Nailing it: Innovative project treats toenail fungal infections easily and effectively for seniors

April 11, 2023 (Windsor, ON) – Like skin, toenails dry out as we age. This can result in cracks in the nail, providing a breeding ground for a fungal nail infection. This is a concern for seniors because it spreads easily, becomes more difficult to treat and can be quite painful. With support from OBIO’s Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), the Banwell Gardens Care Centre is working with ToeFX Inc. to evaluate ClearToe Therapy Light, a safe and effective solution for the treatment of onychomycosis (toenail fungus). 

Authorized for sale by Health Canada as a Class II Medical Device by Health Canada, ToeFx’s ClearToe Therapy Light is a user-friendly, lightweight and portable unit that can fit easily into any space.  Safe and effective, this clinically proven treatment for toenail fungus can treat an entire foot in just 30 minutes. 

“Banwell Gardens Care Centre is excited by the opportunity to participate in an evaluation of this innovative new treatment,” said Sara Fox, Executive Director.  “Healthy feet are the bedrock for seniors’ mobility, which is integral to an improved quality of life.” 

“We are so grateful to the EAHN™ program for supporting an evaluation which we are confident will demonstrate how our product can bring safe and accessible treatment to those who need it cost effectively,” said Monika Yazdanian, CEO of ToeFx Inc.  “We are confident that the results of the evaluation will lead to better integration of this easy-to-deliver therapy across institutional settings.” 

“OBIO® is pleased to support this collaboration through the EAHN™ program, the first in a long-term care facility”, said Dr. Maura Campbell, President and CEO.  “While Banwell Gardens Care Centre and ToeFx Inc. are evaluating a made-in Canada therapy that meets a real clinical need, they are also laying the groundwork for future EAHN™ partnerships in the long-term care sector.” 

About ToeFx 

ToeFX is driven by innovation. Created by scientists, our vision is to create the world’s most effective foot care treatments. We understand that toenail fungus can be embarrassing, hard to treat, and hard to talk about. We want to help the millions of people hiding their feet to “show off their toenails” with confidence. Our commitment to our partner clinicians and their patients is to provide innovative, high-quality products that really work.  Visit ToeFx Inc. for more information. 

About Banwell Gardens Care Centre 

With 142 long-term care residents, Banwell Gardens Care Centre maintains a warm, inviting atmosphere in the neighbourhood of Tecumseh. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding, compassionate care to our residents and paying close attention to their individual needs. We are pleased to offer French Language Services and strive to meet the needs of our bilingual community. Well-established programs such as pet and music therapy, restorative care and physiotherapy enhance residents physically, mentally and emotionally. Our landscaped courtyard features seating and a walking path for exercise and the enjoyment of all.  Visit Banwell Gardens Care Centre for more information. 

About OBIO® 

OBIO®, a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. Visit OBIO.ca for more information. 

For more information:  

Bibaswan Ghoshal, Director, Market Acceleration, OBIO® 

Monika Yazdanian, CEO, ToeFX Inc.  

Sara Fox, Executive Director, Banwell Gardens Care Centre 

Governments of Ontario and Canada Invest in Microbix

The Government of Ontario is investing in Microbix by supporting its expansion at three adjacent sites in Mississauga with a grant of $840,000 from the Ontario Together Fund. A separate $840,000 of interest-free loan funding has also been provided by the Government of Canada through its FedDev Ontario program. The $1.68 Million in funding will be used for capabilities & capacity expansions for manufacturing specialized products relating to diagnostic testing for infectious diseases.

Hypercare selected as one of 23 startups to participate in AWS Healthcare Accelerator: Global Cohort for Workforce

Hypercare recently announced it has been selected to participate in the AWS Healthcare Accelerator: Global Cohort for Workforce, to advance solutions for addressing urgent challenges facing the healthcare workforce. Through the program, Hypercare is looking forward to its expansion into the European market by continuing to provide modern solutions to enhance clinical communication and collaboration to healthcare providers.

Hypercare is an OBIO® member and presented at the 2023 OBIO® Investment Summit.

OBIO® and Communitech® partner to facilitate adoption of made-in-Canada healthcare solutions

March 30, 2023 (Toronto, ON) – OBIO® and Communitech have partnered together to further their shared commitment of advancing Canadian healthcare technologies.

Committed to supporting Canadian healthcare technology from validation to commercialization, OBIO® is supporting this partnership through its Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), which matches companies with healthcare organizations to evaluate solutions and facilitate broader adoption across healthcare systems. OBIO’s national network has more than 50 healthcare organizations and health systems that are ready to adopt Canadian-made innovative technologies to advance patient care.

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with Communitech,” said Dr. Maura Campbell, OBIO® President and CEO. “We share a common purpose in advancing Canadian-made healthcare technology solutions. The EAHN™ and Future of Health programs complement each other and provide Canadian tech companies with an ideal opportunity to leverage the networks and expertise of both organizations.”

This partnership is supported at Communitech through its Future of Health Program, a collaborative focused on building connections across the healthcare ecosystem while identifying innovative solutions to shared healthcare delivery challenges. Communitech®, in collaboration with OBIO®, will continue to identify Canadian tech firms with scalable innovations to help overcome the biggest hurdles facing today’s healthcare systems.

“Communitech is committed to helping our healthcare systems– from hospitals to primary and long-term care facilities– access the much-needed support of made-in-Canada innovation,” said Chris Albinson, CEO and President of Communitech. “This partnership complements our mission and values while giving five startups engaged in our Future of Health program crucial assistance in taking their solutions from validation to commercialization.”

