Introduction of New Life Science Products and Services with the Help of Innovation Factory

Innovation Factory’s SOPHIE program is pivotal for start-ups and entrepreneurs in the life science sector, mainly due to its emphasis on commercialization. The SOPHIE (Southern Ontario Pharmaceutical and Health Innovation Ecosystem) initiative offers financial backing, mentorship, training, and access to renowned life science institutions and Ontario’s leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs). Its goal is to expedite the growth and commercialization of new technologies and products for small and medium-sized businesses.

Jayiesh Singh, CEO of Able Innovations, highlights Hamilton’s natural efficiencies within the life science ecosystem, thanks to the resources provided by the Innovation Factory and its programs. This support has been instrumental in bringing their product, the ALTA Platform™, to market. Singh appreciates the streamlined access to crucial experts within world-class institutions, emphasizing that SOPHIE facilitated meaningful connections that sped up their development.

Similarly, FluidAI Medical benefited from the SOPHIE program in developing its Stream™ Platform, designed to monitor patients for potential postoperative complications. This device notably allows surgeons to detect issues, such as anastomotic leaks, faster than traditional methods. FluidAI’s COO and Co-Founder, Amr Abdelgawad, revealed that initial feedback altered their product's trajectory. Originally, they conceived a sensor for internal use; however, insights gleaned from the Innovation Factory’s Synapse Life Science Pitch Competition shifted their focus to a more applicable external nano-sensor, called Origin™, which can attach to existing drains and catheters.

The SOPHIE program, funded by the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario, not only provides training and mentorship but also features various essential components, such as SOPHIE project grants and the Synapse Life Science Pitch Competition. These initiatives foster collaborative projects aimed at aiding Ontario-based life science companies.

Singh noted that SOPHIE enabled direct conversations with major hospitals, which were invaluable for understanding the procurement processes necessary for their product development. As the ALTA Platform is not classified as a traditional medical device, the absence of mandatory clinical trials made these insights even more critical.

Abdelgawad echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that the support received from the SOPHIE program was vital for navigating expensive clinical trials. He emphasized that SOPHIE provided essential connections to the right clinicians and fostered a beneficial research culture, facilitating FluidAI’s leap to commercialization.

Currently, FluidAI is expanding its manufacturing capabilities following successful tests and has initiated a limited market release in regions including Canada and the Middle East. The company received further funding from FedDev Ontario to help meet rising global demands. They are producing hundreds of Origin™ devices monthly, marking an exciting phase for the start-up.

Both companies have seen remarkable success, with Able Innovations taking orders from three Canadian hospital networks and FluidAI advancing rapidly towards commercialization. Between 2019 and 2024, the SOPHIE program has aided over 160 companies and supported 71 successful commercialization projects, resulting in 24 new products and services, 37 new intellectual properties, and over 190 jobs created.

Applications for SOPHIE commercialization project grants and CAMEDA manufacturing project grants are currently open, encouraging more innovators to harness this opportunity for growth. Interested individuals can learn more about the SOPHIE program or apply by visiting sophieprogram.ca. Further details on CAMEDA can be found at cameda.org.