As we all forge ahead in this new reality, at Ag-West Bio (like other organizations) we’ve had to come up with creative new ways to continue to deliver our mandate. It has been a tough year for many, and we sympathize with those whose businesses failed under the extremely difficult circumstances. Kudos to companies who managed to pivot.

We continue to cheer on Saskatchewan organizations involved in COVID-19 research (see below for a presentation by VIDO-InterVac Director of Research Dr. Scott Napper, with an update on how the vaccine development is progressing).

Ag-West Bio’s signature networking events have been non-existent since March. However, we are happy to say that we have held a number of successful online or hybrid events this year, including a virtual Annual Meeting in June that received positive reviews; and a well-attended Global Biotech Week at the end of September. Our Building Entrepreneurship training programs began mid-October, held as hybrid online and in-person events. As well, we launched the ABIC Speaker Series with an inspiring talk by Brent Zettl (ZYUS Life Sciences).

I hope you enjoy this Bulletin. We welcome our members to submit articles (please read the submission guidelines). Visit our event calendar and watch for our Weekly Update to keep up with news and events in Saskatchewan’s bioscience industry; and of course, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our YouTube video channel.

~ Jackie Robin