CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioAlberta is honoured to announce the recipients of the 2024 Achievement Awards at the Health and Life Sciences Showcase and Awards Dinner at the University of Calgary Downtown Campus on September 26th, 2024. The Achievement Awards recognize the individuals and companies in Alberta’s life sciences ecosystem for their outstanding contributions and innovations in life sciences.
BioAlberta Annual Achievement Awards
“As we engage life sciences leaders and innovators to celebrate Life Sciences Week and Global Biotech Week at the annual Health and Life Sciences Showcase and Awards Dinner, it is an honour to recognize the exemplary Alberta life sciences leaders and innovators that have contributed to the success of our ecosystem over the last year. This year’s Achievement Awards showcase the innovation, talent, and technologies that have been developed to support health care system innovations and improve patient care. BioAlberta is proud to be the industry voice for this diverse life science sector that is growing and contributing to better health outcomes for Albertans and people around the world.”
-Robb Stoddard, President and CEO, BioAlberta.
2024 Company of the Year – Pacylex Pharmaceuticals Inc.
This award acknowledges a company that has shown significant achievement within the marketplace and Alberta’s business community through strong performance or a leadership role.
Pacylex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is developing zelenirstat, a first in class, once-per-day oral medication to treat blood and solid tumour cancers. Based on research originating at the University of Alberta, zelenirstat inhibits a modification of membrane-associated proteins at the root of cancer signaling in leukemia and lymphoma and other cancer cell processes including energy production, causing cancer cell death. Zelenirstat is being investigated in Phase 2 studies in patients with blood or solid tumor cancers and has delivered prolonged stable disease in some patients with solid tumors and a reduction of lymphoma. Pacylex is also developing zelenirstat and related molecules as payloads for an important category of cancer therapies known as antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) to rejuvenate the ability of these therapies to kill cancers resistant to other drugs.
“Pacylex Pharmaceuticals has been nurtured by the Alberta investor and philanthropy community and their support allowed us to reach this threshold of beginning to help patients and being recognized as BioAlberta‘s 2024 Company of the Year. We are grateful for that support and as we move our clinical program beyond Canada, we will bring the fruits of our Alberta life sciences ecosystem to cancer patients across the world."
-Dr. Luc Berthiaume, Co-founder and CSO
2024 Technology Innovation Award – PanTHERA CryoSolutions Inc.
This award recognizes individuals or teams that have made meritorious contributions to the life sciences industry and inspired a new way of thinking and perspective for their sector.
PanTHERA CryoSolutions, a pioneering leader in cryopreservation technology, has achieved a significant milestone that will revolutionize the field of cryobiology. The team has developed first-of-its-kind Ice Recrystallization Inhibitors (IRIs) which have had a transformative impact on the field of cryopreservation. By incorporating these innovative molecules into the cryopreservation process, PanTHERA has successfully addressed one of the most significant challenges in preserving biological materials at ultra-low temperatures. IRIs effectively inhibit ice crystal growth during freezing and thawing processes, minimizing damage to cellular structures and preserving the integrity of the samples. This breakthrough has led to a substantial improvement in the viability and functionality of cryopreserved materials, making them more suitable for a wide range of applications.
“On behalf of PanTHERA’s amazing team, I’d like to thank BioAlberta for honouring us with this award. Our innovative KryoAegis product is built on a strong scientific foundation embedded into its design and development and is having a significant impact in addressing the current challenges in cryopreservation.”
-Jason Acker, CEO
2024 Vista Award – Jaspreet Grewal
This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions in the form of technical innovation, business excellence, talent development, capital attraction or infrastructure development.
Jaspreet Grewal is an accomplished clinician, researcher, and venture partner, bringing over 15 years of experience in healthcare, clinical research, regulatory affairs and strategic advisory to companies focused on the life sciences. Her career has allowed her to train and work globally in some of the best healthcare and innovation ecosystems. Jaspreet holds a Master’s in Clinical Vision Sciences from Georgetown University School of Medicine (Ophthalmology), Medical Glaucoma and Cornea training (Yale University), an Executive Certificate in Public Health from Harvard University (T. Chan School of Public Health) and an Executive MBA from the London School of Economics and Political Science. As Chief Executive and co-founder of AxialBridge, Jaspreet has built the company into a global life sciences advisory firm supporting a variety of stakeholders along the biotech and life sciences value chain. She is a published researcher keen to support advancing innovation in MedTech, Biotech and Digital Health.
She has successfully merged her expertise and passion for innovation, research and finance to become a dynamic leader nationally and internationally. She is a sought-after speaker who addresses topics related to investment trends, regulatory strategy, international trade and economic development, and emerging areas of innovation. She is passionate about championing innovation, ecosystem development and clinical adoption.
“I am truly honoured to accept the BioAlberta Vista Award and thank the committee for their nomination and recognition. I am incredibly passionate about growing the Alberta ecosystem and finding opportunities to highlight our province's talent and success. Our community is vibrant and ambitious, and I'm grateful to BioAlberta for uniting us all."
-Jaspreet Grewal
About BioAlberta
BioAlberta is a private, not-for-profit industry association representing the growing life sciences sector in the province. Our vision is to build a thriving and globally competitive life sciences industry that fuels key sectors of Alberta’s economy. The organization serves as a central voice and organizing hub and champion for the industry, providing thought leadership, advocacy, and SME growth through focused activities that promote and enable sector development in Alberta. BioAlberta represents over 230 members of Alberta’s growing life sciences sector, including researchers, producers, and suppliers in specialized sectors.
