Nov 7, 2019 | Gallagher, Grant Thornton, Motryx, News, Novagevity
Motryx, the Halifax company whose technology improves the transportation of blood samples, has won the $55,000 BioInnovation Challenge, Atlantic Canada’s top pitching competition for life sciences companies.Co-Founder and CEO Franziska Broell pitched the company at the finals on Wednesday at BioNova’s Bioport Atlantic competition. The other finalists were Charlottetown-based AgTech company Fieldetect, and Halifax-based SeeChange BioChemistry, which will manufacture high-value compounds from biomass.Now in its ninth year, BIC is designed to support young life sciences companies by teaching contestants how to pitch for investment. As the winner, Motryx will receive $25,000 in seed funding and a $30,000 advisory services package to develop its business idea.Because hospitals and healthcare systems are becoming bigger and more centralized, blood samples are often shipped to labs over great distances, sometimes including air shipment. About 3 percent of samples end up being unusable because they are ruined due to the time, temperature or vibrations involved in the trip. Motryx has developed blood vials with sensors that transmit to labs data on the conditions during the trip, allowing lab officials to identify problems and solve them.“In the last six months, we’ve secured eight early adopter clients in Europe and the U.S., and we’ve been able to convert two into paying clients,” Broell told the panel of judges.The company is also doing a pilot in Africa in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The company so far has raised $1.5 million, including investment from Killick Capital and Concrete Ventures.SeeChange BioChemistry is using a new bio-refinery process to produce high-value compounds from sustainable sources.
Co-Founder Chris Rafuse said the company, which was founded this year, has found a method to use a form of biomass to produce three industrial compounds: polyphenols, which are used in pharmaceutical industries to help with obesity and Type 2 diabetes; lactic acid, which can be used in 3D printing, plastics and other industrial uses; and another compound that Rafuse declined to name.
Refuse said the company is attacking a $4 billion global market opportunity, and current methods of producing these materials involve extraction from petrochemicals and result in a lot of waste. There is no waste with the SeeChange process, he said, and users demand more sustainable sourcing.
“We’ve never made an outside call,” said Rafuse, adding that the company’s six prospective clients all contacted SeeChange. The company will soon be ready to start selling. “We want to hit the market hard and fast so no one sees us coming and we think we can gain a lot of market share very quickly.”
Operating under a licensing agreement with the University of Prince Edward Island, Fieldetect is developing a hand-held device that will allow farmers to detect disease in their herds fast enough to prevent a large outbreak.
President and Co-Founder Andrew Trivett said the company is beginning with hog farmers, who now have to take samples from their herds and send them to a lab to be tested. In the day or two it takes to get the results back, a disease could spread, possibly leading to a cull of the entire herd.
“What if we could take that test and have the farmer do it themselves, have it take less than an hour and get the result immediately?” asked Trivett.
Fieldetect has developed LabAnywhere, a handheld device that will test a sample from the animal and give farmers the results on their smartphones in about 40 minutes. The team expects to begin shipping the product in late 2020 and sell about 500 units in the subsequent 12 months.
May 21, 2019 | News, Solid State Pharma Inc. (SSPI)
Solid State Pharma Inc. to add new equipment, create intellectual property for pharmaceutical, natural health companies.
May 21, 2019 – Halifax, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Cutting-edge ideas in life sciences help Atlantic Canadian businesses take advantage of emerging opportunities in the pharmaceutical and natural health products sectors, successfully compete in world markets and grow the local economy. Committed to improving drug effectiveness, Solid State Pharma Inc. is helping companies around the world provide faster and more effective drug treatments to patients.
In just five years, the pharmaceutical research company has outgrown its current space and is moving to a new downtown Halifax location, more than tripling its footprint. Solid State Pharma is purchasing state-of-the-art equipment to outfit the laboratory where it will conduct innovative research to produce new intellectual property. Pharmaceutical and natural health care companies will use this research to patent new drugs, extend the patent life of existing drugs, and lower required dosages. Solid State Pharma will decrease costs for its clients, develop new intellectual property to improve the company’s sustainability, add jobs and grow exports around the globe.
Today, Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax, announced a $700,000 Government of Canada contribution to Solid State Pharma Inc. to support its expansion. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
Economic growth and the creation of good jobs for Atlantic Canadians require innovation and diversification. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is working to help businesses scale-up, increase productivity and participate in the innovation economy. Projects like this also contribute to the Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.
