Calgary Life Sciences Spotlight

​Join us for an inspiring keynote by Northern RNA, a pioneering biotech company based in Calgary.  

​When the world was brought to a standstill by COVID-19, Northern RNA set out on a near-impossible mission: to assemble a team and set up production to enable mRNA vaccine manufacturing in record time. What began as a sprint to meet urgent needs quickly transformed into a story of remarkable growth and vision. 

​NRNA emerged as a champion of biomanufacturing in Canada, securing federal and provincial support to build the nation’s first commercial-scale lipid manufacturing facility. Yet their journey has also been shaped by forces beyond their control—U.S. policy shifts and political headwinds have had profound impacts on their trajectory.

​Their keynote will tell the riveting story of grit, innovation, and the challenges of building Canada’s biotech future in a rapidly shifting global landscape.

​Keynote Speaker: Brad Stevens, President & CEO of Northern RNA 

​Event Timeline:

• ​8:30 – 9:00 AM | Arrival & Registration

• ​9:00 – 9:15 AM | Welcome Remarks

  • ​Launa Aspeslet; Chief Translational Officer, API

  • ​Brad Parry, President & CEO, Calgary Economic Development; CEO, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund

• ​9:15 – 9:45 AM | Keynote Address