Dr. Carl Hansen, CEO and co-founder of AbCellera, was the recipient of this year’s Leadership Award for the annual BC Export Awards.
Hansen’s company is best known for its leading role in the Pandemic Prevention Platform which uses a proprietary technology program to develop “medical countermeasures within 60 days.” It is credited as one of the major breakthroughs in the pandemic.
Hansen was presented the award Friday at an in-person event featuring 12 finalists in four other categories. To watch the awards, go here: https://biv.com/article/2021/11/bc-export-awards
The awards are the province's most prestigious business honours, reflecting the successes and innovative approaches by B.C. companies serving international markets.
Finalists in four categories were announced earlier in Professional Services, Advancing Technology, Manufactured Products, and Emerging Exporter categories. One of the four winners in those categories will be proclaimed Exporter of the Year.
The program featured discussions with Hansen, with George Chow, minister of state for trade, and with Gerri Sinclair, the province's Innovation Commissioner.
Finalists in the Professional Services category were Ayogo Health of Vancouver, Canexia Health of Vancouver, and Fatigue Science of Vancouver. The winner was Fatigue Science.
Finalists in the Advancing Technology category were FPS Food Process Solutions of Richmond, MetaOptima Technology of Vancouver, and Vitalus Nutrition of Abbotsford. The winner was MetaOptima.
Finalists in the Manufactured Products category were Cellula Robotics of Burnaby, Primacoustic of Port Coquitlam, and San Group of Langley. The winner was Cellula Robotics.
Finalists in the Emerging Exporter category were Canadian Jerky of Surrey, Tru Earth of Vancouver, and The Very Good Food Company of Victoria. The winner was Tru Earth.
The Exporter of the Year, chosen from the four category winners, was Tru Earth.
The award program, conceived in 1982, has recognized more than 300 companies since its inception, reflecting the growth and diversity of BC’s economy over nearly four decades.
