LifeSciences BC Growth Stage Company of the Year Awarded to AbCellera

February 19, 2018

 AbCellera recognized as a leader in a vibrant BC life sciences sector that includes several biotechs focusing on the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies

Vancouver, Canada (February 19th, 2018) - LifeSciences BC has named AbCellera the LSBC Growth Stage Company of the Year. This is one of several awards presented annually to distinguished organizations and leaders in the life sciences field in British Columbia.

AbCellera was founded in 2012 as a spin-off company from The University of British Columbia. Fuelled primarily by revenue from partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, AbCellera has grown from 10 to 45 employees over the past three years and recently announced its 25th partnered discovery program. The development of its state-of-the-art, proprietary single-cell antibody screening platform for the discovery of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies has resulted in a game-changing technology capable of unlocking the most challenging therapeutic programs.

The Vancouver-based startup is amongst the 20th Annual LifeSciences BC Award recipients, which include:

  • Genome BC Award for Scientific Excellence – Dr. Sally Aitken
  • Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research – Aubrey J. Tingle Award - Dr. David Huntsman
  • Milton Wong Award for Leadership – Dr. Michael Abrams
  • Growth Stage Life Sciences Company of the Year – AbCellera Biologics Inc.
  • Strategic Life Sciences Partner of the Year Award – Starfish Medical Inc.
  • Medtech Company of the Year – Redlen Technologies Inc.
  • Growth Stage Medtech Company of the Year – bioLytical Laboratories Inc.
  • Deal of the Year Award – Zymeworks Inc.
  • LifeSciences Company of the Year - Aurinia Pharmaceutical Inc.
  • Dr. Don Rix Award for Lifetime Achievement - Drs. Allen & Connie Eaves
It is a particular honour to be counted in this year’s outstanding line-up of winners. Without exception, this year’s awardees embody the scientific excellence and bold entrepreneurial spirit that defines the best of BC’s life sciences sector

AbCellera’s CEO Carl Hansen commented, “It is a particular honour to be counted in this year’s outstanding line-up of winners. Without exception, this year’s awardees embody the scientific excellence and bold entrepreneurial spirit that defines the best of BC’s life sciences sector. From Aurinia’s run to clinical success, to the trailblazing IPO and continued dealmaking of Zymeworks, to the rare marriage of strong scientific and business leadership of Connie & Allen Eaves, the achievements of this group demonstrate the quality of basic science and innovation in British Columbia.  AbCellera is grateful for this recognition and is committed to doing its part in building a vibrant and globally competitive life sciences sector in BC.”

The 2018 LifeSciences BC award winners will be recognized at this year’s annual dinner presented by FARRIS, held on April 19, 2018 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

About LifeSciences BC

LifeSciences BC is a not-for-profit, non-government, industry association that supports and represents the life sciences community of British Columbia through leadership, facilitation of investment and partnering, advocacy, and promotion of our world-class science and industry.

Life sciences sectors, from biopharmaceuticals and medical technology, to digital health and medical devices, are integrated into our organization and all that we do, ensuring that no life sciences sector is working in isolation — and that all sectors come together in a comprehensive, complementary and coordinated fashion.

About AbCellera Biologics Inc.

AbCellera is a privately held company that engages in partnerships to discover and develop next-generation therapeutic antibodies. AbCellera’s single-cell platform integrates end-to-end capabilities for therapeutic antibody discovery through a combination of technologies including proprietary immunizations, microfluidics, high-throughput imaging, genomics, computation, and laboratory automation. Ultra-deep screening of single B cells allows unprecedented access to natural immune responses, enabling rapid isolation of large and diverse panels of high-quality lead antibodies from any species, including humans.

Media Contact

Kevin Heyries Telephone: 604.559.9005 Email: media@abcellera.com