Did you know there are over 50 companies and entities in the Victoria and island area working on life sciences innovations? Neither did we, until we started meeting up in late 2016, since the life science community is famously low-key and Victoria-and-Island was no exception.
Our membership and community of course includes highest-profile local life sci companies such as Aurinia Pharmaceuticals with its nearly USD 2 billion market cap, ImmunoPrecise Antibodies at >200 million market cap, or Starfish Medical with global reach and tens of millions in revenue, but importantly includes a rich variety and growing number of life science companies, providers, and researchers at every stage of development from startup to profitable SME. See some of our community members on our community map.
Our membership is open and involves no dues (thanks to our many sponsors and supporters) ; it merely requires an interest in and enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and innovation in life sciences. Our members include biotech, diagnostics, medical devices, pharmaceutical, and software companies; local health authorities; students; secondary education institutions; local government; and more.
Our most recent meeting was a Health Research BC community mixer on 12 September 2024 at UVic's University Club, superbly organized by Michael Smith Health Research BC, and featuring Mitacs, UVic researchers and community, and Island Health, as well as VILS members. Among great networking and speakers we learned more about one particular offering among Health Research BC's many programs: folks already familiar with Mitacs learned how one of the latest funding opportunities combines Health Research BC support with Mitacs to now make the company's contribution just 25% of position funding for up to two internships for graduate or post-doc students.
© Vancouver Island Life Sciences, 2016 to 2024
