May 29, 2019

Patient-centered care has been identified as an important concept by organizations around the world. In recent years, there has been a culture change towards patient-centered care which has resulted in greater collaboration with patients and patient groups and better recognition that individuals have unique needs. From a patient perspective, patient-centered care may translate into better access to medication, much needed support through complex therapeutic regimens and a less stressful treatment experience. For caregivers and healthcare providers, patient- centered approaches can help reduce the burden of care, while for manufacturers focusing on optimizing the patient experience can help patients achieve better outcomes which can lead to greater access opportunities. This event will explore the evolving landscape, challenges and opportunities regarding patient-centered care in Canada.

Session Objectives

• Discuss the value of patient-centered care, patient engagement and patient advocacy on innovation in healthcare

• Explore challenges faced by patients in accessing medication and navigating the Canadian healthcare system

• Evaluate collaborative opportunities for enhancing the patient experience

Host: Bruce Seet Ph.D, MBA
 

With Guest Panelists:

Lisa Machado (Executive Director, Canadian CML Network)
Nicole Serena (Director, PSP Consulting Services, MATRIX Healthcare Strategists Inc.)

Alan Birch (Director, Oncology Drug Access Navigators of Ontario)

Mar 27, 2019

The journey from science to business can be challenging; even more so for women, who are often underrepresented in the field. This year, International Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Day fell on February 11th and International Women's Day fell on March 8th, 2019. In celebration of these two days and encouragement of continuous innovation in Canada, this event will provide insight into the career journeys of successful Canadian women in science, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Session Objectives

• Review the current state of women in science, innovation and entrepreneurship in Canada

• Discuss challenges and key learnings of the panelists' career journeys from academia to industry

• Highlight opportunities for gender equality and diversity in science innovation and entrepreneurship

Dec 05, 2018

Session Objectives

• Review emerging trends in the healthcare sector that are driving the need to adapt

• Highlight leadership skills for future growth and adaptability in a dynamic industry

• Outline the opportunities to navigate and drive effective change in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry of tomorrow

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Host: Brian Knight, Ph.D, MBA

With Guest Speaker: Paul Petrelli (General Manager, Jazz Pharmaceuticals; Chairman, Executive Committee, BIOTECanada)​

Nov 07, 2018

Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare involves the use of algorithms and software to mimic human cognition in analyzing complex medical data. It has the potential to transform every step of the path from drug discovery to patient care by increasing efficiency and effectiveness, while decreasing cost. Are we on the cusp of an AI revolution? During this session, experts from leading AI companies will profile the current state of AI in healthcare, review the challenges and opportunities facing this burgeoning sector, and discuss how Canada can leverage its research infrastructure to become a world leader in AI technology. 

Session Objectives

• Profile how AI is disrupting business areas from drug discovery to patient diagnosis and treatment

• Discuss the challenges and opportunities in unleashing the power of AI while balancing data integrity, privacy, and a complex regulatory environment

• Explore how Canada can leverage its public and private research infrastructure to become a global leader in AI

Host: Bruce Seet, Ph.D, MBA
 

With Guest Panelists:

Simon Smith (Chief Growth Officer, BenchSci)
Naheed Khurji (President and CEO, Cyclica)

John Reeves (Partner, Chief Medical Officer, conversationHEALTH)

Sep 26, 2019

Although critical to commercial success, market access remains one of the pharmaceutical industry’s greatest challenges. Following regulatory approval by Health Canada, market access professionals must navigate the complex pricing and reimbursement landscape to ensure therapies are publicly and privately available at a price that is affordable, yet supports continued innovation. The industry will soon be facing new challenges when the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) updates its 30-year old regulatory framework, intending to lower drug prices for Canadians. This session will provide insight into emerging trends in market access, current challenges and opportunities, and the impact of proposed changes to the PMPRB. 

Session Objectives

• Highlight emerging trends in the Canadian market access and reimbursement environment.

• Profile the proposed changes to the PMPRB framework and the potential impact on
  patients, payers, and sponsors.

• Explore the challenges and opportunities in delivering both value and timely access to
  cutting-edge medicines to all Canadians.

Host: Bruce Seet, Ph.D, MBA
 

With Guest Panelists:

Bennett Lee (Head, Market Access, Sanofi Genzyme)
Joan McCormick (Principal, Price Regulation Consulting, IQVIA)

Alex Chambers (Director, pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review [pCODR])

Mar 26, 2018

Canada is the first G20 country to legalize cannabis production and sale for recreational consumption and international distribution. With the global cannabis market estimated to be worth 31 billion dollars by 2021, several Canadian licensed producers (LPs) and entrepreneurs are seizing on this opportunity to gain market share and lead the world in cannabis research and innovation. This S2BN session with cannabis entrepreneurs will explore the emerging opportunity in Canada's cannabis sector, highlight domestic and global challenges facing this new sector, and discuss strategies companies are employing to establish global leadership. 

