BioPort Atlantic, the annual conference for the East Coast life sciences industry, is moving closer to being a truly regional event as it is now being promoted by organizations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

BioNova, the Nova Scotia life sciences association, has announced that companies from the three provinces will be able to enter the BioInnovation Challenge, the $15,000 pitching contest at BioPort. And BioNB and the PEI BioAlliance will promote BioPort on a more regional basis. The parties also hope to secure the participation of Newfoundland and Labrador at some point.

“This represents a positive step forward for regional collaboration as we need to be taking advantage of each other’s strengths to assist companies in developing faster,” said Scott Moffit, Managing Director of BioNova.  “We need to get to market sooner and compete harder. After all, our competitors are global not local so collaboration just makes good sense.” 

BioPort will take place at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax on Oct. 20 and 21.

The organizers are now calling for new biotech and medical device companies to enter the BioInnovation Challenge, saying it is an “opportunity to capitalize on valuable coaching and exposure.”

The first prize for the competition is worth $15,000 in cash and in-kind services. Applications, which are available here, close Sept. 3. 

The semi-finals will be held on October 20 in Halifax. The top three qualifiers will present the following day at the BioPort conference.

The winner last year -- when the competition was open to just Nova Scotia and New Brunswick companies -- was Spring Loaded Technology of Halifax, which is developing a knee brace that not only stabilizes the joint but brings power to the legs. 

Moffit said the organizers are still putting together the agenda for the BioPort conference and will have more announcements in the next two months. 

Disclaimer: Entrevestor receives financial support from government agencies that support startup companies in Atlantic Canada. The sponsoring agencies play no role in determining which companies and individuals are featured in this column, nor do they review columns before they are published.