Award Description

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated initiative, commitment and support for the industry through the national biotechnology association in such areas as committee work, championing the association to stakeholders, or facilitating the efforts of association staff. The individual’s contributions, creativity, leadership, personal drive to excel, persistence and the ability to inspire others have been demonstrated throughout the year.

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Gordon Jans, PricewaterhouseCoopers - 2011 Contribution to the Association Winner

Gord Jans has played an instrumental role in the development of BIOTECanada’s proposal to expand the federal government’s flow-through shares program to Canada’s life sciences industry. As a member of BIOTECanada’s flow-through shares working group, Gord has introduced other PwC colleagues to the association and has helped the association produce supporting advocacy material, such as the PwC report entitled ‘The Economic Impact of Flow-through Shares in Canada’s Biotechnology Industry.’ Gord’s leadership on expanding Canada’s flow-through tax regime has been invaluable and has helped BIOTECanada galvanize support from a broad array of stakeholders in the professional services community.

Gord also works with BIOTECanada in producing the bi-annual Canadian Life Sciences Industry Forecast, with the most recent publication released in January 2011. The Forecast provides a unique perspective on current issues, forecasted trends and implications for the life sciences and biotechnology industry in Canada. Gord’s personal leadership in supporting the industry association’s policy initiatives is a testament to his strong commitment to improving the operating environment for Canadian life sciences companies.

Gord is the national leader for PwC’s Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals industry practice.  Gord is also a partner in the Tax Services practice of PwC working in the Mississauga office.

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2001- 2010 Past Award Recipients

2010 - Dr. Karen Burke (AMGEN) & Mr. James Willoughby (Hoffman-LaRoche) (see profile)
2009 - Dr. Lesia Babiak, Janssen-Ortho Inc. (see profile)
2008 - Deborah Brown, EMD Serono
2007 - Bob Ingratta, Vice President of Regulatory & International Affairs, Monsanto Canada and Chair, BIOTECanada Agriculture & Nutrition Advisory Board
2007 - Christian Blouin, Director, Vaccine Division, Merck Frosst Canada and Chair, BIOTECanada Vaccine Industry Committee
2006 - Dr. Luis Barreto, Vice-President of Public Policy, Sanofi Pasteur  
2005 - John Mendlein, President & CEO, Affinium Pharmaceuticals (former)
2004 - Paul Hastings, President and CEO, QLT Inc.
2003 - Brian Kerslake, Senior Marketing Manager, VWR International
2002 - Claude-André Lachance, Director of Public Policy, Dow Chemicals Canada and Myka Osinchuck, (former) Executive Director, BioAlberta
2001 - Art Stirling, Government & Industry Relations Manager, Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited*

* Award for Contribution to the Industry - combined with Contribution to Advancing the Benefits of Biotech for Canadians in 2002.