sciences sector in Canada and is renowned for its work including HIV-AIDS, oncology, genomics and COVID-19 therapies. This sector is a priority for the B.C. government and is supported by record investments through the B.C. Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy. With the development of new lab spaces and the expansion of clinical trial and research capacity, B.C. is solidifying its position as a global life sciences hub and the ideal location for company expansions and investments.

The B.C. Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy builds on B.C.’s innovations against COVID-19 and many other made-in-B.C. accomplishments. That global public health emergency demonstrated the strength of the life sciences and biomanufacturing sector in B.C. Every COVID-19 vaccine candidate that reached late-stage development in 2020 used components developed or manufactured by a B.C. scientist or company, with the first monoclonal antibody therapy discovered here in the province.

Since the Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy was launched in 2023, various major projects and expansions have been supported to improve health research and clinical trials capacity in British Columbia, including:

• Building and operationalizing the Clinical Support and Research Centre at St. Paul’s Hospital campus.
• Establishing B.C.’s first non-cancer Phase 1 clinical trial facility at Mount St. Joseph’s Hospital.
  Supporting AbCellera’s expansion in Vancouver to boost therapeutics discovery and clinical trial access.
• Advancing bio-printed tissue therapeutics with Aspect Biosystems, covering research and development, clinical trials and production.
• Investing in new wet lab and biomanufacturing facilities.
• Adding new seats at post-secondary institutions, funding new training programs at BCIT and approving new micro-credentials to help meet the sector’s skill needs.

These projects provide the critical space and infrastructure needed to create a healthy future for people by improving health research and clinical trials capacity, ensuring that B.C. clinicians remain world leaders, enhancing residents’ access to leading treatments and diagnostics and solidifying a strong foundation for the life sciences industry.

Explore the Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing page or watch the StrongerBC video below.

Q&A with AbCellera and Acuitas Therapeutics

Reflecting on the sector’s past accomplishments shows the strength of a shared vision and the pride in these achievements. Below is an extended transcription of the interviews conducted for the StrongerBC video series in 2022. In the interview AbCellera and Acuitas Therapeutics’ share how their work in B.C. had a tangible impact on global health during the COVID-19 pandemic. This reflection on past achievements showcases the effectiveness and resilience of B.C.’s life sciences sector.

AbCellera is dedicated to delivering innovative medicines to patients through its internal pipeline of first-in-class and best-in-class programs and collaborations with companies with novel science or technology. Their antibody discovery and development technologies unlock high-value drug classes and targets for cancer, metabolic and endocrine disorders and autoimmune disorders. Building on B.C.’s Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, the Government of B.C. contributed $75 million toward AbCellera’s expansion in Vancouver in 2023.

Acuitas Therapeutics, Inc. partners with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, academic institutions and thought leaders to advance nucleic acid therapeutics from development to market. As the global leader in the development of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems, the Acuitas vision is to provide safe and effective delivery technology that fully enables nucleic acid medicines, working with partners to address unmet clinical needs. Acuitas was key in the development of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, COMIRNATY®, which was the first COVID-19 vaccine approved in Canada and the U.S. and has now been administered to billions of people in more than 180 countries.

We spoke with Murray McCutcheon, Senior Vice President of Partnering at AbCellera (formerly Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at the time of filming), and Dr. Thomas Madden, President & CEO of Acuitas Therapeutics, about how their B.C. organizations were at the forefront of the global response to COVID-19.

Both AbCellera and Acuitas Therapeutics are at the leading edge of medical technologies. Can you introduce yourselves and your organizations?

Murray McCutcheon (SVP AbCellera): “AbCellera, based in Vancouver, B.C., is a technology leader in discovering antibody medicines to prevent and treat diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. Antibodies, which are nature’s way of fighting disease, have become the most important class of medicines in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.

We collaborate with partners worldwide, ranging from large pharmaceutical companies to venture-backed startups, to advance their programs and bring therapies to patients faster. AbCellera’s mission is to be the technology leader from idea through to clinical development, using our technology to advance our internal pipeline of programs, the programs of our partners and bring medicines to patients faster.”

Dr. Thomas Madden (President & CEO of Acuitas Therapeutics): “Acuitas is a biotechnology company that provides delivery technology to our partners to help new types of drugs reach the clinic and, ultimately, patients. For example, our technology is used in the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine is based on a biological molecule present in all our cells. But the vaccine by itself, would be broken down rapidly after it’s administered and unable to enter our cells on its own. Our delivery technology protects this molecule after administration, carries it into the cells and enables it to stimulate the immune response that protects us from COVID-19.

With the global pandemic behind us, we continue to move forward, working with partners to address a range of challenging diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and HIV, for which effective vaccines have historically been difficult to develop. Additionally, we aim to extend our technology’s application to cancer vaccines, collaborating with partners to harness the body’s immune defenses against cancer.”

