NGBideas

Allison Brown is the site head of BioLabs University of Toronto, the first Canadian location in a global network of shared lab and office facilities spanning twenty biotech innovation clusters around the world. Located in the MaRS Discovery District, it puts her at the epicentre of innovation and commercialization in Canadian life sciences.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with Allison about a journey that began in the Rouge Valley in Scarborough and took an unexpected turn when her father, a chemical engineer, arranged a meeting with a University of Toronto engineering professor. That single conversation changed the course of her life.Allison talks about her PhD in chemical engineering, life as employee number four at a scrappy startup operating out of the corner of an academic lab, and the leap out of the lab and into management consulting that shaped the rest of her career. She has since worked in pharmaceutical marketing, at CCRM, and at Medicine by Design, spending her career at what she calls the commercialization spectrum.Allison also explains how the BioLabs model works, why Toronto is coming into its own as a global life sciences hub, and the areas of convergence she believes will define the next wave of innovation.

Andrea Ladouceur is President and CEO of the Biosciences Association of Manitoba, or BAM, a not-for-profit industry association based in Winnipeg that is focused on growing the province's life sciences sector.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with Andrea about a side of Manitoba that surprises almost everyone. The province's number one export is not grain or canola, it is pharmaceuticals, with thirty percent of all medicine exported from Canada manufactured in Manitoba. Andrea explains why global pharma companies have quietly put down roots there, how the province trains twenty percent of Canada's bioscience talent, and what it will take to unlock the sector's next level of growth.Andrea also makes a compelling case for partnership over competition, the strength of Manitoba's tight-knit ecosystem, and why she believes the province deserves a bigger seat at the national table when Canada tells its life sciences story to the world.

Trigger warning: This episode touches on themes of mental health and loss of life. Listener discretion is advised. Neil Fraser is one of the most respected leaders in Canada's medtech sector. He spent 38 years at Medtronic Canada, serving as president from 2004 to 2022, and has been a longtime advisor on health innovation policy and a director on numerous boards.In this archive episode of NGBideas, host Jim Wilson speaks with Neil about a journey that began in a nomadic, trans-Canadian family and led him from chemical engineering at UBC to the leading edge of Canadian healthcare. Neil reflects on the early Procter and Gamble years where he patented a world product, his role introducing aluminum cans and curbside recycling to Ontario at Alcan, and the serendipitous move to a then-tiny Medtronic that shaped the rest of his career.Along the way, Neil shares the lessons that stayed with him, from a founder's belief that everyone is responsible and the patient comes first, to his passion for value-based healthcare, and why he believes the status quo can always be changed with a well-made, evidence-based argument.

Greg Wolfond is the founder of the Give Back Health Innovation Foundation, a Canadian philanthropic network working to advance public health through innovation and technology. It tackles one of the most persistent problems in Canadian life sciences: the country does world-class research yet ranks near the bottom when it comes to commercializing it.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with Greg about a model designed to bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization. Give Back lets philanthropists donate to causes they care about, then invests those funds into early-stage Canadian companies that have promising science but no clear path to human trials. When a company succeeds, it gives back an equivalent value to Canadians through free or heavily discounted service, and any return flows back into the foundation to be reinvested.Greg, a serial tech entrepreneur who went back to school in his mid-40s to earn a biochemistry degree, also makes a passionate case for why Canada needs to keep more of its innovation, and the people behind it, at home.

Dr. Michael Rudnicki is co-founder and Chief Discovery Officer of Satellos Bioscience in Ottawa, and one of the most accomplished stem cell scientists in the world. A member of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of London, his work sits at the leading edge of regenerative medicine.In this episode, host Jim Wilson speaks with Michael about a life shaped by science, family, and curiosity, from taking apart the family car as a kid in Ottawa to building some of the first knockout mice at MIT's Whitehead Institute. Michael reflects on the mentors and moments that shaped his path, the founding of Canada's Stem Cell Network, and the discoveries in his lab that led to Satellos.At the heart of the conversation is the company's mission: a paradigm-shifting approach to Duchenne muscular dystrophy that treats the disease as a stem cell signaling problem rather than simply a structural one, and the hope that it could change the lives of patients living with this devastating condition.

