BioNova, the association of life sciences companies in Nova Scotia, has signed a partnership agreement with a national medical technology association that it hopes will accelerate the growth of Atlantic Canadian medtech companies.

The Halifax-based group said Thursday it signed a memorandum of understanding with MEDEC, the national association representing Canada’s Medical Technology companies.

“This is a big opportunity to support local growth as this gives us access to a very well qualified and experienced group of contacts and resources, as well as programs,” Scott Moffitt, Managing Director of BioNova,” said in an email. “On the flip side, we will now provide the voice for Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada for federal level issues.”

He said the federal issues that BioNova will now have a greater voice on include the Canada Revenue Agency’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development program, Health Canada regulation, and export and trade development.

Medical Technology is the segment of biotech that focuses on the development of medical devices, and a high proportion of the life sciences community in Halifax is dedicated to medtech.

The agreement will allow the members of each organization to have access to programs, advocacy efforts and industry knowledge offered by the other.

The two associations said in a statement their members will benefit from:

·         Greater opportunities to participate in advocacy initiatives at the national and provincial level;

·         Access to training and educational programs;

·         And access to relevant communications for each organization.

It added that the collaboration will advance health outcomes for patients and grow the medical technology industry. The parties hope it will enhance their work with governments and health system partners to increase patient access to innovative medical technologies and improve commercialization opportunities.

“MEDEC supports Canadian innovation by working with our partners in government and healthcare organizations in order to ensure that patients have access to innovative medical technologies that enhance patient care and increase the sustainability of our healthcare system,” Brian Lewis, President and CEO of MEDEC, said in the statement. “This agreement with BioNova allows us to have greater engagement in Nova Scotia and to harness a greater understanding of the needs of the many cutting-edge companies that are located there.”