Quotes:
“In a time of rapid technological change and global interconnectedness, we have an opportunity to leverage our healthcare innovations to achieve even greater impact through advances in pharmaceutical research. Companies like Solid State Pharma are world leaders in this field. These firms are helping Atlantic Canada provide better healthcare to Canadians and people around the world, while generating regional economic wealth and creating highly skilled jobs.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, supports investments in research and initiatives that grow the economy and encourage the commercialization of breakthrough ideas. From its new facility, Solid State Pharma Inc. will continue to conduct cutting-edge research to help optimize drug effectiveness for patients around the world.” – Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax
“Bringing value to the patients, to our community and to our team is the primary driving force at Solid State Pharma. We have had four requests for acquisition by European and Chinese companies but we showed no interest because we want to stay and grow here in Atlantic Canada for many years to come. The ACOA contribution helps us meet our long-term vision, create more highly-paid jobs and increase our export revenue.”
– Dr. Mahmoud Mirmehrabi, Founder and President, Solid State Pharma Inc.
Quick Facts:
Solid State Pharma Inc. is an early-stage life sciences company that specializes in pharmaceutical research and crystal engineering.
The company partners with many global pharmaceutical companies and earns nearly all of its revenue from out-of-country exports.
When it incorporated in 2014, Solid State Pharma had one employee, founder Dr. Mahmoud Mirmehrabi. The company currently employs 13 full-time staff, two interns and five consultants. It plans to add 25 highly skilled jobs and 15-20 new intern positions over the next five years.
Solid State Pharma is receiving a $700,000 repayable contribution through the 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 enhance their productivity and competitiveness in both domestic and global markets.
The REGI program continues to build on the objectives of the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan.
Contacts:
Chris Brooks
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell) [email protected]
Dr. Mahmoud Mirmehrabi President Solid State Pharma Inc.
902-442-4012 ext 1 [email protected]
Apr 8, 2019 | ABK Biomedical, News
See full and original Entrevestor article here
Halifax medical device maker ABK Biomedical Inc. has raised a record-setting US$30 million venture capital round, with which it hopes to bring two products to market.
The Series B round is equal to C$40 million, which is the largest venture capital round ever in Atlantic Canada. The record had been held by Fredericton-based cybersecurity outfit Sonrai Security, which closed a US$18.5 million (C$24.6 million) round in late December.
The ABK funding round was co-led by: Cambridge, Mass.-based F-Prime Capital, which is an offshoot of mutual fund giant Fidelity Investments; and Palo Alto, Calif.-based Varian Medical Systems, a maker of medical software. They were attracted to ABK because of the strength of the management team and the potential of its technology – even though the company does not yet have a product in the market.
Mar 4, 2019 | Alentic Microscience Inc., News
Alentic Microscience Inc. commercializes its blood diagnostic device for medical settings
March 4, 2019 – Halifax, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Cutting-edge ideas in life sciences are reaching the marketplace faster than ever, providing Canadians with less invasive and more effective treatment options that improve patient outcomes. Determined to provide mobile healthcare solutions that give immediate results, Alentic Microscience Inc. has developed a pocket-sized diagnostic device that can generate test results in under five minutes, from any location, using only a drop of blood from a pinprick.
Conceived for medical diagnostics, Alentic’s technology was chosen by the Canadian Space Agency to conduct immunological research in real-time aboard the International Space Station. Alentic is now commercializing its technology to be used in hospitals, clinics, veterinary settings or in the field. The device uses patented technology to analyze a tiny quantity of blood, producing high quality blood test results immediately at patient point-of-care. The device can perform different types of tests rapidly, which will improve patient care, reduce wait times, lower costs and increase healthcare efficiencies.
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 $2,992,162 in Government of Canada support to Alentic Microscience 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:
“In a time of rapid technological change and global interconnectedness, we have an opportunity to leverage our healthcare innovations to achieve even greater impact through advances in life sciences. With commitment and bold action, Atlantic Canada can be a frontrunner for the country, and the world, in providing quality bio-innovations that attract investment and talent, advance our economic prosperity and provide better healthcare to Canadians.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Alentic’s technology is working to transform traditional patient care with shorter wait times for test results. This innovative tool has the potential to improve the lives of thousands of Canadians, particularly those who have health conditions such as heart disease, anemia and immune disorders, for which frequent blood tests are vital to properly manage these illnesses.”
– Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax
“All of us at Alentic Microscience are deeply grateful to ACOA for their enabling financial support. This contribution will allow us to achieve critical research, development and commercialization milestones on our path to selling Alentic’s revolutionary diagnostic devices in Canada and abroad. The money further allows us to grow our superb team as we approach market entry.”
