Leading Health and Life Sciences in Nova Scotia

Huddle: Five Atlantic Canadian Startups Tackling Mental Health Issues

Sep 19, 2018 | ADDText, News, Tranquility Online

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Over the last several years, the topic of mental health has come to the forefront. What was once as a topic veiled in shame and secrecy is not being discussed openly, and for the better.

Whether it’s in the workplace, educational institutions, or at alone at home, businesses and startups worldwide are introducing products and services to help improve mental wellness, some of those startups are in Atlantic Canada. Here is a look at just five of them:

WellTrack

New Brunswick’s WellTrack provides mental health software for post-secondary students. The software allows students to monitor their moods and progress and to get the right help they need. Features include guided therapy for stress, anxiety and depression; Virtual Zen room; securing sharing with councillors and more. WellTrack has been hard at work over the last few years. In February last year, they were accepted into 500 Startups’ 20th batch of companies. Their customers now include Boston College, Georgia State University, Memorial University, University of California Santa Cruz and Ryerson University.

Reframe Games

Fredericton’s Refram Games is on a mission to create games and applications for tackling real-world social issues in a fun and enlightening way. The first game they hope will do this is Guide, which focuses on empathy to help kids tackle anxiety issues. The game follows the story of Fia, a baby phoenix chick lost and alone in a dark forest. Players help Fia to escape these woods by encouraging her to face her fear of the forest’s shadows. By doing this, the aim is to help both Fia and the users to acknowledge “the fire that they always had within.” As recently reported by Entrevestor, the company is in the process of getting the data it needs to assess whether its new video game is effective in helping children cope with anxiety issues.

ADDvocacy.Org

Formerly ADDtext, Halifax-based ADDvocacy offers support for youth and adults who live with ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Autism, Anxiety and other occurring conditions that impact executive functioning as they transition to post-secondary, career exploration and/or entrepreneurship. ADDvocacy’s employs certified “strADDegists” who coach clients using various communication channels, including SMS/MMS. CEO Keith Gelhorn tells Huddle that business is up over 350 per cent from this time last year and on track to hit 500 per cent growth by October.

Wear Your Label

Founded in Fredericton in 2014,  Wear Your Label is a clothing company on a mission to eliminate the stigma around mental health. The company has gone through some challenges over the last year, but with co-founder Kyle McNevin rejoining the company as CEO back in May, the company appears to have a promising future. Back in July, the company announced a new partnership with Hudson’s Bay Company, one of the largest retailers in North America, for its new #TheFutureisStigmaFree t-shirt campaign. In an interview with Huddle at the time, McNevin says the company was planning some new partnerships for the fall. “This is just the beginning. The next several months will reveal a lot about the improvements we are making,” said MacNevin. “For now, we are focusing on making a great product and strengthening our supply chain and infrastructure to ensure the company is ready for bigger and more meaningful partnerships.”

Tranquility:

Based in Halifax, Tranquility offers an online platform that leverages Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to deliver knowledge and skills to help users suffering from different types of anxiety. The company is founded by Joel Muise, a chartered financial analyst and mental health advocate and Rebecca Tucker, a Clinical Psychology PHD student at Dalhousie University. Tranquility is a subscription-based service and offers self-help, group and one-on-one coaching options starting at $49.99 a month. The company is currently offering 7-day free trials of its services.    ]]>

IMV Inc. Celebrates Grand Opening of New Facility in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Sep 4, 2018 | IMV Inc., News

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DARTMOUTH, Nova Scotia, Sept. 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IMV Inc. (Nasdaq: IMV; TSX: IMV), a clinical stage immuno-oncology corporation, celebrated its grand opening today of its new facilities in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Frederic Ors, IMV’s Chief Executive Officer, and Andrew Sheldon, IMV’s Chairman of the Board, opened today’s event with remarks about the company’s milestones and successes. Other speakers included federal MP Darren Fisher, the Honourable Randy Delorey, Minister of Health and Wellness, and Dartmouth Centre Councillor Sam Austin. Emilie Chiasson, the Atlantic Regional Director of Ovarian Cancer Canada, served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies.

