Adastra Corporation Named One of Canada's Best Managed Companies for 23 Consecutive Years
Article content
Article content
Article content
TORONTO — Adastra Corporation was recognized for its industry-leading performance, its global business practices, and its sustained growth by receiving the prestigious 2025 Canada's Best Managed Companies award.
Article content
Celebrating over 30 years, Canada's Best Managed Companies program awards excellence in private Canadian-owned companies with revenues of $50 million or greater. To attain the designation, companies are evaluated on their leadership in the areas of strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities, and innovation, governance and financial performance.
Article content
'Being named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for the 23rd consecutive year is both an honour and a testament to Adastra's dedication, our culture of innovation, and our collective efforts to push the boundaries of what's possible in technology. It underscores our strategic vision and our ability to adapt and thrive amid the complexities of a changing global landscape. I am incredibly proud of our team for their outstanding contributions, and this recognition motivates us to continue leading the way in our industry,' remarked Rahim Hajee, Chief Executive Officer, Adastra North America.
Article content
Canada's Best Managed Companies is one of the country's leading business awards programs, recognizing innovative and world‑class businesses. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent evaluation process.
Article content
Applicants are evaluated by an independent panel of judges with representation from program sponsors and special guests.
Article content
Adastra has adeptly navigated the complex and evolving tech landscape, demonstrating a remarkable capacity for innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies. In the face of market challenges, it has not only maintained its momentum but has also expanded its capabilities and reach. Strategic expansions into India and Colombia, along with further growth in the US and Canada, represent its ambition to harness global talent and enhance its service offerings.
Article content
Throughout the year, Adastra has strengthened its partnerships and expanded its market presence. Notably, Adastra was awarded Select partner status with Databricks, recognizing its commitment to driving innovation in data analytics and lakehouse technology. It earned two new AWS partner badges in DevOps and generative AI, further cementing its position as a leader in AI, cloud computing, data analytics, and machine learning. The company also obtained the Data Warehouse Migration to Microsoft Azure specialization and was recognized by Google Cloud with a Data Analytics specialization.
Article content
We launched cutting-edge solutions such as OptiSuite, AskYourData, and the Prescriptive Sales Recommender, designed to enhance decision-making, data security, and sales productivity. Adastra's holistic approach to technology and business can be seen through its engagement in strategic collaborations, such as the AWS Rescale program, and its focus on ethical AI practices and sustainability through ESG initiatives.
Article content
The 2025 cohort of Best Managed Companies shares common themes, including fostering a people-centric culture, implementing a strategic company framework, investing in innovation and technological advancement, and maintaining financial resilience and strong corporate governance.
Article content
Together, these practices strengthen the Canadian economy by promoting sustainable growth, enhancing competitiveness, and cultivating a thriving business ecosystem.
Article content
'Exploring new avenues for the advancement of tomorrow, this year's Best Managed winners displayed courage, resourcefulness, and creativity,' said Lorrie King, Partner, Deloitte Private and Co-Leader, Canada's Best Managed Companies program. 'We're extremely proud to highlight the impressive achievements of companies such as Adastra in a rapidly evolving business world. Their exceptional accomplishments leave you feeling inspired, celebrated, and connected.'
Article content
Canada's Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for private Canadian-owned and managed companies. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on four levels: 1) Canada's Best Managed Companies new winner, one of the new winners selected each year; 2) Canada's Best Managed Companies winner, award recipients that have re-applied and successfully retained their Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review; 3) Gold Standard winner, after three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully retained their award for 4-6 consecutive years; 4) Platinum Club member, winners that have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more. Program sponsors are Deloitte Private, CIBC, EDC, The Globe and Mail, and TMX Group. For more information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.
Article content
For over two decades, Adastra has transformed businesses into digital leaders, helping global organizations innovate, achieve operational excellence, and create unforgettable customer experiences, all with the power of their data.
