Finding new ways to tackle cancer

We are a community of researchers who are exploring how cancer develops and can be treated more effectively.

Through the work of many scientists and clinical trial teams, there are better treatment options for many types of cancer including breast, prostate, testicular, cervical, and thyroid cancer, melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma.

However, there are over 200 types of cancer that still lead to 240 thousand incidences in Canada annually and 240 deaths here each day.

Our events feature a series of short, engaging presentations about cancer research that is making a difference. We collaborate with DiscoveryLab to connect funders, investors and business supports with teams aiming for clinical trials of new treatments, diagnostics and devices that combat cancer.

Event at EdmontonUnlimited

Our next event will be held in partnership with ADEPT at Edmonton Unlimited on Friday November 29, 2024 from 10am - 4pm. Register to hear about the latest advances from biotech company leaders giving both virtual 10 minute and in person 20 minute pitches, with the latter prioritized for diagnostics, medical devices and therapeutics.

Michael Mengel, Professor, FoMD, UofA & Director, Alberta Transplant Institute will open the in-person diagnostics session

Presenters registered to pitch on Nov. 29 include:

Ameneh Madjd, COO & Co-Founder, D2Type developing a mobile app to empower at-risk individuals to prevent & reverse Type 2 Diabetes.

Anooshirvan Shayeganpour, CEO, Invitvo Pharmaceuticals, PhD. University of Alberta

Asghar Fallah, CEO, RNA Revive Therapeutics; Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Alberta

Ash Barik, Computer Science Engineer, MacEwan University. Geek Squad, Counter Intelligence Agent. Advisor, Google Chromebook

Benji Ahvazi, Research Associate, ZAFA Biorefinery Inc.; Co-Founder, CSO, Canna Stream Solutions; Adjunct Professor, University of Alberta

Daniel Salamon, COO, Northernmost, modernizing kidney preservation & logistics. Previously at Health Innovation Platform Partnerships, NAIT

Hamid Abdelrhman, CEO, Canvita Canada Ltd; Clinical Pharmacist Shoppers Drug Mart; Hospital Pharmacist Alberta Health Services

Hayro Hambardzumyan, Founder, Gogman Grigson Limited; Founder, Lrnkey

Irene Harmsen, CTO & Co-Founder, Cove Neurosciences Inc. Neuroscience Researcher, University Health Network

Jumai Abioye, Founder and CEO, PanAccess Innovations Inc. Ph.D. University of Glasgow

Kate Popiel, CEO, What's the Deal? Propel certificate, Edmonton Unlimited; Humber College

Kenneth To, CEO, ViewsML. Previously co-founded Wax-it Histology Services, and Key Opinion Leader management at Eli Lilly.

Leyla Kara, CEO, SpectraCann; Business Mentor, Futurpreneur Skills; Board Member, Nia Health

Mahsa Mohseni, Researcher, University of Alberta. Previously Medical Laboratory Technologist, Resalat Medical Laboratory

Mehdi Mohammadi Ashani, CEO & Founder, Fluidome BioChipTech; Senior Scientist (PhD, MSc, PMP), University of Calgary

Mehdi Shokrani, CEO, We Are Tech; Instructor, SAIT; IT Manager, ActionCOACH Canada

Michael Bosdet, COO, C.E.C. Innovations Ltd.; Senator, University of Calgary. Member, Chemical Angel Network, Valhalla Angels

Mirna Damergi, Product Manager & Troy Feener, COO, (RID) Rapid Infection Diagnostics Inc.

Milad Afshar, Co-Founder & CEO, Neurosense Technologies. Previously CTO, NeuronicLABs; Director of Product Development, NeuronisWorks

Mohammad Bani Amer, Director, KHYAL Inc. BSc, Chemical Engineering, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University

Pankaj Purwar, CEO, Farmer's Legacy Biotech. MBA, Entrepreneurship, University of Victoria

Rebecca Ung, Founder, Kumu. B.Eng. B.Sc., Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology, University of Calgary

Robert Saik, CEO, visorPRO. Previously CEO, DOT Farm Solutions Inc. BSc, Agriculture, University of Alberta

Roger Zemp, CSO, CliniSonix Inc. and Professor, Engineering-Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta

April 17, 2024 talks include:

This meeting at UofA features 25 speakers from start-ups and small companies looking for advisors and funding through the University of Alberta Innovation Fund and DiscoveryLab. These include:

Colin Coros, COO, Nanostics, a clinical-stage precision health company developing diagnostic tests for cancer.

Jana Rieger, CEO & co-Founder, True Angle, developing wearable digital devices for restoring swallowing function in patients.

Daniel Nisakar Meenakshi Sundaram, RJH Biosciences, developing nucleic acid-based delivery agents for leukemia therapy.

March 5, 2024 talks include:

This meeting at UofA features 25 speakers from start-ups and small companies looking for advisors and funding through the University of Alberta Innovation Fund and DiscoveryLab. These include:

Jeremie Bourqui, Founder & CEO, Wave View Imaging is developing the Wave View Scanner for breast density assessment

Todd McMullen, Director, Pavonis Diagnostics Inc. is commercializing a label-free, thin film platform for performing immunoassays.

Piyush Kumar, President & CEO, WWiKY BioSciences offers precision theranostic (therapy+diagnostic) management of hypoxic tumors.

