LumIR Lasers: From university laboratory to medical innovation

The idea for LumIR Lasers took root in 2019 in the laboratories of the Centre for Optics, Photonics and Lasers (COPL) at Université Laval. Two professors, Réal Vallée and Martin Bernier, noticed a rare entrepreneurial spirit in their student, Louis-Philippe Pleau. Together, they decided to turn their scientific expertise into a business project. The founding team was soon joined by Vincent Fortin, a research professional recognized for his expertise in designing and assembling mid-infrared fibre lasers. A partnership was also concluded with French business Le Verre Fluoré, the first fluoride glass optical fibre manufacturer in the world.

Summary

Their goal is a significant one: to move beyond the academic setting and build a business that will offer a revolutionary product in the medical field, thanks to advanced fibre-optic laser technology. Located in Québec, LumIR Lasers benefits from an environment conducive to innovation. The region is a true centre of excellence in optics and photonics, due in part to the presence of the COPL and the National Optics Institute (INO). This proximity to research centres allows the business to rely on a dynamic scientific ecosystem and access a highly qualified workforce that contributes to the development of its own production and marketing capabilities.

CED quickly became a partner of LumIR Lasers, recognizing its potential as a catalyst for progress in high-precision medical solutions. In 2022, CED provided financial support that enabled the business to move beyond university-owned equipment and take flight. Two years later, additional funding was granted for the acquisition of specialized equipment to increase production capacity, improve productivity and strengthen the business’s ability to seize new opportunities.

“CED’s financial support allowed our business to carry out its largest growth project to date, with the establishment of our new production and laboratory facilities at 2300 Avenue d’Estimauville. This is the very first manufacturing plant for fluoride glass optical fibre lasers in Canada. It is an important milestone in the life of our business.”  — Louis-Philippe Pleau, President of LumIR Lasers

This new technology paves the way for a range of applications, particularly in the medical-aesthetic and surgical fields, as well as in industrial uses. The laser developed by LumIR Lasers stands out for its precision and its ability to generate wavelengths tailored to targeted treatments. In the medical-aesthetic sector, it is used for non-invasive procedures such as treating wrinkles and solar lentigo. And the business’s ambitions extend far beyond this.

LumIR Lasers is aiming for a breakthrough in the surgical field, where its lasers could be integrated into medical devices for high-precision procedures. Industrial applications are also being explored, including in materials processing and the manufacture of specialized components. “Our technology has the potential to improve medical practices. It could also promote the emergence of innovative applications in surgery and in advanced technology sectors such as defence, scientific research and industrial materials processing,” comments Louis-Philippe Pleau.

This diversification of applications developed by the SME is part of a growth strategy built on innovation, applied research and collaboration with strategic partners. By leveraging a technology originating from academia, LumIR Lasers perfectly illustrates the potential for transferring fundamental research into the entrepreneurial world. It also embodies a new generation of scientific entrepreneurs capable of turning discoveries into concrete solutions for rapidly evolving markets.

With CED’s support and the expertise of its team, LumIR Lasers is well positioned to become a major player in the field of laser technologies. Its journey reflects the richness of Quebec’s optics-photonics ecosystem and demonstrates the ability of start-ups to innovate, develop a structure and shine beyond the academic sphere.