Life Sciences BC (LSBC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 27th Annual Life Sciences BC Awards. These awards honour the exceptional achievements of individuals and organizations across British Columbia’s life sciences sector that have successfully advanced health innovations and significantly enriched our dynamic ecosystem.

Award winners will be recognized in person at the 27th Annual Life Sciences BC Awards Gala on October 2, 2025, at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. This is a memorable evening where the life sciences community's most influential figures gather to celebrate excellence. Learn more and get your tickets before the early bird deadline on July 31, 2025, here.

2025 Life Sciences BC Awards Winners

Company & Organizational Awards

• Company of the Year: Zymeworks
• Emerging Company of the Year - Biotech: Variational AI
• Emerging Company of the Year - MedTech: Arbutus Medical
• Strategic Partner of the Year: Providence Health Care Ventures
• Deal of the Year: NanoVation Therapeutics

Individual Awards

• Dr. Don Rix Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Michael Hayden
• Milton Wong Community Leadership Award: Ali Ardakani
• Scientific Entrepreneurship Award: Dr. Poul Sorensen
• Genome British Columbia Award for Scientific Excellence: Dr. Fiona Brinkman

Companies to Watch – Recognition Honour Roll*:

• Avee Health
• CereCura Nanotherapeutics
• GuideStar Medical Devices
• Optigo Biotherapeutics
• Phyton Biotech

* Note: This is not a competitive award category but a recognition of emerging companies demonstrating significant potential within the BC life sciences ecosystem.

“Being named Life Sciences BC’s 2025 Company of the Year is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the commitment to scientific innovation and collaboration here at Zymeworks,” said Dr. Paul Moore, Chief Scientific Officer, Zymeworks. “Over the past year, we have seen the true impact of our world-class R&D engine on patients with limited treatment options, including the FDA approval of zanidatamab as the first HER2-targeted bispecific antibody for HER2-positive biliary tract cancer. This milestone would not have been possible without our team’s exemplary scientific expertise, and we are proud that innovation developed here in British Columbia is helping to deliver novel therapies to patients around the world, who inspire our work each day.”

“We’re proud to recognize individuals and organizations that have dedicated their talents to advancing our sector. I'm extremely excited about this year's award recipients. Advances in therapeutics, AI in drug discovery, medical devices, technology commercialization, and lipid nanoparticles stood out this year. Congratulations to Dr. Michael Hayden, Ali Ardakani, Dr. Poul Sorensen, and Dr. Fiona Brinkman for their incredible leadership within our vibrant life sciences community. " – Wendy Hurlburt, President & CEO, Life Sciences BC.

Award Sponsors

AbCellera

Acuitas Therapeutics

Genome British Columbia

Providence Research / St. Paul’s Foundation

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation

Networking Reception Sponsor

Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL)

Technology Sponsor

Farris

Event Supporter

Stem Cell Network

For sponsorship opportunities for the 27th Annual LSBC Awards Gala, please get in touch with Joanne Lin, Manager, Memberships & Sponsorships, at jlin@lifesciencesbc.ca.

About Life Sciences BC

Life Sciences BC (LSBC) is a not-for-profit sector association dedicated to advancing British Columbia’s life sciences ecosystem through strategic initiatives at the local, national, and international levels. We drive economic growth in the province by providing leadership, fostering investment and partnerships, collaborating with government, and promoting BC’s world-class life sciences sector.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250709558005/en/

"We’re proud to recognize individuals and organizations that have dedicated their talents to advancing our sector. I'm extremely excited about this year's award recipients." - Wendy Hurlburt, Life Sciences BC President & CEO