December 5, 2023 talks include:

This meeting features 22 speakers from start-ups and small companies looking for advisors and funding through DiscoveryLab. These include:

Aru Narendran, Founder & CEO, Teresagenics Pharma Inc. (Calgary), developing a small molecule drug for cancer treatment

Colin Coros, CCO, Nanostics, a clinical-stage precision health company developing diagnostic tests.

Catalina Vasquez, COO, Nanostics, a clinical-stage precision health company developing diagnostic tests.

Sept 25-26, 2023 talks include:

This 2 day conference includes talks and panel discussions by:

Piyush Kumar,President & CEO, WWiKY BioSciences (Edmonton) is developing cancer theranostics that exploit hypoxia, which leads to metastatic progression and resistance

Risini Weeratna, Director, Disruptive Technology Solutions Cell & Gene Therapy Challenge Program and Senior Research Officer/Team Lead Cancer Immunology, National Research Council

Kevin Hay, Clinician Scientist at the Terry Fox Laboratory and Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program of BC in Vancouver, focuses on chimeric antigen receptor T cells toxicities and therapies

Jailal Ablack, Head of Preclinical Research, Entos Pharmaceuticals, focuses on delivery of genetic medicines, animal models of cancer, in vivo assay development and characterization of antibody therapeutics

Christy Holtby, Vice President - Philanthropy, Alberta Cancer Foundation, previously Managing Director, Investment & Partnerships, Amii) and VP, Strategic Partnerships, UHF

May 26, 2023 talks include:

Carrie Shemanko founded Crocus Biomedical, a University of Calgary-based startup that has developed a blood and tumour tissue-based molecular test for physicians to identify individuals at high risk of breast cancer bone metastasis. 

Colin Coros, CCO, Nanostics Inc., an Edmonton-based a clinical-stage precision health company with a detection platform for a range of diseases including prostate and bladder cancer.

Kathleen McMahon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Wave View Imaging Inc. (Calgary) is developing pain-free and timely breast imaging systems using microwave technology.

Michael Weickert, CEO, Pacylex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.a University of Alberta spinout which is developing a first in class myristoylation inhibitor as a new oral daily therapy for hematologic and solid tumor cancers. 

March 14, 2023 with DiscoveryLab

Kathleen McMahon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Wave View Imaging Inc. (Calgary) is developing pain-free and timely breast imaging systems using microwave technology.

Michael Weinfeld, Vice-President, CSO & Co-founder of WWiKY BioSciences (Edmonton) which is looking to build a cancer-free future by developing a spectrum of cancer theranostics (both therapy and diagnostics) that strike at the core of treatment failure.

December 13, 2022 with DiscoveryLab

Michael Stewart President, IMBiotechnologies (Edmonton) is developing FDA-approved Ekobi® Embolization Microspheres for minimally invasive control of blood supply to tissues. These biodegradable agents are detectable by ultrasound for the treatment of malignant and non-malignant vascularized tumors, uterine fibroids and enlarged prostates. Michael's experience spans the medical device and biopharmaceutical sector, he is an inventor on patents including IMB’s discoveries.

Nikhil Joshi, CEO, Clinical Trial Hero (Edmonton) leverages network effects for patient recruitment to help fill clinical trials faster. They have developed a free, unique Android & iPhone app designed to help people suffering from illnesses find clinical trials. Nikhil Joshi is an internist, clinical immunologist, cancer survivor, award-winning writer and former national radio host.

Shairaz Baksh, CEO, BioImmuno Designs (Edmonton) is a preclinical pharmaceutical company focused on the development of first-in-class anti-inflammatory therapeutics.This startup is dedicated to exploring the therapeutic potential of small molecules to treat conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, pancreatic cancer, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, inflammatory breast cancer.

September 13, 2022 with DiscoveryLab

Piyush Kumar, President and CEO of WWiKY BioSciences (Edmonton) is developing Hypoxin products for cancer imaging and treatment.

Randy Duguay CEO of Health Gauge (Edmonton) offers an AI-based personal digital health platform encompassing devices, software and cloud services.

May 17, 2022 with DiscoveryLab

Michael Weickert, CEO, Pacylex Pharmaceuticals spoke about the plans to complete phase 2 clinical studies of their first in class small molecule cancer therapeutic agents in leukemia and solid tumors.  Michael is an executive leader and health-tech entrepreneur, with contributions across the biotech, medical device, pharmaceutical, and drug delivery industries to bring multiple breakthrough therapeutic and medtech products through development.

Leanne Brownoff & Danielle Bragge, Co-Founders, VR Pathways Inc. is developing mental wellness apps including PocketBrain. These are designed to enhance evidenced-based psychological therapies for use by clinicians to treat stress, anxiety, PTSD and phobias, within a safe virtual reality environment.

February 15, 2023 with DiscoveryLab

Aru Narendran, Professor, University of Calgary, spoke about his development of a “trial-in-a-cell” approach for future personalized cancer treatment in children.

Previous Speakers include:

Courtney Mowat is a member of CRINA and a graduate student in Cancer Science within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on immunotherapy and the genetic instability of colorectal cancer.

Nicholas Ruel is a member of CRINA and a graduate student in the Department of Pharmacology and is studying how transporters interact with purine nucleobases like adenine, hypoxanthine, as well as 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), which is used during the maintenance phase of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).