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

Backgrounder

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.

Contacts

Alexander Cohen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic
Development and Official Languages
alexander.cohen@canada.ca

Chris Brooks 
Director, Communications and Outreach                             
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
chris.brooks@canada.ca

Dr. Franziska Broell
CEO
Motryx
902-448-4152
fran@motryx.com

Dan LeBlanc
President
Nxtgen Care
902-802-1058
dan@nxtgencare.com

Roar Askheim
Chief Financial Officer
IR Scientific
902-448-4401
raskheim@ir-scientific.com

Katheryn Spears
Marketing Manager
SkinFix
902-789-0949
katheryn.spears@skinfix.com 


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