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City Strike forces venue switch for TBI member marathon breakfast

The Member Marathon breakfast touched down at Toronto City Hall in June, with seven TBI members giving presentations on their up-and-coming businesses. The breakfast was held in the City Hall council chambers, shifting from its usual Metro Hall location. The shift was a by-product of the city strike. That being said, the chamber was fairly full on what turned out to be a very intimate breakfast session.

ArrowCan Partners Inc. is founded on the conviction that the quality of research being carried out in Canadian institutions is world-class but that Canada does not command its fair place in the commercialization of the research because of several intrinsic and structural barriers. Adi Treasurywala, the founder of ArrowCan, has had first-hand experience in what works and what doesn't from both sides of the "table": Industry and University. The unique business model of ArrowCan reflects this. ArrowCan offers cost free services to the generators of novel inventions through regular, pre-arranged visits (universities, hospitals, government labs, and small start-up companies) across Canada year round. ArrowCan is funded by client companies from life sciences AND non-life sciences for whom they find the best Canadian technologies. ArrowCan’s services are offered under exclusivity, confidentiality, and anonymity to clients for a low, flat fee which covers travel and other expenses. The company has been in business since 2005 and is growing steadily.

Jeremy Bridge-Cook, Vice-President of Luminex Molecular Diagnostics, a developer and manufacturer of biological testing technologies focussing on tests for infectious diseases as well as tests for genetic mutations related to cystic fibrosis, sepsis, and other debilitating genetic disorders. Dr. Bridge-Cook joined Tm Bioscience, a Toronto based company, in July 2000 as Director of Business Development and Vice-President of Marketing and Business Development. Tm was bought by Luminex, based in Texas, in March, 2007.

Stephen Gardner is the vice president of Gardner Productions, a full-service video, television and web production house. He gave an excellent presentation that was both very eye-catching and visual. As part of his presentation Gardner showed examples of the video presentations and clips he has done for his clients. The company provides strategic multimedia planning, high-definition production, DVD authoring and a global network of production affiliates. Gardner has worked with broadcasters CBC, CTV and the Discovery Network. Gardner also produces a wide array of television spots for broadcast and on-line campaigns, and works with many multinational corporations and advertising and marketing agencies. Stephen founded Gardner Productions in 1995. He and his team at Gardner recently completed the TBI promotional video found on TBI’s homepage (ontbi.org).
Kevin Cassidy, Vice-President of Biopharmaceuticals at Microbix, discussed his company and its function as a developer of proprietary biological technologies that has led to the development of products in biotherapeutics, vaccines and non-therapeutic biologics. In May, Microbix announced the opening of a new head office and manufacturing centre in Mississauga.

Also presenting was Dr. Yiu Chung Lee who was recently appointed CEO of Vancouver-based Pacgen Biopharmaceuticals Corporation, a life sciences company focused on the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. With more than 20 years of pharmaceutical development experience, previously working with Eli Lilly and Company, Patheon Inc. and PharmLink Inc., Dr. Lee talked about the interesting situation between him and Pacgen in that while the company is located in Vancouver, he’s decided to continue living here in Toronto. He indicated tht his choice to stay here is driven by the ease of conducing business in TO, while cheaper to keep the company’s operations out in Vancouver. It was truly unique to understand why a President and CEO preferred to stay in one part of the country while the rest of the company operated in another. Lee also briefly discussed the various pharmaceutical projects he is currently working on.

World Courier, a clinical trial logistics and management company, and Haffenden Consulting also made presentations at the breakfast. Presenting on behalf of World Courier was Elizabeth Saraiba. She was able to show how they’re able to take any type of product or sample, in some cases elements used in clinical trials, and move those quickly between point A and B, while meeting regulatory and shipping requirements. Likewise Paul Haffenden gave an engaging presentation and even brought in some products to show attendees rather than relying just on visuals.