Located in Toronto and supported by the Ontario Life Sciences Innovation Fund, Apiary uses genetically engineered cells as "vehicles" to deliver therapeutics. This method is designed to be more targeted and long-lasting than traditional injections, improving patient compliance and reducing the cost of treating chronic conditions.
A startup spun out of McMaster University, Block Biosciences targets the spread of cancer to the brain. They have identified a specific vulnerability in the purine biosynthesis pathway that cancer cells need to colonize the brain. By inhibiting this step, they aim to prevent secondary brain tumors, which are among the most lethal forms of cancer.
CEREBRO Therapeutics is an early-stage Canadian biotech developing non-invasive treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, beginning with Parkinson's disease. Rather than only managing symptoms, CEREBRO targets alpha-synuclein — the protein whose aggregation drives neuron loss in Parkinson's — using engineered single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies delivered via a viral vector. By combining immunotherapy and gene therapy in one approach, the company aims to offer safe, long-term alternatives where none currently exist. CEREBRO was named the winning company in the pitch competition of Capital BioVentures' ASCENT program, an early signal of its scientific promise and momentum.
Copoly.ai is a dual-threat biotech and software firm that developed OncoSage, a flagship diagnostic tool. Unlike many competitors that look for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), OncoSage uses RNA sequencing and machine learning to detect cancers (such as lung, breast, and colorectal) at Stage I with over 90% accuracy. Their goal is to turn a simple blood draw into a comprehensive diagnostic report.
EDER Therapeutics is a Canadian rare-disease biopharmaceutical company developing AAV gene therapies for severe genetic disorders. Rather than relying on known targets, EDER identifies novel ones through whole-exome sequencing and pairs each therapy with an integrated, patient-centric care model. Its lead program is an improved gene-replacement therapy for lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency — a rare, severe lipid disorder — delivering a functional copy of the gene to treat the disease at its root. EDER's mission is to bring made-in-Canada therapies to patients who might otherwise be left behind.
Founded by leading scientists from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Esphera SynBio develops nanomedicines in the form of functionalized vesicles. Their "off-the-shelf" technology is designed to trigger a patient’s own tumor cells to generate a personalized cancer vaccine in vivo. They have also partnered with major pharma to enhance the efficacy of mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases.
With their at-home testing and remote care platform, Hylid Diagnostics (HyliDx) will improve the lives of millions of people with kidney disease and heart failure, saving healthcare systems thousands of dollars per patient each year. Their device allows for simple, lab-accurate blood tests for chronic disease monitoring – giving your results within minutes.
Inspire Biotherapeutics is a Canadian gene-therapy company creating life-saving treatments for monogenic and acquired diseases of the lung. Rather than relying on conventional vectors that struggle to reach lung tissue, Inspire's proprietary AAVenger™ platform achieves durable, lung-specific gene expression without affecting other tissue types. The platform spans indications including pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, and cystic fibrosis, with a lead first-in-human program targeting a currently fatal neonatal lung disease. Founded by neonatologist Dr. Bernard Thébaud and AAV vectorologist Dr. Sarah Wootton, Inspire aims to turn a once-untreatable class of lung diseases into curable ones.
Tessella is committed to providing high-printability plug-and-play bioinks and biopolymers that make 3D bioprinting a smooth experience for researchers. Their team of dedicated professionals is passionate about advancing the 3D bioprinting field by supplying outstanding and tunable biomaterial inks.
Vancouver-based Total Flow Medical is developing clinician-designed technology to help surgeons and perfusionists take care of patients requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.
Virano is a genetic immunomodulation company, developing next-generation combination products that reprogram the immune system to transform the treatment of solid tumors and genetic diseases.