NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BioNova Names Eight Semi-Finalists to Present at the Virtual BioInnovation Challenge Pitch Event On Tuesday, November 3rd
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA – AUGUST 26, 2020 – Eight (8) semi-finalists have been chosen to compete in the 10th annual BioInnovation Challenge (BIC), BioNova’s regional health and life sciences business competition, which will be held virtually on November 3rd and 4th during BioPort 2020.
BIC is one of the longest running business competitions in the region with over 50 companies having gone through the program since 2011. Many of the companies coming out of the program have gone on to raise millions to grow and scale. ABK BioMedical, the first place winner of BIC 2011, raised a record-setting $30M USD venture capital round in 2019.
Semi-finalists will receive significant training to be positioned for business growth, including sessions with expert pitch training coach Linda Plano, who has over ten years of experience mentoring entrepreneurs with start-ups in life sciences. This year’s winner will receive $25,000 in funding to develop their business idea as well as a package of support services and mentoring valued at more than $30,000.
Learn more about the eight (8) semi-finalists who will be pitching virtually on November 3rd during BioPort 2020:
3D BioFibR – NS
Kevin Sullivan, CEO
3D BioFibR technology is a platform technology capable of creating a variety of high value biofibres. Its
collagen fibres have properties resembling the human body. In the lab, this material can be used to create a highly consistent scaffold for 3D tissue culture. In medicine, this material can be doped with antimicrobial agents and drugs to promote wound healing, producing a bandage that can seal a wound.
AffinityImmuno Inc. – PEI
Jonathan Zuccolo, Founder
AffinityImmuno Inc. has developed a novel serum test to meet the challenge of monitoring development of immunity to the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The virus neutralization test monitors vaccine responses, population spread of a virus, and length of immune response.
Clever Fruit Products – NS
Liam Tayler, President
Clever Fruit Products has developed proprietary fermentation technologies which create a product that improves the bioavailability of fruit polyphenols. The company is seeking to maximize the nutritional potential of Nova Scotian wild blueberry, and aid in people’s access to their many health benefits.
eNable Analytics – NB
Alex Roberts
eNable Analytics is a data-centric machine learning company that has developed an innovative platform that turns assistive devices (canes, walkers, and rollators) into remote monitoring tools. Combined with innovative machine learning-based analyses, they provide regular and proactive insights about the physical and behavioural health of users.
Greenlight Analytical – NS
Dr. James Wylde, President & CEO
Greenlight Analytical will be advancing their chemical analyzer, initially designed for safety and quality control of cannabis crops, to extend its capability to detect toxins in illicit narcotics. The portability and ease-of-use will allow the instrument to be used by first responders to identify the presence of toxins, such as fentanyl, in a medical emergency (overdose) and allow them to take appropriate safety measures to avoid contamination or exposure.
Parados Cerebral Solutions – NB
Pascal McCarthy, CEO
Parados is developing a mouth guard with sensors that will allow athletes to know whether they have sustained a head injury that is likely to lead to a concussion. Over time, an artificial intelligence system will be able to offer insights into the cumulative effects athletes face when they suffer repeated brain injuries.
Swiftsure Innovations – NF
Deanne McCarthy (RN), CEO & Founder
The Complete Care Endotracheal Tube (CCET), patent pending, is a novel endotracheal tube that will revolutionize oral care for mechanically ventilated patients. CCET is the first medical device that allows for large volume nasal and oral irrigation of patients on life support without risk of aspiration or tissue injury, while simultaneously limiting the production of aerosols.
Symbi Medical – NS
Cameron Sehl, CEO & Co-founder
Symbi is a cloud-based remote patient monitoring system for GI care. Symbi creates personalized care plans for each patient to follow in-between appointments and uses text messaging to monitor patients throughout each stage of their care and identify those who are at higher risk of health complications.
BIC 2020 is presented by BioNova in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, BioNB, Emergence, Gallagher Insurance, Cox & Palmer, Jennifer Cameron PR, and Bereskin & Parr.
BIC 2020 will take place over two days in November. The eight (8) semi-finalists will present to a panel of judges and the conference audience during BioPort’s virtual conference, on November 3rd. The top three presenters will then pitch virtually the following morning. The winner will be announced at the close of BioPort 2020 on the afternoon of November 4th.
Quotes:
“While there has been a wave of innovation in Atlantic Canada surrounding COVID-19, we are continuing to support the regions best and brightest innovating in all aspects of Health and Life Sciences with this initiative. This is our tenth year hosting BIC and it’s great to reflect back on all of the successful companies who were part of BIC over the years and received this critical early support to accelerate their development.”
-Scott Moffitt, Executive Director of BioNova
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About BioNova:
BioNova leads the development of Health and Life Sciences in Nova Scotia. Our industry-led sector growth plan, BioFuture 2030, has made us the fastest growing sector in Atlantic Canada. We represent over 100 companies in Nova Scotia who have raised over $65 million in investment dollars since the beginning of 2020.
www.BioNova.ca
About BioPort 2020:
BioPort 2020 will take place virtually on November 3rd and 4th. BioPort provides a forum to educate, inform and inspire the health and life sciences community to develop their ideas, commercialize their technologies and build links within the Atlantic region and with guests from the U.S. and around the world.
www.BioPortAtlantic.ca
For further information, media may contact:
Shana Cristoferi
Marketing Manager, BioNova
902-830-9193
[email protected]