Research and development across Atlantic Canada is benefiting from an important federal investment of $61.1 million under Round VII of the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF). In Nova Scotia, a total of seven R&D projects, representing both private and public sector research, will benefit from $16.7 million in AIF support in this round. The announcement was made today in Halifax by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.

“Productivity and innovation are key factors in Canada’s economic success,” said Minister MacKay. “The Atlantic Innovation Fund is an important catalyst for building research and development capacity in our region. This latest round of funding ensures that more research will continue to be undertaken, and more innovative ideas commercialized, so that Atlantic businesses continue to grow, adapt, diversify and become more competitive.”

Today’s announcement is part of a series of announcements highlighting 29 innovative R&D projects selected from across Atlantic Canada that will benefit from AIF support available under Round VII of the program. In addition, as the project proponents lever more funding for their research work from a variety of other private and public sector sources, the total value of the R&D investment generated in this round is expected to rise to nearly $110 million. The Fund has generated a measurable increase in investments in research and development in Atlantic Canada. Since 2006, every AIF dollar invested has leveraged an additional $1.26 in funding from other sources.

The projects selected for AIF funding in Nova Scotia include the development of a
cost-effective biofuel production system using a marine microorganism and the development and commercialization of a new generation of advanced composite struts for the airline industry.

“We are investing in realistic and achievable projects,” said Minister MacKay. “Projects that will advance our innovation and knowledge capacity, generate a range of alternative technologies, and develop leading-edge products and processes.”

Since 2006, nearly $342 million has been invested through the AIF in 144 R&D projects throughout Atlantic Canada. During that time, 40 highly innovative Nova Scotia projects have benefited from that investment. Several of these projects have already resulted in new products, technologies and services that are now being marketed to the world. Among them are technology to better protect shorelines, and solar technology to power street lighting.

ACOA’s Atlantic Innovation Fund encourages the commercialization of research in Atlantic Canada and has been a key driver for many Atlantic Canadian businesses, universities and research institutions. It has enhanced Atlantic Canada’s reputation for innovation and, through the success of the projects it has funded, the AIF contributes significantly to the region’s research and development capacity and its economic performance.

The seven projects selected for AIF funding in Nova Scotia include:

Genome Atlantic (Halifax) Project: Developing Camelina as the next Canadian Oilseed Genome Atlantic, in collaboration with researchers and scientific leaders from Canada and around the world, will develop Camelina oilseed into a viable, cost-efficient, feed supplement for the aquaculture industry. The research also has the potential of providing a new source of Omega- 3s for the cosmetic and nutraceutical market, and a green fuel for jets and other engines. This project, with total estimated costs of $6.2 million, will receive approximately $2.8 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a four- year period.

Origin BioMed Inc. (Halifax) Project: The Development of Novel Treatments for Neuropathic Pain With this project, Origin BioMed will develop new treatments for neuropathic pain caused by such conditions as diabetes, shingles, chemotherapy treatments, and HIV infection. The project’s objective is to create a package of new drugs using an oil extract for these ailments. This project, with total estimated costs of $5.8 million, will receive approximately $3 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a three-year period.

Nova Scotia Agricultural College (Truro) Project: Smart Christmas Trees and Technologies Initiative The Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) is a lead member of the Atlantic Canada Christmas Tree Research and Development Consortium that has developed the SMART Christmas Trees and Technologies Initiative. With the project, NSAC will focus on research into the prevention of needle loss in balsam fir Christmas trees and will attempt to discover the technology needed to prevent needle loss, contributing to the sustainability of the region’s $72 million Christmas tree industry. This project, with total estimated costs of $5 million, will receive approximately $2.4 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a five- year period.

Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (Dartmouth) Project: Algae to Biofuels Ocean Nutrition will seek to develop a cost-effective and integrated biofuel production system using a microorganism which has a high concentration of oil. The project goal is the production and sale of algal-oil feed stock, and biofuels, providing an alternative source of clean energy. This project, with total estimated costs of $4.9 million, will receive approximately $3 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a three-year period.

