The School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) at the University of British Columbia has been selected by global biotechnology leader Amgen as its exclusive Canadian academic collaborator under the Mitacs Accelerate program to launch a bold initiative designed to catalyze cutting-edge research at the interface of biomedical engineering and therapeutic discovery. The SBME × Amgen Predictive Biology Cluster will accelerate the development of open, publishable, and impactful tools, ranging from engineered cell lines and next-generation assay platforms to advanced computational pipelines, by providing up to $20,000 per unit in funding for each selected project. Applicants can apply for up to 9 four-month units of funding depending on the scope of the project.
At the heart of this collaboration is a shared commitment to open science, translational training, and tool-building. Projects funded through the Cluster are expected to emphasize transparency, reproducibility, and accessibility of scientific outputs, enabling broad use by both academic and industry researchers. This aligns with SBME’s core mission to foster engineering-driven solutions that are designed to be translated from lab to clinic, and to train a new generation of researchers fluent in both foundational science and real-world applications.
“Working with SBME is a natural fit for Amgen,” said Chadwick King, associate vice president of Research and Site Head of Amgen British Columbia. “SBME’s commitment to translational innovation, coupled with deep expertise in cellular engineering, medical technologies, and data-driven discovery, creates a dynamic environment where impactful, real-world tools and platforms can emerge.”
Driving Innovation Through Shared Research Themes and Partnerships
The Cluster is built around collaborative, open, and impact-driven science. By connecting SBME researchers and trainees with Amgen’s global R&D expertise, the program fosters the co-development of tools that can be rapidly deployed to support therapeutic discovery. SBME’s integrated research model, spanning experimental biology, systems engineering, and computational modeling, provides a unique foundation for building technologies that are not only scientifically rigorous but also highly translational. “SBME is well positioned to bridge foundational science and clinical application through engineering-driven approaches,” said Dr. Peter Zandstra, Director of SBME.
The program is designed to provide SBME graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with hands-on translational training in industry-engaged settings, preparing them to lead in academia, biotech, and beyond. Through this partnership, trainees will gain experience in building tools that are open and purpose-built to solve real challenges in biomedical research and healthcare.
“This program with Amgen not only enhances our ability to train the next generation of translational scientists but also helps shape how we discover and deliver tomorrow’s therapeutics,” said Dr. Govind Kaigala, Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement of SBME.
Faculty members leading eligible research projects are now invited to submit proposals, with a strong emphasis on collaborative impact, data transparency, and training excellence.
Applications are due September 8.
For more information about the application process for the SBME × Amgen BC Predictive Biology Cluster please contact jocelyn.mckay@ubc.ca.