Session Objectives

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• To explore the emerging opportunities in Canada’s cannabis sector

• To highlight domestic and global challenges facing this new sector

• To understand strategies companies are employing to establish global leadership

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Host: Bruce Seet, Ph.D, MBA
 

With Guest Panelists:

Marc Wayne (Founding President and CEO, Canopy Health Innovations)

Soyoung Lee, Ph.D. (Co-Founder and CSO, Avana Canada Inc.) 

John Rydall, MSc (President, Bioacuity Consulting)

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Feb 28, 2018

Approximately 1 in 12 Canadians are affected by a rare disorder. As many as two-thirds are children. Some of the most cutting-edge research is being performed around these diseases and novel therapies based on new scientific insights are becoming a reality. However, access to new therapies and issues around who pays for these innovations is a significant concern as more of these promising therapies come to market. This session will seek to outline the challenges facing this growing sector within life sciences and healthcare and the identification of opportunities for researchers, policymakers, industry, and patients to contribute to a solution to foster appropriate incentives to innovate while ensuring sustainable access to promising new therapies.

Session Objectives:

• Discuss trends in therapies for Rare Diseases nationally and globally

• Outline how the current environment in Canada impacts innovation and drug access

• Explore actions that will allow patients to gain access to life-changing therapeutics

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Host: Bruce Seet, Ph.D, MBA
 

With Guest Panelists:

Durane Wong-Rieger, Ph.D. (President, Canadian Organization for Rare Diseases)

Bob McLay, MBA (General Manager, Sobi Canada)

Brian Jahns, PharmD (Sr. VP Commercialization and Business Development, Trillium Therapeutics)

Joost van der Mark, MBA (Chief Business Officer, 3D Signatures Inc.)

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Nov 14, 2017

Join the S2BN for an evening featuring two dynamic Canadian entrepreneurs who will share their stories from concept to company. These founders will participate in a candid discussion on the benefits and challenges of working at a start-up, the supports and resources available to entrepreneurs, and share lessons they have learned along the way.

Session Objectives:

• Profile two Canadian start-up success stories.

• Discuss the benefits and challenges of working at a start-up.

• Offer insights into the journey from idea to commercialization​

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Host: Bruce Seet, Ph.D., MBA
 

With Guest Speakers:

Blair J Ryan, MBA (Co-founder and CEO, Boondoc Technologies Inc.)

Tom Leung, Ph.D. (Co-founder and CSO, Benchsci)

Oct 09, 2019

Join the S2BN for a networking event and panel discussion with experts in the Medical Affairs Oncology field on the state of Cancer care in Canada.

Session Objectives:

• Highlight trends in the evolving role of medical affairs in the biotech/pharma industry.

• Discuss challenges and opportunities in delivering value in the oncology therapeutic space. 

• Explore best practices on aligning resources, skills, and stakeholders to ensure patient-focused solutions.

Host: Bruce Seet, PhD, MBA
 

With Guest Panelists:

Fran Paradiso-Hardy, PharmD, MSc (Senior Director, Medical Affairs, Astellas Pharma Canada)

Anu Perera, MBBS (Medical Director, Oncology Bristol-Myers Squibb) 

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Thanks to our Sponsor: McGovern Management Group Inc. 

Sep 18, 2017

With Guest Panelists:

Anne Mullin, PhD, MBA (Engagement Leader; Director, Team Development and Performance, Shift Health) 

Wendy Dobson-Belaire, PhD, MBA (Respiratory Therapy Area Lead, Business Intelligence, GSK Canada; Formerly: Engagement Manager, QuintilesIMS)

Brian Knight, PhD, MBA (Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Exponential Exchange Group Inc.)

David Cappadocia, PhD(c) (Consultant, Commercial Effectiveness Services, QuintilesIMS)

Monday, Sept.18, 2017

York University - Keele Campus,

York Lanes Building, Room 280N

4700 Keele St., North York, M3J 1P3

Parking available at York Lanes Garage on Vanier Lane. 

