Atlantic Canada’s bioscience sector has become a key driver of economic growth and diversification for the region. The Government of Canada is investing to help three Halifax bioscience companies create innovative healthcare solutions for a wide range of challenges facing people around the world.

“Strategic investments in Atlantic Canada’s bioscience sector are helping local companies bring innovative ideas from the lab to the marketplace. These advancements are creating well-paying jobs and made-in-Halifax solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of people around the world."
- Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The Halifax biomedical community has a well-earned reputation for innovation and excellence. Companies like ClearDynamic, AGADA Biosciences and NovaResp Technolgoies are helping build a strong future for all Canadians as they develop their novel ideas, scale up and prepare to reach new markets.”
- Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Member of Parliament for Halifax

“We simply could not develop this breakthrough health technology without the support and advice of ACOA. Their assistance has enabled us to attract much needed foreign direct investment to Nova Scotia, it has helped us to accelerate our development plans, and to partner with leading physicians around the world.”
- Dr. Daniel Boyd, Acting Chief Scientific Officer, ClearDynamic

“AGADA is delighted to continue its rapid expansion, both providing new therapeutic opportunities for neuromuscular disease patients, while taking advantage of the outstanding workforce graduating from Atlantic universities.”
- Dr. Eric Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer, AGADA Biosciences

“I would like to thank ACOA for their support and financial assistance. ACOA has been there for us from the beginning, helping us work toward our technological and commercialization objectives. I’m sure I’m not just speaking for myself when I say that ACOA’s support for the life-sciences ecosystem has been a crucial part of our growth, as well as the employment and training of highly skilled employees that’ll help form the future of our region.”
- Dr. Hamed Hanafi, Chief Executive Officer, NovaResp Technologies

• The Atlantic Canadian bioscience sector is made up of 900 organizations including research institutions, non-government organizations, private business and government. Together, they employ more than 10,000 people.

• Life sciences are a component of the bioscience sector. In Halifax, there are more than 100 life sciences companies across a range of industries, from medical devices to digital health to bioproducts.

• The Halifax life sciences sector includes an emerging medical technology cluster which builds on the city’s IT strengths and vibrant innovation ecosystem.

• The funding announced today is provided through ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.

Associated links

• AGADA Biosciences
• NovaResp Technologies
• Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program

Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary 
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Lauren Sinclair
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
782-641-6365
Lauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Roar Askheim
Director and Chief Financial Officer
ClearDynamic Inc.
902-448-4401
raskheim@ClearDynamic.com 

Dr. Eric Hoffman
Chief Executive Officer
AGADA Biosciences
902-442-4011
ehoffman@agadabio.com

Dr. Hamed Hanafi
Chief Executive Officer
NovaResp Technologies
902-403-2443
hanafi@novaresp.com

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