Through this partnership, up to five Canadian technology startups selected in partnership with Communitech’s Future of Health Program team will receive up to $100,000 through the EAHN™ program to facilitate a technology evaluation in a clinical setting. NextUp Care, FluidAI and Voyce are the first three companies to benefit from the partnership by being paired with members of EAHN™.

– 3 0 –

About OBIO®
OBIO®, a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. Visit OBIO.ca for more information.

About Communitech®

Established in 1997 in Waterloo Region, Communitech was built by tech founders who saw the need for a community of support to help ensure the future prosperity of Canada. Today, Communitech is Canada’s leading innovation hub, supporting a community of more than 1,200 founders by providing accelerated opportunities to access talent, capital and sales.

As Canada’s tech supercharger, Communitech helps founders start, grow and succeed by:

• Hiring and retaining the smartest, brightest and most experienced people

• Accessing growth financing at every stage

• Selling to the biggest customers at home and around the world

• Connecting the right people at the right time – peers who have been there before, coaches who can guide them through the difficult spots and partners from all over Canada

For more information, please contact:

Bibaswan Ghoshal, Director, Market Acceleration, OBIO®

Danielle Braun Carlin, Program Manager, Ecosystem Collaboration, Future of Health, Communitech

OBIO® enables Alberta Health Services to partner with Trexo Robotics to evaluate Robotic Walking Device for Children’s Rehabilitation

April 4, 2023 (Toronto, ON) – In North America, 250,000 children are unable to walk due to central nervous system injuries or neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy.  With support from OBIO’s Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), Ontario-based Trexo Robotics and Alberta Health Services (AHS) are embarking on a study to evaluate the Trexo Plus pediatric robotic gait training system. This system is meant to enable children with difficulties in moving to experience walking and improve balance.

Led by Dr. Elizabeth Condliffe at the University of Calgary and Alberta Children’s Hospital, this study will evaluate the clinical feasibility and utility of the Trexo Plus healthtech device in the rehabilitation of pediatric patients with difficulty walking. The study will develop workflows for offering this innovative approach to rehabilitation including perspectives both patients and therapists, impacts on patients’ mobility, and whether patient and caregiver goals are met. We are dedicated to finding ways to help our patients including children with difficulty walking optimize their health and unlock their potential.

“OBIO® is delighted to support this EAHN™-funded evaluation between AHS and Trexo Robotics, which will help improve the quality of life for children with disabilities or injury”, said Dr. Maura Campbell, OBIO® President and CEO. “This project shows how EAHN™ supports inter-provincial collaborations that accelerate broader market adoption for Canadian-made healthcare technologies.” Increasing innovative health technologies in our provincial systems ensures the highest quality of care to patients, allowing doctors and therapists to deliver the best possible outcomes.

Trexo Robotics was co-founded by Manmeet Maggu and Rahul Udasi in Ontario. “There was nothing out there for kids to use at home, and everyone wants to see their kids walk. We decided we would build it”, said Maggu. Children with various disabilities that impact their mobility can benefit from getting upright and walking in the Trexo Home, the first at-home robotic pediatric gait trainer. Trexo has seen adoption of its Trexo Plus primarily in private clinics, in the U.S., Canada and internationally. “We are eager to complete the study and see our reach increase in provincial hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation facilities”, added Maggu.

About OBIO®

OBIO®, a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace.Visit OBIO.ca for more information.

About Trexo Robotics

The Trexo device is the first wearable robotic device designed to help children with disabilities experience walking in a stable and independent way. It works by converting a passive walker into a fully powered robotic device that is completely mobile, stable, and capable of delivering consistent and reliable gait training. The approach to co-creating their devices with children, parents and physiotherapists, is deeply ingrained in the way Trexo Robotics think of solutions. At the end of the day, their goal is to create technologies that physical therapists trust, parents can afford and children love.

Contacts:

For more information, please contact:

Bibaswan Ghoshal, Director, Market Acceleration, OBIO®
Manmeet Magu, CEO, Trexo Robotics

Innovative Digital Device Supports Health Care Workers’ Mental Health

March 30, 2022 (Ottawa, ON) – Health care worker burnout, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has health care workers feeling increased levels of stress, worry and anxiety. Providing support to enhance health care worker resiliency and mental wellness is the rationale behind a partnership facilitated by OBIO® through its Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), giving Bruyère the opportunity to introduce Neurovine’s mental wellness solutions, a hospital-wide mental wellness event.

Make it stand out

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

The mental wellness event invited employees to check their mental wellness through confidential and validated mental health survey tools and review the available resources and supports at Bruyère. Upon completion of a mental health assessment, employees were offered access to the Neurovine mental wellness platform, including the personalized Neurovine mobile application, an EEG Sensorband, and curated mental wellness content on stress management, nutrition, meditation, and exercise.

“Frontline workers are the backbone of our health care system, continuing to deliver care as we have navigated the incredible stress of the pandemic,” said Blake Daly, Manager, Health Innovation, Bruyère. “We welcome the opportunity to support the mental wellness of our teams and were happy to see 10% of staff participate in this mental health check-in.”

The partnership is a unique opportunity to establish a bird’s eye view of the current state of employee mental health. De-identified and anonymized survey scores are analyzed, helping to give a broad picture of how staff are doing based on those who participated in the survey. Neurovine’s analytics can then be used to see the impact of wellness initiatives and resources, including those provided through the Neurovine application, in subsequent pulse checks.

