UBC Spin-off Companies

The UILO is actively engaged in the creation and development of UBC spin-off companies, based on UBC research discoveries.

As at March 31, 2023, UBC research has been instrumental in creating 249 spin-off companies. Approximately 140 of those companies are understood to be currently active, or to have merged or been acquired.


 

AbCellera-Version-1-Green-Black.png

AbCellera

2014
Founded around research led by Dr. Carl Hansen, Abcellera has developed an antibody discovery platform that searches and analyzes natural immune systems to find antibodies for disease prevention and treatment.

qlt.jpg

QLT

1981
UBC's most commercially successful spin-off company to date. QLT developed the research led by Drs. Julia Levy and David Dolphin to create Visudyne, a light-activated drug to treat age-related wet macular degeneration - a leading cause of vision loss.

precision.png

Precision Nanosystems

2011
Commercializes proprietary platforms and companion reagent kits to enable the simplified manufacture of novel nanoparticles used in medicine and medical research.  The technology was developed through a collaboration between Drs. Carl Hansen and Pieter Cullis at UBC.

tasktop.png

TaskTop

2007
Provides fully automated, enterprise-grade integration of software development tools. Founded on technology developed by Drs. Gail Murphy and Mik Kersten. Based in Vancouver with offices in the USA and UK.

alpha9.png

Alpha-9 Theranostics

2020
Alpha-9 Theranostics is a clinical stage, radiopharmaceutical company developing imaging and therapeutic molecules with the goal of improving the lives of patients affected by metastatic cancers. Alpha-9 was founded by researchers from the University of British Columbia and BC Cancer.

ACUVAlogo.png

Acuva Technologies

2016
Developing highly efficient, low maintenance and low power ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED) water purification systems for processing low to moderate volumes of water for drinking water applications for mobile and off grid situations.

aspect-biosciences.jpg

Aspect Biosystems

2014
Aspect Biosystems was created around research led by Dr. Konrad Walus. The company combines microfluidics and 3D bioprinting to create living, human tissues in order to fuel medical research and the development of bioprinted therapeutics that will save lives and make people healthier.

paragon.jpg

Paragon Testing Enterprises

2010
Canada’s leader in English language proficiency tests for those wishing to immigrate to Canada, to become Canadian citizens, or to study in Canada at all levels. 

westport.png

Westport

1994
Founded around Dr. Phil Hill's discovery of a technology that enables diesel engines to run on clean-burning natural gas. Westport is now a leading employer in BC and sells advanced natural gas and propane engines, fuel systems and components to customers in more than 70 countries.

 

 


UBC Crest The official logo of the University of British Columbia. Urgent Message An exclamation mark in a speech bubble. Caret An arrowhead indicating direction. Arrow An arrow indicating direction. Arrow in Circle An arrow indicating direction. Arrow in Circle An arrow indicating direction. Chats Two speech clouds. Facebook The logo for the Facebook social media service. Information The letter 'i' in a circle. Instagram The logo for the Instagram social media service. External Link An arrow entering a square. Linkedin The logo for the LinkedIn social media service. Location Pin A map location pin. Mail An envelope. Menu Three horizontal lines indicating a menu. Minus A minus sign. Telephone An antique telephone. Plus A plus symbol indicating more or the ability to add. Search A magnifying glass. Twitter The logo for the Twitter social media service. Youtube The logo for the YouTube video sharing service.