Oct 18, 2017 | BIOPORT ATLANTIC, News, THE BIOINNOVATION CHALLENGE
See original Entrevestor article here
By Peter Moreira
Pfera, the Fredericton company that helps horse breeders predict when their mares will give birth, won the $45,000 BioInnovation Challenge on Wednesday, its second big competition win this year.
Now in its seventh year, the BIC is the main competition for young life sciences companies in the region, and is a highlight of the annual BioPort Atlantic conference. As well as winning the BIC, Pfera CEO Lisa Pfister earlier this year won the $375,000 first prize at the Breakthru competition, the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation’s biennial startup contest.
“I am really excited about what the future holds for us,” said Pfister after the win. “We really enjoyed the whole process, the mentorship and training were invaluable and we will make good use of our cash and in-kind services to take us to the next level.”
Read Our Report on BioPort 2017
Pfera is developing a suite of products to reduce costs and improve survival rates in the breeding of horses. Horse breeding is now a $10.6 billion business and Pfera has already successfully tested its first product, a patent-pending device and software that tell breeders when their mares will give birth.
There’s now a range of about 50 days of when a mare could go into labour, and someone has to watch the horse 24 hours a day during this time. Pfister said Pfera tested its system on 10 horses in P.E.I. this spring and saw vast improvements.
“We were able to get the notice four days ahead of time,” said Pfister. “We were able to narrow [the predicted delivery time] to within four to eight hours and we’re improving on that all the time.” One of the horses was Pfister’s own mare, and she was able to fly into P.E.I. six hours before the birth because of her technology.
As the winner of the BIC, Pfera will receive a $15,000 seed investment and a package of support services and mentoring valued at more than $30,000.
The company plans to publish the results of its first test at veterinary conferences this year and go into clinical trials early next year. It’s planning a launch in late 2018 or early 2019.
Pfera is also working on a breeding platform for the horse community that contains data on each mare and helps tell when it’s the best time to breed. Pfister added the company is working on a third product, though it is keeping this project under wraps for now.
The BIC event was a big win for the bio-sciences sector in New Brunswick as all three finalists hail from that province. The other two finalists were:
• Tieös Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Moncton, aims to create new paradigms in cancer treatment by targeting several “metabolic pathways” simultaneously to prevent cancer cells from spreading. Arun Anand, CEO, told the audience that cancer is believed to be caused by genetic mutations, but his team believes that the causes are actually metabolic (meaning tumors are created by non-genetic factors). Tieös plans to revolutionize cancer care by taking a number of actions based on this theory to starve cancer cells of their energy and ability to reproduce.
• Zecken Laboratories, of Sackville, is enhancing the diagnosis of Lyme disease. CEO Kami Harris has been studying ticks and Lyme disease for her PhD at Mount Allison University, and now she is transforming her research into a company. She said there are actually 21 types of Lyme disease, but current diagnostic tests only identify one type. That means about 90 percent of the instances of Lyme disease go undetected, which can lead to long-term health problems. Zecken has already identified peptides that show the presence of the affliction and continues to research the disease to identify new strains as they come along.
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Mar 22, 2017 | BIOPORT ATLANTIC, News, THE BIOINNOVATION CHALLENGE
Originally featured in LINK Magazine
Revolutionizing the way people are repositioned in wheelchairs in homes, hospitals and care facilities around the world.
Nova Scotians working in the healthcare sector have the highest rate of workplace injury compared to any other industry, with musculoskeletal injuries to healthcare workers costing Nova Scotia taxpayers $100 million annually. These injuries are frequently caused by continuing care workers repositioning patients in wheelchairs who are unable to reposition themselves.
MacKenzie Healthcare Technologies, in collaboration with NSCC and Northwood, a leading long-term care facility in Halifax, has developed The Paraglide system to help alleviate this problem. Paraglide is a wheelchair repositioning system that brings mechanical innovation to the currently injury-prone and undignified task of moving someone in a wheelchair from a slouched position to an upright position.
The Paraglide device will be the first of its kind that will allow people who become slouched forward in wheelchairs to reposition themselves at the touch of a button, removing the reliance of a caregiver and giving them dignity and independence. The device will also eliminate the risk of caregiver injury for this task, prevent pressure injuries (bed sores), and save resources in healthcare facilities, nursing homes, homecare, governments and injury-related insurance coverage for both wheelchair users and caregivers alike.