“Neurovine is pleased to work with Bruyère in its efforts to support the mental health of their hospital staff,” said Ashleigh Kennedy, CEO & Co-Founder, Neurovine. “The ability to assess the effectiveness of the Neurovine mobile application lines of health care will facilitate broader adoption across the delivery system, ultimately helping more health care workers reach their full potential for health and well-being.”

“OBIO® is committed to supporting innovations that increase access to mental health care for health care workers, who shoulder the additional burden the pandemic has placed on the health system,” said Dr. Maura Campbell, OBIO® President and CEO. “Innovations that support health care workers are ultimately an investment in the health care delivery system itself.”

- 3 0 -

About Bruyère

Bruyère is an academic health care organization training the next generation of health care leaders and using research and industry partnerships to improve care. Bruyère plays a unique role in the region’s health care system providing specialized hospital care, primary care, long-term care, and assisted and independent living for older adults while the Bruyère Research Institute focuses on finding the next generation of care for aging Canadians and vulnerable populations. To learn more about Bruyère, visit www.bruyere.org.

About Neurovine

Neurovine makes brain health visible and actionable through wearable technology, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Neurovine uses portable EEG technology to read brain activity and send real-time reporting to concussion patients' mobile devices, allowing doctors to track improvement, identify triggers, and prescribe treatment, empowering patients to take control of their recovery. Visit Neurovine for more information.

About OBIO®

OBIO®, a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. Visit OBIO.ca for more information.

 For more information:

Bibaswan Ghoshal, Director, Market Acceleration, OBIO®

Jasmine Rooke, Manager, Research Communications, Bruyère

Dr. Ashleigh Kennedy, CEO & Co-Founder, Neurovine

Inspire Biotherapeutics Launches with Pre-seed Investment to Target Monogenic and Acquired Lung Diseases with Proprietary AAVenger Gene Therapy Platform

Inspire Biotherapeutics Inc., an emerging biotech company with a mission to create life-saving gene therapies for monogenic and acquired diseases of the lung, is poised to move its novel lung tropic AAV gene therapy into clinical validation.

The AAVenger platform has demonstrated transduction and long-term expression in lung tissue without impact on other tissue types in disease-relevant animal models. The platform can be applied to treat cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and other monogenic lung diseases.

Inspire’s scientific founders – Dr. Bernard Thébaud, chief medical officer, – a neonatologist and cell therapy pioneer in neonates - and Dr. Sarah Wootton, chief scientific officer, – a vectorologist with extensive AAV experience – say they are pursuing initiation of a first-in-human clinical trial for a lethal neonatal lung disease with short time to data readout and success of therapy.

The company launch is supported by three business founders – C3i Center Inc., Octane Medical Group of Companies, and the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine – with deep expertise in company creation, translational teams, and regenerative medicine commercialization.

Inspire Biotherapeutics presented at the OBIO® Investment Summit.

Hovione and Ripple Enter Strategic Partnership to Expand Epidel Platform into Non-Ophthalmic Space

Hovione, the specialist integrated CDMO, leader in spray drying and particle engineering, and Ripple Therapeutics, a leading ophthalmic sustained drug delivery company, have entered a strategic partnership to expand the use of Ripple's Epidel® platform beyond ophthalmic applications.

The core feature of Ripple’s Epidel® technology is the ability to deliver sustained-release pharmaceuticals with surface erosion release kinetics without the use of polymers or excipients. This enables higher drug loading, smaller size implants, defined and predictable biocompatible degradation products with straightforward and scalable manufacturing processes. Surface erosion-based drug release provides a highly effective way to control dose and duration. By incorporating Ripple's Epidel® platform into its toolbox, Hovione can expand its portfolio of novel drug delivery solutions to the pharmaceutical industry.

“The combination of technology synergy, innovative vision and cultural fit makes collaborating with Hovione an exciting next step in the advancement of the Epidel® platform beyond the ophthalmic field,” stated Dr. Wendy Naimark, Ripple co-founder and Chief Technology Officer. “Hovione’s expertise in controlled, sustained drug delivery, along with their experience in chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical manufacturing, makes for a great partnership.”

"We are thrilled to partner with Ripple, who developed a state-of-the-art platform for sustained release," says Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Hovione's CEO. " Our shared goal is to accelerate and broaden the access to this highly innovative and enabling technology for the benefit of our pharmaceutical customers and their patients worldwide."

By extending the use of the Epidel® platform beyond ocular applications, this partnership will enable the development of a diverse range of new products with optimal sustained release profiles.

Eligible patients currently receiving or seeking chronic pain treatment at select clinics in Alberta will receive access to the Manage My Pain app as part of their treatment plan

March 27, 2023 (Edmonton, AB) – ManagingLife is proud to announce its collaboration with Alberta Health Services (AHS), with funding from the Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®) through its Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), to support patients living with chronic pain across Edmonton and Calgary.

Manage My Pain, the app developed by ManagingLife, has been shown to improve the outcomes of people living with chronic pain and will be offered to patients referred to participating chronic pain clinics in both cities as part of an evaluation of the app.

Manage My Pain helps patients track their symptoms, learn self-management techniques, and communicate with their care team during clinical visits. With over 20% of Albertans living with chronic pain, this app aims to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of those affected.

