Life Sciences Ontario is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2024 LSO Awards, recognizing outstanding individuals and companies contributing to the success of Ontario’s life sciences sector. The awards will be presented during LSO’s Celebration of Success Awards Presentation on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 at the Liberty Grand, Exhibition Place, Toronto.
The 2024 awardees are as follows:
- Lifetime Achievement Award – William (Bill) Mantel, Retired Assistant Deputy Minister, Research, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship; Director of Strategic Projects, Centre for the Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM)
- Volunteer Award – Dr. Benjamin Rovinski, Managing Director, Lumira Ventures
- Community Service Award – Dr. Christine Allen, Professor at Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Cross-Appointment in Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto
- Leadership Award – Dr. Durhane Wong-Rieger, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD)
- Company of the Year Award – Satellos Bioscience
The LSO Awards are an important part of the organization’s goal to advocate for Ontario’s life sciences sector, by celebrating the individuals and companies behind its success.
“Recognizing the incredible achievements of these recipients highlights the diverse talents and contributions within our dynamic life sciences community,” says Dr. Jason Field, President & CEO of Life Sciences Ontario. “Their dedication and innovation continue to elevate Ontario as a hub for excellence in the sector. We congratulate each awardee and eagerly anticipate celebrating their accomplishments at the 2024 LSO Awards Presentation ceremony.”
Biographies
William (Bill) Mantel, Retired Assistant Deputy Minister, Research, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship; Director of Strategic Projects, Centre for the Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM)
Lifetime Achievement Award
As a former Director and Assistant Deputy Minister with the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, Bill led the design and execution of Ontario’s innovation strategy and IP Policy for almost 2 decades. This included leadership for overarching strategy and building & partnering with dozens of purpose-built organizations.
Dr. Benjamin Rovinski, Managing Director, Lumira Ventures
Volunteer Award
With over 30 years of investment, operational, managerial and research experience in the healthcare industry, Beni has helped build life sciences companies at all stages of development. Beni held several senior management positions in the biotechnology sector, including 13 years at Sanofi Pasteur (formerly Aventis Pasteur) where he led global research and development programs in the areas of HIV/AIDS and therapeutic cancer vaccines, bringing several of them through to clinical stage.
Dr. Christine Allen, Professor at Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Cross-Appointment in Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto
Community Service Award
Dr. Christine Allen is a full professor at the University of Toronto and an internationally recognized leader with more than 160 publications in drug formulation and development. She is a member of the Scientific Leadership Team of the Acceleration Consortium, a strategic initiative at the University of Toronto awarded $200M in funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. She has received numerous awards, and is a distinguished fellow of prestigious societies including the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
Dr. Durhane Wong-Rieger, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD)
Leadership Award
Durhane Wong-Rieger, Ph.D. is President & CEO of the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, Chair of the Consumer Advocare Network, President & CEO of the Institute for Optimizing Health Outcomes and Chair of Canadian Heart Patient Alliance.
Satellos Bioscience
Company of the Year Award
Satellos Bioscience Inc. is a Toronto-based, publicly traded, biotechnology company dedicated to developing life-improving medicines to treat degenerative muscle diseases. Satellos was established in 2018 by serial Canadian biotech entrepreneurs, Mr. Frank Gleeson and Dr. Michael Rudnicki, to translate the ground-breaking discoveries of Dr. Rudnicki, a thought leader who discovered and has shown how muscle stem cells regulate muscle repair and growth throughout life.
SOURCE: BusinessWire