Article content
At the forefront of Artificial Intelligence, Data, Cloud, Digital and Governance services, Adastra delivers solutions enabling leading organizations to gain more value from their data, connecting them to their customers – and their customers to the world.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Contacts
Article content
Article content
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
39 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Frost & Sullivan: iRegene Therapeutics Honored as "2025 Forbes China Leading Enterprises in Industry Development"
Shanghai, China--(Newsfile Corp. - June 8, 2025) - Recently, The "2025 Frost & Sullivan China Entrepreneurs Annual Conference and Forbes China Pioneer Innovators in Industry Development Selection Gala Evening of Honor," jointly organized by Frost & Sullivan and Forbes China, was successfully held at Regent Shanghai on The Bund. Amid the global trend of industrial innovation, the results of the "2025 Pioneer Innovators in Industry Development" selection jointly initiated by Forbes China and Frost & Sullivan were officially announced. iRegene Therapeutics was honored as one of Forbes China's 2025 Leading Enterprises in Industry Development. iRegene is pioneering the future of regenerative medicine with its AI-powered, chemically induced cell therapy platform. By combining cutting-edge technology, a robust R&D ecosystem, and a globally experienced leadership team, iRegene is redefining allogeneic therapies to make them safer, more effective, and broadly accessible. This recognition highlights iRegene's continued leadership in innovation and its commitment to transforming patient care through next-generation regenerative therapies. iRegene Therapeutics Honored as 2025 Forbes China Leading Enterprises in Industry Development Aroop Zutshi, Global Managing Partner and Executive Board Director of Frost & Sullivan, and Junyi Guo, General Manager of Business Operations at Forbes China, jointly presented the 2025 Forbes China Leading Enterprises in Industry Development award. Dr. Jun Wei, Chairman of iRegene Therapeutics, was invited to attend the gala. AI-Driven Chemical-Induced Cell Therapy: Reshaping the Future of Accessible Cell Therapy Since its establishment in 2017, iRegene Therapeutics has remained committed to addressing unmet clinical needs through the development of next-generation cell therapies. With a focus on chemically induced, universal cell therapy products, iRegene aims to deliver transformative treatments for patients with currently incurable diseases. iRegene Therapeutics has a proprietary, AI-based platform for screening chemical compounds to modify specific cellular functions. The platform leverages induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to enhance treatment potential. By combining compounds to form a chemically induced culture medium, the "AI+Chem" platform can efficiently and precisely reprogram or optimize a cell's fate and function, thereby enhancing the clinical capabilities of cell therapies. With a focus on the chemical induction system, iRegene has developed a comprehensive research and development (R&D) ecosystem and an international patent system that spans the industry. This ecosystem combines the discovery of 'cell fate determinants', the screening of chemical inducers and the validation of cellular function. The system does not use viral vector construction or transgenic methods; the straightforward CMC procedure is cost-efficient. Furthermore, cell transformation and functional optimization are entirely driven by the cells' natural genetic makeup. Transformation is synchronous under chemically enhanced regulation, eliminating the risk of genetic modification. iRegene's pioneering platform has been proven through the positive outcomes of the Phase I clinical trial. In addition, iRegene's executive team has an international perspective, with all members having successful overseas experience in their specialized fields. CEO Dr Wei Jun is a leading expert in regenerative medicine and the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, bringing strategic leadership to the company. Chief Medical Officer Dr Cai Meng has extensive experience taking innovative therapies from discovery through clinical development, while Chief Quality Officer Ren Xiang is a senior regulatory expert who provides solid support from