The Made In Canada Project: August Update

At the beginning of the pandemic, we put out a call to Canadian companies, scientists and researchers to help us find made in Canada solutions on COVID-19. We have received thousands of applications to date from hardworking, caring Canadians. Today I’m excited to provide the latest update on the Made In Canada Project.

To support testing in Canada, we’ve signed contracts with Precision ADM to develop, manufacture, and distribute CANSWAB™ nasopharyngeal test swabs, as well as Bio Basic Canada Inc. and Rane Pharmaceutical Inc. to manufacture guanidine thiocyanate, a key chemical input required for COVID testing;

I’m also announcing four contracts through our Innovative Solutions Testing Stream to support the following innovations:

Fusion Genomics Corp. : the ONETest ConronaViruses (CoV)-Fast, genomics-based assay that is capable of detecting and capturing the full spectrum of known human infections

Innovatools: their re-usable Surgical Procedure Mask.

Global Spatial Technology Solutions Inc.: the OCIANA™ tool that improves maritime situational awareness and supports real-time decision-making by health, safety and security agencies during public health emergencies

NMODES: the COVID19 INSTANT RESPONSE SOLUTION that uses artificial intelligence to triage large volumes of online inquiries, relieving pressure from hospitals and government organizations in times of crisis.

In addition, the NRC is funding two projects under the ISC Challenge Stream to support N95 as well as low cost medical sensor development.

 Phase 2 winners for the N95 respirator challenge to develop prototypes for alternative filtration materials that can be used to produce masks to protect healthcare personnel against exposure to airborne particles and droplet hazards related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Stedfast Inc. is receiving $164,955 to develop washable masks with barrier properties as well as a prototype N95 respirator, a surgical mask, and a community mask.
• Roswell Downhole Technologies Inc. is receiving $418,641 for rapid reconfiguration of plastic extrusion equipment for the manufacture of N95 filter material.

Phase 1 winners for the Low Cost Sensor challenge, to develop a proof of concept for a low cost system that can continuously measure temperature, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2), blood pressure (BP), pulse and respiration rates, and transmit this information wirelessly to a base station for COVID-19 patient monitoring in locales including ERs, general wards, communities and homes.

• Braebon Medical Corporation is receiving $282,244 to develop the MediByte VTS that is an all-in-one patient vital signs monitoring device which can report arterial blood pressure, blood oxygenation, pulse rate, breathing rate, body temperature, body orientation, and movement in real-time in the hospital or home environments.
• Cloud Diagnostics Canada ULC is receiving $300,000 to develop the Vitaliti™ continuous vital sign monitor.

Our superclusters have also approved several promising projects for funding:

LuminUltra Technologies to support the development of a novel SARS-CoV-2 test kit based on nucleic acid (RNA) detection of novel corona virus

DMF Medical to enable the modification of anesthesia machines for ICU ventilation applications.

Lastly, we’re investing $1.25 million to fund the CanCOVID expert network of Canadian COVID-19 researchers, clinical collaborators, and healthcare stakeholders to facilitate rapid scientific coordination and provide a strong base of evidence to help Canada safely navigate its way out of this pandemic.

As the world continues to search for a vaccine for COVID-19, our government is leaving no stone unturned in our Made in Canada effort to support research, therapeutics, testing, and personal protective equipment to ensure all Canadians are safe and healthy.