BioPort 2018 Conference to Address Impact of Technology on Health and the Emerging Medical Cannabis Market

BioPort 2018 Conference to Address Impact of Technology on Health and the Emerging Medical Cannabis Market NEWS RELEASE: November 1, 2018 – Halifax, NOVA SCOTIA – BioPort 2018, Atlantic Canada’s largest health and life sciences industry conference, is set to explore trends transforming the industry. This year’s conference will focus on The Future of Health, with sessions covering the impact of new technology on health and the value of the emerging medical cannabis market. The Conference, hosted by BioNova, attracts health and life sciences innovators, industry leaders, and investors from across North America and will take place November 7-8, 2018 at the Halifax Convention Centre, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. “BioPort provides a venue to highlight the accelerating momentum of the global health and life sciences sector, providing expert perspectives on opportunities and showcasing some of Atlantic Canada’s most ground-breaking, bio-focused entrepreneurs,” says Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “From foundational research to new disruptive innovations coming to market, BioPort creates the right conditions to build on Atlantic Canada’s unique strengths in biotechnology as we continue to discover how new intelligence impacts health and life sciences in Atlantic Canada.” This year’s conference will feature two keynote speakers. Dr. Corinna Lathan, ranked as one of the ‘Top 100 World Innovators’ by MIT Technology Review, will be delivering the evening keynote on the impact of technology on health at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2018. Jeremie Saunders, host of highly-acclaimed Sickboy podcast will deliver the afternoon keynote on the need for continued health innovation at 12:30 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2018. “As Atlantic Canada’s health and life sciences sector continues to expand, we seek to evolve the topics we choose to feature at BioPort,” said Scott Moffitt, Executive Director of BioNova. “Our sessions explore how embracing disruptive technologies, like artificial intelligence, and uncovering emerging markets, like the value of natural products, present opportunities to grow our sector.” BioPort 2018 also showcases Atlantic Canada’s best health and life science innovators in its BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) business pitch competition. New to this year’s program is BIC Junior, a pitch competition for students that aims to cultivate the next generation of health and life sciences innovators. Atlantic Canada’s commercial health and life sciences sector is tapping into the $9 trillion global marketplace. Over 600 products are shipped to more than 80 countries. Nova Scotia presently has 185 products in development with $78 million committed to research and development.  The sector has also generated over $1 billion in financial exits over the past six years. Details of the conference program and schedule can be found at www.bioportatlantic.ca. All media are asked to register by contacting [email protected]. -30- Contact: Shana Cristoferi, Marketing Manager, BioNova Mobile: (902) 830-9193 [email protected] About BioNova BioNova leads, accelerates, and advocates for Nova Scotia’s growing health and life sciences sector. Since 1993, BioNova has been accelerating the growth of its member companies. By hosting networking and educational events, and providing connections to potential funders and business resources, BioNova helps companies succeed.  While these companies commercialize life-changing research to improve healthcare, provide healthier food, and develop sustainable solutions, BioNova advocates on behalf of the sector. BioNova champions the sector’s cluster of world-class research facilities, incubator programs, and companies who, together, bring investment and jobs to Nova Scotia.  www.bionova.ca About BioPort 2018 The 17^th annual BioPort conference will take place at the Halifax Convention Centre on November 7-8, 2018. BioPort provides a forum to educate, inform and inspire the health and life sciences community to develop their ideas, commercialize their technologies and build links within the region and with guests brought in from the U.S. and from around the world.  www.bioportatlantic.ca]]>