IWK Health Centre (Halifax) Project: Development of a Translational Imaging Centre in Halifax The IWK Health Centre has established the Laboratory for Clinical Magnetoencephalography (MEG) in partnership with Elekta Neoromag and the National Research Council’s Institute for Biodiagnostics. The MEG is a non-invasive procedure that uses sensors to detect and record electrical activity in the brain. With the project, the IWK will seek to develop commercial products for use in biodiagnostics. This project, with total estimated costs of $3.1 million, will receive approximately $1.8 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a five-year period.

Dalhousie University (Halifax) Project: Developing Innovative Brain Repair Services and Technologies The Brain Repair Centre at Dalhousie University conducts R&D dedicated to the repair of incurable brain disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s, as well as serious mental illness, stroke and spinal cord injuries. With this project, the Centre will conduct research into cognitive impairment and develop computer-based rehabilitation techniques to help mitigate those impairments. This project, with total estimated costs of $2.7 million, will receive approximately $1.8 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a five-year period.

Composites Atlantic Limited (Lunenburg) Project: Development and Industrialization of New Generation of Advanced Composite Struts Composites Atlantic will conduct R&D to combine two existing technologies to create a cost-efficient hollow core, all-composite strut for the airline industry. The new strut will provide weight savings of 40 per cent and offer customers a higher quality product. This project, with total estimated costs of $2.6 million, will receive approximately $1.9 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a two-year period.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

National Defence Minister, Peter MacKay, today released the details of seven projects in Nova Scotia that will receive up to $16.7 million in funding under Round VII of ACOA’s Atlantic Innovation Fund.

The Nova Scotia projects are part of a larger contribution that will see 29 innovative R&D projects receive up to $61.1 million in AIF funding throughout Atlantic Canada. Project proponents are expected to leverage an additional $48.3 million in funding from a variety of private and public sector sources, bringing the total value of the projects to nearly $110 million. Among the projects funded is the development of a cost-effective biofuel production system using a marine microorganism, and the development and commercialization of a new generation of advanced composite struts for the airline industry.

The Atlantic Innovation Fund plays an important role in enhancing Atlantic Canada’s ability to carry out leading- edge R&D and bringing new knowledge, new jobs and new business opportunities to Atlantic Canada.

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INFORMATION:
 
Erin Filliter
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the 
Atlantic Canada Opportunities
Agency, and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway
613-941-7241

Krista Kelly
Director of Communications, Client Services
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Moncton, New Brunswick
506-851-6403

Dan Dugas
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Defence
613-996-3100

David Harrigan
Director, Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Halifax, Nova Scotia
902-426-4238


CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PROJECTS SELECTED FOR AIF FUNDING 
IN NOVA SCOTIA:
 
Genome Atlantic
Susan Coueslan
Director, Communications and Government Relations
Halifax, Nova Scotia
902-421-5683
sue@genomeatlantic.ca

Origin BioMed Inc.
Robert Silverstein
Chief Operating Officer
Halifax, Nova Scotia
902-444-8696
silverstein@originbiomed.com

Nova Scotia Agricultural College
Stephanie Rogers
Communications Manager
Truro, Nova Scotia
902-893-7247
902-890-0698 (cell)
srogers@nsac.ca

Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited
Ian Lucas
Vice President Innovation and Strategy
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
902-480-3216
ilucas@ocean-nutrition.com
 
Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre
Nick Cox
Public Relations Coordinator
Halifax, Nova Scotia
902-470-7086
nicholas.cox@iwk.nshealth.ca

Dalhousie University
Charles Crosby
Media Relations
Halifax, Nova Scotia
902-494-1269
Charles.Crosby@dal.ca

Composites Atlantic Limited
Maurice Guitton
President & CEO
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
902-634-8448
902-527-7866 (cell)


MEDIA BACKGROUNDER

Bringing Big Ideas to the Marketplace: Atlantic Canada – a 
centre for innovation and commercialization

Atlantic Canada is home to leading-edge research and 
development (R&D) – innovative and successful ideas and 
technology that are essential to the competitiveness and 
productivity of a thriving regional economy. Since 2001, 
the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Atlantic 
Innovation Fund (AIF) has been a primary catalyst in 
promoting innovation throughout Atlantic Canada.

Through the AIF, researchers and entrepreneurs are pursuing 
their goal of bringing ideas to life. These leading-edge 
projects are helping to create jobs, retain and attract top 
talent, and develop and commercialize new, innovative 
technologies that are contributing to Atlantic Canada’s 
economic performance.

