Member In Focus

CEO Brianna Orr Stratton founded DeNova in 2016, wanting to build a business with integrity that could make a positive impact

Before founding DeNova, Brianna Orr Stratton was already asking bigger questions about the role business could and should play in the world. While earning her MBA, she was increasingly drawn to the idea that a well-intentioned business could do more than grow. It could be a force for good.

“Through business, I could have the most rapid impact on the change that I wanted to see in the world,” says Orr Stratton. “If we built businesses that created a solution to a global problem and we did it with integrity, focus and the right goals - that's something that I wanted to be a part of."

That belief became the foundation for DeNova, the company she founded in 2016 and now leads as CEO. Headquartered in Nova Scotia, this biotechnology company is rethinking how protein is made. DeNova’s process creates a novel, nutrient-dense food source while reducing land, water and carbon intensity impacts compared to conventional plant and animal proteins.

An innovative way to create protein

DeNova’s groundbreaking technology uses biomass fermentation to produce microbial protein for animal feed, initially supplying the growing aquaculture sector. Instead of relying on soy crops, animal products, or ingredients from the ocean, DeNova can produce protein year-round, entirely indoors.

Their process uses a naturally occurring bacteria, originally found in Atlantic Canada. By feeding it methanol, that can be derived from natural gas or captured carbon dioxide, the microbe grows, producing protein, which is then harvested and dried for use as an agriculture and aquaculture feed ingredient.

Their product can be consistently produced at scale and is resilient to the climate and supply chain disruptions currently impacting traditional agriculture.

Shelf-stable, reliable aquaculture feed

The result is DeNova’s first product, Psomi™ – an all‑natural, shelf‑stable protein ingredient. It has been extensively tested and designed in collaboration with aquaculture feed producers to meet their expectations for performance and cost. It has future potential across livestock and pet food.

“This is not a green premium,” says Orr Stratton. “This is the way that business and manufacturing should be done, responsibly.”

Moving into large-scale production

After a decade of research and validation at their lab and pilot plant, DeNova is now transitioning into commercial production. They’re constructing a Market Entry Plant in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At the same time, DeNova is preparing to build a large scale production facility in Alberta, where proximity to their methanol feedstock will improve cost competitiveness.

Inside DeNova's plant - where they produce microbial protein for animal feed

This shift marks a defining phase for DeNova, one that requires replicating and scaling their technology safely and reliably.

“When you're moving into market, you have to deliver regularly, consistently, and at scale,” says Orr Stratton. “The work now is maintaining what got you successfully to where you are, while continuing to level up.”

Meeting the moment

They’ve arrived at this stage of growth well-placed to address broader national priorities. By building Canadian supply chains, creating new skilled jobs, and establishing a high-value protein export, DeNova can boost Canada’s food security and economic resilience.

"We can build something extraordinary at home with IP and with large scale production. We can do that using our own natural resources in a really efficient way that can serve our own country and export to the world,” says Orr Stratton.

A collaborative, welcoming ecosystem

As the company grows, Orr Stratton wants to maintain the curiosity and inventive spirit that inspired her to create DeNova.

Rather than always planning to build a biotech company, she describes falling into the ‘wormhole of the world of fermentation’, a turning point which reshaped her career. She followed that passion for the incredible potential of microbes, and that sense of exploration remains a key value for DeNova even as they scale.

“We're now a 30+-person company. Our problems are different, our objectives are different, but your endgame is always the same.” says Orr Stratton.

Lifted up by the community

Equally important has been the community that guided DeNova along the way. She says Atlantic Canada’s life sciences ecosystem and supportive mentors have lifted them up with a collaborative spirit, and helped them succeed.

“We are here because of the village. We're here because of the relationships and the people that believed in us from Day One, and consistently still do,” says Orr Stratton.

Solving problems that matter

As expectations grow for DeNova, Orr Stratton remains motivated by solving problems with a purpose and value-driven team, at a moment when the impact truly matters.

“It's the constant ability to create something that didn't exist before,” says Orr Stratton. “I live every single day in possibility.”

CEO Chris MacLean (R) attending a Life Sciences Nova Scotia event with one of his co-founders, Dr. Melanie Kelly

When Chris MacLean describes what is driving his newly-launched brand, Yew Healthy Aging Nutraceuticals, he comes back to one core purpose: helping people enjoy their later years, and continue doing what they love.

It is a concept known as health span, the number of years that you stay healthy, independent, and fulfilled. While people are living longer than ever, MacLean says longevity does not always correlate with quality of life. To address that gap, he and his team are developing evidence‑backed supplements designed to support the body’s natural ability to age well, while minimizing ingredients and potential drug interactions.

