INOVAIT and the Government of Canada Finance New R&D Initiatives in AI-Driven Image-Guided Therapy

On June 9, 2026, INOVAIT, a Canadian network focused on image-guided therapy (IGT) and artificial intelligence (AI), announced its commitment of over $1.35 million to fund ten innovative collaborative projects aimed at advancing AI-powered IGT across the country. This announcement was made during the Medventions Toronto Innovation Day at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, emphasizing the importance of cutting-edge medical technology in enhancing healthcare.

The Pilot Fund, which provides non-dilutive, reimbursement-based funding of up to $150,000 for collaborative research and development (R&D) projects lasting between nine and fifteen months, aims to harness the disruptive potential of AI, machine learning, and big data in medical innovation. This recent investment is part of a broader initiative that has seen INOVAIT fund over 100 IGT-AI projects over the past six years, totaling more than $128 million infused into the Canadian medtech sector.

Raphael Ronen, Co-Executive Director of INOVAIT, highlighted the challenge facing Canada's medtech sector, noting that while innovative ideas abound, the commercialization mechanisms required to validate them are lacking. The Pilot Fund offers a platform for innovators to develop prototypes, test their technologies, and establish the necessary evidence to attract investment.

The funding initiative is backed by the Government of Canada’s Strategic Response Fund, which recognizes the potential for innovation to enhance patient care and create job opportunities nationwide. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry, expressed pride in the government's investment in transformative healthcare technologies that promise to improve patient outcomes while bolstering the economy. Rob Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, added that this partnership between the government and Sunnybrook Research Institute exemplifies how to enhance Canada's healthcare landscape.

Among the newly funded projects are several noteworthy initiatives:

1. Perimeter Medical Imaging (Toronto, ON) is working with the University of Toronto to develop a scalable AI framework for its intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) device, which aims to reduce the high re-operation rate in breast-conserving surgeries.

2. Hyivy Health (Kitchener, ON), in collaboration with the University of Waterloo, plans to create the first AI-enabled image-guided intravaginal therapy system. This project will integrate real-time ultrasound and multimodal sensors to facilitate objective diagnosis and personalized treatment for various pelvic health issues.

3. Vope Medical (Montréal, QC) is partnering with the University Health Network to evaluate CLARIS, a real-time AI platform designed to enhance visibility during minimally invasive surgery by eliminating smoke and other obstructions, ultimately improving surgical workflow.

Further details, including the complete list of Pilot Fund recipients, are available on INOVAIT's website. Established in 2020 by the Sunnybrook Research Institute and supported by the Government of Canada, INOVAIT works to unify collaboration among companies, research institutes, and academic institutions, driving innovation that will revolutionize healthcare in Canada. Through its efforts, INOVAIT is dedicated to creating a robust Canadian medtech ecosystem that not only supports enhanced patient care but also fosters job growth and economic development.