Strengths and Gaps in the Canadian Vaccine Landscape: a biotech perspective Nathalie Charland, PhD...

Strengths and Gaps in the Canadian Vaccine

Landscape: a biotech perspective

Nathalie Charland, PhD

Sr. Director, Scientific liaisons

Vaccine Innovation Conference

May 26, 2015

© Medicago Inc.All rights reserved

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• Numerous strengths in the Canadian vaccine industry: – Strong tradition of entrepreneurial spirit – Academic excellence– Rich history of innovation– Competitive costs– Accessible market

• BUT innovative vaccine candidates often left on a shelf or developed outside Canada

• One of the principal reasons why biotech companies struggle to bring a product to market: “Collaboration Gap”

– Translation of academic ideas into practical realities– GMP financing– Contacts– Flexibility re: opportunities

Canadian Vaccine Industry: attractive innovation but…


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• A specialized industry– Relatively small (4% of pharma) but very dynamic– Interaction with Governments more important than in other markets

• Similar challenges– Capital intensive– High risk and long timelines– Financing (Canadian vs. US stock market)

• Need to build collaborative models– Multiple partners: Biotech/Pharmas, Public/Private, Not-for-Profit– Big Pharmas playing a more and more important role for smaller

companies for vaccine pipeline development

The challenge of vaccines for biotechs


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• One of the few biotech companies that has succeeded in its growth process while remaining in Canada

• About 300 employees; labs and collaborations around the world

• Succeeded in bringing a Canadian innovation out of the laboratory

• Attracted international investments– $245M investment to build a production facility in Quebec City– Creation of 200 new high-skilled jobs by 2019

• Proceeding to the market at pace, allowing Canada to a return on of its investment

Medicago’s example


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• Strengths:– Build on them

• Weaknesses– Collaborate

• Opportunities– Not all opportunities are equal

• Threats– Opportunities could be threats!

Know your strengths & weaknesses, choose your opportunities, identify threats


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Founded in 1999 (licensed out from ULaval & Agriculture Canada)

2003: new CEO

Business model revision

From service provider to manufacturer of innovative products

Versatile platform with a vaccine focus

Access to highly qualified people

Breakthrough: – Discovery of plant-made virus-like particles

Medicago: a Canadian success story


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Patent status

Granted

Pending

Ownership

Owned/Co-owned

In-licensed

211

414

235

390

• 52 different patented technologies (patent families)

• Protected by 625 patents (granted and pending)

•Technologies protected in 48 countries

Medicago patent portofolio


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Gouvernments & agencies

Key elements to success – Partnerships


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Universities & colleges

Key elements to success – Partnerships

Biotech companies or biopharma & research organizations


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Focus– SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)

Protect IP– Your bread & butter

Partnerships: – Collaborate early– Collaborate often– Be creative, opportunisitic in your collaborations!

Lessons learned by Medicago

Merci!Thank you!

Arigatō!

Strengths and Gaps in the Canadian Vaccine Landscape: a biotech perspective Nathalie Charland, PhD...

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