A feasibility study last year yielded positive feedback from both patients and clinicians. As a result, AHS is further evaluating ManagingLife’s digital solution with a focus on health outcomes and health resource utilization.

With support from OBIO® through the EAHN™ program, AHS will evaluate Manage My Pain’s uptake and satisfaction by both patients and clinicians. Its impact will also be assessed on clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization.

Due to the high demand for the multidisciplinary chronic pain treatment clinics located in Calgary and Edmonton, patients often face long waiting times from their referral to their initial visit to a pain clinic. AHS sees digital innovation as a key component to supporting patients while they wait to be seen by the clinics as well as when they are being treated.

“OBIO® is excited to support this EAHN-funded evaluation between AHS and ManagingLife, because of the impact that innovation can have in addressing the treatment and management of chronic pain patients across Canada,“ said Dr. Maura Campbell, President and CEO of OBIO®. “This project is an example of how EAHN™ can facilitate adoption of innovative technologies across Canada to help Canadian companies establish markets domestically.”

ManagingLife’s solution, Manage My Pain, is clinically validated to improve the outcomes of people living with chronic pain. Manage My Pain allows patients to track and analyze their symptoms while providing educational content based on best practices in pain psychology about how pain works and strategies to help manage it. Reports created by the solution facilitate improved communication between patients and doctors to support treatment decisions.

About ManagingLife
ManagingLife is a privately held Corporation based in Toronto, Canada that has developed a digital solution for pain management that combines patient self-management, remote monitoring and analytics to help chronic pain sufferers and practitioners learn more about their condition and better communicate with each other. With its award-winning app, Manage My Pain, ManagingLife works with disability carriers, health plans, pain clinics, and clinical trials to help healthcare professionals better measure and manage their patients’ pain and medications. For more information, please visit managinglife.com or contact Nadia Bashir, Media Relations.

About OBIO®

Founded in 2009, OBIO®, a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. For more information, please visit OBIO.ca or contact Bibaswan Ghoshal, Director, Market Acceleration, OBIO®.

Bruyère Procures Innovative Patient Transfer Technology by Able Innovations

February 27, 2023 (Toronto, ON) – Research at the bedside has a literal meaning with Able Innovations, a Canadian robotics company focused on patient transfer technology. Today, Bruyère has announced the procurement of Able Innovations’ ALTA Platform™, a robotic patient transfer device akin to a hospital bed, for its complex care units.

Frontline health care staff perform hundreds of lateral transfers each year, moving a patient or resident from one surface to another, when bringing them between units or appointments, to facilitate bathing, or changing bedding. Patient transfers require multiple staff members for physical support and safety, and despite being a routine task, staff risk injury to themselves and transfers can be uncomfortable for patients.

Jayiesh Singh, CEO of Able Innovations, saw the struggle first-hand. His mother worked in long-term care, and while he volunteered there, he realized how physically demanding and resource intensive lifts and transfers could be. Along with co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Philip Chang, he seized the opportunity to build change from the ground up with his idea for a robotic transfer platform that would give both staff and patients a better experience.

The work began in 2019, when Singh approached Bruce Wallace, Executive Director of the AGE-WELL SAM3 National Innovation Hub, Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University, and investigator with the Bruyère Research Institute, whose work specializes in sensors and smart technology to support aging. Their first research study, funded by AGE-WELL, looked at how their new transfer method might reduce the risk of injury and discomfort for patients, successfully finding factors that contribute to bruising, contusions, skin tears, and abrasions, were all significantly reduced compared to existing transfer methods.

“The success of this project has hinged on the continued transparent feedback we’ve had from clinical staff, patients, and researchers,” said Singh. “We had insights into the nuances of the problem very early on in the process, which has been a critical part of ensuring our designs are practical and easy to use.”

Consultations and research turned into prototype development and soon after, a full-scale platform was launched, leveraging an automated sliding platform to move a patient from bed to ALTA, and back again with the push of a button.

“AGE-WELL is proud to have funded this ground-breaking work from the very start, from research and early testing through to implementation,” said Alex Mihailidis, Scientific Director and CEO of AGE-WELL. “As Canada’s technology and aging network, AGE-WELL’s investment across the research and innovation pipeline is paying dividends in products like this one that address real-world challenges and benefit Canadians.”

Able Innovations began to pursue their commercialization journey with support from OBIO®, preparing them for early-stage fundraising, business development, and building their workforce. Through funding and advisory support from OBIO’s Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), and with additional funding through AGE-WELL’s AgeTech Implementation Response program, Able Innovations found its way back to Bruyère to be evaluated for procurement.

In the summer of 2022, the commercial-ready ALTA Platform was brought to Bruyère’s complex care units where it was compared against current transfer methods and assessed on its ability to make patient transfers effortless, less time consuming, safer, and more dignified for both staff and patients. Throughout the project, real-time feedback has allowed Able Innovations to modify and improve the device’s functionality to meet the specific needs of the hospital and patient population.

“We are excited to help accelerate the deployment and adoption of Able Innovations’ technology,” said Maura Campbell, President and CEO of OBIO®. “This evaluation project is a great example of how Canadian innovations can move to procurement and be adopted by Canadian healthcare organizations. It shows that there is a tangible and meaningful impact on clinical teams by reducing physical strain and wait times.”

“From the first prototype, we knew this technology could be transforming care at Bruyère,” said Paula Doering, Senior Vice President of Clinical Programs, Chief Nursing Executive and Allied Health Professionals at Bruyère. “This project has shown how important collaboration across our organizations is in order to tackle the challenges our front line is facing and improve how we care for the people we serve.”