IND approval to NDA clearance in China, the US, and other countries. Executive Vice President Emmanuel Montet, formerly Vice President of the Asia-Pacific region at Ipsen, now leads iRegene's global business development and international strategy. To accelerate global clinical translation and commercialization, iRegene places great emphasis on the philosophy of 'cooperation and mutual benefit'. At the end of 2021, iRegene entered a long-term collaboration with Danaher Corporation to co-develop next-generation platforms for clinical application. Under this partnership, Danaher will play an active role in developing multi-directional platforms for future iRegene Therapeutics projects. This will involve supplying advanced detection instruments and technical resources relating to life sciences research, the development of effective compounds and screening, multi-omics cell mechanism research, and multi-substance screening. Danaher will help iRegene Therapeutics to enhance the efficiency of platform construction and its ability to deliver practical solutions. Danaher will also support iRegene Therapeutics in developing distinctive, innovative drug pipelines and establishing a research and production base. This strategic cooperation has recently been elevated to the iRegene - Danaher Joint Innovation Center, which is the world's first "Joint Innovation Center for Chemically Induced Therapies and Microphysiology Systems". The center will focus on integrating artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chemically induced cell therapy R&D with microphysiology systems technology. It is committed to accelerating the clinical translation and application of innovative therapies, and providing patients globally with more precise and effective treatment solutions for diseases. Danaher will fully support iRegene Therapeutics' future planning and development, aiming to jointly advance innovative development in China's life sciences research. iRegene's breakthrough technology platform, strategic advantages and dedicated team have secured continuous support from several leading venture capital firms, with cumulative financing reaching nearly 400 million RMB (55.5 million USD). The company is advancing multiple programs through clinical development, targeting a win-win situation for its products and the capital markets alike, while providing patients around the world with next-generation chemically induced cell therapies that can genuinely reverse disease progression. About iRegene Therapeutics iRegene Therapeutics is a biotechnology company committed to becoming a global leader in universal chemical-induced cell therapy. As one of the first companies to harness AI and + chemical induction for the specific functional modification of cells, iRegene offers a safer, more scalable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional gene or cell therapies. Its pipeline targets diseases with high unmet need, including neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and blindness. Through pioneering science, strategic global partnerships, and a visionary leadership team, iRegene is reshaping the future of regenerative medicine - making advanced therapies accessible to patients worldwide. In August 2023, the NMPA approved the commencement of Phase I clinical trials for iRegene's first product: 'Human Dopaminergic Precursor Cell, NouvNeu001'. This product was developed using the 'AI+ Chem' platform. This made it the world's first chemically induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived therapy to enter clinical trials. In June 2024, it was approved by the U.S. FDA for overseas clinical trials. Even more groundbreakingly, in March 2024, iRegene's 'Chemical Induction Platform' became the first system ever to be granted exemption by the FDA. The company's second product, NouvNeu003, which is intended for the treatment of early-onset Parkinson's disease, received NMPA approval in December 2023 and entered Phase I clinical trials. Both NouvNeu001 and NouvNeu003 have now completed Phase I trials. The Phase I results demonstrate good safety, tolerability, and encouraging efficacy in improving motor and non-motor symptoms. The Phase II trial for NouvNeu001 began in April 2025. In parallel, iRegene's first-in-class ophthalmic therapy, was granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) by the U.S. FDA in March 2024.