Modulari-T Biosciences is a Montreal-based biotech working on what may be one of the most significant advances in cell therapy in decades. The team has built the first second generation in vivo CAR-T system, one designed to work with the immune system rather than against it, and has already proven the technology across nearly twenty different target types, including cancers that earlier generations of CAR-T simply could not reach.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with CEO Tanya Borsuk about a company she never expected to join. After years at Celgene, which became Bristol-Myers Squibb, watching CAR-T hit its limits, Tanya swore she would never work in the field again. Then she saw Modulari-T's data. She explains what makes the technology different, why toxicity and accessibility have long held cell therapy back, and how this Canadian science could open the door to treating not just cancer but autoimmune, inflammatory, and neurological diseases.Tanya also reflects on the realities of building a young biotech in a difficult market, and why she believes the most important lesson any entrepreneur can learn is to not be afraid to fail.

Based in Calgary, Alberta, Providence Therapeutics is a Canadian mRNA company focused on personalized cancer vaccines. During the pandemic, Brad Sorenson and his team developed a COVID vaccine that went head to head against Pfizer in clinical trials and held its own, yet almost no one in Canada ever heard about it.In this episode, host Jim Wilson speaks with founder and CEO Brad Sorenson about a journey that is as personal as it is professional. In 2013, Brad's 13-year-old son Adam was diagnosed with glioblastoma and given a year to live. Thirteen years later, Adam is still here, and Brad walks through the extraordinary series of events that shaped both his son's survival and the company he built.It is also a candid conversation about the realities of drug development in Canada and Brad's passionate call for the country to give patients the right to fight for their lives through compassionate access.

Cerebro Therapeutics is a biotech company based in Quebec City developing disease-modifying treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, with a primary focus on Parkinson's.Unlike current therapies that only manage symptoms, Cerebro is working to stop the disease from progressing altogether.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with president and co-founder Martin Levesque about a company that spun directly out of his research lab at Laval University.Martin explains the science behind their approach, which combines immunotherapy and gene therapy to deliver protective antibodies across the blood-brain barrier in a single injection, and how a striking result in a mouse model convinced him the work needed to reach patients.Martin also reflects on the leap from academic researcher to startup founder, the support of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and why he believes the first treatment to halt Parkinson's could be made in Canada.

Based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, ResearchNB is the province's research funding agency. Think of the federal tri-councils CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC combined into one and operating at a provincial level.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with CEO Candice Pollack about an organization that has moved well beyond the traditional role of a passive funder. Candice explains how ResearchNB now actively connects researchers with industry, government, and community to make sure good research does not simply end up as a paper on a shelf, but moves toward real impact whether through commercialization, policy change, or better patient care.Candice also makes a heartfelt case for New Brunswick as one of Canada's most underrated places for research and innovation, and why she believes the province's small, nimble approach is a strength rather than a limitation.

Node AI is a software as a medical device company based in Hamilton, Ontario using artificial intelligence to guide surgeons through endobronchial ultrasound, a critical procedure used to determine whether lung cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Until now, surgeons performing it have essentially been navigating blind.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with co-founder and CEO Mackensey Bacon about a company that grew out of a surgeon's simple observation: if a phone can recognize a face, why can't AI identify a malignant lymph node? Mackensey explains how that idea became a company with four clinical trial sites across Canada and an FDA submission on track for the end of the year.Mackensey also reflects on the strength of Hamilton's life sciences ecosystem and what it takes to lead a startup alongside two of the best in their fields.

NovaSonix Healthcare is a medtech startup based in London, Ontario developing a portable attachment that converts any standard ultrasound machine into a real-time 3D scanner for musculoskeletal imaging. The goal is to give clinicians MRI-like image quality at the point of care, without the wait.In Canada, patients with musculoskeletal injuries and diseases currently wait an average of 89 days for a medically necessary MRI.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with co-founder and CEO Randa Mudathir about a company that began as a master's thesis project at Western University and found its footing after winning a pitch competition for bone and joint innovations.Randa walks through how a team of five co-founders came together, how clinical feedback pushed the company to broaden its focus beyond osteoarthritis detection, and why she believes the technology is ready for its next stage.With clinical pilots already underway, a pre-seed raise open, and Health Canada and FDA submissions planned for later this year, NovaSonix is moving fast.

