Leading Health and Life Sciences in Nova Scotia

News Release: ACOA announces $1.75M for four life sciences companies

Mar 2, 2020 | IR-Scientific, Motryx, News

See original ACOA news release here

Atlantic Canada’s life sciences companies reaching global markets
Businesses are commercializing products to improve lives and transform Atlantic Canada’s economy

March 2, 2020 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Atlantic Canada’s growing life sciences industry is moving the economy toward a more prosperous future. Today, four Halifax-area companies are one step closer to bringing their innovative healthcare solutions for a wide range of challenges to the world:

  • Motryx has found a way to protect and monitor blood samples moving between hospitals and laboratories;
  • Nxtgen Care is combating loneliness, a condition known to have negative health effects, especially for seniors;
  • IR Scientific’s solution relieves pain in sensitive teeth; and,
  • Skinfix specializes in clean and clinically active skincare to improve skin health.

Growing life sciences sector

These companies are part of a cluster of more than one hundred locally-owned life sciences businesses that are growing revenues and attracting new investments across the region. The life sciences sector is an important contributor to the economy, providing thousands of good jobs for Atlantic Canadians. The sector is gaining momentum in the region and is building an international reputation for success. Atlantic Canada has made Startup Genome’s list of ecosystems to watch in the life sciences category in its 2019 Global Startup Ecosystem Report.

Investments for growth and expansion

René Arseneault, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, announced contributions totaling $1,746,850 to help four life sciences companies  commercialize their healthcare solutions, benefiting the local economy. This announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages.

The Government of Canada will continue to invest in small- and medium-sized businesses to help them scale up, increase productivity and participate in the global economy. Support for these projects is one way the Government of Canada is working to achieve its Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.

Quotes

“Strong regional economies are essential to grow a successful and sustainable Canadian economy. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is there to help businesses and innovators grow, succeed and create good jobs for Atlantic Canadians. Our government is making strategic investments that will enable businesses in all regions of the country gain a competitive edge.”

  • The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“Halifax’s life sciences cluster is at the heart of a vibrant and growing Atlantic innovation ecosystem that has the talent and resources to compete on a global scale. The economic potential of this sector is incredible and we can be rightfully proud of its achievements to date. With its continued growth, I believe we are well-positioned to move our economy into a prosperous future.”

  • Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax

“This project will move the marker closer toward commercializing the Motryx product for blood transportation in hospitals as well as in private laboratories. This funding will allow us to hire strategic technical expertise as well as grow our sales force to reach customers in these markets, which have a combined addressable value of over $800 million.”

– Dr. Franziska Broell, CEO and Founder, Motryx Inc.

“Nxtgen CareTM is leading a Revolution in Seniors Care. Our business intelligence and analytics platform creates a real-time community of care for senior living facilities – optimizing care delivery while enhancing resident care levels. This project will allow us to grow our local team, invest in our flagship Care ScorecardTM and resident M-FactorTM digital health products and execute agreements in place within the coveted US healthcare marketplace.”

– Dan LeBlanc, President, Nxtgen Care

“This funding allows IR Scientific to continue its primary market research, expand oral care product claims beyond sensitivity and secure a global supply for our partners. With the help of four new employees, external resources, continued investor support and this funding program, IR Scientific is able to create incredible value, for our partners, our investors, and Atlantic Canada.”

  • Andrew Doyle, CEO IR Scientific Inc.

“This funding will allow Skinfix to effectively compete in the $150 billion global skincare market as the first clean, clinically validated skincare brand. Skinfix will use the funds to hire expert industry talent and build marketing programs to propel the brand at Sephora in North America, where skincare has now become the largest beauty category for the first time in Sephora’s history. This project will help Skinfix drive awareness for its highly unique proposition as the first scientifically validated, wellness focused skincare brand.”

  • Amy Risely, Founder & CEO, Skinfix

Quick Facts

  • The Government of Canada is providing repayable contributions through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.
  • The Business Scale-up and Productivity stream of the REGI program supports businesses at various stages of development, including high-growth firms, to accelerate their growth, help them scale-up and improve their productivity and competitiveness in both domestic and global markets.

Related products

  • Backgrounder: Atlantic Canada’s life sciences companies reaching global markets

Associated Links

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Contacts

Alexander Cohen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic
Development and Official Languages
[email protected]

Chris Brooks Director, Communications and Outreach Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
[email protected]

Dr. Franziska Broell
CEO, Motryx
902-448-4152
[email protected]

Dan LeBlanc
President, Nxtgen Care
902-802-1058
[email protected]

Roar Askheim
Chief Financial Officer, IR Scientific
902-448-4401
[email protected]

Katheryn Spears
Marketing Manager, SkinFix
902-789-0949
[email protected]

Stay connected
Follow the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency on social media: Twitter and LinkedIn

Backgrounder: Atlantic Canada’s life sciences companies reaching global markets
Businesses are commercializing products to improve lives and transform Atlantic Canada’s economy

March 2, 2020 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Today, René Arseneault, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, announced contributions totaling $1,746,850 to help four life sciences companies commercialize their healthcare solutions, benefiting the local economy. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

The Government of Canada is providing repayable contributions through ACOA’s Regional Economic Development through Innovation (REGI) program to the following four companies:

Motryx Inc. – Halifax, NS
$500,000

Motryx Inc. has developed a hardware and software solution, called the VitalVial and VitalReport, for hospitals and laboratories to monitor blood sample transport from patient to the reference laboratory. The VitalVial is a diagnostic quality control sample that measures indicators – such as the vibration, temperature and pressure of the blood – known to effect the accuracy of blood tests. Used in combination with the VitalReport, this solution provides a new quality assurance method to the blood vial transportation industry.

