Halifax-based healthtech startup Adaptiiv Medical Technologies won Atlantic Canada’s first Health Challenge Pitch Event, which focused on cancer care.
Adaptiiv will receive $100,000 in funding. The Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) will also consider adopting the company’s technology for use in its regional hospitals.
Adaptiiv creates patient-specific medical accessories for use during cancer treatment.
The startup’s software creates patient-specific medical accessories for use during cancer treatment. Adaptiiv’s 3D printing technology enables the production of customized bolus devices, which are pieces of polymer put on patients’ bodies to focus radiation therapy. According to Adaptiiv, this technology improves cancer treatment accuracy and patient experience.
“We are humbled to have won the first-ever Health Challenge Pitch focusing on #cancercare,” wrote Adaptiiv in a Twitter post announcing the victory. “All of the pitch finalists are tremendous companies and have provided so many breakthroughs in cancer care and research.”
The company also produces other 3D printing-based healthcare products, including brachytherapy equipment. Brachytherapy treats cancer via the insertion of radioactive implants directly into patients’ tissue. Adaptiiv’s technology enables the creation of patient-specific applicators used in high dose rate surface brachytherapy, which involves treating various skin lesions.
The event was the first of five virtual pitch competitions focused designed to drive health innovation in Atlantic Canada and address various health priorities identified by the NSHA. The series is the product of a strategic partnership announced in March between the NSHA, innovation hub Volta, QEII Foundation, BioNova and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
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“Volta is incredibly proud to support the work NSHA is doing to bring innovative technologies into regional hospitals to enhance patient care,” said Martha Casey, Volta’s COO and interim CEO. “Their focus on driving innovation, while also providing a spotlight to medtech companies in the region, is truly inspiring. We are very excited to grow this partnership and look forward to announcing the next Health Challenge priority in the coming weeks.”
Pitching startups had 10 minutes to present their technologies to a panel of judges virtually. Afterwards, judges were given five minutes to ask questions. The event’s other participants included Densitas, DMF Medical, and Picomole.
“Through the Health Challenge, we have created a supportive and collaborative space for competition that will generate some truly powerful and creative health solutions for Nova Scotians,” said Gail Tomblin Murphy, NSHA’s VP of research and innovation. “The impact on the lives of Nova Scotians living with cancer is central to today’s challenge and I am confident that these innovative solutions will make a difference.”
The focus of the next pitch event in the series will be announced in the coming weeks.
Applicants must be based in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador, and possess approval to sell their product or service in Canada.
Image courtesy of Volta