TBI Bioscan Newsletter - June 2008
Message From The Chair
Firstly, a warm welcome to Michael Stinson, who stepped into the role of Executive Director of TBI officially on June 1. We are truly excited to have him on board, as he has been a valued member of TBI for more than 10 years. His understanding of how the organization works and his familiarity with our members make him ideal for the role and in expanding our corporate membership across the province of Ontario into the many diverse areas encompassing the province’s biotechnology sector.
Secondly, I am pleased to report our Annual General Meeting in May went very smoothly. The meeting was highlighted by a few changes to our board of directors in terms of personal and size.
With Greg Hines and Stan Shapson not standing for re-election, we expanded our board to include five new members who are: Denis Ferkany, Anthony Giovinazzo, Janet Lambert, Dr. Bonnie Kuehl and Dr. David Young. The Annual General Meeting full report is available on our website and includes my report as well
Moving forward we have already had our first post AGM board meeting, with planning for the new season underway. With the summer months upon us already, we have lots here to keep us busy. Coincidently it’s also that time of year where we get set to host an event that has become among our member’s favourites, our annual golf classic. This year’s tournament is scheduled on August 12th at Copper Creek and promises to be one for the ages.
Additionally, plans for National Biotech Week continue to move forward. As previously mentioned, we are still looking for suggestions from members in trying to put together a biotech/life sciences related products basket for the event. Ideas and suggestions can be forwarded to Kristin Beard at Kristin.beard@agrohealth.com.
On the TBI front, we are adding another event to our September calendar, The Biotechnology Initiative Mix and Match Event. This event will be an opportunity not only to help grow our membership but for a variety of organizations and disciplines within the life science industry to formally connect and network. You never know who you’ll meet or what the opportunity will be. Also in the fall there will be a new breakfast series that we are working on along with the rest of the schedule of events for 2008/09. Check the website for further details in the coming months. I also met with John Wilkinson, Minister of Ontario Research and Innovation and Pamela McDonald this month, to discuss the progress of TBI and the Life Science Coalition. In terms of the Coalition things are moving as planned in the focus group stage, and we’re hoping to have more information by July.
TBI has also had its name in the news a lot as of late. Specifically a very neat article in Nature magazine titled Toronto Rising by Kurt Kleiner about the state of biotech in Toronto, featuring yours truly, as well as several prominent figures in the Ontario biotechnology sector.
And, of course, June marks the biggest event of the biotechnology calendar, Bio 2008 held in San Diego, CA June 17-20. TBI will have quite the presence at this event as we have 10 of our 16 board of directors attending, among them Tim McTiernan, John Kelly, Darlene Homonko, Matt Buist, Jason Locklin, Dale Patterson, Anthony Giovinazzo, David Young, Geoff Collett, Michael Stinson and myself.
I am truly amazed at the number of people we have attending this massive event. It is a pretty impressive showing.
Regards,
Grant Tipler
President, TBI
Up Coming Events
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President's Report from the Biotechnology Initiative's Annual General Meeting
TBI Year in Review: TBI president Grant Tipler discusses the activities of TBI and the outcomes from the annual general meeting, including reports on TBI's different committees as well as who the officers and directors will be for the coming year.
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News
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TBI Pub Night
On May 8 members of The Biotechnology Initiative and friends got together to finish off BioFinance in fine style gathering at the Mill Street Brewpub in Toronto for TBI pub night.
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Biophotonics: shining a light on dentistry
For people that dread going to the dentist, the May 15 TBI (The Biotechnology Initiative) breakfast meeting was quite the treat.
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TBI Breakfast meeting April 17: Central Nervous System Disorders
As scientists begin to unravel little by little just how much of an effect an individual's genetic make up has on the efficacy of a drug, the field of pharmacogenetics continues to gain momentum as a mainstream science.
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TBI Breakfast March 20: Genomics in Ontario and TBI announces its new ED
The Biotech Initiative breakfast meeting for March kicked off with a major announcement as TBI introduced Michael Stinson as its new full time executive director.
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February 21 TBI Breakfast
This month's TBI breakfast meeting marked yet another informative session.
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Industry Events
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BIO International Convention
June 17, 2008 San Diego
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Click here to view more events
www.ontbi.org/Events
CONTACT US
To include your announcement on TBI’s web site or upcoming Bioscan newsletter, send your release to news@ontbi.org
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