Canadian Biotech Industry Recognizes Top Performers

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.

• 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.
Follow us on twitter @BIOTECanada to stay up to date on all upcoming
Canadian activities at the BIO International Convention.