Visionary biotech player Carl Hansen of AbCellera named Canada’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2021

The program recognizes 10 national winners for leadership, innovation and value creation

Carl Hansen, CEO of AbCellera — a British Columbia-based biotechnology firm best known for its leading role in developing an antibody treatment for COVID-19 — is Canada’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year^® 2021. Selected by an independent panel of judges, Hansen is this year’s national program winner for his commitment to delivering purpose-driven leadership, innovation and long-term value for stakeholders. 

“Carl is modernizing the world of medicine — during a time when we need it most — with a new business model and technologies to lead and capture the antibody-based therapeutic market,” says Paula Smith, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Canada Program Director. “A visionary, collaborator and empathetic leader, Hansen is finding opportunities to do things differently, utilizing a proprietary technology platform to disrupt the industry to drive greater efficiencies and support the health and wellness of citizens along the way.”

In a high-stakes industry where innovation can often get curbed due to costly development and lengthy approval processes, AbCellera is pushing the boundaries of antibody discovery to help its partners tackle some of the world’s most urgent medical challenges. Hansen responded to the global pandemic with speed and agility, bringing his unique full-stacked, AI- powered antibody discovery solution to the market and saving countless lives in the process. AbCellera’s success recently led the company to secure the largest initial public offering by a Canadian biotech firm, helping to shine a spotlight on Canada’s growing and increasingly competitive tech and innovation scene.

“AbCellera was founded nine years ago on the belief that we could fundamentally change drug development for the better,” shares Hansen. “Today, our team includes more than 350 people who are focused on building an anchor company that will make our communities stronger, bring treatments to patients faster and leave a legacy of innovation. It’s a great honour to be recognized among this tremendous group, and we're excited to see what the future holds.”

Hansen shared the virtual stage with the following nine entrepreneurs who were recognized as EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 National Award Winners for their unstoppable achievements that demonstrate bold vision, transformative leadership and sustainable success. Up next, Hansen will represent Canada on the globe stage to compete with other national winners for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ in June 2022.

“Whether in energy, health care, manufacturing or software, this year’s national winners exude what makes Canadians so unique — they’re putting humans at the centre to build products and services that deliver greater quality, safety and sustainability for their stakeholders,” adds Smith. “These entrepreneurs are the force that will help us think differently, act boldly and help build Canada back better. We’re thrilled to have their expertise and leadership in the global EY entrepreneur network.”

The EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ North America Class of 2021 was also recognized, including seven Canadian entrepreneurs. The program identifies ambitious women business owners of thriving organizations and provides them with the network access, advisors and resources needed to help scale their companies and achieve their full potential. The Entrepreneurial Winning Women program, coupled with EY Entrepreneur Of The Year and Entrepreneurs Access Network, are part of the firm’s 27-year-long commitment to supporting entrepreneurship for all in Canada at every stage of growth journey.