“Living longer is a great thing, but only if you can actually enjoy those later years,” says MacLean. “We're trying to help people take charge of their health span.”

An experienced, motivated team

MacLean is building Yew alongside a deeply experienced scientific team. His co-founders are Dr. Melanie Kelly, Peter Ford, and Matthew Allain. Dr. Kelly is a Dalhousie University professor specializing in pharmacology and ophthalmology, while Ford and Allain are pharmacists whose backgrounds span compounding, formulation, and biomedical engineering. Together, they bring decades of experience studying how the body changes with age, and how medications and supplements interact over time.

That knowledge provided the foundation to create Altheda Wellness Innovation, the parent company they co-founded in June 2023.

“We're trying to tailor products for an aging population and do it with a safe approach,” says MacLean.

To translate their research into practical tools for everyday life, the team launched Yew Healthy Aging Nutraceuticals as their consumer‑facing brand.

The symbol of the yew tree

The brand’s name was inspired by the yew tree, a symbol that resonated with MacLean and his team.

“It's one of the longest living trees on earth. It's endured centuries of change by growing slowly, but can also regenerate from within,” says MacLean. “The yew tree symbolizes protection, renewal, resilience and continuity.”

Those qualities reflect how the team thinks about aging itself. Their products are designed to support, not fundamentally alter, the body’s natural ability to adapt and sustain itself, with an emphasis on scientific rigor.

Effective yet safe products

That symbolism is evident in their launch products: all of which help support long-term health and functional aging. They’ve launched with three targeted supplements available for pre-order. They’re focused on bladder health (Cranguard), eye health (Optiwyse), and brain and metabolic health (Vitalmind). Each product is formulated with intention, using dosages designed to be low yet effective, while minimizing unnecessary ingredients.

Their three launch products: Cranguard, Optiwyse and Vitalmind.

 “We know that as people get older, they are often taking multiple medications,” MacLean explains. “We're trying to limit any sort of drug interactions. It has to be the right type of supplementation.”

Educating alongside their innovation

As Yew expands, the team envisions a product line that balances condition‑specific supplements with general, preventative products that support healthy aging across a broader population.

For MacLean, bringing Yew directly to market marked a significant shift. In previous roles, his teams focused exclusively on research and product development, often licensing innovations to other companies to distribute and market.

“This time, we wanted to control the message around the products,” says MacLean. “That is very important, given how much research goes into these.”

They aim to serve as a trusted hub of information on healthy aging, including how our bodies change with time and how to proactively support that process. It’s a holistic approach which includes not just supplementation, but also the importance of sleep, exercise and diet and other factors as people age.

A collaborative, welcoming ecosystem

MacLean’s own path into life sciences was not planned. Trained as an accountant, he entered the sector by chance and quickly found himself drawn to its collaborative culture and the opportunity to learn about a new field.

“I don’t think I would ever leave it now,” says MacLean. “The community is incredibly supportive, and you are constantly learning.”

Support from Life Sciences Nova Scotia has played a key role in their growth, including access to programs, funding support, and hiring students who have helped their team build its digital presence.

Establishing Yew as a trusted partner

Looking ahead, the team will introduce additional products only once they are backed by research. They want to increase manufacturing and research capacity right here in Nova Scotia, strengthening the region’s life sciences ecosystem.

At its core, their ambition is to build credible, consistent relationships with their customers that go beyond transactional.

“I hope we become that trusted partner,” says MacLean. “I hope someone comes to our site, gathers information, engages and asks questions. We want to build it as a community.”

Dr.Jennifer Johnston founded her company while practicing as a family physician in Wolfville, Nova Scotia 

When Dr. Jennifer Johnston looks back on why she started her company Elle, MD Biotechnologies, the story begins long before patents, preclinical trials, or investor pitches. It starts with a deeply personal moment.

“A few years ago, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and I realized that my long-term use of hormonal contraception may have had something to do with it,” she says, describing the experience that became the catalyst for her journey.

As a family physician practicing in Wolfville, Nova Scotia for more than a decade, that need for an alternative was reinforced by conversations she had every day. While navigating her own diagnosis and raising four children, she talked to her patients about what they were looking for in contraception, and it became clear: they wanted non-hormonal options that didn’t require extensive visits to a doctor.

“I’m constantly seeing women who are looking for something else,” says Johnston. “But we just don’t have a lot to offer them right now.”

This provided the impetus to develop the new solution that both she and her patients were asking for, which could supplement existing options.

Designing a Safe, User‑Controlled Option

With her medical background, Johnston was both motivated and had the expertise to help craft an alternative.

