Jan Oudenes was born in The Netherlands, grew up in a business environment and completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in radio and nuclear chemistry at the State University of Leyden. Subsequently he moved to Edmonton in 1974 and studied at the University of Alberta. After completing a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry, he studied at the Eidgenössische Hochschule in Zurich, Switzerland, investigating the prebiotic origin of life. Upon his return to Canada in 1982, he joined Torcan Chemical Ltd. in Aurora, a start-up laboratory company in pharmaceutical chemicals. Under Jan’s leadership the company gradually became an internationally well-known contract research, development and manufacturing organization in the field of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), particularly for very complex molecules. Jan also started an equipment company, Aurora Chemicals Ltd., which designed and marketed equipment to handle highly active products. Torcan Chemical matured into a commercial manufacturing company of a number of novel APIs and, after a decade of strong growth, Jan initiated the sale of the company in 2001 for his shareholders.

In 2003, Jan started up a new company, Alphora Research Inc., with the mission to research new chemical processes and to develop manufacturing processes for novel and very complex molecules. It took approximately a decade to build another powerhouse in the pharmaceutical market, from concept to approximately 150 personnel, laboratory and manufacturing facilities, and to develop a wealth of new manufacturing technologies to assist pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies from invention to the market place. An exciting endeavour indeed! Once the company had been firmly established, Jan sold the business in 2017 en route to yet another venture: MapleCross.

During his studies in Alberta, Jan developed an appreciation for nature, enjoying many visits to the Rocky Mountains. It left an enduring impression, together with canoeing in Ontario, and enjoying outdoor ventures to the Yukon and the South Nahanni River. Ultimately, our appreciation has led to the establishment of MapleCross and our mission: “Investing in Canada – Investing in Nature”.

Isobel Ralston holds B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry from The University of Western Ontario and The University of Alberta, respectively. She has approximately 30 years’ experience in global drug development and has held senior management positions in established international pharmaceutical companies. She has also consulted to the emerging pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, assisting in the research strategy and project management of novel pharmaceutical products.

Isobel’s love of nature grew during childhood camping trips across Canada with her family. She has backpacked, hiked and canoed in various regions of Canada (Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories and Yukon) and frequently cycles near her home and in Europe. Isobel sits on several Boards and continues art studies.