Watchlist: B.C. women leaders in biotech and life sciences

Avid Vancouver Tech Journal readers will have heard this line before: Although we write about tech every day, it’s not possible for us to know absolutely everything about B.C.’s innovators and change-makers. That’s why we love it when readers tip us off to the people and organizations we – and you – should know about.

To our delight, Allyson Tighe, a co-founder and investor with Amplitude Ventures, got in touch after reading our piece on 23 Vancouver tech and business power-players to know, to suggest a few more leaders. I took her recommendations and asked if she’d be willing to help me go deeper, and to highlight key people in biotech and life sciences, specifically. The first half of our list is below. Check back next week for part two.

Lana Janes, Abdera Therapeutics

Janes is senior vice president of operations and innovation at Abdera Therapeutics, a precision oncology company developing next-generation targeted radiation therapies. Janes is also an associate in the health stream of Creative Destruction Lab West and on the board of Life Science BC.

• Of note: She served as interim CEO at Abdera for a year and a half, and got her bachelor and graduate degrees at Harvard and McGill respectively.

Sarah Jane Lee, BC Cancer

Lee is director of technology development at BC Cancer, where she works to “bring new technologies to the patient’s bedside.” Lee has been at the organization for nearly fifteen years.

• Of note: Her unique mix of knowledge and skills comes from her physiology and biochemistry degree from UBC and finance-focused MBA from the University of Saskatchewan.

Kathryn Hayashi, TRIUMF Innovations

Hayashi is chief executive officer at TRIUMF Innovations, an organization that connects TRIUMF – Canada's national particle accelerator laboratory – with the business world. She’s also the main promoter of the monthly D.R.I.N.K.S. meetup (Discussions Relevant to Inspiring New Knowledge and Science).

• Of note: Hayashi’s strong finance background has previously led her to unique roles at EY, Nettwerk Music Group, Chromos, and The Centre for Drug Research and Development.

Véronique Lecault, AbCellera

Lecault is co-founder andchief operating officer at biotechnology giant AbCellera, which has developed an AI-powered drug-discovery platform. Lecault has been with the company since it was founded in a UBC lab with pink-painted walls.

• Of note: While doing her PhD in chemical and biological engineering at UBC, she researched under the supervision of lauded academics Dr. James Piret and Dr. Carl Hansen, the latter of whom would become AbCellera CEO.

Brenda Irwin, Relentless Venture Fund

Irwin is the founder and managing partner of Relentless Venture Fund, an early-stage investing vehicle focused on preventive and proactive tech solutions that optimize health, activity, and longevity. She’s also a project selection committee member with the Digital Technology Supercluster and an executive in residence with Life Sciences BC.

• Of note: Irwin was a teacher in Ontario for nearly five years before becoming an investor with BDC for well over a decade.

Nancy Harrison, Amplitude Ventures

Harrison is a venture partner at Amplitude Ventures, a VC firm focused on companies in precision medicine and next-generation medical devices. She’s also a Champions Program mentor for Canadian Women in VC, and a fellow with Creative Destruction Lab West.

• Of note: Harrison was previously the president of Methylation Sciences, a company that was developing drugs for depression, for nearly ten years.

Who did we miss? Let us know who you think belongs in the next edition of this two-part series.