Magellan Biomedical is a medical device company based in Toronto working on a problem that has been hiding in plain sight for almost a century. The fundamental tools used in cardiac catheterization have not meaningfully changed since 1929, and in some of the most critical procedures, conventional tools fail up to twenty percent of the time.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with co-founder and CEO Ali Tavallaei about a device called the CAT Pilot, which gives surgeons precise local control over the tip of a catheter during minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures. Where conventional tools achieve roughly a twelve percent success rate crossing arterial occlusions, the CAT Pilot achieves ninety-two percent. Ali walks through how the technology works, how the company spun out of Sunnybrook Research Institute, and why he believes an acquisition is a likely outcome once FDA approval is secured.This is a conversation about a long overdue disruption to a standard medical procedure, and a small Canadian team that decided to do something about it.

Dr. Lakshmi Krishnan is Vice President of Research (Life Sciences) at the National Research Council of Canada, one of the country's most influential science organizations in the country. The NRC connects industry, academia, and government to drive innovation and often is quietly behind-the-scenes helping steer some of the most significant advances in Canadian Life Sciences.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with Lakshmi about her journey that began in Chennai, India, wound through New Delhi, Edmonton, and Ottawa, and eventually lead to her becoming one of the most senior leaders in the Canadian Life Sciences community.Lakshmi shares insights about the mentors and unexpected moments that have helped shape her path, what it was like to lead the NRC's Life Sciences division through the COVID pandemic, and why she believes Canada is at a turning point in its ability to build and commercialize world-class science.

Today we reach into the archive to rebroadcast our interview with Maura Campbell, President & CEO of OBIO.Maura is one of the key leaders in Canada's life sciences community and it was a pleasure to speak with her. Listen in as she shares her thoughts on surviving a severe car accident, some of the obstacles she has faced as a woman working in life sciences, the disappointment of doing everything right but still having a company fail, and how keeping an open mind is important to success.

NerView Surgical is a medtech startup based in Hamilton, Ontario developing a handheld imaging device that gives surgeons the ability to visualize nerves in real time during surgery. It sounds like something that should already exist. It doesn't. The current standard of care is the naked eye.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with founder and CEO Mann Parikh about a company born out of a university course at McMaster, driven forward by a thousand cold emails to surgeons, and now supported by advisors at some of the most respected medical institutions in the world including Mayo Clinic, Stanford Medicine, and Harvard Medical School.Mann also opens up about the challenge of proving credibility as a student founder, the mentors who helped shape his thinking, and why he believes the best thing any young entrepreneur can do is stop waiting and start building.

Based in Kitchener, Ontario, BioHub is an applied research facility at Conestoga College that helps companies move ideas from concept to commercialization.Their model is simple but powerful: instead of renting space or equipment, they provide hands-on technical expertise and student talent to solve real industry challenges in biotechnology and biosciences. With seven lab spaces including biosafety level two certification, state of the art analytical equipment, and a team of subject matter experts, BioHub is quietly becoming one of the most useful resources in the Waterloo Region life sciences ecosystem.In this episode, host Jim Wilson speaks with research lead Anthony Bauer about a facility that is only a year old but already gaining serious traction. Anthony explains how BioHub fills a gap that incubators and universities often miss, why companies at any stage can benefit from what they offer, and why the Waterloo Toronto corridor is one of the most exciting places in Canada to be building something right now.

Vasomune Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotech company that spun out of Sunnybrook Research Institute in Toronto. Their lead molecule targets vascular leak, a common underlying factor in some of the most serious conditions in medicine including sepsis, pneumonia, cerebral edema, and severe burns.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with the President and CEO if Vasomune, Brian Jahns, about a company that has made remarkable progress to date and secures nearly $10million USD in non-dilutive funding. Brian makes a passionate case for Canadian self-reliance in life sciences... and asks Jim to share how the NGBi podcasts started.

This week we reach into our archive to replay one of our most popular interviews from 2024 with Brad Wouters, Executive Vice-President of Science and Research at University Health Network. Brad and I discuss his passion for medical biophysics, his accomplished academic career, what brought him to Europe, his return to Canada and the incredible research he and his team are doing at UHN.

Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Kare Chemical Technologies is a synthetic chemistry company working on something that sounds unlikely but could change how we treat chronic pain. By converting a byproduct of citrus orange peels into pharmaceutical grade cannabinoids, the company is developing non-psychoactive alternatives to opioids for patients dealing with long-term pain.In this episode, host Jim Wilson speaks with co-founder and COO Kareem Abdur-Rashid about a company that began with a family member's diagnosis, a father's decades of experience in organometallic chemistry, and a young scientist who signed up before fully realizing what he was getting into. Kareem walks through how the technology works, how the company bootstrapped its way to its first licensee, and why chronic pain remains one of the most underfunded areas in pharmaceutical development.This conversation is a candid look at early stage entrepreneurship from someone who is still in the thick of it, learning as he goes and building something that could genuinely help people get their lives back.We thank the NRC for supporting the NGBi podcasts. The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is the Government of Canada's largest federal research and technology organization, focused on accelerating innovation, research, and development.

Claudia Krywiak is President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation which is a government-funded organization that helps small and medium-sized enterprises commercialize research by connecting industry, academic, and government partners to drive innovation across the province.In this episode, Jim Wilson speaks with Claudia Krywiak about her journey that began in a small town in Poland, wound through Dubai and Toronto, and eventually lead her to the heart of Ontario's innovation ecosystem. Jim speaks with Claudia talks about growing up between cultures, finding her footing in Canada, and how curiosity has been the common thread in her career.Claudia also shares her perspective on what is on the horizon in quantum computing and AI, why she believes the next two years will bring more technological change than the last decade, and why there has never been a better time to be an entrepreneur in Ontario.

In this episode of NGBiLab, Jim Wilson speaks with HygenX.AI co-founder and CTO Kris Rupay about a company that started in a garage during the pandemic and was originally founded to help restore confidence in air travel. What began as a UV disinfection robot for airplane aisles evolved into a potentially life-saving technology now being deployed in hospitals across North America.The team at HygenX.AI have developed an autonomous AI-driven robotic UV disinfection technology that is designed to make healthcare spaces safer, faster, and cleaner. Their robot, RAY, can disinfect a patient room in minutes rather than hours, while generating a real-time digital map of exactly what has been treated.Kris also talks about the challenges of pivoting from aviation to healthcare, the steep learning curve of building a medtech company without having a background in healthcare, and why he believes hospital-acquired infections are one of the most underreported public health crises in the world.

In the next episode of NGBideas Jim Wilson sits down with Gerald Prince who is Senior Director of GMP Manufacturing Gerald Prince at Bluerock Therapeutics.  Gerald's professional journey has wound through some of North America's largest food, consumer goods, and pharmaceutical companies and ultimately landed him at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto.  Gerald's story began in Stockton, California where his childhood home was unfortunately touched by gun violence but teachers and coaches believed in him before he believed in himself and their encouragement helped set Gerald on a career path defined by leadership, ambition and perseverence.  His journey eventually brought him to Canada and the forefront of cell and gene therapy where he and his team are helping change the future of medicine.  It is an inspiring story and we know you will enjoy learning about it.

Targa Biomedical is developing pharmacological solutions designed to improve the quality of cells, tissues, and organs for transplantation and regenerative medicine. Based in Montreal, Quebec, their technology has the potential to rescue damaged donor organs that would otherwise be discarded, making more transplants possible for patients in need.In this episode, host Jim Wilson speaks with co-founder and CEO Shant Der Sarkissian about how a chance observation in the lab, combined with a conversation with a cardiac surgeon next door, became the foundation for a company seven years in the making. Shant walks through the science behind conditioning damaged organs outside the body and why Targa believes it is first to market with this specific approach.Shant also reflects on the unique challenges of being an academic entrepreneur, and why he believes the confusion of having too many career options is actually a blessing in disguise.

SPEC Labs is a not-for-profit organization in Mississauga, Ontario that provides shared, ready-to-use wet lab space for life sciences startups in need of room to grow. Their all-inclusive model is designed to remove one of the biggest barriers facing Canadian biotech companies: access to affordable lab infrastructure.In this episode, host Jim Wilson speaks with founder and CEO Doris Qamar about how a frustrating gap in the Canadian market sparked an idea that took years to bring to life. What started as a search for scalable lab space for a small biotech company became a 20,000 square foot facility in Sheridan Research Park, now open and welcoming its first clients.Doris also makes a passionate case for why keeping innovation and intellectual property in Canada matters now more than ever.

