MEDIA ADVISORY: Understanding the COVID-19 Virus

How B.C. is leading the fight

VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#2019LSBCAWARDS–LifeSciences BC is hosting a Blakes Breakfast Speaking Event on COVID-19, on March 4, 2020 at the Terminal City Club, Vancouver. Invited speakers are Dr. Mel Krajden, UBC, Director of Hepatitis Services, Associate Director – BC Centre for Disease Control Public Health Microbiology and Reference Laboratories, Dr. Mohammad Qadir, President & CSO – Fusion Genomics, and Kathryn Westendorf, Senior Research Scientist at AbCellera.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, March 4

Time: 7:30AM – 10:00 AM

Location: Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

Information: https://lifesciencesbc.ca/event/lifesciences-bc-blakes-breakfast-speaking-event-8/

Speakers:

Dr. Mel Krajden, a professor in the UBC Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, he leads laboratory research involving the application of molecular techniques to diagnose viruses, monitor antiviral efficacy and track microbial infections for epidemiological purposes. He is a leading expert in viruses and will be representing the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Dr. Mohammad Qadir, President & CSO, Fusion Genomics is developing a novel ONETest PathoGenome assay for the detection of pathogens associated with respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The ONETest PathoGenome is a genomics-based diagnostic assay that simultaneously detects the full spectrum of approximately 1,400 known human infections in a single test. The assay can identify emerging, novel strains to eliminate diagnostic failures associated with the constantly evolving genomes of pathogens and works on all common sample types.

Kathryn Westendorf will be speaking to the work AbCellera is collaborating on with the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), as the Pandemic Prevention Platform program works to isolate and reproduce antibodies to deadly new viruses within 60 days. Its enlisted researchers at Duke and Vanderbilt medical schools, as well as AbCellera and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca.

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, 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.

Throughout the year, LifeSciences BC undertakes numerous programs and projects in support of these sectors. These include public policy initiatives, facilitating linkages between global industry and our local organizations, raising the profile of our industry internationally and thus facilitating investment and global partnering opportunities, and helping nurture economic development in British Columbia through the life sciences industry.

Contacts

Susan Ogilvie, Senior Manager, Communications & External Affairs

Cell: 604-218-5188

Office: 604-669-9909 Ext. 6

Email: [email protected]