– Alan Fine, CEO, Alentic Microscience Inc.
Quick Facts:
• Alentic Microscience is receiving a $2,992,162 repayable contribution through ACOA’s Business Development Program (BDP).
• The funding will help create six jobs, including a biological engineer, a software developer and an embedded systems engineer, in addition to maintaining 15 jobs, to help with the planning, detailed design, prototype assembly, testing and clinical trials of new devices.
• Alentic’s technology is fully operational for specific cellular analyses currently used in medical and veterinary settings.
• In collaboration with Honeywell International Inc., Alentic successfully obtained a multi-million dollar contract with the Canadian Space Agency to develop specific diagnostic tests and a device to monitor astronauts’ immune systems in real time, an important task that was previously impossible.
• Alentic Microscience Inc. has been granted ten patents in the United States, one in Canada and one in China, with many more patents in progress.
• The BDP primarily assists Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs who want to start a business, increase productivity or improve operations.
• The Business Development Program continues to build on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.
Associated Links:
• Bio-Analyzer: Instant biomedical results from space to Earth
Contacts:
Chris Brooks
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell) [email protected]
Alan Fine
CEO
Alentic Microscience Inc.
902-407-0827 / 902-440-3825
[email protected]]]>
Mar 4, 2019 | BioVectra, News
BioVectra Inc. announces a $144.6 million expansion project, including a $37.5 million contribution through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund
— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits BioVectra to announce Government of Canada investment in Atlantic Canadian CDMO and high-skilled jobs creation in the region —
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (March 4, 2019) – Today, BioVectra Inc., an Atlantic Canadian Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), announced a five-year, $144.6 million (CAD) expansion project to enhance its Biopharmaceutical capabilities in both Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Windsor, Nova Scotia.
Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, visited BioVectra in Charlottetown to announce a $37.5 million contribution from the Government of Canada through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The $37.5 million contribution represents the single largest SIF Project ever awarded in Atlantic Canada.
“Thanks to innovations in life sciences, Canadians are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. Canadian companies like BioVectra are creating new jobs and establishing themselves as global leaders in producing lifesaving treatments for serious illnesses that affect millions of people around the world. Today, we are not only investing in an innovative Canadian business, but also in Canadians and the future prosperity of our country.” – The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
More specifically, the project is intended to support BioVectra’s on-going Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) production capacity expansion in Charlottetown, as well as an expansion of its Biologics capabilities in Windsor, including a mammalian cell culture facility.
Over the project’s five-year lifespan, 150 high-skilled, full-time jobs are expected to be created on Prince Edward Island and in Nova Scotia. “We are pleased to announce plans to create 150 additional jobs, 110 to be located at our Windsor site and 40 in Charlottetown,” said BioVectra President, Oliver Technow. “This is an extremely proud day for BioVectra, and we are deeply appreciative of the government’s support. Since 2015, we have invested approximately $25 million per year in expansions and technologies that have vastly enhanced our capabilities. Today’s announcement is a continuation of our commitment to growth right here in Atlantic Canada!”
As a trusted and innovative partner, BioVectra’s global client base includes most of the top 20 biopharmaceutical companies in the world. “Our clients develop important, life-saving medicines for people all around the globe,” said BioVectra’s Windsor General Manager, Heather Delage. “This exciting expansion project is designed to help propel us toward being a top-tier player in the biologics field, where many therapies are advancing rapidly, and changing the way healthcare is delivered.”
Beyond these expansion plans, BioVectra intends to complement its existing academic partnerships by forming additional collaborations with Canadian academic institutions. This investment includes reinforcing its future talent base by providing over 25 students with on-the-job training and internship opportunities on an annual basis.
About BioVectra
BioVectra is a CDMO that serves global pharmaceutical and biotech companies with full-service cGMP outsourcing solutions for intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients. An innovative and reliable service partner with a strong regulatory history, BioVectra has over 45 years of experience specializing in:
- cGMP Microbial Fermentation
- Complex Chemistry – High Potency APIs
- Biologics
- Formulation Development
For more information about BioVectra, please visit www.biovectra.com.
Media Contact
Jordan MacGregor
Communications and Marketing Manager
BioVectra Inc.
Phone: 902-566-9116 ext. 6376
E-Mail: [email protected]
Statements in this document that are not strictly historical, including statements regarding future business prospects, use of capital or the impact of any such events or developments, and any other statements regarding events or developments the company believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, may be “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law.]]>