5:45 pm Event Registration

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Panel Discussion

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Networking Reception

Jun 22, 2016

In conversation with

Benjamin Rovinski, PhD

Managing Director, Lumira Capital

John Holyoake, DPhil

Vice-President (Investment Banking), Bloom Burton

Tony Pullen

‎Investment Banker, D&D Securities Inc

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Join the Science to Business Network with special guests Dr. Benjamin Rovinski (Lumira Capital), Dr. John Holyoake (Bloom Burton) and Tony Pullen (D&D Securities) who’ll be sharing their perspectives on Canada’s life sciences sector, the challenges in commercializing research, and how Canada and those who work in and around the healthcare and life sciences sectors need adapt to stay competitive.

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Benjamin Rovinski's biography:

Dr. Benjamin Rovinski has 27 years of investment, operational, managerial and research experience in the healthcare sector. Beni joined Lumira Capital in 2001, where he is a Managing Director, with an investment focus on mid-to late-stage private and public life sciences companies. With a proven track record of delivering results both as a senior scientist and a business executive, Beni has held several senior management positions in the biotechnology sector, including 13 years at Sanofi Pasteur where he was a senior scientist and director of molecular virology, with a particular focus in the areas of virology, vaccine development, recombinant protein production, and functional genomics. Beni led global research and development programs in the areas of HIV/AIDS and therapeutic cancer vaccines, bringing several of them through to clinical stage.

Beni received a PhD in biochemistry from McGill University and did post-doctoral studies in molecular oncology and retrovirology at the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Rice University in Houston. Beni’s current and past board roles and investment responsibilities include several private and public companies. He also serves on the board of directors of Life Sciences Ontario and the steering committee of the Toronto Regional Board of Trade’s Health Science Cluster initiative. He has published over 25 scientific articles and reviews and is the recipient of 31 issued patents.

John Holyoake's Biography:

John Holyoake is Vice-President, Investment Banking, having joined Bloom Burton & Co. in January 2012. At Bloom Burton, John’s responsibilities include M&A advisory and monetization planning, as well as conducting technical and commercial due diligence of companies across all healthcare sectors. John’s area of expertise spans early-stage technologies to profitable healthcare service companies, with a particular focus on preclinical-stage biotech and the US healthcare system.

John joined Bloom Burton from a background of industry experience in the clinical stage oncology company TenX BioPharma and at the life science consulting group SHI Link, as well as being involved with several early-stage life science companies.John holds a Master’s in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford, received a doctorate from the same institution and made the transition across the Atlantic for a post-doctoral research fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.

Tony Pullen's Biography:

Tony Pullen is one of the deans of Canadian capital markets. His career in biotech traces its roots to 1985 as an advisor to Cangene, which merged with Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE:EBS) in February. He also was instrumental in raising the initial capital for MDS Health Ventures, which went on to become MDS Capital Corp., formerly a leading biotech venture capital firm. In 1991, Mr. Pullen played a leading role in the formation of the biotech technology boutique within Yorkton Securities, which dominated a surge in sector financing until the early 2000s. After a restructuring of Yorkton, Mr. Pullen joined Paradigm Capital as a biotech investment banker and then subsequently left to work on his own with 15 to 20 relationship clients. He continues to work with his clients under the umbrella of D&D Securities.

May 25, 2016

with Ed Dybka

President and CEO, AstraZeneca Canada Inc.

Join the Science to Business Network for a candid discussion with Ed Dybka, President of AstraZeneca Canada, about the state of innovation and commercialization in Canada, the role the bio-pharmaceutical industry has to play in fostering innovation by bringing new medicines to Canada as well as the challenges facing the health care system.
 

Ed Dybka's Biography:

Ed Dybka is the President of AstraZeneca Canada Inc., part of AstraZeneca PLC, one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies.

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Mr. Dybka has more than 25 years of experience in the Canadian pharmaceutical industry. In 2012, he led the Canadian establishment of Almirall, a start-up biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of respiratory diseases and affiliated with Almirall S.A., with headquarters in Barcelona, Spain.

Prior to establishing Almirall in Canada, Mr. Dybka held a number of executive roles at GlaxoSmithKline Canada from 2004 to 2012, including Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Public Affairs & Reimbursement. During this time, he was accountable for the marketing and sales of all GSK pharmaceutical products, including specialty care, oncology and vaccines, achieving strong commercial performance and employee engagement. Earlier in his career, Mr. Dybka held progressively senior roles in product management and product development, as well as sales, at Glaxo Wellcome Canada Inc. and Zeneca Pharma Inc.

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Mr. Dybka is currently a Director on the Board of Life Sciences Ontario, an organization that represents and promotes the province's vibrant and diverse life sciences sector. He has served on a number of other Boards, including the George Hull Centre for Children and Families, the Pharmaceutical Advertising and Advisory Board, the Canadian Pharmaceutical Distribution Network, and The Mississauga Board of Trade.