Paraglide, made of lightweight aluminum, contains a motor, gears, and electronics which attach to the back of the wheelchair. The device uses a wireless remote control, rotating and pulling a specially designed fabric sheet along the seat of the wheelchair thereby moving the person automatically. When the button is released the device releases the sheet, allowing enough slack for the individual to make their way forward again, allowing free movement.
Last October, MacKenzie Healthcare Technologies was named the winner of the sixth annual BioInnovation Challenge (Presented by BioNova) chosen by a panel of judges for its adaptability, market pull, and consumer readiness. The prize package valued at more than $30,000, contained a seed investment and a package of advisory services that the company has used to advance its production as it prepares for the market this summer.]]>
Jun 16, 2016 | BIOPORT ATLANTIC, News, THE BIOINNOVATION CHALLENGE
See original post here
Osteoporosis and broken bones could soon prove much less of a problem thanks to a breakthrough surgical glue invented by the team behind Covina BioMedical, a Halifax startup currently searching for $2 million in seed capital.
The newly incorporated company (formerly known as Biofix) has patented a novel type of glass ionomer cement (GIC), the super strong glues that are great for dental work but pose problems — including aluminum-driven toxicity — when used outside the mouth. Covina has figured out how to remove the aluminum from its GIC yet retain the tool’s polymerized strength. In addition, its GIC handles better – allowing surgeons to inject it non-invasively into bone including vertebrae, opening the door for much faster turnarounds in the operating room.
Brett Dickey, currently wrapping up a PhD at Dalhousie University’s school of biomedical engineering, told the Chronicle Herald he and fellow cofounder Caitlin Pierlot, a postdoctoral fellow at the school, are at the due diligence stage with several Toronto and Nova Scotia-based angel investment groups to raise $2 million “as soon as possible.”
Dickey said Covina will use the capital to achieve ISO13485-certification, an internationally-recognized approval of a medical device company’s quality management procedures, for its product’s proposed manufacturing process. The hurdle requires significant pre-clinical testing, which Covina is conducting with Dalhousie and aims to conclude in 2017, he said. This should clear the way for a 2018 launch in Europe, a market with more clearly defined and user friendly regulatory requirements than the U.S., says Dickey.
“Europe allows medical device companies to achieve regulatory approval and licence to sell their technologies in a more efficient manner. Also, establishing a European market will bring in revenue while we prepare to launch in the U.S.
“It’s a long process, but we believe in our product and its potential.”
Demographics do appear to be in Covina’s favour. Dickey says every year, more than 700,000 orthopedic fractures occur in the U.S. alone. Meanwhile, that country is expected to see an increase in people suffering from osteoporosis — a deterioration of spinal bone — to 61 million by 2020, he says.
“Our minimally invasive procedure could treat people’s pain in a way that would be inexpensive for hospitals and convenient for patients. Patients will be able to go into a hospital or clinic, lie on a bed and be given a local anaesthetic. Our cement would then be injected, using a hollow needle similar to a biopsy needle, directly into the vertebrae of the spine. The cement sets in place, the fracture is stabilized, and the patient will be able to walk out. We will make this an outpatient procedure.”
Dickey says Covina enjoyed a big boost after coming first at the 2015 BioNova BioInnovation Challenge at industry event BioPort Atlantic, held in Halifax in October. The win not only landed the company a $15,000 cash prize but also plugged it into $30,000 of “incredibly useful” in-kind strategic and tactical marketing, financial modeling and planning advice.
“Winning the challenge was an excellent catalyst, a great way to kick things off and get us to a lot of places quickly, in terms of gearing us up.”
Alberta-born Dickey, who grew up in Nova Scotia, owns Covina with Peggy’s Cove native Pierlot, Halifax-based interventional radiologist Dr. Bob Abraham and Dalhousie biomaterials professor Daniel Boyd, who moved to Canada several years ago from Ireland and whose research enabled the original innovation behind Covina’s cement.
The foursome coalesced in 2011 around a $2.5-million Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) grant to fund the development of non-invasive bone repair. Covina is benefitting also from a $50,000 Innovacorp grant.