IMV Grand Opening
Councillor Sam Austin, Minister Randy Delorey, MP Darren Fisher, IMV Chairman Andrew Sheldon, IMV CEO Frederic Ors, IMV CMO Gabriela Rosu, and IMV CFO Pierre Labbé participated in today’s grand opening event for IMV’s new facilities in Dartmouth.
“The opening of our new facility marks another successful stage of growth for IMV, which will enable us to accelerate and expand on our ambitious research and clinical development programs,” said Frederic Ors.  “We are focused on attracting and retaining the best employees for a clear purpose: to develop breakthrough immunotherapies for individuals living with serious medical conditions such as ovarian and lymphoma cancers.  We look forward to continuing our growth with the strong support of the local community in Nova Scotia.” The Company moved from its offices and laboratories located in the Innovacorp Enterprise Centre on Summer Street, Halifax, to the Bluefrog Business Campus in Dartmouth to accommodate the growing business. The new space features upgraded facilities and equipment as well as increased laboratory size and capacity. IMV has now nearly tripled its space to allow for expanding business and operations in the coming years. “IMV is providing high-quality jobs for our region’s educated workforce, helping to attract and retain talent. It is also drawing international attention to the work that is being done within the life sciences community in Nova Scotia,” says Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “This kind of recognition, combined with business successes such as becoming a publicly traded company on the TSX and Nasdaq, has helped to bring significant investment to the area. This is why the Government of Canada, through the ACOA, has been a proud supporter since the get-go, assisting with funding for research and development, patent protection, and bringing the Company’s product candidates to market.” About IMV IMV Inc., formerly Immunovaccine Inc., is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to making immunotherapy more effective, more broadly applicable, and more widely available to people facing cancer and other serious diseases. IMV is pioneering a new class of immunotherapies based on the Company’s proprietary drug delivery platform. This patented technology leverages a novel mechanism of action that enables the programming of immune cells in vivo, which are aimed at generating powerful new synthetic therapeutic capabilities. IMV’s lead candidate, DPX-Survivac, is a T cell-activating immunotherapy that combines the utility of the platform with a target: surviving. IMV is currently assessing DPX-Survivac as a combination therapy in multiple clinical studies with Incyte and Merck. Connect at www.imv-inc.com. IMV Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information under applicable securities law. All information that addresses activities or developments that we expect to occur in the future is forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements are made. However, they should not be regarded as a representation that any of the plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this press release due to risks affecting the Corporation, including access to capital, the successful completion of clinical trials and receipt of all regulatory approvals. IMV Inc. assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements in this press release except as required by law. Contacts for IMV: MEDIA  Mike Beyer, Sam Brown Inc. T: (312) 961-2502 E: [email protected] INVESTOR RELATIONS Pierre Labbé, Chief Financial Officer T: (902) 492-1819 E: [email protected] Patti Bank, Managing Director, Westwicke Partners O: (415) 513-1284 T: (415) 515-4572 E: [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1b59b9b0-072e-4428-a03f-42605483f01b]]>