The ALTA Platform becomes a permanent part of care at Bruyère this month.

ABOUT ABLE INNOVATIONS

Able Innovations™ is a robotics company developing technology that allows front-line healthcare staff to do-more-with-less. Able’s ALTA Platform™ automates one of the most labor-intensive tasks in healthcare- patient transfers (e.g. moving a patient from bed to stretcher). Now more than ever, facilities are drawn to the value Able can provide and see ALTA as a tool to protect and help retain staff.

ABOUT AGE-WELL

AGE-WELL NCE Inc. is Canada’s Technology and Aging Network. The pan-Canadian network brings together researchers, older adults, caregivers, partner organizations and future leaders to accelerate the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians. AGE-WELL researchers are producing technologies, services, policies and practices that improve quality of life for older adults and caregivers, and generate social and economic benefits for Canada. AGE-WELL is funded through the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence program.

ABOUT BRUYÈRE

Bruyère is an academic health care organization training the next generation of health care leaders and using research and industry partnerships to improve care. Bruyère plays a unique role in the region’s health care system providing specialized hospital care, primary care, long-term care, and assisted and independent living for older adults while the Bruyère Research Institute focuses on finding the next generation of care for aging Canadians and vulnerable populations. To learn more about Bruyère, visit www.bruyere.org.

ABOUT OBIO®

Founded in 2009, the Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®), a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. Visit OBIO.ca for more information.

Hamilton Health Sciences and Voyce Canada to evaluate video remote medical interpretation services

February 23, 2023 (Ottawa, ON) – As language barriers in healthcare settings persist, OBIO®, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is funding the evaluation and adoption of innovative technologies in Canada’s healthcare systems through its Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™). Through the EAHN™ program, OBIO® has facilitated a partnership between Hamilton Health Sciences and Voyce Canada, a Toronto-based technology driven company offering a simple and seamless language interpretation solution, to evaluate Voyce’s medical interpretation platform. 

“Voyce’s on-demand interpretation services caught the attention of EAHN™ because of its potential to decrease medical errors and enhance the patient care experience. EAHN™ facilitated an evaluation of the Voyce platform with Hamilton Health Sciences to put the technology through its paces in a real-world setting.” – Dr. Maura Campbell, CEO, OBIO®. 

Voyce Canada provides language interpretation services in over 240 languages and dialects, including American Sign Language (ASL), to hospitals and healthcare systems. By connecting users with a medically-trained and certified interpreter in often less than 20 seconds, patients can receive PHIPA-compliant care in their own language, allowing staff to communicate more effectively with patients, ultimately reducing the time to deliver care. 

“Linguistic diversity can impact access to care during health care encounters and preventative health services. By partnering with Voyce, we hope to address these language barriers and provide health care equity to our community.” – Ted Scott, Chief Innovation Officer, Hamilton Health Sciences 

A successful evaluation will demonstrate Voyce’s value in emergency departments, inpatient and ambulatory/outpatient settings and help address any adoption barriers to allow for full implementation across healthcare organizations.  

“Language and cultural barriers are one of the many concerns for providing accessible and equitable care around the world. In their most vulnerable moments, Voyce provides a comfortable platform for patients to communicate with their providers, leading to improved care outcomes.” – Andrew Royce, CEO. 

About OBIO®

OBIO®, a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. To learn more, visit: obio.ca.

About Voyce Canada   

Voyce is a technology driven company deeply committed to helping people in need that are facing language barriers, enabling them to easily and quickly communicate and get help. Voyce’s professional and qualified language interpreters provide interpretation across a variety of technology and telehealth platforms in 240 languages and dialects, including American Sign Language. Across the U.S., Canada, U.K. and globally, Voyce supports thousands of sessions a day, providing language assistance to those in need. Learn more at voyceglobal.com and follow Voyce on LinkedIn. 

About Hamilton Health Sciences 

Hamilton Health Sciences is a community of 15,000 staff, physicians, researchers and volunteers that proudly serves southwestern Ontario residents. It is the only hospital in Ontario that cares for all ages, from pre-birth to end-of-life and offers world-leading expertise in many areas, including cardiac and stroke care, cancer care, palliative care and pediatrics. Hamilton Health Sciences is also a world-renowned hospital for healthcare research and has a daily focus on improving the quality of care for patients through innovation and evidence-based practices. 

Contacts 

For more information about OBIO’s Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), or if you are interested in joining the Network, please contact: Bibaswan Ghoshal, Director, Market Acceleration, OBIO®

For more information about Voyce Canada, please contact: Ryan Wagner, Voyce 

For more information about Hamilton Health Sciences, please contact: Wendy Stewart, Communications Advisor, Hamilton Health Sciences

See all news

OBIO® Introduces Virtual Fall Prevention Rehab Program to the Home & Community Care Sector

February 22, 2023 (Ottawa, ON) – Canada’s aging population combined with the desire to keep people in their homes for as long as possible presents an opportunity to expand virtual care across a broader range of healthcare services. With support from OBIO® through the Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), Phyxable is partnering with Right at Home Canada to introduce AgeWell, which is an exercise program delivered through Phyxable’s virtual rehabilitation platform that is designed to prevent falls.

Phyxable’s AgeWell platform combines one-on-one virtual rehabilitation with self-guided home exercise programs, enabling practitioners to customize the programs for patients. The AgeWell program enables patients to more easily engage with the content and better fulfill their rehabilitation goals. The EAHN™ evaluation will examine the accessibility of the service and its ability to improve health outcomes while easing the burden on healthcare systems.

“Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults,” said Dani DePetrillo, COO at Right at Home Canada. “The AgeWell exercise program provides Right at Home clients with one more tool to help them successfully and safely age in place through guided strength-building exercises.”

“AgeWell helps make it possible for prevention to start at home,” said Jim Feng, Phyxable’s CEO and Co-Founder. “We believe that a customized exercise plan delivered in the home encourages an active lifestyle and builds confidence, resulting in fewer falls and fewer doctor visits, which is a win-win for both the patient and the system.”

“Home and community care services are an integral, yet often overlooked component of the healthcare delivery system,” said Dr. Maura Campbell, OBIO® President and CEO. “Through the EAHN™ program, OBIO® is pleased to support Right at Home and Phyxable in evaluating this unique rehabilitation service, which also represents OBIO’s inaugural expansion into the home and community care sector.”

About OBIO®

OBIO®, a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. To learn more, visit: obio.ca.

About Right at Home Canada

Right at Home is one of the largest providers of in-home supportive care services, staffing and employer solutions, globally. With over 600 Care Offices in 8 countries around the world, and 55 offices in Canada, they are a trusted resource for tens of thousands of families, clients, residential living organizations, employers and government agencies in the delivery of a wide variety of highly personalized, quality supportive care services to individuals and residents in their home, wherever home is to them. Their in-home care and staffing solution services assist clients and residents with a full range of professional care services supporting a wide range of physical, health and cognitive challenges.

Right at Home is an international brand with a 30-year history of providing professional care services. Of that time, they have been supporting Canadian families under the Right at Home Canada brand for the past 10 years, growing to 55 offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI.

About Phyxable

Phyxable is an innovative online solution for post-operative and care at home patients, which includes physiotherapy, chiropractic and occupational therapy through an end-to-end virtual rehabilitation platform. Phyxable provides a hybrid model of care that integrates one-on-one practitioner tele-rehabilitation and self-guided home-based programs that enhance the clinical experience. Visit Phyxable for more information.

For more information: 

Bibaswan Ghoshal, Director, Market Acceleration, OBIO®

Rica Esguerra, National Director of Community Engagement, Right at Home Canada

Jim Feng, CEO and Co-Founder, Phyxable

Canadian Health Science Innovations Attract Global Investment at the Sixth OBIO® Investment Summit

Toronto, ON – February 14, 2023 – Global investors and strategic pharma licensing teams met with some of Canada’s most promising early-stage health science company leaders and our top research institutions at the OBIO® Investment Summit from February 8-10, 2023. The sixth edition of the annual Summit, held at First Canadian Place in Toronto, showcased Canada’s early-stage life science industry to the global investment community.

“The Summit brings together Canada’s most promising early-stage life science companies to share their state-of-the-art innovative technologies with global investors, showcasing the strength of our industry and the opportunity for investment across Canada,” said Dr. Maura Campbell, OBIO® President and CEO. “The Summit continues to build on the success of the Canadian ecosystem, and we are proud of our efforts to help companies anchor in Canada and develop their innovative technologies at home.”

The OBIO® Investment Summit attracts investment to Canada and Ontario, and since 2018, Canadian companies that presented at the Summit have raised more than CAD $1.3 B. “Each year we build on our past success,” added Dr. Campbell. “The 2023 Summit featured our first-ever Pharma Licensing Forum, where 9 global pharmaceutical companies met with Canadian biotechnology companies looking to out-license their technologies and develop research collaborations.”

OBIO® has received support from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to assist with various programs including the, CAAP®, EAHN™ and WiHI. “Providing better health care for Canadians means investing in the organizations that support innovators and research institutions. The work that OBIO® is doing helps grow Canadian-made health technologies and encourages participation of women in leadership roles in the health sector,” said the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “OBIO’s Investment Summit is an important networking opportunity that is strengthening our healthcare institutions for the health and wellbeing of all Canadians.”

“Part of building Ontario is ensuring that companies, innovators and entrepreneurs have the support they need to succeed and advance next-generation technologies,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “The OBIO® Investment Summit has provided Ontario’s life sciences sector a great opportunity to showcase their world-class talent and ingenuity, and our government is proud to have supported this event. Together, we’re building Ontario and ensuring that our province remains at the forefront of life sciences innovation and a global leader in life sciences.”

The OBIO® Investment Summit’s success, and that of the entire industry, can only be achieved with the support of a strong, collaborative ecosystem. These include Canada’s pre-eminent research and post-secondary academic institutions, technology incubators and accelerators, entrepreneurs, start-ups, healthcare organizations and multinationals, all of whom are working together to develop the industry and pursue every opportunity for growth.

"Having a strong ecosystem to help new companies accelerate commercialization of their innovations is important to attracting investment to the Canadian life science industry,” says Anne Woods, Managing Director of Life Sciences and Healthcare at Silicon Valley Bank in Toronto. “Investors and licensing professionals rely on the Canadian ecosystem to support health science businesses to develop their intellectual property and scale domestically.”

“We were delighted to present at the OBIO® Investment Summit,” says Dr. Wendy Naimark, Chief Technology Officer, Ripple Therapeutics, a clinical stage ophthalmic therapeutics company focused on sustained drug delivery without the use of polymers or excipients. “OBIO® gave us the skills we needed to present our novel therapeutics and the right forum to foster relationships with investors outside of our network.”