Dr. Kullervo Hynynen is Vice President of Research and Innovation at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Ontario, and a global leader in focused ultrasound technology. His decades of work have helped transform how the medical community approaches treatment for some of the most challenging neurological and oncological conditions.Join host Jim Wilson as he speaks with Dr. Hynynen about his remarkable journey that began on a small farm in rural Finland and lead to one of the most significant breakthroughs in the history of neuroscience. What started as a rejected NIH grant proposal became the foundation for a technology that can now open the blood-brain barrier non-invasively, potentially unlocking treatment for conditions like Alzheimer's and brain cancer.Kullervo also reflects on the personal losses that shaped his commitment to cancer research, and how a series of serendipitous career decisions, from Aberdeen to Arizona to Boston to Toronto, brought him to Sunnybrook.This conversation covers the stubbornness required to push through years of failed experiments, the challenge of commercializing science in Canada, and why Kullervo believes the next frontier is a focused ultrasound helmet that patients could one day use at home.

Cove Neurosciences is a precision neuroscience company in Toronto, Ontario that is focused on translating complex brain data into meaningful insights. Their analytics software helps researchers and pharmaceutical companies better understand human brain function without requiring specialized data science expertise.In this episode, host Jim Wilson speaks with co-founder and CEO Dr. Nardin Samuel about the company's unexpected beginnings inside a University of Toronto research lab. What started as a grant application to solve a data analysis problem became the foundation for a commercial software platform now targeting pharmaceutical companies and EEG device manufacturers.Nardin also opens up about the unique challenge of balancing life as a practicing neurology resident with running a startup, and how the team grew early on through university internship programs.This conversation covers the realities of the entrepreneurial rollercoaster, the mentorship that shaped Cove's early growth, and why Nardin believes that filtering signal from noise in brain data and in business is the key to staying focused on what matters most.

Innovation Factory in Hamilton, Ontario is one of 17 regional innovation centres across Ontario providing free advisory services, training, and mentorship to entrepreneurs at every stage - from idea to scale-up. With a particular strength in life sciences, roughly 35% of the 850+ companies Innovation Factory supports each year come from that sector, drawn in part by Hamilton's exceptional ecosystem of hospitals, universities, and research institutions.In this episode, host Jim Wilson speaks with Shannon Graszat, Manager of Venture Growth at Innovation Factory, about how the organization helps founders turn ideas into products, access hospital and university networks, and tap into funding programs - all at no cost. Shannon discusses the Synapse Life Sciences Consortium, which brings together key institutional partners to support life sciences companies not just locally, but from across the province and country.This conversation highlights why Hamilton has emerged as a hub for life sciences innovation in Canada, and how entrepreneurs anywhere in Ontario can access Innovation Factory's growing suite of resources - remotely or in person.

Skinopathy is a medical technology company in Toronto that is on a mission to provide accessible healthcare on demand. By integrating advanced artificial intelligence with smartphone technology, Skinopathy allows patients to screen for skin cancer and other conditions from home, bridging the gap between early detection and specialized medical intervention.In this episode, host Jim Wilson speaks with co-founder and CEO Keith Loo about the company’s "accidental" beginnings during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a conversation between friends about the alarming rise in late-stage skin cancer became a life-saving tool now used globally. Keith discusses the technical challenge of building AI that works on all skin tones, navigating Canadian healthcare bureaucracy, and the emotional weight of building a company that helps patients "cancel their funerals."This conversation explores the intersection of high-tech innovation and human-centric care, highlighting how a tool meant to be given away for free evolved into a clinically validated platform that outperforms traditional diagnostic standards.Note: We unfortunately ran into some technology issues with our microphone and apologize for Jim's mic quality. We have added a transcript to this podcast to make Jim's side accessible.

Join host Jim Wilson for a conversation with Zaid Atto, founder and CEO of Xpan in Vaughan, Ontario.Xpan is a medical device company focused on minimally invasive surgery, developing a new approach to surgical trocars used in laparoscopic procedures - tools that haven’t changed much in decades, despite being used in millions of procedures every year.Zaid shares how the idea started while he was studying biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto, after hearing firsthand from surgeons frustrated with the limitations of existing devices. He walks through the journey from a university capstone project to building a company, and why he chose to move beyond research and into entrepreneurship to bring real solutions to patients.This episode offers a grounded look at what it takes to turn a real clinical problem into a viable medical device.

