Patricia has a deep expertise in Life Science and business development. She has previously built up expertise in innovation by helping researchers and entrepreneurs to commercialize their life sciences projects as Senior Manager, Accelerator Program at adMare BioInnovations and previously Director, Scientific Affairs at NÉOMED Institute, where she was responsible for scouting activities. Before joining NEOMED, Patricia worked at the Atomic Energy Commission in France as a technology transfer officer. She then acted as Project Director, Life Sciences at Univalor, the technology transfer organization of Université de Montréal. Patricia holds a PhD in Cellular Biology from Université Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris and a Professional Master in Innovation and Commercialization of Research from Université Paris Sud.
Commercialization Committee
The Commercialization Committee helps identify projects with translational potential, engages partners, guides intellectual property (IP) protection, and directs commercialization strategies, in addition to developing and implementing GlycoNet’s legacy plan.
Members of the Committee
Antonia is a Managing Director on the investment banking team at Bloom Burton where she leads the firm’s scientific ideation team and management consulting practice, providing clients with advice on scientific, clinical and capital markets strategy. Dr. Borovina has been with Bloom Burton since 2014 and has held several positions in the firm, most recently as an analyst on the equity research team, where she researched publicly traded healthcare companies and made investment recommendations. Prior to joining Bloom Burton, she gained business development experience while working for GeneYouIn, a direct-to-consumer genetic testing startup. Dr. Borovina currently serves on the Emerging Companies Advisory Board of BIOTECanada, the national biotechnology industry association.
Professor Ben obtained his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Laurentian University (Sudbury, ON) in 1990. He undertook graduate studies in synthetic organic chemistry at the University of Ottawa between and obtained his PhD in 1994. After a postdoctoral position at the University of Toronto from 1994-1996 he accepted a Research Associate position at the Steacie Institute of Molecular Sciences (SIMS) at the National Research Council of Canada in Ottawa. In 1998, he started his independent research career as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton. During the summer of 2003, he joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Ottawa with a Canada Research Chair in Medicinal Chemistry. In 2013, he became Director for the Biopharmaceutical Science (BPS) and Biomedical Science (BMS) programs at the University of Ottawa and was promoted to Full Professor in 2015. Professor Ben’s research interests are interdisciplinary in nature (organic synthesis, bioorganic chemistry, carbohydrates, peptides, cell biology) with the main focus being the rational design and synthesis of new cryoprotectants that function by inhibiting ice recrystallization during cryopreservation or vitrification. These cryoprotectants are used to cryopreserve progenitor cells and tissues for emerging cellular therapies.
Hamed has over 15 years of experience in specialty pharmaceuticals, venture funds, and healthcare investment banking. Throughout his career, he has led the evaluation of over 500 licensing and M&A opportunities and has been involved in five commercial product launches. He has successfully negotiated over 20 transactions with total value exceeding $1 billion. Hamed currently serves on the board of directors of Life Sciences Partnership Canada and GlycoNet. He holds a B.Sc. from the University of Waterloo, a M.Sc. in Microbiology and Biochemistry from the University of Guelph, and a Ph.D. in Medical Biophysics from the University of Toronto.
Christopher is a Partner at Blakes, an international corporate law firm. Christopher’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and finance transactions, as well as advising on governance and general corporate and securities law matters. His clients include private equity and venture capital funds and companies ranging from publicly traded multinationals to early-stage ventures manufacturing.
Béatrice is a lawyer and patent agent in Lavery’s intellectual property group. She is a patent agent registered to practice in Canada and the United States. She is also a lawyer called to the Ontario Bar and a member of the Quebec Bar (c.j.c). Béatrice holds a doctoral degree in chemistry from Université Laval and has been a post-doctoral fellow at the National Research Council in Ottawa.
In addition to a busy patent prosecution practice serving Canadian and foreign clients, Beatrice’s expertise in sought in the areas of intellectual property litigation, trade secrets, due diligence, strategy, portfolio value building, licensing and arbitration.
Beatrice is a regular speaker on intellectual properties topics at academic and professional conferences.
Louise is the Head of Marketing, Patient Support Programs & Advocacy at Shionogi Canada Inc. She is an accomplished Pharma Leader with >25 years executive experience and track record of achievements in Complex Specialty Pharma. Recognized as a change agent, she brings unique perspectives gained from her broad commercial & patient access experience, including in setting up Canadian Operations.
Sarah Williams currently serves as Director at adMare BioInnovations since June 2019, where previous roles included Senior Associate in Investments, Investment Analyst, Associate in Science & Business for Program Development and Partnerships, and Scientist within the same division. In addition to ongoing contributions at adMare, Sarah Williams holds positions as Board Observer for Abdera Therapeutics and Evolved Therapeutics. Prior experience includes roles at The Centre for Drug Research and Development, where contributions involved identifying and evaluating research projects, as well as positions in preclinical research and development at viDA Therapeutics, IonsGate Preclinical Services Inc., Cardiome Pharma Corp, and The University of British Columbia. Educational qualifications include a PhD in Physiology from the University of Adelaide and experience as a visiting graduate student at the University of Alberta specializing in vascular physiology.
Observer
Elizabeth is the CEO of GlycoNet. She was involved in the GlycoNet initiative since the Letter of Intent stage and served as the Associate Director, Business for the Alberta Glycomics Centre from 2007–2015. Prior to her position with the Centre, she worked as a manager of large-scale and multi-institutional projects with Genome Prairie. In addition to her PhD in biochemistry, Elizabeth has an MBA in biotechnology management.
Warren is a Professor from the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta. The Wakarchuk lab investigates the structure and function of the enzymes which make and degrade various glycoconjugates. This work has been enabling the chemo-enzymatic synthesis of bioactive glycoconjugates both in the laboratory and for industrial projects. The Wakarchuk lab has expertise with both mammalian and bacterial carbohydrate active enzymes for glycan remodelling applications.
Steven is advising and guiding the team on business plan development, incorporation
strategy and recruitment of experienced industry consultants to assist with the
regulatory and commercialization strategy for GlycoNet.
Steve has more than 30 yrs of experience in the Biopharmaceutical Industry.
Terms of Reference
View Terms of Reference (PDF)