OBIO® looks forward to collaborating with our ecosystem partners to develop the life science industry and foster investment in Canada through future summits.

About OBIO®

The Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®) founded in 2009, is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. OBIO® advances this goal through collaborative partnerships with industry, the investment community, academia, the health system and government.

For more information, please visit www.obio.ca and follow OBIO® on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About FedDev Ontario

For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Revolutionary surgery closure device evaluated at Alberta Health Services

February 6, 2023 (Toronto, ON) – Research shows that almost 1 in 5 open abdomen procedures in the US are left intentionally open for further treatment and later closed. However, a staggering 38% of these “fail to close”. This results in additional visits to the operating room (OR) for sequential closure. The risks of infection, prolonged time on a ventilator, loss of domain, increased attendant time, increased OR time, and even mortality resulting from these additional visits add a costly burden to the healthcare system.

With support from OBIO® through its Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), Alberta Health Services (AHS) is working with Ontario-based InventoRR MD to evaluate AbClo, InventoRR MD’s innovative flagship device for closing an open abdominal incision without surgery. By offering a non-invasive method of closing an incision at the patient’s bedside, AbClo improves patient safety and experience, while freeing up OR staff for other procedures.

AbClo works like a corset, supporting and stabilizing the abdominal wall to prevent damage and restore the equilibrium of the muscles in the torso. It can be applied in the ICU where it is sequentially tightened at the bedside so that the edges of the abdominal wall can meet in the middle for reattachment. While prescribed by a physician, it can be applied and monitored by other authorized healthcare providers, such as nurses.

InventoRR MD CEO Chris Bass notes, “AbClo was developed to improve patient outcomes and make the post-surgical process easier for medical teams.  We appreciate the opportunity EAHN™ has given us to work with the AHS on this evaluation, and the potential to expand our footprint in Alberta.”

“OBIO® is pleased to support this EAHN™ evaluation, the first with Alberta Health Services,” said Dr. Maura Campbell, President and CEO of OBIO®.  “The collaboration provides InventoRR MD with the real-world setting to test its technology and help encourage broader adoption of AbClo in Alberta, and utlimately across the Canadian healthcare system.”

About InventoRR MD

InventoRR is a medical device company bringing market innovations built by the clinical teams and researchers who work day in and day out to save the lives of the patients they serve.

About OBIO®

OBIO®, a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. To learn more, visit: obio.ca.

Contacts

For more information about OBIO’s Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), or if you are interested in joining the Network, please contact: Bibaswan Ghoshal, Director, Market Acceleration, Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization

For more information about InventoRR MD, please contact: Chriss Bass, CEO, InventoRR MD

For more information about Alberta Health Services, please contact: Daniela Robu, Director, Innovation and Business Intelligence, AHS

Congratulations to OBIO® members and affiliated companies on receiving funding from INOVAIT and Government of Canada

INOVAIT and the Government of Canada announced a major investment in the field of image-guided therapy (IGT), with up to $22.7 million in contributions committed to 14 commercialization-focused R&D projects under INOVAIT’s Focus Fund program.

The Focus Fund investment will support three-year projects at the intersection of advanced imaging, minimally-invasive surgery and artificial intelligence. These innovations will use advances in data sciences and artificial intelligence to enhance image guidance and corresponding therapies. The resulting technologies have the potential to greatly improve patient outcomes and reduce the overall cost of healthcare in Canada.

Congratulations to these OBIO® members and affiliated companies - Arrayus Technologies Inc., Conavi Medical, Cosm Medical, 16 Bit and Synaptive Medical Inc. - on receiving funding from INOVAIT and Government of Canada.

University Health Network and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada partner to impact patients lives and help a healthcare system under strain

The Ontario healthcare system is under strain, still recovering from the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University Health Network (UHN) and Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. have partnered to address a critical need of heart failure patients.

The objective of the partnership is to expand patient reach of UHN’s successful Medly Program— an innovative, digital therapeutic solution that delivers the benefits of specialized clinical heart failure management at home while improving quality of life and reducing hospitalizations.

Medly presented at the 2022 OBIO® Investment Summit as part of the Early Technology Showcase.

MEMOTEXT and CAMH Awarded Funding from OBIO’s Early Adopter Health Network to Trial Automated Mental Health Texting Check-in, Support & Navigation Tool

January 26, 2023 (Toronto, ON) – MEMOTEXT Corp. (www.memotext.com), North America’s leading platform for digital patient engagement co-creation has partnered with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) with help from the Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®) through its Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to enhance adoption of a novel SMS-based interactive mental health tool. The MEMOTEXT BeWell program is a validated, just-in-time-adaptive-intervention for mental health engagement. Co-created by Dr. Gillian Strudwick and Dr. Tracie Risling on the MEMOTEXT platform, the automated intervention checks-in on users and sends relevant mental health and resilience support based on individual needs. 

OBIO® advances health technology innovation and commercialization through the (EAHN™) program, providing funding for studies to help healthcare organizations access innovations. With this funding, CAMH will offer the MEMOTEXT BeWell program to its social workers and occupational therapists.  The SMS program will share psychoeducation resources to help maintain or improve the well-being of employees for 12-week cycles. Resources include curated digital mental health tools, wellness supports, mindfulness tips as well as the promotion of eligible mental health resources.  

