BIOTECanada Release: Canadian Biotech Industry Recognizes Top Performers

Gold Leaf Awards Honour Canadian Biotech Excellence

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BIOTECanada is pleased to announce the 2016 winners in two BIOTECanada Gold Leaf Award categories- Emerging Company of the Year (Health) and Biotech Company of the Year.

“The unique collaboration we have struck with Versant Ventures, Celgene, and leading global research institutes has allowed us to accelerate development of innovative antibody therapeutics for patients with serious unmet medical needs.”

• Northern Biologics – Emerging Health Company of the Year
• Zymeworks Inc. – Biotech Company of the Year

The Gold Leaf Awards annually celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship within the Canadian biotech industry across all industry categories including health, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology.

“Northern Biologics and Zymeworks are truly representative of the Canadian biotech ecosystem functioning at its best. Both started out as small companies that were at their hearts simply an innovative idea. Through a combination of strong entrepreneurship, early stage angel and venture capital investments and later through pharma partners both have now grown to become true Canadian biotech companies with very bright futures,” commented Andrew Casey, President and CEO BIOTECanada. “I congratulate the companies, their leadership and the scientific teams on successfully reaching key milestones. We very much look forward to celebrating their future success,” Casey added.

“We are very proud to receive this recognition from our Canadian biotech industry peers. Northern Biologics has brought together world-class science, an experienced team, and seasoned venture capital and industry partners,” stated Stefan Larson, Northern Biologics CEO. “The unique collaboration we have struck with Versant Ventures, Celgene, and leading global research institutes has allowed us to accelerate development of innovative antibody therapeutics for patients with serious unmet medical needs.”

“We are incredibly proud to have been named the 2016 Biotech Company of the Year. This is an exciting time for the Canadian biotechnology ecosystem and, particularly for Zymeworks, as we work to bring important new medicines to patients living with cancer and other debilitating diseases,” said Dr. Ali Tehrani, President and CEO of Zymeworks. “We’re fiercely proud to be a Canadian company and we’re humbled to be recognized by BIOTECanada and our peers. We’re looking forward to continuing the important work that has taken us to this point to make a difference for patients, for our team, and for the Canadian biotechnology industry.”

The Gold Leaf Awards will be presented during a ceremony at the BIO International Convention in Canada’s Pavilion (booth # 5944) on Tuesday June 7 at 4pm PST followed by a Canadian Hospitality Reception.

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