Where innovation meets impact
Key moments and takeaways from Life Sciences Week 2025
Coming out of our third year, we can say that Life Sciences Week is no longer a moment on a calendar—it’s a signal of where Alberta’s life sciences sector is headed.
This year’s event showcased that momentum. With more than 6,200 registrations at more than 60 events across Alberta, Life Sciences Week set a new benchmark for collaboration across Alberta and beyond.
That momentum is increasingly being recognized beyond provincial borders. As our media partner, Digital Journal, recently observed:
“Canada’s life sciences sector is no longer defined by a single hub, but by complementary strengths across provinces—and Alberta, once seen as a smaller player, is now firmly part of the national conversation. Life Sciences Week is where that shift becomes visible.”
Below, we highlighted some of the key moments that defined the week, as well as the ones that guide our upward trajectory as we continue to move forward together:
Alberta Homegrown Stories in Focus
Scaling a life sciences company is not theoretical. It is hard, nonlinear, and relentless.
During Life Sciences Week, Alberta innovators shared their experiences, setbacks and hard-won insights that often unfold behind the scenes of scaling a company.
“You have to be f****ing relentless.”
That was the blunt reality shared by Matt Baron-Anderson, Co-founder of Future Fields, as he reflected on his entrepreneurial journey, from coffee meetups and a makeshift lab in his home to establishing a protein biomanufacturing company that is now expanding commercial traction across agriculture, food and biopharma markets. With limited early resources, Matt emphasized showing up consistently, leveraging Edmonton’s startup ecosystem and choosing the right partners to scale.
At the Calgary Scale-up Stories panel, NanoTess offered a complementary perspective. Megan Leslie, CEO, shared the hurdles of commercializing NanoSALV, a catalytic wound care gel that speeds up healing in acute skin conditions. Megan underscored the persistence required through the long stretches of uncertainty, the need to educate a cautious market and the resilience to keep moving forward. NanoSALV is now on the Alberta Drug Benefit List, offering easier access for many Albertans.
What stood out this year was not just progress, but resilience. These founders are building deliberately, navigating uncertainty and proving that world-class innovation can thrive in Alberta.
As Leah Sarich, Head of Story at Thin Air Labs and host of the Founder Mindset podcast, summed it up:
“We have to tell our stories so that the broader public understands that we’re doing this work right here in Alberta. We’re doing this work in Canada and we’re solving some of the biggest problems in the world right here at home.”
Building an Alberta Advantage
Two new initiatives launched during the week pointed to the future we are building together—while directly addressing gaps that must be closed to strengthen Alberta’s life sciences sector.
New Programming for Emerging Talent and Innovators
- Life Sciences Placement Program
API, in partnership with Mitacs, introduced the Life Sciences Placement Program, a new, accelerated internship pathway designed to connect emerging talent with academic and industry partners. Delivering 1,000 paid internships, the program provides interns with practical skills while contributing to bold projects that address real-world challenges.
“This investment in talent is crucial for Canada’s goal for becoming a top 3 global hub in health and life sciences by 2025 – Mitacs is committed to making that happen.” – Simon Bousquet, VP, Business Development.
- MedTech Innovation Highway Pilot Program
The MedTech Innovation Highway Pilot Program, developed in collaboration with NAIT CAMS, API, CR Consulting, Parlee McLaws LLP and Red Deer Polytechnic, was also launched, supporting medtech innovators accelerate their journey from concept to commercialization.
Combining the expertise of five industry partners, the program offers an integrated support model that provides access to resources that are often difficult for startups to secure. Through the program, innovators receive tailored guidance in regulatory, product–market fit, business development, IP and technical expertise to help streamline commercialization for medical devices.
Innovation at the Intersections
Innovation across Alberta’s life sciences sector is also emerging at the intersections.
Hospitals
Hospitals are becoming engines for collaboration. Uniquely positioned at the forefront of patient care, hospitals, such as the Glenrose Rehabilitation Centre, are adopting practical business models and pathways for hospitals to commercialize technologies. Glenrose’s new clinical partnership program brings startups directly into the clinical setting, enabling them to work with clinicians and patients, ensuring innovations are shaped by real needs and move faster from prototype to practice.
(Right) Gail Stepanik-Keber, Chief Catalyst of Strategic Marketing & Alliances at University Hospital Foundation and Mark Korthius, President & CEO of Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital & Foundation during the panel Innovating in Hospitals.
Logistics
Innovation in healthcare logistics is also taking flight, demonstrating how technology can bridge gaps in access to care. Showcased on a tour during Life Sciences Week, Edmonton International Airport’s commercial drone supports health delivery with the capacity to transport essential medicines and medical supplies to remote and rural communities. This innovation is forming the backbone of an emerging supply chain that could position regional airports as vital cargo hubs for underserved areas.
Finance
Innovation is also advancing through the numbers—where data, valuation insights and smart financial systems shape the path to growth. In a collaborative session at Calgary Life Sciences Spotlight Day, MNP, in partnership with Halo Health, showed practical insights for emerging companies on optimizing financial dashboards and clear data from early stages to accelerate growth, build enterprise value and better understand market expectations.
“A really good accounting partner should also be in an advisory role to ensure your business grows and scales at a healthy and stable rate.” – Cam Bawol, Director of Business Development, MNP
Thank You
Every story told, every conversation shared and every innovation showcased this Life Sciences Week demonstrated the power of a sector moving forward together. What emerged was more than a week of events—it was a collective effort of an ecosystem ready to scale, close its gaps and champion innovations that create meaningful impact to the communities we serve.
We look forward to continuing this shared progress as we work towards a stronger future for Alberta’s life sciences sector.
Stay tuned for Life Sciences Week 2026—our best year awaits!