NMX Research and Solutions is a specialized biopharma firm in Laval, Quebec, that is helping scientists find new medicines faster. By using tools like NMR spectroscopy and Fragment-Based Lead Discovery, NMX bridges the gap between lab research and real-world cures while mentoring the next generation of Canadian biotech leaders.In this episode Jim Wilson sits down with founder Steven LaPlante to trace his journey from a dairy farm in upstate New York to the front lines of drug discovery. Steven discusses the "shoveling manure" work ethic that fueled his move into science, his childhood spent building farm tools with a welder and torch, and what it was that eventually brought him to Montreal.This conversation explores the role of curiosity in innovation, the shift from big pharma "four walls" to the fast-paced world of startups, and how a background in biophysics became the foundation for a revolution in medicine. From Hepatitis C to COVID-19 research, Steven explains why "building your own tools" is the secret to solving the world's biggest health challenges.

This week we reach into our archive for a throwback conversation with Matthew Miller who is a distinguished scientist and academic leader at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.  Listen in as Matthew shares his journey from a small town in Ontario's cottage ciuntry to becoming a key leader in Canada's infectious disease research community.Listen in as Matthew discusses how serendipity and mentorship shaped his career, the challenges of starting a lab, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his work.Matthew also touches on the importance of basic science funding and his vision for the future of health sciences in Canada. Tune in as Jim and Matthew discuss the Next Great Big Ideas on the horizon in infectious disease research and how they just might transform the health of Canadians and the economy of Canada.

Vive Crop Protection is a leading agri-tech company in Mississauga, Ontario that is dedicated to helping farmers "do more with less." By focusing on development over discovery, Vive combines synthetic chemistry with bio-based pesticides to create high-performance products that lower costs for growers while reducing the environmental footprint of traditional farming.In this episode, host Jim Wilson sits down with CEO and co-founder Darren Anderson to trace his journey from a chemistry-obsessed high schooler in Sarnia to the head of a major Canadian innovation success story. Darren discusses the "accident of history" that led to his birth in West Virginia, his burnout during undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, and the pivotal influence of his PhD supervisor, Dr. Cynthia Goh, who saw the entrepreneur in Darren before he saw it himself.This conversation explores the critical role of humility and luck in business, the transition from a "perfect" academic mindset to the fast-paced world of startups, and how a specialized background in chemical physics became the foundation for a sustainable revolution in agriculture.

 AxCell Labs is a biotech startup company in Sherbrooke Quebec that is developing a new generation of biomaterials designed to help the body heal itself. Their core innovation is a specialized scaffold made from bacterial cellulose—originally derived from a local kombucha culture—that provides a physical structure for human cells to colonize and regenerate soft tissue lost to trauma, surgery, or cancer.In this episode, host Jim Wilson sits down with CEO Jérémie Chaussé to share the "accidental" origin story of the company, which began when two university students went door-to-door hunting for kombucha scoby to start their first lab culture.Jérémie discusses the grit required to navigate a three-year master’s degree while acting as his own tax accountant, the critical technical pivot they made after a failed animal trial, and how their "scaffold" technology provides a new benchmark for reconstructive surgery.This conversation offers a candid look at the reality of student entrepreneurship, the importance of securing intellectual property early, and how a bit of "kombucha luck" turned into a high-stakes medical mission.

Join host Jim Wilson for a conversation with Simon LaPointe, founder and CEO of EncephalX in Sherbrooke, Quebec.EncephalX is a medical device company focused on helping people recovering from severe head injuries and strokes. Their main invention, the Dynamic Cranioplasty System, aims to turn two dangerous brain surgeries into one by creating a special implant that allows the brain to swell and heal safely without having to leave a piece of the skull out.Simon shares how a college internship took him out of the classroom and directly into operating rooms, where seeing the reality of brain trauma changed his career path. He talks about the patience it took to study the problem for months before ever building a prototype, the challenge of starting a business during the pandemic, and how a "moving" skull piece can save patients from a second high-risk surgery.This episode offers a clear look at how a young engineer is using simple mechanics to solve a massive healthcare problem and get patients home sooner.

