Closing the Gap: Financing Growth in Canadian Life Sciences

May
14
2026

Date: May 14, 2026

Location: Toronto, CAN

Guests joined us at our Toronto office for a Connection Event featuring a panel discussion that brought together leading voices from Canada’s life sciences investment and innovation community to explore the evolving capital landscape facing innovative companies.

Moderated by Lee Johnson, Partner at Mintz, the conversation featured Parimal Nathwani, Managing Partner of BDC Capital’s newly launched $150 million Life Sciences Venture Fund, Jamie Stiff, Managing Director at Genesys Capital, and Wendy Zatylny, President & CEO of BIOTECanada. Together, the panel examined the theme Closing the Gap: Financing Growth in Canadian Life Sciences, with a focus on early- and growth-stage funding challenges, the role of public and private capital, and how new and emerging investment models could better support Canadian companies as they scaled.

Drawing on complementary perspectives from institutional capital, venture investing, and the national industry ecosystem, the discussion offered practical and forward-looking insights for founders, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders interested in strengthening Canada’s life sciences sector and accelerating its long-term growth.

Offices

  • Toronto

    • Professionals

  • Lee A. Johnson, PhD

    • Related Industries

  • Life Sciences

    • Speakers

    Lee A. Johnson, PhD

    Lee A. Johnson, PhD

    Moderator

    Lee A. Johnson, PhD, is a Partner and intellectual property attorney at Mintz as well as a registered patent agent. He advises clients on a broad spectrum of IP matters, from patent prosecution and portfolio management to disputes to transactions. Lee represents clients across a variety of industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and AgTech and FoodTech.