Halifax companies develop technology to improve healthcare, quality of life

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

Four businesses receive federal support to bring healthcare products to market

February 18, 2021 · Halifax, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Helping Atlantic Canadian businesses scale up and bring new products to market is key to building a diverse, resilient economy. Four Halifax companies specializing in healthcare technology are expanding and exploring new markets with support from the Government of Canada. These projects will help grow Halifax’s international reputation as an innovation hub - creating jobs, attracting talent and increasing investment in the area. 

Federal government invests in innovative technology

Today, Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, announced a total of $1,430,500 in repayable contributions through ACOA to help four companies commercialize and market their products:

  • Novalte Inc. is receiving $500,000 to create six new jobs to expand its development and support team for its new managed service, which is built around the emitto™ Hub - a seamless platform for independence.
  • Boondoc Technologies Inc. is receiving $499,500 to market its collaborative healthcare platforms called The Rounds and QID for physicians and pharmacists to the United States and within Canada.
  • FIVAMed Inc. is receiving $231,000 to manufacture, market and obtain regulatory approvals for its third generation intravenous fluid monitoring device FIVA FLOW.
  • PhotoDynamic Inc. is receiving $200,000 to develop a commercialization plan and get regulatory approval for its orthodontic oral hygiene product.

Today’s announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to help Canadian businesses innovate and bring new products to market. Funding for strategic projects like these ones will help the region seize new opportunities to build a stronger, more sustainable economy in communities throughout Atlantic Canada.

Quotes

"During these times of crisis, we are here to support Canadian SMEs, innovators and workers as they adapt to changing consumer needs and shifting global realities. Helping more businesses to scale-up, grow and create new jobs is an important step on Canada’s road to economic recovery.

-   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Halifax has a strong and growing community of businesses specializing in IT and healthcare. Today’s announcement will help four up-and-coming companies expand into new markets, growing Halifax’s healthcare technology sector.”

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

"We are thrilled to be able to make a social impact. Our mission at Novalte is to provide the greatest degree of independence for the clients we serve and help them break down barriers that impede their full use of technologies available. We have found that this also aids with the operational efficiency within our customers’ facilities. Everyone needs a helping hand, and we are proud to be one."

-   Michael Cullen, CTO and Founder, Novalte Inc. 

“Boondoc Technologies (operating as The Rounds) provides digital solutions that advance with the evolving medical community. Our goal is to ensure healthcare providers can connect and collaborate with accurate information to provide exceptional care and improve global healthcare outcomes. The Rounds is modernizing how healthcare professionals connect, because we believe sharing knowledge saves lives. With ACOA’s support, The Rounds is planning to launch in the United States this year.”

-   Tim Rice, CEO, Boondoc Technologies Inc.

“In the midst of this challenging time, FIVAMed is excited to provide a reliable, low-cost tool to health care providers that will reduce risk and ease stress in an already challenging environment. Along with several COVID-19 innovations released over the past year, we are proud to be able to bring this new generation of our Fluid Intravenous Alert (FIVA) device to the market. We could not have done this without the amazing support from our local Nova Scotia Health clinicians and researchers, and of course ACOA.”

-   Ben Garvey, P.Eng. CEO, FIVAMed Inc.

“PhotoDynamic has had an exciting year.  We’ve completed the commercialization of our oral hygiene technology, and under the leadership of our new VP of Marketing, Jason Tutty, we’re ready to test-launch with orthodontists in Canada and the United States. For life science companies like us, the road from discovery to launch is a long one, and we’ve been very fortunate to count on the support of ACOA to get us to this important milestone.”

-   Martin Greenwood, CEO, PhotoDynamic Inc.

Quick facts

  • Novalte’s platform uses smart technology to help people with disabilities and mobility issues achieve a greater level of independence. 

  • The funding to Boondoc Technologies Inc., which builds on the success of a previous project, is expected to create five new jobs.

  • FIVAMed’s new product will bring smart features to a manual IV drip machine for hospitals and clinics with advanced technology. It will be marketed and sold across North America and in the European Union. The project is expected to create two new jobs.

  • PhotoDynamic plans to enter the professional orthodontic market this fall. Its product, called PhytoLight, removes plaque using a proprietary process that combines light and an extract from a plant that grows wild in Nova Scotia. 

  • Repayable funding for these projects is provided through ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.

Associated links

Contacts

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
Catherine.Mounier-Desrochers@canada.ca

Chris Brooks
Communications Director, Nova Scotia
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-830-3839
Chris.Brooks@canada.ca

Angie Tran
Marketing Lead & Interim HR Officer
Novalte Inc.
atran@novalte.ca

Hannah Chapple
Senior Marketing Manager
The Rounds
902-402-2698
hannah@therounds.com

Alastair Trower
Director of Business Development
FIVAMed Inc.
902-818-7799
alastair@enginuityinc.ca

Martin Greenwood
CEO
PhotoDynamic Inc.
902-209-2256
marty@photo-dynamic.com

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