Dickey says one of the main drivers behind Covina’s creation was the team’s collective desire to grow a world-beating global brand built and permanently run out of Nova Scotia.
“You can do it here,” he says. “Take a look around and you see a lot of good companies coming up in bigger and bigger waves.”]]>
Jun 6, 2016 | Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), BioNB, BIOPORT ATLANTIC, Cox & Palmer, Dalhousie University, Office of Commercialization and Industry Engagement, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Canada, News, PEI BioAlliance, PWC, THE BIOINNOVATION CHALLENGE
The BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) was created by BioNova, Nova Scotia’s life sciences industry association and sector development organization, to help ease the transition from research laboratory to market. But BIC is more than just a competition; it is a support program to accelerate Atlantic Canadian researchers and life science companies in becoming established, viable entities. Since its inception in 2011, the BioInnovation Challenge has ushered 38 companies and research organizations from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI through the program, each receiving significant training to position a business for high growth.
“We are very excited about this year’s competition,” said Scott Moffitt, managing director at BioNova. “There is a lot of innovation happening in the life sciences in Atlantic Canada and we are on track to be one of the pillars of the new economy, we are definitely a sector to watch out for.”
The competition, presented by BioNova in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Dalhousie University, Springboard Atlantic, BioNB and PEI BioAlliance will take place during BioPort Atlantic, the premier annual life sciences industry event in Atlantic Canada on October 25-26, 2016 in Halifax.
The winners, who will be announced at BioPort Atlantic, will be awarded advisory services with the first place winner also receiving seed funding for a total package value of $45,000. In-kind services have been provided by: Plano and Simple, Cox & Palmer, Jennifer Cameron PR, JLT Canada, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sandler Training, Grant Thornton LLP and BioNova.
Life sciences companies and researchers will have until August 12, 2016 to submit their entries to BioNova. Semi-Finalists will be chosen by September 2. For full competition details and to submit an application visit www.bionova.ca
About BioNova
BioNova is Nova Scotia’s life sciences industry association and sector development organization. BioNova leads and supports its members as we build a successful, self-sustaining life sciences industry in Nova Scotia. By promoting the industry and its successes, building relationships both inside and outside the province and creating networking and educational opportunities BioNova aims to accelerate the commercialization success of Nova Scotia’s life sciences businesses and organizations.
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For Further Information:
Media Inquiries:
Jessica Gillis
Communications Officer
[email protected]
(902) 237-8608
Application Inquiries:
Kerri Mannette
Project Manager
[email protected]
902-421-5705 ext. 4]]>
May 20, 2016 | BIOPORT ATLANTIC, THE BIOINNOVATION CHALLENGE
See original article in Spring 2016 edition of LINK Magazine
Caitlin Pierlot, the CEO of Covina Biomedical Inc. (formerly known as Biofix Medical Technologies) says the early stage orthopaedic medical device company has seen a lot of growth since winning the fifth annual BioInnovation Challenge in 2015.
Encouraging entrepreneurial activity, the BioInnovation Challenge was created by BioNova, Nova Scotia’s life sciences industry association and a number of partners as an investment competition to ease the transition from research laboratory to market. Each year the competition takes place during BioPort Atlantic and the winner is selected by a panel of judges and the conference audience.
During the competition Pierlot captivated her audience as she pitched Covina’s pioneering bone cement technology. With evaluation criteria such as adaptability, market pull and consumer readiness, she defeated the competition with higher marks from the panelists and conference audience.
“Our team benefited tremendously from the challenge. It forced us to make strategic decisions and in the end allowed us to develop a pitch that we had confidence using in front of powerful investment teams,” says Pierlot.
Pierlot was first introduced to the competition by Covina cofounder Dr. Daniel Boyd who had previously won the competition through his involvement with ABK Biomedical in 2011. Hearing about the benefits of the competition first hand she knew it could be the boost Covina needed to get started.
Since winning the challenge, which included a cash prize of $15,000 and $30,000 of in-kind services, Pierlot says Covina has used the resources to get started on the path to commercialization. The company has begun the process of building a strong brand identity, hired financial consultants to forecast regulatory approvals and global sales, and raised further investments and interest gained from the competition.
Today the company is seeking further investment capital to boost their business strategy and continue down the path of receiving regulatory approvals to bring their product to market.]]>