In this round, Nova Scotia’s successful AIF proponents will 
focus their R&D efforts on projects that will: develop a 
cost-effective biofuel production system using marine 
microorganisms, develop and commercialize a new generation 
of advanced composite struts for the airline industry, 
support research into cognitive impairment and develop 
computer-based rehabilitation techniques for patients with 
incurable brain disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s 
and Huntington’s. Atlantic Canada’s innovation capacity is 
growing with critical private-public sector partnerships 
helping drive the development of industry sectors and the 
region’s growth.

Helping to bridge the gap
Researchers and entrepreneurs know there’s no single 
roadmap to commercial success, but the AIF is helping 
bridge the gap from the lab to the marketplace. The AIF is 
enabling the creation and improvement of products, the 
streamlining of processes, the development of a skilled 
workforce, and the commercialization of research.

Many steps and factors must be weighed when commercializing 
knowledge, including the development of ideas and 
partnerships, product development and testing, and market 
launch and production. With support from the AIF, coupled 
with the right mix of talent, timing, hard work and 
determination, Atlantic Canadian ideas are successfully 
navigating the journey from innovation to commercialization.

Innovation at work in Atlantic Canada
One Nova Scotia company that has been pursuing the “big 
idea” with support from the AIF is ImmunoVaccine 
Technologies Inc. (IVT) of Halifax. Incorporated in 2000, 
IVT is dedicated to the commercialization of vaccine 
research carried out at Dalhousie University. The company 
has since patented an innovative vaccine called VacciMax™ 
that has enormous potential for the treatment of various 
forms of cancer. In contrast to chemotherapy, IVT’s vaccine 
works efficiently on the patient’s immune system to destroy 
cancer cells.

Partnerships are key to building the expertise and 
knowledge needed to move R&D projects forward. One such 
partnership has evolved into a business that has caught the 
eyes of the billion dollar petroleum exploration industry. 
The University of New Brunswick, with help from the AIF, 
has created the Institute for Materials Visualization and 
Analysis. After developing a Magnetic Resonance Imaging 
(MRI) technology, researchers at the Institute struck a 
partnership with UNB graduates, Jill and Derrick Green, to 
market the technology under Green Imaging Technologies, 
Inc. (GIT). Already GIT is generating profits, with major 
sales of software products and services throughout the 
world. Building on the success of this partnership, the 
Institute has more recently formed a new partnership with 
GIT and Saudi Arabia’s national oil company Saudi Aramco to 
develop a whole new generation of MRI-based technology for 
petroleum exploration.

Verafin Inc., of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, is 
one of the fastest growing companies in Atlantic Canada. 
Verafin takes artificial intelligence technologies and 
combines them with pattern recognition techniques to 
protect their clients in the financial services industry 
against bank fraud and money laundering. Verafin’s software 
helps nearly 500 financial institutions across North 
America. Verafin currently employs
86 full-time, highly skilled employees including software 
engineers with specialties in artificial intelligence, 

anti-
money laundering and fraud detection. Thanks to support 
from the AIF, Verafin has created opportunities for 

home-
grown talent to stay and work here in Atlantic Canada.

A Charlottetown-based company is helping to grow 
Prince Edward Island’s bioscience sector. Thanks 
to the production of novel yeast strains, Phyterra Yeast 
Inc. is helping wine producers prevent the kind of spoilage 
that often occurs during the fermentation process. One 
Phyterra strain is the world’s first and only yeast that 
reduces the formation of ethyl carbamate, a probable human 
carcinogen (a substance that can cause cancer in humans, 
animals and plants) produced by yeast in the fermentation 
process. With support from the AIF, Phyterra completed the 
critical R&D phase of this product, and response from the 
wine industry has prompted Phyterra to go into full-scale 
production. The company recently opened a new manufacturing 
facility in Summerville, Prince Edward Island, and will add 
15 new employees. Phyterra Yeast Inc. is making fine wine 
out of yeast – we can all toast to that.


Contact information:

ImmunoVaccine Technologies Inc.
Brian Lowe
Managing Director & COO
902-492-1819
bl.ivt@immunovaccine.ca