Life Sciences Ontario Awards Presentation

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About the 2021 LSO Awards Presentation

Now entering its 18th year, LSO’s Annual Celebration of Success has formed a reputation as an important platform to recognize the individuals and companies driving the success of Ontario life sciences. This year the event will be held virtually. The LSO Awards are also our largest single fundraising vehicle—supporting our advocacy, educational, and networking events. The event also serves an important charitable function: proceeds from the event’s silent auction support the  Sanofi Biogenius Challenge

The 2021 awardees:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael Julius
• Community Service Award: Eugenia Duodu Addy
• Volunteer Award: Anne Woods
• Life Science Company of the Year: VIVE Crop Protection Inc.
• LSO Leadership Award: John Kelly

Awardee Biographies

Michael Julius, Former Vice President, Research at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Michael Julius is past Vice President, Research at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (2000-2020). He created an international hub for life sciences dedicated to both discovery and commercialization. This initiative achieved a functional integration of researchers, clinicians, business and patients towards moving discoveries through the marketplace and into the clinic. He shepherded growth to a $125M annual research enterprise which spun off 15 companies over his tenure. Michael is currently partnering in the launch of a life sciences capital management fund. Ahead of taking on his leadership position at Sunnybrook, Michael Chaired the Department of Immunology at the University of Toronto (1994-2000). He has Chaired both the Canadian Institutes for Health Research review panel for Immunology and Transplantation and Research Canada, an advocacy corporation dedicated to ensuring that the federal government supports and funds the priority of health research in Canada.  He serves as a member of Scientific Advisory Boards for a number of companies and has Chaired two of Sunnybrook’s spin-off companies.

Eugenia Duodu, CEO, Visions of Science Network for Learning
Community Service Award

Eugenia Duodu is the CEO of Visions of Science Network for Learning (www.vosnl.org), a charitable organization that empowers youth from low-income communities through meaningful engagement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). She is an educator, speaker, community organizer and advocate who is passionate about creating equitable opportunities for youth to achieve their full potential. Eugenia Duodu holds both an honours bachelor degree in Chemistry and Biology and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto.

Anne Woods, Managing Director of Life Sciences and Healthcare, Silicon Valley Bank
Volunteer Award

Anne Woods is the managing director of the Life Science and Healthcare practice for Silicon Valley Bank in Toronto where she is responsible for leading the bank’s efforts in this sector across Canada. Anne has close to 25 years’ experience in capital markets and life sciences.  She began her career as a financial analyst and in 2005, went back to her roots in life sciences.  Prior to joining SVB, Anne spent several years as a director with The Pangaea Group bringing insights and strategic direction to life science and healthcare clients. In 2018, Anne joined the board of Life Sciences Ontario. She holds a BSc from McGill University, a MA from the University of Guelph and is a CFA Charterholder.

VIVE Crop Protection Inc.
Life Sciences Company of the Year

Vive Crop Protection creates Precision Chemistry to expand the horizons of Precision Agriculture. Vive products are built on the patented Allosperse® Delivery System, which greatly improves the targeting and performance of chemical and biological active ingredients, helping growers achieve real results. Vive Crop Protection commercially launched in 2016 and currently has five unique products available in the US market, with two more awaiting US EPA registration and one awaiting Canadian PMRA registration.

Vive anticipates launching the first-ever combination chemical/biological fungicide product in spring 2021 to US sugarbeet and corn growers. Its’ head office is in Mississauga and employs nearly 30 chemists, biologists and other professionals.

John Kelly, Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
LSO Leadership Award

Dr. John Kelly currently serves as Deputy Minister for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. He was recently Chief Innovation Officer for Bioenterprise Corporation.  Dr. Kelly has an extensive background working with entrepreneurs and innovation in human health and life sciences, agriculture, food and bio-economy sectors in domestic and international markets, with focus on innovation development and implementation, actively advancing products and technologies. An extensive publisher, he has authored hundreds of research and extension publications throughout his career, attracted several million dollars in investment and been a serial entrepreneur and investor. He has a wealth of experience in the private and public sector and has held various executive positions with start-ups, venture capital, multinational companies and not-for-profits, including KeliRo Company Inc., Bioenterprise Capital, DNAstack, KiKi Maple Water, Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, MaRS Landing, Land O’Lakes, Rhone-Poulenc Canada Inc. and Aventis CropSciences Inc. He has also served on numerous Board of Director appointments including with Life Sciences Ontario, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Genomics, Ontario Hazelnut Association, Ontario Lavender Association and others.  Dr. Kelly holds a B.Sc. (Agr). and Ph.D. from the University of Guelph and a Master of Science from the University of Alberta.  He has also held Adjunct Professorships in the Department of Animal Biosciences and the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph.