Two British Columbia life sciences innovators are collaborating to validate the commercial potential of a novel antibody-based immune-modulating therapy.
Victoria’s VoxCell BioInnovation, a developer of bio-printed vascularized human tissue models for preclinical drug development, is partnering with Vancouver’s adMare BioInnovations, a life sciences company creation engine.
VoxCell’s platform brings together human tumor, immune, and stromal compartments alongside a perfused, endothelial-lined vasculature into a single bio-printed construct.
The result is a human-like system that recapitulates antibody delivery, immune activity, and downstream tumour biology, according to Dr. Karolina Valente, Chief Executive Officer of VoxCell.
“Animal models often miss the biology that determines whether a human drug works,” explains Valente. “Our vascularized tissues bring perfusion, endothelial barriers, immune cells, and stroma into one human-relevant system.”
adMare’s mission is to “translate breakthrough scientific discoveries into strong, investable Canadian life science companies and new therapies that reach patients,” says Matthew Carlyle, CEO of adMare.
“By integrating VoxCell’s human-relevant vascularized tissue platform into our scientific and commercial validation process, we can generate stronger preclinical safety and efficacy evidence sooner,” Carlyle commented. “This helps us de‑risk innovation, create long‑term value, and turn promising science into scalable, globally competitive Canadian companies.”
The partnership comes as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advances its plan to reduce animal testing for monoclonal antibodies and other biologics while expanding the use of New Approach Methodologies such as human-relevant 3D tissue platforms.
“Working with adMare on a novel biologic is exactly the use case the FDA had in mind when it called for more predictive, human-relevant tools,” Valente posits. “The result is better decisions earlier, and fewer animals used along the way.”
VoxCell last year garnered support through VIATEC’s BOOST program and won a competition at Web Summit Vancouver 2025.
To date, adMare has helped create 39 companies that have attracted $2.5 billion in risk capital, achieved a combined value of $5.8 billion, and created approximately 1,000 jobs.
Earlier this year, the organization opened the M4 Innovation Centre, a 30,000-square-foot facility in Mount Pleasant purpose-built to support the development of innovative life sciences companies with potential to scale.
The centre features turnkey wet labs, office and collaboration space, shared scientific equipment, and a flexible design that can evolve as companies grow. The facility is expected to support more than 20 companies.
To date, adMare has helped create 39 companies that have attracted $2.5 billion in capital, achieved a combined value of $5.8 billion, and created 1,000 jobs.
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