BioNova has named eight semi-finalists for the 2019 BioInnovation Challenge, or BIC, which will take place at its BioPort conference on Nov. 5 and 6 at Pier 21 in Halifax.

Now in its ninth year, BIC is the main pitching competition for early-stage life sciences companies in Atlantic Canada. The prize for the winner this year will be $25,000 in seed funding and a $30,000 advisory services package to develop the business idea.

The BIC semi-finalists will also receive pitch training from coach Linda Plano.

The semi-finalists are:

  • AffinityImmuno Inc., Jonathan Zuccolo, P.E.I. – AffinityImmuno is a platform for rapid drug lead discovery using the chicken immune system.
  • Dr. Gordon’s Bum Cream, Ann Gordon, Nova Scotia – Gordon has developed a fast-acting, complex compounded skin cream to treat infectious or non-infectious Candidal Intertrigo. It’s an inflammatory skin rash that occurs when skin contacts moisture.
  • Fieldetect Inc., Andrew Trivett, William Whalen, P.E.I. – FieldLAMP is a “point-of-care” agricultural and environmental pathogen detection tool that eliminates the need for laboratory analysis when making treatment decisions based on the detection of pathogens. 
  • Motryx, Franziska Broell, Nova Scotia – Motryx is developing high-resolution, wireless, water and temperature resistant data-loggers (“tags”) with data analysis capabilities.
  • MRB Beverage Corp., Gregg Curwin, Mary Lynch, Nova Scotia – MRB is developing an organic, plant-based meal replacement that is suitable for ill and healthy people who cannot tolerate or prefer an alternative to existing products.
  • Reach Orthopaedics Inc., David Johnston, Andrew Trenholm, Nova Scotia – Reach is developing a novel shoulder implant, designed to treat patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.
  • Sparrow Acoustics Inc., Nadia Ivanova, Nova Scotia – Sparrow Acoustics is developing a product that conducts patient cardiac assessment quickly and cheaply using proprietary acoustic algorithms and models with artificial intelligence.
  • Spirits by the Sea, Sabrena MacKenzie, Nova Scotia – Spirits by the Sea has developed a proprietary process to extract valuable products from organic waste materials.

Since its inception in 2011, BIC has provided more than $300,000 in cash and in-kind services to winning startups, and provided over 50 companies training in pitching and business development.

You can buy tickets for BioPort here.