Mr. Dybka holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Toxicology from the University of Toronto. He lives in Toronto with his wife and two children.

Apr 27, 2016

with Nozhat Choudry, PhD

Director, Medical Affairs, Biogen

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Join us for an evening with Dr. Nozhat Choudry to hear her perspective on the pharmaceutical industry. Informed by her extensive experience at a variety of pharma and medical devices organizations, Dr. Choudry will share her insights on how the industry will need to navigate the coming challenges and succeed within a new paradigm.

The S2BN is proud to recognize McGovern Management Group Inc (Mississauga, Ontario) as a sponsor of this event.

Apr 26, 2016

Science trainees seeking career opportunities outside academia often find it difficult to communicate their skills and accomplishments in a way that makes it easy for hiring managers to appreciate their potential for impact on organizations. Through an intensive resume workshop, participants will be challenged to translate their experiences in a way that highlights their career potential.

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The workshop consists of two 2-hour sessions, and will be held on Tuesday April 26th AND Tuesday May 3rd from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Banting and Best Centre, 112 College St.

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Please prepare a single document that includes your current resume and personal statement of <200 words. The personal statement should answer the following questions:

- What are your short-term career goals?

- What do you expect to gain from the workshop?

- Describe a time when you participated actively in a peer-group activity. OR Describe a time when you mentored a peer, direct report, or junior student.

Oct 26, 2015

With David Bard

Managing Director, Pharma Launch

BIOGRAPHY: David Bard is an entrepreneur, business leader, marketing consultant, speaker and author. He has 20 years of leadership experience in pharmaceutical and medical device marketing, sales, and training and has worked with leading healthcare companies across North America. His expertise is borne out of more than dozen successful launches which have all become either number one or two in their respective markets. As a consultant, he has supported the launch of more than 40 products. His company, Pharma Launch Inc. was founded to address the gap in the marketplace that he identified: companies of all sizes have few processes in place for successful new product commercialization. Dave holds an MBA in Marketing and a Bachelor of Business Administration. He is an active volunteer within his community.

Mar 24, 2015

WITH GUEST SPEAKERS:

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Ruslan Dorfman, Founder and President, Geneyouin

Dr. Ruslan Dorfman is a genetic testing expert specializing in the pharmacogenetics of chronic pain and genetics of rare diseases. Inspired by direct interactions with Cystic Fibrosis families from all over the world, Dr. Dorfman co-founded Geneyouin to facilitate access to advanced genetic for all Canadians. Dr. Dorfman has thirty peer-reviewed publications on genetics of Cystic Fibrosis.

John Lem, Co-Founder and VP Corporate Development, Spartan Bioscience

John co-founded Spartan Bioscience in 2005. He is responsible for financing and corporate strategy. Prior to Spartan, John worked at Waterfall Investments, a Toronto-based hedge fund, where he specialized in Canadian and US healthcare investments. Waterfall was acquired by Sentry Investments, a $17-billion asset management company.John holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the Engineering Science program at the University of Toronto. 

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Ron Gonzalez, Co-Founder and CEO, Instant Chemistry

Dr. Gonzalez obtained his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the York University where he studied how brain hormones can affect behaviour. He also holds a M.Sc. in Physiology from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management. He has published 9 peer-reviewed publications in the fields of neuroscience, molecular biology and cell physiology. Dr. Gonzalez previously worked at the Ontario Brain Institute as a Strategic Business Development Analyst where he helped to spin out university neuro-technology businesses. Dr. Gonzalez wishes to take research out of the lab to create life science products and services to benefit all people.

Moderator: Bruce T. Seet, President, Science to Business Network

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​10% proceeds will be donated to The Rare Disease Foundation

Dec 08, 2014

Rx Treatment for your LinkedIn Profile

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WITH GUEST SPEAKER, AUTHOR and EXECUTIVE RECRUITER:

SHANNA LANDOLT, President, The Landolt Group

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Shanna Landolt has also been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX & CityTV as a LinkedIn and Hiring Expert.  She has been an executive recruiter for over 15-years. She has placed 100’s of candidates in 6-figure jobs. Her recruitment firm, The Landolt Group specializes in pharmaceutical and biotechnology search. Shanna is a contributing author to the book “101 Great Ways to Compete in Today’s Job Market”, along with Brian Tracy and Tom Hopkins. She is the author of the book “Secrets From a Headhunter: LinkedIn Secrets for Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Professionals”. She is the founder of The Pharma Biotech Summit and is the Editor, Recruitment Strategy for The HR Gazette.  Clients consider her a trusted advisor.