Life Science Ontario Announces Recipients of the 2021 LSO Awards

The 2021 awardees are as follows:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael Julius
• Community Service Award: Eugenia Duodu Addy
• Volunteer Award: Anne Woods
• Life Science Company of the Year: VIVE Crop Protection Inc.
• LSO Leadership Award: John Kelly, Deputy Minister at Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

The LSO Awards are an important part of the organization’s mandate to advocate for Ontario’s life sciences sector, by celebrating the individuals and companies behind its success.

“2020 has been a difficult year for everyone; but COVID-19 has also highlighted the amazing contributions of the life sciences sector to solving some of societies largest challenges,” said LSO President and CEO Dr. Jason Field. “LSO’s awards recognize these contributions annually and this year’s award recipients represent the many diverse ways our sector impacts the everyday lives of Canadians and the world in which we live through science, innovation and leadership.”

To explore sponsorship opportunities, contact: admin@lifesciencesontario.ca

Biographies

Michael Julius, Former Vice President, Research at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Michael Julius is past Vice President, Research at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (2000-2020). He created an international hub for life sciences dedicated to both discovery and commercialization. This initiative achieved a functional integration of researchers, clinicians, business and patients towards moving discoveries through the marketplace and into the clinic. He shepherded growth to a $125M annual research enterprise which spun off 15 companies over his tenure. Michael is currently partnering in the launch of a life sciences capital management fund.

Ahead of taking on his leadership position at Sunnybrook, Michael Chaired the Department of Immunology at the University of Toronto (1994-2000). He has Chaired both the Canadian Institutes for Health Research review panel for Immunology and Transplantation and Research Canada, an advocacy corporation dedicated to ensuring that the federal government supports and funds the priority of health research in Canada. He serves as a member of Scientific Advisory Boards for a number of companies and has Chaired two of Sunnybrook’s spin-off companies.

Michael completed his undergraduate degree in genetics at McGill University and his doctoral work in genetics and immunology at Stanford University. Michael was recruited to the Basel Institute for Immunology supported by Hoffman La Roche, where he remained for the 13 years.

Having published over 200 research papers and reviews in his area of expertise, many of which have achieved citation records, Michael has in-depth knowledge of multiple therapeutic areas, including neuroscience, cancer, cardiovascular and immune system; and expertise across multiple platforms, including high content cellular analyses, AI, health informatics, and imaging-guided interventions and therapeutics.

Eugenia Duodu, CEO, Visions of Science Network for Learning
Community Service Award

Eugenia Duodu is the CEO of Visions of Science Network for Learning (www.vosnl.org), a charitable organization that empowers youth from low-income communities through meaningful engagement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). She is an educator, speaker, community organizer and advocate who is passionate about creating equitable opportunities for youth to achieve their full potential. Eugenia Duodu holds both an honours bachelor degree in Chemistry and Biology and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto.

Anne Woods, Managing Director of Life Sciences and Healthcare, Silicon Valley Bank
Volunteer Award

Anne Woods is the managing director of the Life Science and Healthcare practice for Silicon Valley Bank in Toronto where she is responsible for leading the bank’s efforts in this sector across Canada.

Anne has close to 25 years’ experience in capital markets and life sciences. She began her career as a financial analyst and in 2005, went back to her roots in life sciences. Prior to joining SVB, Anne spent several years as a director with The Pangaea Group bringing insights and strategic direction to life science and healthcare clients.

In 2018, Anne joined the board of Life Sciences Ontario. She holds a BSc from McGill University, a MA from the University of Guelph and is a CFA Charterholder.

VIVE Crop Protection Inc.
Life Sciences Company of the Year

Vive Crop Protection creates Precision Chemistry to expand the horizons of Precision Agriculture. Vive products are built on the patented Allosperse® Delivery System, which greatly improves the targeting and performance of chemical and biological active ingredients, helping growers achieve real results. Vive Crop Protection commercially launched in 2016 and currently has five unique products available in the US market, with two more awaiting US EPA registration and one awaiting Canadian PMRA registration.

Vive anticipates launching the first-ever combination chemical/biological fungicide product in spring 2021 to US sugarbeet and corn growers. Its head office is in Mississauga and employs nearly 30 chemists, biologists and other professionals.

John Kelly, Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
LSO Leadership Award

Dr. John Kelly currently serves as Deputy Minister for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. He was recently Chief Innovation Officer for Bioenterprise Corporation. Dr. Kelly has an extensive background working with entrepreneurs and innovation in human health and life sciences, agriculture, food and bio-economy sectors in domestic and international markets, with focus on innovation development and implementation, actively advancing products and technologies. An extensive publisher, he has authored hundreds of research and extension publications throughout his career, attracted several million dollars in investment and been a serial entrepreneur and investor. He has a wealth of experience in the private and public sector and has held various executive positions with start-ups, venture capital, multinational companies and not-for-profits, including KeliRo Company Inc., Bioenterprise Capital, DNAstack, KiKi Maple Water, Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, MaRS Landing, Land O’Lakes, Rhone-Poulenc Canada Inc. and Aventis CropSciences Inc. He has also served on numerous Board of Director appointments including with Life Sciences Ontario, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Genomics, Ontario Hazelnut Association, Ontario Lavender Association and others. Dr. Kelly holds a B.Sc. (Agr). and Ph.D. from the University of Guelph and a Master of Science from the University of Alberta. He has also held Adjunct Professorships in the Department of Animal Biosciences and the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph.

ABOUT LIFE SCIENCES ONTARIO (LSO)

Life Sciences Ontario (LSO) is a member-funded, not-for-profit organization with a legacy of more than 30 years advancing the success of Ontario’s life sciences sector. LSO collaborates with government, academia, industry, and other life sciences organizations in Ontario and across Canada to promote and encourage commercial success throughout the sector. The organization provides a wide range of networking and educational events and operates a mentorship program that is helping to develop highly skilled talent and build new business opportunities for the life sciences sector. In addition, LSO launched the Life Sciences Ontario Scholarship Program, the program awards students’ financial benefits and an opportunity to connect with a professional from the life sciences sector. LSO is an effective conduit for delivering policy options to governments, and its dedicated to promoting Ontario’s life sciences sector internationally. For more information, please visit https://lifesciencesontario.ca.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201123006109/en/