Join host Jim Wilson for a conversation with Dylan Horvath who is founder and principal of Cortex Design in Toronto, Ontario. Cortex helps MedTech teams take medical devices from early concept through to commercialization, with a focus on designing for real users and the full set of stakeholders who influence adoption. Dylan shares how a childhood obsession with robotics led him into systems design engineering, then into industrial design, and ultimately into building Cortex into a specialized MedTech practice. They talk about the high-stakes Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE experience, what it taught the team about focus and execution, and why usability, workflow, and practical realities like cleaning and procurement can determine whether a device succeeds in the market. This episode offers a clear look at what it takes to turn complex ideas into viable, commercial medical products and the potentual pitfalls of the entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode of NGBi Lab, host Jim Wilson welcomes Loreen Wales, the Founder and CEO of Revive Wellness and My Viva.Discover the harrowing origin story that fueled Loreen's mission: a near-fatal accident at age 19 that left her with a miracle survival and a relentless drive to transform how we deliver patient care.From her early days as a dietitian in Edmonton to realizing that the healthcare system lacked a personalized, scalable plan for patients, Loreen discusses her 18-year journey of building a holistic digital health platform.From the grit required to transition from a "bricks and mortar" clinic to a global technology company, to the reality of a "10-year overnight success," this conversation dives into the conviction and risk required to innovate in the health sciences sector.

In this episode of NGBi Lab, host Jim Wilson welcomes Akeem Gardner, CEO and Founder of Canurta Therapeutics. Discover how Akeem transitioned from law school and farming into the biotech space to build a company developing botanical drug candidates for neurodegenerative diseases, with a lead program targeting ALS.From his unconventional entrepreneurial journey and the shift from ingredient supplier to full biotechnology company, to the stark financial realities of funding clinical trials, this conversation dives deep into the conviction and risk required to innovate in the life sciences sector.Tune in to learn about his vision for Canurta Therapeutics and what it takes to found and run a startup in Canadian Life Sciences. 

In this episode of NGBiPlus, Jim Wilson sits down with Mary Georgious and Liam Brown who are members of the team at McCallum-Sather Architects to explore the company's forward-thinking approach to sustainable, integrated design in the life sciences sector. Mary and Liam share how their architectural and mechanical engineering expertise come together to shape high-performance lab environments and discuss the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and user-centered planning—especially when transforming aging facilities into modern research spaces. Their work on the University of Waterloo’s Earth Sciences and Chemistry complex offers a compelling look at the opportunities and challenges of renovating existing buildings to meet today’s scientific and environmental standards. 

Listen in as Jim Wilson soeaks with Dr. Amol Deshpande who shares his journey from a Toronto upbringing to a diverse career spanning chronic pain medicine, emergency and cardiac care, healthcare consulting, and his experience wirking in venture support at MaRS. Amol reflects on his roles at UHN, WSIB, Toronto Rehab, and AIoT Health, as well as launching his podcast Reboot Health.Amol also discusses the state of Canadian life sciences, the need for genuine collaboration, and the importance of clear national vision. He closes with personal reflections on fatherhood and what’s next in his mission to improve healthcare and innovation in Canada.

Join Jim Wilson for an engaging conversation with Nima Zamani, co-founder of Cobionix.  Nima shares his inspiring journey of building a cutting-edge robotics company and how Cobionix is revolutionizing healthcare with its needle-free AI-powered robotic injection technology that is addressing labor shortages, and pioneering autonomous medical solutions. Nima also delves into the challenges of entrepreneurship and the critical role of human-robot collaboration in transforming the medical field.

In this episode Jonathan Bramson walks us through his journey from growing up in Montreal to pursuing a PhD at McGill and becoming a leading voice in Canadian gene and cell therapy research. Jonathon reflects on his early influences, academic anxieties, and the unexpected turns that led him into oncology and biotech. We explore the evolution of gene therapy, the power of mentorship, the realities of building in the life sciences sector, and the creativity behind developing new treatments. Jonathan also shares what he's most proud of—both personally and professionally—and his aspirations for the future of universal cell therapy. 

