BANGALORE - A Richmond-based life sciences company that has made important discoveries in cancer, inflammation and central nervous system disorders has opened a new research facility in India to convert these early discoveries into drugs for global use.

“SignalChem Lifesciences’ expansion into India is great news - for the company, for those working in B.C.’s technology and life sciences sector, and for everyone who will benefit from the treatments this research makes possible,” said Premier Christy Clark. “This is a great example of how international economic opportunities spurs job creation at home - because of this expansion, SignalChem will need more employees at its research facility in B.C.”

At its research facility in India, SignalChem will identify the cause of disease in each patient and determine a drug candidate that can potentially cure that disease. Not only will the research facility in Bangalore allow the company to address various diseases in different parts of the world, but it also increases the value of the company’s therapies and helps increase its intellectual property.

“Our province’s biopharmaceutical sector is one of the fastest-growing in Canada, and the opening of this new research facility demonstrates that,” said Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk, who attended the facility’s opening ceremony as part of Premier Clark’s India Trade Mission. “I am proud to see B.C. companies like this one making a global impact by making the necessary connections to expand their businesses into new markets.”

SignalChem was founded in 2004 and the company credits a large part of its success to having a smart business model of financial independence. In 2012, SignalChem grew to approximately 30 employees, and now employees 50 Canadians nationally and 95 people worldwide.

“SignalChem has developed a technology platform to discover new drugs by exploiting protein kinases that are known to cause diseases such as cancer, inflammation or central nervous system disorders,” said Dr. Akash Mathur, SignalChem’s chief business officer and resident director of SignalChem India. “These diseases impact populations worldwide, and opening a research and development facility in India is a key part of our plan to address these diseases. Upon success, our plan will be a breakthrough contribution by a Canadian biotech company.”

Trade missions are a critical part of British Columbia’s strategy to diversify its international trading partners and secure new investment, propelling economic activity and job creation throughout the province.

Quick Facts:

• Over 84,000 people work in B.C.’s technology sector.
• 14,000 British Columbians specialize in life sciences, generating $800 million in annual revenue.
• B.C.’s biopharmaceutical cluster is the seventh-largest in North America, and employs over 2,000 British Columbians.
• Over 100 life sciences companies have stemmed from the University of British Columbia alone, raising more than $2 billion in private investments.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested over $900 million in health and life science research.

Learn More:

For more information about SignalChem Lifesciences: http://signalchemlifesciences.com/

Learn about B.C. trade and investment opportunities: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/

Learn more about the BC Jobs Plan at: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade
778 977-0298

Stacey McGaghey-Jones
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400