April 17, 2015
Through the Advanced Manufacturing Fund (AMF), FedDev Ontario is providing Baylis Medical Company Inc. with a repayable contribution of up to $15.2 million.
Baylis Medical is a Canadian-based manufacturer and distributor of medical devices, with its research and development and manufacturing facility located in Mississauga, Ontario.
The Government of Canada's contribution will match Baylis' investment to accelerate the development and commercialization of the company's new, first-in-Canada medical devices that will be used by doctors during heart procedures. The project will involve three new products or product lines including:
- Baylis' Advanced Pacemaker Lead Placement Products. This is a system of specialized catheters and guide wires that will aid physicians in gaining left heart access — a task that is challenging with current technology.
- Epicardial Access Products. Baylis' suite of specialized tools will provide physicians with epicardial access to the heart. This new access method will be used to treat irregular heart rhythms and is considered an innovative and unique solution to gaining controlled access to the heart.
- Baylis' Hydrophilic Coated Radiofrequency Guidewire will be used in the endovascular treatment of blocked blood vessels. Baylis will be developing a new guidewire along with a coating process that will improve tactile feedback and provide physicians with improved wire tracking.
Funding under the AMF will help the company to commercialize and manufacture these new medical device product lines, improve productivity for in-house manufacturing and it is expected that 30 research and development jobs and 60 manufacturing jobs will be created in Ontario.
In addition, the project will enhance Baylis' global competitiveness, while strengthening Ontario's medical device cluster. This is in line with the AMF's objective of investing in transformative projects within sophisticated niche sectors.
Founded in 1986, Baylis Medical develops, manufactures and distributes medical devices. Baylis is a world leader in advanced radiofrequency catheters for puncturing cardiac tissue. It is the only manufacturer in Canada of radiofrequency devices for use in interventional cardiology and interventional radiology.
Baylis Medical is actively engaged in the emerging medical device cluster in Ontario and collaborates with hospitals and research organizations, including Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, the University Health Network, the University of Waterloo and the University of Western Ontario.
The company employs close to 200 employees, with sales in more than 30 countries.