National Post
40 minutes ago
- National Post
BCI Invests in KKR Tower Platform Pinnacle Towers
Article content Article content SINGAPORE & VICTORIA, Canada — KKR, a leading global investment firm, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation ('BCI'), and Pinnacle Towers, an Asia-based digital infrastructure platform with a focus on the Philippines, today announced the signing of definitive agreements under which BCI will acquire a minority stake in Pinnacle Towers from KKR, which will remain the majority shareholder. Article content Pinnacle Towers was established in 2020 to serve the rapidly increasing demand for connectivity and quality telecommunications infrastructure in the Philippines. Led by a highly experienced management team, the platform specializes in executing on Build-to-Suit ('BTS') telecommunications tower projects, optimizing the use and management of Sale-and-Leaseback ('SLB') assets with leading mobile network operators, and providing ancillary management services to industry players. In the span of five years, Pinnacle Towers has scaled to become the largest independent tower company in the Philippines with around 7,000 towers. 1 Lincoln Webb, Executive Vice President & Global Head, Infrastructure & Renewable Resources, BCI, said, 'We are excited to work closely with KKR and Pinnacle's management team to support the growth of the business. The Philippines represents a compelling market for long-term capital, especially in essential digital infrastructure services. This investment aligns with our emerging markets strategy of backing high-quality infrastructure assets alongside strong institutional partners. We look forward to supporting Pinnacle Towers as it continues to enhance digital connectivity and drive meaningful impact across the Philippines.' Article content Projesh Banerjea, Managing Director, Infrastructure, KKR Article content , said, 'We are very proud of the success that we have achieved with Pinnacle Towers to serve the Philippines' connectivity needs. Since our initial investment, we have collaborated closely with Pinnacle Towers' outstanding management team to deepen the platform's capabilities and scale its presence organically and through bolt-on acquisitions. We are delighted to welcome BCI, who share our long-term vision and commitment to developing critical digital infrastructure, as strategic partners and look forward to building on Pinnacle Towers' strong growth momentum.' Article content Patrick Tangney, Chairman and CEO of Pinnacle Towers Article content , said, 'Over the last five years, with the support of KKR, Pinnacle Towers has grown to become the leading independent tower company in the Philippines. BCI's investment marks an important milestone in our journey and is a strong endorsement of our mission. With BCI and KKR as strategic partners, we are well-positioned to continue driving greater digital connectivity in the Philippines and across the region.' Article content BCI Infrastructure & Renewable Resources has a global portfolio with nine active investments in the Asia-Pacific region, including Rakuten Mobile (a leading communications tower company in Japan), Altius (a leading communications tower company in India), and Cube Highways (the largest toll road operator in India). The program continues to expand its presence in the region with the addition of this minority stake acquisition in Pinnacle Towers. Article content KKR made its investment in Pinnacle Towers from its Asia Infrastructure Funds I and II. KKR first established its global infrastructure team and strategy in 2008 and has since been one of the most active infrastructure investors around the world. KKR's Asia Pacific infrastructure platform was established in 2019 and has since organically grown to approximately US$13 billion in assets under management. Article content The transaction is expected to be completed by Q3 2025, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Article content About BCI Article content British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) is amongst the largest institutional investors in Canada, with C$250.4 billion in gross assets under management as of March 31, 2024. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, with offices in Vancouver, New York, and London, U.K., BCI manages a portfolio of diversified public and private market investments on behalf of its British Columbia pension fund and institutional clients. Learn more at Article content About KKR Article content KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR's website at For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group's website at Article content Pinnacle invests in, builds and operates telecommunications infrastructure with a focus on towers and related assets. Pinnacle is an Asia-focused digital infrastructure platform with a strong focus on the rapidly growing Philippines market. Frontier's leadership team includes founders of a number of highly successful tower companies and former C-level executives from some of the world's leading wireless operators. KKR first invested in Pinnacle Towers in 2020. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Contacts Article content
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Global streamers fight CRTC's rule requiring them to fund Canadian content
