UPEI’s Centre for Health and Biotech Management Research host venture capitalists
UPEI's Centre for Health and Biotech Management Research (CHBMR) will host seven high-profile and internationally-renowned venture capitalists during National Biotechnology Week.
'This event is made possible with the support of Innovation PEI, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the PEI BioAlliance,' said Dr. Juergen Krause, Director of the CHBMR. 'It is an important forum for researchers and Island Businesses to meet speakers who have been involved in the commercialization of high profile research, and who led a significant number of companies to success.'
The forum will be held on the UPEI campus on Thursday, September 23 and Friday, September 24 and includes an opening address from Premier Robert Ghiz; a keynote speech by Janice Bourque, managing director of life sciences for Hercules Technology Growth Capital; a networking luncheon; and a panel discussion. There is no cost for registration.
'This event will assist lsland businesses and researchers to advance their knowledge, establish out-of-province contacts and explore future collaborations,' said Minister Allan Campbell, Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning.
Also participating in the event are venture capitalists Dr. Peter Farina, Dr. Allan Johnston, Dr. Jens Eckstein, Dr. Christian Cortis, Dr. Luc Marengere, and Thomas Hayes.
'Our Government's vision is to attract highly qualified and resourceful personnel who have experience in sourcing capital, which our Island companies need to grow and prosper,' added Minister Campbell. 'We are fortunate to have individuals of this calibre visiting our Province, and I hope our local businesses take advantage of this tremendous opportunity.'
The CHBMR is an academic research group that specializes in supporting the Canadian health system and biotechnology & biopharmaceutical sectors through four pillars: research, knowledge translation, graduate training and data use, and is responsible for hosting and organizing the forum.
For more information or to register, click here.
About the speakers
Keynote speaker Janice Bourque, is Managing Director of Life Sciences for Hercules Technology Growth Capital, was senior vice president and group head-life sciences for Comerica Bank for four years and is the past-president/CEO of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MBC). At Hercules, she provides venture debt and equity to venture capital- and private equity-backed technology and life science companies at all stages of development. Prior to leading the MBC, Ms. Bourque held several other senior managerial positions, including CFO/controller of Cambridge Medical Technology Corporation, senior public accountant for Coopers & Lybrand Emerging and Middle Market Group, and project manager of NASA Space Science grants.
Dr. Peter Farina is the Executive-in-Residence with Canaan Partners, a global venture capital firm. Dr. Farina is passionate about research and development in the fields of chemistry and biology. Prior to joining Canaaan in 2008, Peter served as senior vice president of development at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. where he was responsible for the North American development of drugs in the therapeutic areas of immunology/inflammation, virology, and cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Allan Johnston is the co-founder and Managing Director of Synergy Ventures II LP, Synergy Partners International and Nikko Synergy Ventures LLC. Prior to joining synergy in 1996, Dr. Johnston was principal at Berkeley International Capital Corporation in charge of private equity investments in medical technology companies. Dr. Johnston has a PhD in bioinorganic chemistry from the University of Guelph and serves on the board of several private companies and maintains his status as outside director of Three Oaks Innovations (UPEI).
Dr. Jens Eckstein joined TVM Capital in 2004 as a general partner in the firm's life sciences practice where he focuses on early-stage investments. Prior to his involvement in TVM, Dr. Eckstein was director, lead discovery and research IT with Enanta Pharmaceuticals. He directed the company's lead discovery and knowledge management programs for novel therapeutics in hepatitis, asthma, psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders. Dr. Eckstein earned his doctorate, summa cum laude, in biological chemistry at the University of Konstanz and Harvard. He was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of California and has authored more than twenty publications.
Dr. Christian Cortis joined Advanced Technology Ventures in 2006 and focused on healthcare investments in biotechnology, life science and diagnostics. Prior to joining ATV, Christian was the senior director of Business Development for Gemin X Biotechnologies where he was responsible for partnerships, licensing, mergers and acquisitions. Dr. Cortis holds a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry from Columbia University and held a post-doctoral fellowship with Columbia in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics.
Dr. Luc Marengere joined VenGrowth in 2001. He leads the team with his comprehensive knowledge of many therapeutic areas. As well, he has extensive experience in research and product development, partnerships, and financing - all within the biotechnology industry. With 18 years of experience in the life sciences industry, he has been involved with positioning a broad range of companies towards financial exits. Luc holds a PhD in Medical Biophysics and Molecular Genetics from the University of Toronto, BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa, and MSc from Queens University.
Thomas J. Hayes is President and CEO of GrowthWorks Atlantic Ltd. Tom brings managerial and senior executive experience in the private, public and volunteer sectors of GrowthWorks. Prior to an affiliate of GrowthWorks Capital taking over the management of the GrowthWorks Canadian Fund and the GrowthWorks Opportunity Fund in 2002, he was vice president of investments for those funds. Tom has 39 years of business and management experience and is a past-chair of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC).
