The Westerner for December 7, 2009

Hospitalization:  John also mentioned that Al Hamilton, honourary member, will be in the hospital (U of A) for heart bypass operation - best wishes on a speedy recovery, Al

Moisey Update:  John circulated pictures of Zen and Doreen's luxury, gated community condo project in Costa Rica - Zen has the potential to sponsor the chartering of a Rotary Club there

Ethnic Dinner:  Bob Lamoureux is scheduling a dinner in January, may be either a Saturday or Sunday - further data next week

MacDougall Church Choir:  Doug Sollows has tickets for December 17, 7:00 to 8:00, for fundraising concert - proceeds to Food Bank - see Doug for tickets  - program is Mid Night Mass for Christmas

Roar of Rings Curling:  Duane offered tickets, on short notice, to Dec 7 afternoon men's event - thanks for the donation

50/50:  Jim Johnston and Al Holmes split $89 (wine donated by Bob Lamoureaux will be held till next week for gift to holder of highest card; thanks for the donation, Bob) 

Finemaster:  Duane made Jim and Al exempt for this week's fines; $2 fine to anyone who has been out of country to warmer climes recently, $1 if you have planned a trip; no fine if you have or will attend Roar of the Rings but $1 if you do not plan to attend

Guest Speaker:  Joe introduced Aggy Mckulski who has science and business university degrees.  She is with BioAlberta, an industry association providing a central voice on a not for profit basis for businesses in the life science industries.  These include health, medical devices, animal pharmaceuticals and providers of software associated with these industries.  They provide marketing and government advocacy, among other services.

Most Alberta development in pharmaceuticals has occurred since 1984 (big brother?) and since 1990 for biodiversity.  Many companies are now in the emerging or growth phase of their development.  Most of this type of industry is around Edmonton with some in Calgary and very little in rural Alberta or other urban centres.  Companies tend to hire highly skilled workers.

The companies include BioMS, Chembiomed, Naeja,Theracarb, Oncothyreon, SemBioSys, Isotechnika, KMT, QSV, Picomole. 

BioMs - Dr. Ken Warren developed a product to combat demyalization in MS patients.  The wife of one of the Giese brothers had MS and tried the product during a trial - it was reasonably succesful.  The Giese brothers raised funds to start a development company - good progress until their phase 3 trials did not show the product to be as effective as previously thought (control group had very low progression during the trial period).

SemBioSys - BioAlbert'a first marketing campaign - attach medical proteins to safflower oil - proteins similar to  insulin - faster medium within which to grow sufficient product for use as a medicine rather than slower natural growth processes.

Highmark Renewables - recycled products - waste processed to produce alternative fuels - in one project, feed lot waste was processed to produce sufficient product to power the large feed lot.

This economy makes it hard to raise development monies for new projects/companies.  This industry is largest in Quebec, then Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta.  Recently the industry introduced $154 million per year into the local economy.  There are 4,400 directly related employees but over 18,000 people work in related businesses (suppliers/customers etc.).

Aggy was thanked by Bill Buckham.