In this episode of NGBiLab, host Jim Wilson speaks with Nicholas Calvert, Alexia Kirby, and Adam Shuhendler who are the innovative minds behind YellowBird Diagnostics. Discover how this dynamic team spun their academic startup out of the University of Ottawa and how they and their team are revolutionizing disease diagnosis with cutting-edge chemical technologies. From their entrepreneurial journey to the challenges of bringing molecular imaging to the clinic, this conversation delves into the heart of innovation in the life sciences sector. Tune in to learn about their vision to become leaders in advanced imaging dye innovation and their plans for the future.

In this engaging episode, Jim Wilson sits down with Marc Jeschke who is a globally renowned surgeon and researcher to explore his inspiring journey from growing up in Germany to becoming a leading figure in burn care and medical research. Marc shares insights into his early life, the challenges and triumphs of his career, and his vision for the future of healthcare. Discover how his passion for innovation and dedication to patient care have shaped his path and continue to drive his work at Hamilton Health Sciences.

In this archived episode of NGBiLab, host Jim Wilson revisits his conversation with Bronwyn Bridges, CEO and co-founder of PragmaClin, a pioneering startup from St. John's, Newfoundland. PragmaClin's innovative digital tool, Prims, is designed to enhance the assessment of Parkinson's disease, offering more objective and efficient pathways for neurological care. Bronwyn reflects on her journey, the hurdles overcome, and the serendipitous moments that shaped PragmaClin's mission to make healthcare more accessible.

In this archive episode of NGBideas, host Jim Wilson sits down with Professor Christine Allen from the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. Join us as we explore Dr. Allen's remarkable journey from her early days in Ottawa to becoming a globally recognized leader in drug formulation and development. Discover her insights on the integration of AI in drug development, her experiences in academia and industry, and her inspiring personal story of resilience and innovation. Tune in for an engaging conversation that delves into the future of life sciences and the power of formulation to transform medicine.

In this throwback episode of NGBiLab, host Jim Wilson sits down with Kevin Neal and Jean-Francois Mio from Tatum Bioscience in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Discover how they are revolutionizing cancer treatment by programming bacteria to become cancer-fighting drugs. Learn about their journey, the challenges they face, and their vision for the future of immunotherapy. Tune in to explore the cutting-edge innovations in Canada's life sciences sector.

In this throwback episode of NGBideas, host Jim Wilson sits down with Brigitte Nolet, President and CEO of Roche Canada Pharma. They explore Brigitte's journey as a trisector leader, her personal experiences as a patient, and her insights into Canada's life sciences sector. Discover the importance of honesty in leadership and the potential of healthcare innovation. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, ambition, and the future of healthcare in Canada.

This week, we’re throwing it back to when Jim connected with Sydney Robinson, CEO and co-founder of Vessl Prosthetics, based in London, Ontario. Sydney and her team are pioneering next-generation prosthetic solutions specifically designed for below-knee amputees. Their innovative technology features automatic adjustments that ensure a consistently comfortable fit—greatly improving quality of life for many.In 2025, Vessl Prosthetics made significant strides, securing key funding and expanding their impact in the prosthetics field. Their journey perfectly exemplifies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that NGBi is proud to amplify—showcasing real-world breakthroughs happening across Canada’s life sciences ecosystem.Tune in to hear their inspiring story, and stay connected for more fresh conversations coming soon!

This week, we’re revisiting an episode with Cate Murray, President and CEO of the Stem Cell Network (SCN) in Ottawa. SCN is a Canadian not-for-profit supporting three main objectives: advancing stem cell and regenerative medicine research, training the next generation of researchers, and sharing breakthroughs in this incredible field.Founded in 2001 with federal support, SCN has grown from a few dozen labs to over 270 world-class research groups and dozens of clinical trials.Cate will also be joining NGBi25 to speak about regenerative medicine, sharing her insights on the latest innovations and trends in this exciting field.

Join host Jim Wilson as he sits down with Dr. Arinjay Banerjee and Dr. Volker Gerdts from the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) in Saskatoon. Discover how VIDO is at the forefront of infectious disease research and vaccine development, bridging human and animal health. Learn about their cutting-edge facilities, global partnerships, and the ambitious plans to make Canada a leader in pandemic preparedness. This episode offers a deep dive into the world of life sciences and the inspiring stories behind the scientists driving innovation. Tune in for insights that could shape the future of global health.