The project will enable Motryx to undertake research, development and scale-up activities, including pilot projects with private labs to help it fully commercialize its technology. The company will also work to create a sales funnel.  This project will create seven full-time positions.

Nxtgen Care (Checkin Innovative Care Technologies Inc.) – Dartmouth, NS
$500,000

Nxtgen Care is a start-up developing an integrated solution to help caregivers, businesses, residents and their families live socially active and connected lives. The system uses non-intrusive beacons and a wearable bracelet to measure the frequency, type, duration, proximity and factors in key personality traits to determine meaningfulness (referred to as the “M-Factor”) of social interactions. Understanding a resident’s M-Factor will equip senior care facilities with the tools needed to address loneliness, a leading problem in geriatric patients.

The project includes purchasing real-time-location-system sensors to enable senior care providers to better utilize their time and facility managers to better utilize their staff. Implementing this system will ultimately make care providers more accountable to their clients and family members while encouraging more meaningful interactions to combat the negative effects of loneliness.

IR Scientific – Halifax, NS
$496,850

IR Scientific’s novel oral care product, Sensi-IP, can be added to any toothpaste or mouthwash to treat sensitive teeth. Sensi-IP helps to close the exposed dentinal tubules that cause sensitive teeth, putting a stop to pain while strengthening the teeth.

The company will purchase equipment to support in-house toothpaste manufacturing for testing purposes, hire research & development staff as well as a commercialization manager. IR Scientific will also engage consultants to conduct market research and analysis to find new opportunities. Overall, the project will help the company expand the applications for its proprietary solution, Sensi-IP.

SkinFix – Halifax, NS
$250,000

SkinFix Inc. specializes in all-natural healing balms and skin care. Its heritage products are centuries old, and are made with wound-healing botanicals and emollient protective oils that have the ability to treat and manage the most severe dermatitis conditions.

The company is undertaking marketing activities including sample distributions, website development, as well as product showcasing at dermatology conferences, seminars and Sephora events. This project will help the company expand throughout the United States in all Sephora cosmetic stores and create six full-time positions.

 

ACOA NEWS RELEASE: Halifax start-up gives Canadians a reason to smile

Jul 3, 2019 | IR-Scientific, News

IR Scientific Inc. begins pilot production of its new desensitizing product, Sensi-IP, to help strengthen teeth

July 3, 2019 – Halifax, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
From the discovery of insulin to the invention of the pacemaker, Canada has a strong record of developing health innovations that attract investment, retain talent and provide more effective treatment options that improve patient outcomes. That is why the Government of Canada invests in Canadian-based companies like IR Scientific Inc., which has engineered a new product, Sensi-IP, to help strengthen damaged teeth and provide immediate and long-term protection for the three out of four Canadians who suffer from dentinal hypersensitivity.

Unlike existing products that have limited long-term effectiveness, Sensi-IP exhibits controlled abrasion for everyday use, promotes the natural process of rebuilding tooth mineral, completely dissolves in water, and can be added to any clinical or over-the-counter toothpaste, oral rinse, mouthwash or tooth varnish. IR Scientific will undertake product development and quality assurance for the commercialization of Sensi-IP, allowing the early-stage company to attract new investors, establish its production process and hire five full-time employees.

Today, 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), announced the Government of Canada’s support to IR Scientific Inc. for the project.

This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which supports strategic investments that build on the region’s competitive advantages, including its growing innovation ecosystem and skilled workforce.

Quotes
“The health and well-being of Canadians is at the core of our society and represents a sizeable proportion of our country’s spending, which is why there has never been a better time to leverage this investment to produce greater oral health outcomes and economic prosperity for Atlantic Canada. The Government of Canada is proud to help Canadian-based innovations and companies to grow within the country as they move towards global leadership, focused on value-added products that aim to improve patient care and outcomes.”

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“IR Scientific’s advanced science has a wide variety of applications in oral health, from store brand toothpastes to clinical treatments, and is a game-changing solution for millions of Canadians suffering from dentinal hypersensitivity. It also has huge potential in the global marketplace. Transforming traditional oral healthcare with better solutions will give Canadians, and the world, something to smile about.”

– Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax

“IR Scientific has been able to advance its technology quickly thanks to the support of ACOA. Creating a new oral care ingredient to change the way the world relieves sensitive teeth was given a direct boost from ACOA programming. We set up a research lab, a production facility and hired required staff in weeks versus months because of our secure funding. Global Industry contacts are impressed with what we have managed to accomplish in a relatively short period time.”

– Dr. Daniel Boyd, Chief Scientist and Co-Founder, IR Scientific Inc.

Quick Facts
 IR Scientific is receiving a $500,000 repayable contribution through ACOA’s Business Development Program (BDP).
 Dentinal hypersensitivity occurs when the tooth’s dentin tubules, connected to the nerves of the tooth, are exposed.
 Sensi-IP uses a controlled release help block those passageways, stopping pain and helping to strengthen the teeth.
 Sensi-IP also promotes remineralization by supplying calcium and other minerals to repair damaged tooth enamel.
 Canada’s universal health-care system is a source of national pride, and the Canadian health and biosciences sector is a key source of high-paying, quality jobs, employing more than 91,000 people directly and approximately 2.1 million within the broader health system.
 The health and bioscience industry has tremendous growth potential, with areas poised for highest growth including precision medicine, which is set to be an $88 billion market by 2023.

Associated Links
Innovation and Skills Plan

Contacts

Chris Brooks
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
[email protected]

Andrew Doyle President & CEO IR Scientific Inc.
902-877-8071 (cell)
[email protected]