BIOTECanada acknowledges the government’s decision to defer the capital gains tax increase until January 1, 2026. However, delaying the impact does not change the fundamental issue: this policy risks making Canada a less attractive destination for biotech investment and talent. Given where the sector is and where it can go, now is not the time to undermine its momentum.

Ironically, this policy stands to significantly undermine the government’s own investments in growing Canada’s innovation sectors. To maintain Canada’s position as a global biotech leader, policy decisions must reinforce—not weaken—the conditions that enable companies to scale. Investment and talent are geographically agnostic global tourists; they will go to the jurisdictions where they are most valued and can have the most impact.

In this context, it is imperative for Canada to act aggressively and ambitiously to enhance its competitive position.  BIOTECanada will continue to advocate for growing the availability and effectiveness of investment capital in the sector to create and drive companies forward.

Alpha Cognition Inc. (NASDAQ: ACOG) (“Alpha Cognition” (ACI), or the “Company”), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for debilitating neurodegenerative disorders, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted a new patent titled “Coated Tablets for pH-Dependent Release of Benzgalantamine.”

“This patent approval underscores the innovative nature of ZUNVEYL and enhances our ability to deliver a differentiated treatment option for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease”

This newly issued patent strengthens Alpha Cognition’s intellectual property portfolio by covering the composition of tablet formulations of benzgalantamine, further reinforcing the Company’s existing patent protections. With this approval, ZUNVEYL has patent protection in the United States through 2044, supporting the Company’s long-term growth strategy as it prepares for commercialization.

“This patent approval underscores the innovative nature of ZUNVEYL and enhances our ability to deliver a differentiated treatment option for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease,” said Michael McFadden, CEO of Alpha Cognition. “The timing of this milestone is significant, as it coincides with our planned U.S. launch of ZUNVEYL this quarter. With extended patent protection, we are well-positioned to maximize the potential of ZUNVEYL and continue advancing solutions for those affected by Alzheimer’s.”

ZUNVEYL represents a novel approach to symptomatic Alzheimer’s treatment, designed to improve patient outcomes through optimized drug delivery. ZUNVEYL will be available by prescription in pharmacies nationwide in Q1 2025.

The Holland College Applied Research Department is hosting an Open House event featuring a tour of the Bioscience Technology lab space, showcasing state-of-the-art equipment, personnel expertise, and funding opportunities.

TopGum Industries, Ltd. (TASE: TPGM), a global leader in the development and manufacturing of gummy supplements, announces it has acquired Island Abbey Nutritionals™, a leading CDMO specializing in supplement gummies and lozenges, located in Prince Edward Island, Canada. This strategic acquisition significantly expands TopGum’s manufacturing and technological capabilities, strengthening its position as a leading global provider of innovative gummy supplements.

Read more about this landmark deal here.

At this week’s World Economic Forum (WEF) annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland, real-time wastewater quality monitoring pioneer, SENTRY Water Monitoring and Control (SENTRYTM), was named a Top 10 Innovator out of almost 300 global water startup applicants. The award is part of the “Tackling Water Pollution Challenge” offered by the WEF’s Innovation Ecosystem, Uplink, and their partner, HCL Group, which aims to find innovative solutions to conserve and restore freshwater ecosystems.

Read the full news release here.

You’re invited to our next BioNetworking session!

This session will feature a presentation and panel discussion about CASTL – Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences’s influence on Prince Edward Island and beyond. The session will open with a case study, followed by a panel of CASTL alumni and PEI Executives who now employ these graduates. A networking lunch will follow the presentation and panel.

📆 Wednesday, January 29, 2025
⏰ 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
📍 Rodd Charlottetown, Georgian Room

🔗 Register now!

CASTL is pleased to announce the launch of their 2025 Course Catalogue, detailing the complete range of biomanufacturing training options we offer, including:

• Customized training solutions

• Open course dates and locations

• CASTL Online Academy (COA) courses

• Upskilling and reskilling programs

See the full Course Catalogue.