ENTREVESTOR: The BIC Semi-Finalists

Aug 30, 2018 | News, THE BIOINNOVATION CHALLENGE

See original story here Eight companies have been chosen to compete in this year’s BioInnovation Challenge, a regional health and life sciences business competition hosted by BioNova. The competition will go down on Nov. 7 at BioPort 2018, BioNova’s annual conference for the life-science industry at the Halifax Convention Centre. The BIC is one of the longest running business competitions in the Atlantic region. Since 2011, over 50 companies have gone through the program. Past winners of the BIC include New Brunswick-based Pfera Inc. as well as Spring Loaded Technology, ABK BioMedical and Covina Biomedical from Nova Scotia. “A strong and vibrant economy in our region requires continuous innovation and BIC has become a key program to support that,” said Scott Moffitt the Managing Director of BioNova in a statement. “Many of the companies coming out of the program have gone on to raise millions to grow and scale.” This year’s semi-finalists will receive training and sessions with expert pitching coach Linda Plano, who has over 10 years of experience mentoring entrepreneurs with startups in life sciences. The winner of the competition will also receive $25,000 in funding to develop their business idea as well as a package of support services and mentoring valued at more than $30,000. The BioPort 2018 conference is set to be the biggest yet. A Keynote address will be given by Corrina Lathan, CEO of AnthroTronix in Maryland. BioPort 2018 will also be the inaugural year for a new program for Nova Scotia’s youth. The eight BIC semi-finalists are: Coloursmith Labs – Direct-to-consumer contact lenses that work as the world’s first practical solution to colour blindness. Read Entrevestor’s coverage of Coloursmith here. Unified Health – New models designed to ease the strain on the emergency system while reducing healthcare costs and bringing better patient outcomes. The company plans to set up wellness clinics that merge traditional and alternative care practices. Talem Health Analytics – A Software-as-a-Service company for healthcare professionals to track, analyze and predict treatment regimens for people who have been in motor vehicle accidents. It draws on data from physiotherapy clinics and can help insurers assess how the patient will rehab. Talem was one of the five winners that took home $25,000 at the last Volta Cohort. Picomole – A painless, accurate, and versatile diagnostic breath test to detect early stage lung cancer. This Moncton-based company is testing its device with the Horizon Health Network in New Brunswick. Read Entrevestor’s story on Picomole here. BioHuntress – A Saint John company develping a natural treatment for blood cancer that brings a better patient experience. Neuro Amel Technologies – This Halifax-based company is building a frameless, automated brace that uses electrical stimulation to improve mobility for stroke patients. Neuro Amel recently graduated from Dalhousie University’s LaunchPad program. Read Entrevestor’s story on the early development of the project here.  Macro Movements – A company that is building a software that gives feedback on your movement to prevent injury. 3F Waste Recovery – Turns waste in the fishery, farming and forestry industries into profitable solutions. The company is in the business of “turning garbage into gold,” for the cosmetics industry.]]>

BioNova Names 2018 BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) Semi-Finalists

Aug 29, 2018 | Coloursmith Labs Inc., News, THE BIOINNOVATION CHALLENGE

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BioNova Names 2018 BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) Semi-Finalists August 29, 2018 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Eight (8) semi-finalists have been chosen to compete in the BioInnovation Challenge (BIC), BioNova’s regional health and life sciences business competition, which will be held in Halifax on November 7th during BioPort 2018 at the Halifax Convention Centre. BIC is one of the longest running business competitions in the region with over 50 companies having gone through the program since 2011. The competition has supported the growth and innovation of past winners such as New Brunswick-based Pfera Inc., along with Spring Loaded Technology, ABK BioMedical and Covina Biomedical from Nova Scotia. “A strong and vibrant economy in our region requires continuous innovation and BIC has become a key program to support that,” said Scott Moffitt, Managing Director of BioNova. “Many of the companies coming out of the program have gone on to raise millions to grow and scale.” This year’s semi-finalists will receive significant training to be positioned for business growth, including sessions with expert pitch training coach Linda Plano, who has over ten years of experience mentoring entrepreneurs with start-ups in life sciences. This year’s winner will receive $25,000 in funding to develop their business idea as well as a package of support services and mentoring valued at more than $30,000. Read more about the eight (8) semi-finalists below: Coloursmith Labs – Direct-to-consumer contact lenses that work as the world’s first practical solution to colour blindness. Unified Health – New models designed to ease the strain on the emergency system while reducing healthcare costs and bringing better patient outcomes. Talem Health Analytics – Software for healthcare professionals to track, analyze and predict treatment regimens for people in motor vehicle accidents. Picomole – A painless, accurate, and versatile diagnostic breath test to detect early stage lung cancer. BioHuntress – A natural treatment for blood cancer that brings a better patient experience. Neuro Amel Technologies – A frameless, automated brace that uses electrical stimulation to improve mobility for stroke patients. Macro Movements – Software that gives feedback on movement to prevent injury. 3F Waste Recovery – Turns waste problems in the fishery, farming and forestry industries into profitable solutions. BIC 2018 is presented by BioNova in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, BioNB, Emergence, DalhousieUniversity Industry Liaison and Innovation, Springboard Atlantic, Jennifer Cameron PR, PWC, Cox & Palmer, Bereskin & Parr, Archway Insurance, and Grant Thornton. BIC 2018 will take place over two days in November. The eight (8) semi-finalists will present to a panel of judges and the conference audience at BioPort, BioNova’s annual conference, on November 7th. The top three presenters will then pitch the following morning.  The winner will be announced at the close of BioPort 2018 on the afternoon of November 8th. 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. About BioPort 2018: BioPort 2018 will take place at the Halifax Convention Centre on November 7 and 8. 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. -30- For further information, media may contact: Shana Cristoferi Marketing Manager, BioNova 902-421-5705 [email protected] Click here to download the BIC, BioPort, and BioNova Logos.
 