How did your organizations play an essential role during the COVID-19 pandemic?

McCutcheon: “AbCellera was at the forefront of the COVID-19 response. Due to our capabilities, we received the first patient sample available in North America from a recovered COVID-19 patient. From this sample, we discovered the first antibody medicine that entered clinical trials and was ultimately authorized for use in patients.

We then developed the most potent antibody therapy responsive against all known variants. Together, these two medicines have treated over 2 million patients, preventing hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths. We think this shows the power of innovation here in B.C. and what happens when you bring the best teams and technology together.”

Dr. Madden: “As the warnings from infectious disease professionals about the novel coronavirus increased, we knew that we had the ability to act. With partners, we had been developing vaccine applications for messenger RNA (mRNA), delivered using our LNP technology. For example, we already had early clinical data showing the effectiveness of these vaccines against rabies. We collaborated with several partners including BioNTech to develop a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine using our technology. We needed to move incredibly quickly. Everyone understood that saving time would save lives, so we were all committed to urgently supporting this effort.”

How have your organizations’ innovative solutions been recognized amidst the challenges of the pandemic?

McCutcheon: “We have been privileged to play a major role in the fight against COVID-19, bringing two medicines to authorization for treating COVID-19 patients. This has been an incredible opportunity for us to see the impact of our work helping patients. This is what motivates us every day. Many people can spend an entire career without ever having the opportunity to bring a medicine to authorization, so this achievement has put a global spotlight on what we are doing here in British Columbia. It highlights the great potential of our company, our teams and our technologies to lead in innovation and bring better medicines to patients.”

Dr. Madden: “Interestingly, within the mRNA technology world, Acuitas was already recognized as a global leader in LNP delivery technology. However, it was the success of the COVID-19 vaccine and the success of mRNA vaccines that brought us broader attention and recognition. There is now much greater awareness of the potential for this technology and our role in enabling its delivery.

Our work didn’t stop with the development and regulatory approval of COMIRNATY®. The Acuitas team has continued to innovate, for example helping to enable the first human proof-of-concept for genome base editing to treat a serious genetic disease. We are also working with our partners to advance the development of novel gene therapies, such as epigenetic medicines, to modulate gene expression without genetic editing. These new therapeutics have the potential to treat a range of diseases, including cancer. We are also working on the development of improved vaccines – such as multi-valent vaccines to prevent a range of infectious diseases (including malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis) – and on novel therapeutic vaccines against cancer, including personalized cancer vaccines.

That said, we are particularly proud that our B.C. company, with B.C. scientists, contributed to a solution to the global COVID-19 pandemic.”

Why is B.C. an ideal location for life sciences companies?

McCutcheon: “AbCellera chose to establish its headquarters in B.C. for several reasons, most notably the skilled workforce we have here. We have had an incredible pool of talent to draw upon as we build our company. Our universities and colleges train some of the best scientists in the world. Moreover, we have a renowned innovation economy, with spinouts emerging from local universities. AbCellera itself originated as a spinout from University of British Columbia (UBC).

The access to great talent, the lifestyle that Vancouver and B.C. provides, the innovation economy and the ecosystem in which we exist are all excellent elements we are harnessing to build a lasting company.

The B.C. government has highlighted the life sciences sector as a priority, recognizing our competitive advantage in talent, innovation and integration into the healthcare system. Looking ahead, it is important to recognize that we have the foundational elements, including talent, an innovation mindset, a favorable business climate and aligned policies across the public, private and university sectors, to build a globally recognized hub.

Dr. Madden: “I think there are several elements that contribute to the success of life sciences companies. We have excellent universities and colleges conducting exciting research in British Columbia. We have highly trained individuals with scientific backgrounds seeking employment opportunities outside academia. This allows us to identify the scientists and technicians necessary to support our business. Many of their exciting new ideas have the potential to be translated into new medicines, products or technologies.

Providing an environment that encourages that translation from academic research into business ventures is important. Often, early-stage financial support is what’s making or breaking those small companies. In this regard, I think the B.C. government has done a really good job in focusing its funding opportunities. The government invests in health care and research, fostering a positive atmosphere where companies feel welcomed and assured of continued growth.

We are also fortunate to attract people to B.C. relatively easily. It’s a beautiful province, and Vancouver is a world-class city – so that contributes to people’s interest in coming to work at companies such as Acuitas Therapeutics.”

Learn more about B.C.’s thriving life sciences sector

The innovations that B.C. companies executed during the COVID-19 global pandemic underscore the ongoing impact and potential of B.C.’s life sciences sector to help companies grow while improving health outcomes for people. With strong research infrastructure, competitive business costs, government support and global connections, B.C. continues to be a prime location for life sciences investment and growth.

Connect with Trade and Invest BC or follow us on LinkedIn and X to discover more opportunities in B.C.’s life sciences sector.