A person browses a television menu showing icons for streaming services Netflix and Amazon Prime in a photo illustration made in Toronto on Friday, March 22, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini OTTAWA — Some of the world's biggest streaming companies will argue in court on Monday that they shouldn't have to make CRTC-ordered financial contributions to Canadian content and news. The companies are fighting an order from the federal broadcast regulator that says they must pay five per cent of their annual Canadian revenues to funds devoted to producing Canadian content, including local TV news. The case, which consolidates several appeals by streamers, will be heard by the Federal Court of Appeal in Toronto. Apple, Amazon and Spotify are fighting the CRTC's 2024 order. Motion Picture Association-Canada, which represents such companies as Netflix and Paramount, is challenging a section of the CRTC's order requiring them to contribute to local news. In December, the court put a pause on the payments — estimated to be at least $1.25 million annually per company. Amazon, Apple and Spotify had argued that if they made the payments and then won the appeal and overturned the CRTC order, they wouldn't be able to recover the money. In court documents, the streamers put forward a long list of arguments on why they shouldn't have to pay, including technical points regarding the CRTC's powers under the Broadcasting Act. Spotify argued that the contribution requirement amounts to a tax, which the CRTC doesn't have the authority to impose. The music streamer also took issue with the CRTC requiring the payments without first deciding how it will define Canadian content. Amazon argued the federal cabinet specified the CRTC's requirements have to be 'equitable.' It said the contribution requirement is 'inequitable because it applies only to foreign online undertakings and only to such undertakings with more than $25 million in annual Canadian broadcasting revenues.' Apple also said the regulator 'acted prematurely' and argued the CRTC didn't consider whether the order was 'equitable.' It pointed out Apple is required to contribute five per cent, while radio stations must only pay 0.5 per cent — and streamers don't have the same access to the funds into which they pay. The CRTC imposes different rules on Canadian content contributions from traditional media players. It requires large English-language broadcasters to contribute 30 per cent of revenues to Canadian programming. Motion Picture Association—Canada is only challenging one aspect of the CRTC's order — the part requiring companies to contribute 1.5 per cent of revenues to a fund for local news on independent TV stations. It said in court documents that none of the streamers 'has any connection to news production' and argued the CRTC doesn't have the authority to require them to fund news. 'What the CRTC did, erroneously, is purport to justify the … contribution simply on the basis that local news is important and local news operations provided by independent television stations are short of money,' it said. 'That is a reason why news should be funded by someone, but is devoid of any analysis, legal or factual, as to why it is equitable for foreign online undertakings to fund Canadian news production.' In its response, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters said the CRTC has wide authority under the Broadcasting Act. It argued streamers have contributed to the funding crisis facing local news. 'While the industry was once dominated by traditional television and radio services, those services are now in decline, as Canadians increasingly turn to online streaming services,' the broadcasters said. 'For decades, traditional broadcasting undertakings have supported the production of Canadian content through a complex array of CRTC-directed measures … By contrast, online undertakings have not been required to provide any financial support to the Canadian broadcasting system, despite operating here for well over a decade.' A submission from the federal government in defence of the CRTC argued the regulator was within its rights to order the payments. 'The orders challenged in these proceedings … are a valid exercise of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's regulatory powers. These orders seek to remedy the inequity that has resulted from the ascendance of online streaming giants like the Appellants,' the office of the attorney general said. 'Online undertakings have greatly profited from their access to Canadian audiences, without any corresponding obligation to make meaningful contributions supporting Canadian programming and creators — an obligation that has long been imposed on traditional domestic broadcasters.' The government said that if the streamers get their way, that would preserve 'an inequitable circumstance in which domestic broadcasters — operating in an industry under economic strain — shoulder a disproportionate regulatory burden.' 'This result would be plainly out of step with the policy aims of Parliament' and cabinet, it added. The court hearing comes as trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada have cast a shadow over the CRTC's attempts to regulate online streamers. The regulator launched a suite of proceedings and hearings as part of its implementation of the Online Streaming Act, legislation that in 2023 updated the Broadcasting Act to set up the CRTC to regulate streaming companies. In January, as U.S. President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term, groups representing U.S. businesses and big tech companies warned the CRTC that its efforts to modernize Canadian content rules could worsen trade relations and lead to retaliation. Then, as the CRTC launched its hearing on modernizing the definition of Canadian content in May, Netflix, Paramount and Apple cancelled their individual appearances. While the companies didn't provide a reason, the move came shortly after Trump threatened to impose a tariff of up to 100 per cent on movies made outside the United States. Foreign streamers have long pointed to their existing spending in Canada in response to calls to bring them into the regulated system. Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press