Ottawa, ON – On behalf of the Board of Directors of BIOTECanada, Chairman Oliver Technow is pleased to announce the appointment of Wendy Zatylny as the incoming President & CEO of BIOTECanada, representing the biotechnology ecosystem in Canada.

With extensive leadership experience and a strong commitment to innovation, Zatylny will guide the association through a period of unprecedented competition and growth in the sector.

Zatylny will begin her role on January 13 representing BIOTECanada, and host meetings with members at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference and Biotech showcase events in San Francisco.

“We are pleased to welcome Wendy to BIOTECanada,” stated Oliver Technow. “Her experience in leading a national industry association equips her with valuable insights and expertise that will drive BIOTECanada’s ongoing growth and success. Her leadership will be instrumental in strengthening collaboration across the sector and advancing policies that position Canada’s biotechnology ecosystem as a global leader.”

Zatylny brings extensive leadership experience across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including life sciences, logistics, telecommunications, and marine transportation. Her roles with Rx&D, the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, and SBA Communications have equipped her with a strong understanding of industrial and sectoral development on global levels. With expertise in corporate affairs and association management, she is well-prepared to advance BIOTECanada’s mission and support growth in the biotechnology sector.

This transition marks a significant milestone for BIOTECanada as the association continues to champion Canadian biotechnology on the national and global stage. BIOTECanada looks forward to ongoing collaboration with its members, stakeholders, and partners, building on the momentum of recent achievements and driving the sector toward future success.

Onda, the largest contract research organization in Canada specializing in aquaculture research, is working with the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) on a new Canola AgriScience Cluster research project examining the use of canola-based feed meal for sustainable aquaculture production, to expand the market for Canadian canola and provide a sustainable alternative for aquafeed.

The Canola AgriScience Cluster is a five-year research program funded under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership with contributions from the CCC, Alberta Canola, SaskOilseeds, Manitoba Canola Growers and the Ontario Canola Growers Association. Under this funding partnership, a total of 17 projects will be carried out in collaboration with public research institutions across Canada.

Aquaculture has become an essential source of global protein, but concerns about the environmental impact of fish feed ingredients have prompted the industry to seek more sustainable alternatives.

Onda CEO, Myrna Gillis stated, “As global demand for seafood continues to rise, the need for sustainable practices in aquaculture has become more pressing than ever. By advancing research into alternative feed sources, Onda and the canola sector are helping the industry meet these challenges head-on while working to unlock new markets for Canadian canola.”

The 18-month research project will evaluate the use of Canadian canola meal in fish feed and its impact on growth, disease resistance and the environment. Objectives of this study are to update nutrient digestibility values and provide new data on its use in aquaculture, as well as a life cycle analysis on canola meal in salmon feed. The research will involve Onda’s Nutrition, Health, FeedTech and LabTech business units and will culminate in shared research and dissemination of the findings.

“This research will enhance our understanding of canola meal’s nutritional value in aquaculture, helping to build market opportunities and further canola’s value-added contributions to our food and feed systems,” says Chris Manchur, CCC agronomy specialist and research lead.

Canola meal is a promising plant protein source for fish feed due to its sustainability, market availability, cost-effectiveness and balanced amino acid profile. With the drive towards ingredients with lower environmental impact, there is increasing attention and interest in canola meal in the aquaculture industry. Additionally, the long salmon production cycle of 1.5 to 3 years provides a significant opportunity for the utilization of canola meal in cost-effective feed formulations.

 Onda is no stranger to alternative protein sources, having worked on numerous studies evaluating feed formulations that include plant-based ingredients in feed. The research collaboration leverages Onda’s expertise in aquaculture health and nutrition and the CCC’s knowledge of canola production and its uses in livestock and animal feed to gain a broader understanding of canola as a key ingredient in high-performance aquaculture feed formulations.

“This project provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate canola meal in a new light,” said Ivan Tankovski, Director of Nutrition for Onda. “The digestibility and benchtop studies showed promising results, and we are now eagerly anticipating the results from the next trial to complete the picture.”

 The findings from this research are expected to contribute to more sustainable aquaculture production methods and support the industry’s commitment to reducing its reliance on marine-based ingredients.