There is a need to provide support, relief and tools to help with stress and burnout for all healthcare workers. An organizational study completed in July 2022 stated that social workers and occupational therapists had high rates of burnout compared to other health disciplines. 50.0% of social workers and 21.3% of occupational therapists reported one or more symptoms of burnout, including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and/or a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. “Through this collaboration with CAMH enabled by OBIO®, we’re demonstrating how engagement can be enhanced with the right message at the right time in the right context. We are excited to bring this to the employees of CAMH to offer support for their mental health and well-being”, says Dr. Gillian Strudwick. 

Dr. Maura Campbell, OBIO’s President and CEO, noted “In the past 3 years, burnout of healthcare workers has been at an all-time high, and OBIO® is proud to support the collaboration between the MEMOTEXT BeWell program and CAMH to help improve the well-being of those who are working so hard to care for patients in need.” 

About OBIO®: OBIO®, a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. To learn more, visit: obio.ca.

About the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): CAMH is Canada’s largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and a world leading research centre in this field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental illness and addiction. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. 

About MEMOTEXT: Trusted since 2012, MEMOTEXT is a platform for co-creation of digital patient engagement communications and digital therapeutics. MEMOTEXT uses health data to identify risk and tailor secure, omni-channel treatment adherence, care-coordination and support communications. MEMOTEXT enables academics/clinicians and commercial partners to co-create evidence-based communications and digital therapeutics (DTx). Together, MEMOTEXT commercializes those interventions with North American provider, insurer and pharmaceutical clients on their digital engagement marketplace. 

For more information:  

Bibaswan Ghoshal, Director, Market Acceleration, OBIO®  

Amos Adler, M.Sc., CEO, MEMOTEXT 

Kingston Health Sciences Centre ensures the beat goes on with virtual cardiac monitoring

January 24, 2023 (Ottawa, ON) – An evaluation that allows for ambulatory monitoring of cardiac patients at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) is receiving support for their partnership with m-Health Solutions from the Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®), through its Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™).

m-Health Solutions’ Panorama 360 is a proprietary software platform that allows for a patient to be monitored virtually via a medical device that sends data back to a centralized facility where cardiac technologists review the information and send a report to the patient’s cardiologist.

“The m-Health Solutions system is helping us renew our technology with state-of-the-art patient-friendly monitors and analysis software,” said Dr. Michael O’Reilly, cardiologist at KHSC. “It is a critical part of our outpatient diagnostic program.”

“This initiative, made possible by the EAHN™ program, will enable us to demonstrate our longstanding expertise and ability to work together with our partners to optimize and improve workflows, while focusing on our common quest to improve patient experience. m-Health Solutions and our parent company, the ELNA Medical Group, are delighted to take part in a project that dovetails perfectly with our overarching mission to empower both patients and physicians through use of advanced and innovative technology designed to provide better continuity of care and better outcomes,” said Sandy Schwenger, CEO of m-Health Solutions.

OBIO’s President and CEO Dr. Maura Campbell notes, “The collaboration between KHSC and m-Health Solutions is a great example of what EAHN™ program was established to do – match local companies developing made-in-Canada innovative technologies with healthcare organizations to evaluate these technologies with the goal of procurement, leading to greater adoption across the Canadian healthcare system.”

About Kingston Health Sciences Centre

Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) is southeastern Ontario’s complex, acute and specialty care, research and teaching hospital. Consisting of the Hotel Dieu site and Kingston General site, as well as the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario and the research institute, they care for more than 500,000 patients and their families from across the region. As one of the region’s largest employers, they are home to almost 6,000 staff, more than 2,000 health-care learners and 1,000 volunteers who are committed to partnering with patients and families to ensure that they continually provide high quality, compassionate care. Fully affiliated with Queen’s University, KHSC is ranked as one of Canada’s top research hospitals.

About m-Health Solutions

An ELNA Medical Group company, m-Health Solutions specializes in remote patient monitoring and cardiac diagnostics. Using leading-edge technologies, m-Health Solutions has created a system where the patient is at the centre of care. Their easy-to-wear ambulatory ECG technologies allow patients to be fully mobile and go about their daily routine, which dramatically improves patient compliance.

Their cloud-based reporting services deliver faster results to facilitate a quicker treatment pathway. Their evidence-based offerings focus on improving the patient monitoring experience and provide better connected care, which can reduce wait time, hospitalization costs, and help end hallway health care.

About OBIO®

OBIO®, a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. To learn more, visit: obio.ca.

For more information:

Bibaswan Ghoshal, Director, Market Acceleration, OBIO®

John Pereira, Media Relations, Kingston Health Sciences Centre

Sandy Schwenger, CEO, m-Health Solutions 

Cambridge Cognition acquires Winterlight Labs for £7m

Cambridge Cognition has acquired Canadian company Winterlight Labs Inc for £7m to target a $220m market for speech-based biomarkers. Based in Toronto, Winterlight focuses on machine-learning based voice assessments, using free-speech inputs or those that require deductive reasoning or interpretation.

Winterlight Labs is an OBIO® member, CAAP® company and BDSP™ recipient.

Notogen partners with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop a novel regenerative approach to treat degenerative disc disease

Notogen, Inc., a biotechnology company developing regenerative therapeutics for conditions related to disc degeneration, recently announced that it has entered a worldwide research collaboration and license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop and commercialize a Notogen regenerative therapeutic that has the potential to become a first-in-class, disease modifying treatment for people living with degenerative disc disease (DDD).

Notogen Inc. is a CAAP® company and presented at the OBIO® Investment Summit.