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Investment and Partnership Announcements

May 15, 2018 | News

CNW – Adaptiiv Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance to Market 3D Bolus Software – Adaptiiv, an innovative medical technology company announced today that it received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market 3D Bolus Software, an advanced software solution that enables the creation of customized personal medical devices using 3D printing, used primarily in the treatment of cancer. ACOA: Covina Biomedical Inc. Solidifying Place in the Bone Cement Industry –  the Government of Canada is supporting Covina Biomedical Inc. with a $500,000 repayable investment as it advances a proprietary bone cement used in the repair of knee implants, the single biggest problem in orthopedics today. IMV: Nasdaq Approves Listing of IMV Inc. Common Shares –  IMV Inc., a clinical stage immunotherapy company, today announced that its common shares have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Marketunder the symbol “IMV.” ACOA: Helping Spring Loaded Technology Ramp up Production to Improve Mobility–  The Government of Canada is providing this award-winning company with a $460,458 repayable contribution to help it upgrade its manufacturing operations, increase productivity and improve the quality of life of more people affected by mobility issues. Sona Nanotech Limited Delivering Innovative Treatment Tools to Global Markets- The Government of Canada is supporting Sona Nanotech Limited’s efforts to establish a development and production facility for gold nanorod technology production in the Dartmouth area. ACOA: Adaptiiv Medical Technologies Perfecting Customized Medical Software-  The Government of Canada is supporting Adaptiiv Medical Technologies’ revolutionary ideas in the creation of patient-specific boluses to improve the delivery of more effective and accurate radiation doses to targeted areas. ACOA: Precision BioLogic Inc. Banks on Developing New Diagnostic Tools-  The Government of Canada is supporting Precision BioLogic Incorporated’s breakthrough ideas in bioscience and the research required to develop new diagnostic products for use in clinical coagulation laboratories. WEBWIRE: McCain Foods makes significant strategic investment in vertical farming- McCain Foods Limited has completed a strategic investment in TruLeaf Sustainable Agriculture, a highly innovative Canadian agricultural technology company. TruLeaf has developed proprietary indoor vertical farming technology to grow fresh and nutritious leafy greens of high quality and flavour, in an environmentally sustainable way, 365 days per year. News Release ACOA: Windsor Expansion Helps BioVectra Meet Global Market Demand-  The Government of Canada is investing $5,000,000 in BioVectra Inc. to help the Charlottetown-based biotechnology and pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing company expand its operations to Nova Scotia. Densitas Receives 510(k) Clearance for Breast Density Software-  Breast imaging analytics innovator Densitas Inc. announced today that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its machine learning breast density assessment software. ENTREVESTOR: ABK Raised $9M in Equity in August- ABK Biomedical has raised more than $9 million in an over-subscribed round of equity funding that closed last August.  The larger equity base has allowed the company to borrow $3 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund. ENTREVESTOR: Appili Raises $4.3M in Equity Funding- Halifax drug discovery company Appili Therapeutics Inc., has raised $4.3 million in equity financing to further its operations and add to its number of drug candidates.]]>