Student Founders: Ones to Watch Presented by Futurpreneur

Join us for the official launch of Life Sciences Week 2026, bringing together Alberta’s political, policy, industry, and academic leaders to spotlight the province’s growing role in health innovation. We'll be joined by The Honourable Nate Glubish for Welcoming Remarks. Later on, we'll begin our Kick-Off featured panel Securing Health: The Growing Need for Canadian Medical Countermeasures and Dual Use Life Sciences Innovation, where we'll discuss the growing importance of building a more sovereign and resilient Canadian life sciences sector. Special guests include : Tim Smith, Deputy Program Manager, Strategic Medical Countermeasures Program, Department of National Defence Andrew MacIsaac, CEO of API Cheryl Holden, VP, Health Innovation, Alberta Innovates Leyla Kara, CEO & Co-founder, SpectraCann As we navigate an evolving global landscape, expanding our infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and expertise is essential to securing Canada's supply of medical countermeasures. By investing in dual-use infrastructure, Canada can strengthen its sovereign capabilities while enabling homegrown research and innovation to scale, attract global investment and drive long-term economic growth. We'll also explore how Canadian innovations and technologies can support national defence and the country's broader health security objectives.

Join us at the Life Sciences Campus at Edmonton Research Park, a growing destination for research, commercialization and drug manufacturing. Go behind the scenes at Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API) to tour the Biotech Business Development Centre (BBDC), where researchers and entrepreneurs are transforming breakthrough discoveries into commercial products. Meet the companies, innovators, and ecosystem partners helping bring new health technologies to market. You'll also hear from project partners, including Bird Construction, CRB Group, LAPORTE, and CIMA+, who are building the next generation of life sciences infrastructure right here in Edmonton. Hop on a tour of the Life Sciences Campus, where you'll see the Critical Medicines Production Centre and discover the long-term vision for creating one of Canada's premier destinations for life sciences research, commercialization, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Enjoy local food trucks, connect with industry leaders, and experience firsthand the momentum shaping Alberta's life sciences future.

About PBG BioPharma Inc. PBG BioPharma Inc. (Phytochemical-Biopharmaceutical-Group) is a vertically integrated company focused on the research, development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. PBG operates 70,000 square feet of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturing facilities and ISO 17025-certified laboratories in Alberta and British Columbia, with capabilities spanning R&D, GMP manufacturing, analytical testing and product development. PBG is also advancing innovative pharmaceuticals targeting mental illness, pain, viral infections and cardiovascular diseases. Featured Tours: PBG BioPharma Inc. – A licensed cannabis processor and extractor, showcasing advanced production and extraction technologies. McRina Laboratories Inc. – A contract analytical laboratory providing high-quality testing and research services for the life sciences industry. Schedule: 1:00-1:15 PM – Shuttle pickup from BBDC 1:45 PM – Arrival at PBG BioPharma 1:45 - 2:15 PM – PBG BioPharma Inc. 2:15 - 2:45 PM – McRina Laboratories Inc. 2:45 PM – Tours conclude; shuttle pickup & drive back to BBDC 3:15-3:30 PM (traffic depending) – Shuttle drop-off at BBDC Please note that this tour is part of the Life Sciences Campus Reception & Tours event. Check out either the Life Sciences Campus Tour or the BBDC Tour beforehand!

Opening remarks (9:00-9:10 AM) followed by panel discussion. Innovation doesn't happen in isolation. It happens where the right people, infrastructure, and ideas come together. To mark the official launch of the University of Alberta's Regenerative Medicine Hub, this panel brings together national and provincial leaders to engage the future of Regenerative Medicine in Alberta. The session features an in-depth discussion on cross-disciplinary collaboration, bridging advanced stem cell research, economic evaluation, and rapid commercialization pathways. Learn how Alberta’s local expertise is driving innovation to scale breakthrough health solutions across Canada and globally. Moderator: Julianna Weber, Director, Enterprise Partnerships, Office of the Vice-President, International, Innovation, & Enterprise, University of Alberta. Speakers: Dr. Khaled Barakat, Professor, University of Alberta and CEO of Thoth BioSimulations Dr. Jonathan Draper, Vice President, Research and Training, Stem Cell Network Dr. Kate Harback, CEO and Executive Director, Institute of Health Economics Dr. Anastassia Voronova, Associate Professor, University of Alberta, Canada Research Chair in Neural Stem Cell Biology, and Lead of Regenerative Medicine Hub

Startups: Unlock non-dilutive funding through SR&ED Looking to extend your runway and unlock non-dilutive funding for research and development (R&D)? Join the University of Alberta and Sukhi Grewal for a practical session on Canada’s SR&ED tax incentive program and how startups can use it to reduce costs and support innovation. Learn how to identify eligible R&D, document your work effectively, avoid common CRA pitfalls, and build strong financial systems early. We’ll also cover how SR&ED can work alongside grants, seed funding, and venture capital. Tuesday, September 22 at 11:00 AM Location: Artificial Intelligence Discovery Place, 1st floor Enterprise Square As part of Life Sciences Week 2026, this session is hosted by Sukhi Grewal, a strategic finance and R&D funding advisor and former CRA Income Tax Auditor and SR&ED Reviewer, who brings practical insight into using tax incentives and government funding to help innovation-driven companies grow. Limited spots available, register early to secure your space. Light lunch provided!

Groundbreaking science is only the beginning. Transforming a promising discovery requires world-class research, advanced manufacturing, strategic partnerships, and an innovation ecosystem built to support every stage of development. Join Nobel Laureate Sir Michael Houghton in conversation with Cytiva as he reflects on his career at the forefront of global health innovation. Drawing on firsthand experience with the rise of world-renowned innovation clusters, including Silicon Valley, Sir Michael will share insights into the ingredients that drive successful life sciences ecosystems and what it will take for Alberta to become a global leader. Together with industry leaders, the discussion will explore how research excellence, manufacturing capabilities, engineering expertise, and cross-sector collaboration are advancing biologics, cell and gene therapies, precision medicine, and other emerging technologies, while creating the conditions needed to bring more life-changing therapies to patients. Speakers: Sir Michael Houghton University of Alberta CERC Chair & Chief Scientific Officer, API Katarina Stenklo Cytiva Sr. Product Manager, Global FlexFactory Moderator: Ken Elder Cytiva Account Manager Ken Elder is a Bioprocess Account Manager at Cytiva and in his role, he supports the biotechnology segment Western Canada.