She developed The Better Ring—a copper-based, hormone-free contraceptive designed for monthly use, which is fully user-controlled, and engineered not to disrupt menstrual cycles. It avoids the systemic side effects of hormonal contraception and they’re aiming for the product to meet the highest of standards.

Elle. MD's innovative Better Ring Product

“I want something that I would want my own kids to use, and so it has to be extremely effective and extremely safe. The bar is high,” she says.

That rigorous standard - for both safety and effectiveness - has shaped how Elle MD has grown from Day One.

From Concept to Early Validation

Once Johnston and her team developed this product, they embarked on a determined, thorough journey to demonstrate its effectiveness and protect their innovation.

They’ve completed six preclinical trials with positive results, and Elle MD has filed a patent in Canada, the United States and 50 other countries. Johnston says their most recent preclinical trial, conducted in sheep, delivered excellent results and gives their team a sense of confidence moving forward.

They’ve started conversations with Health Canada on building toward regulatory approval and a crucial next step: launching a human study as early as this summer.

Those positive, preliminary results have served as motivation for her and her team, and have helped open doors. They have hired three full time employees based in Nova Scotia, who have connected to the vision and the goal of this project.

“When you’re first going out, there’s a lot of skepticism,” says Johnston. “But as we go on and make more progress, you can see the skepticism turns to some excitement.”

Powered by a Supportive Innovation Ecosystem

Nova Scotia’s innovation community has played a key role in their growth by providing the right support at the right time.

Funding from Life Sciences Nova Scotia’s programs helped Elle, MD hire a new COO, Catherine McGuire, who has had a transformative effect on their team.

“I don't know how I existed without her beforehand,” says Johnston. “It’s been amazing having her join the team.”

From Physician to Founder

Johnston has thrived on the challenge of shifting from her daily schedule as a physician, to working as a founder developing this innovation. Her role involves delivering presentations about the company to investors and answering their questions. They will be raising seed funding later in the year, and have molded their pitch to be as effective as possible in communicating the potential of their product.

“I enjoy this work so much,” says Johnston. “I find it so energizing to work on this problem with this dedicated, excited team, and it's a lovely way to get to exercise different parts of your brain.”

Looking Ahead: Expanding Choice and Access

As they prepare for more trials and pitching for additional investment, Johnston and her team are motivated by their mission: giving women more choice, more agency and enriching health.

Once they receive regulatory approval, they hope the Better Ring can be an over-the-counter option and available for women without reliable access to high-quality healthcare.

“Ultimately, I want to expand access to contraception for women and girls, starting in Canada and then moving to the States and globally,” says Johnston.

Marc St-Onge founded Bend Beauty after leading research teams in the natural health sector

Late in 2025, Bend Beauty founder Marc St-Onge was meeting customers at their sampling booth within a Halifax Costco when one moment stuck out.

A customer walked right up to the display, not to buy, but to say thank you.

She had been experiencing acute eczema, which had impacted her quality of life and how she perceived herself. She began using their Renew + Product and it had a transformative effect on her health, and skin.

90% of her eczema was gone - she felt her skin was healthier and described how much that helped her confidence.

“It’s a reminder of why it’s so important to be innovative and to do the necessary research, because there are people out there that have this kind of life‑changing level of impact,” says St-Onge.

These moments fuel St-Onge and his team to build on their mission of helping people proactively improve their health.

A new way of approaching skin care

Bend Beauty’s core approach is simple: to transform skin health, you need to work from the inside out.

They’ve created evidence-backed natural products which set out to address a missing element of skincare – that topical products alone are not enough and should be combined with rejuvenating, ingestible compounds. Their flagship product, Renew + Protect, combines marine omega fatty acids with plant-based oils, antioxidants, and vitamin D3, all ingredients your skin needs but can't get from a skin cream.

Bend Beauty's Marine Collagen and Renew + Protect Product

St-Onge describes their products as a ‘Trojan Horse’ – in that the same compounds which are beneficial to the skin also boost health in other parts of the body.

From high-potential science to groundbreaking products

St-Onge founded Bend Beauty with a passion for bridging science and consumer wellbeing.

Leading research teams at his previous company, Ascenta Health, he appreciated the untapped potential of leveraging these compounds specifically for skin health. When the company was sold in 2015, he negotiated a carveout of this research and founded Bend Beauty in Halifax.

He was motivated by the opportunity to build an underdeveloped part of the sector.

“I'm a very consumer-centric kind of individual," says St-Onge. "I'm always thinking how do we elevate the lifestyle, health, and well-being of consumers? And driving areas of innovation where products have not yet been explored."

Staying resilient through challenges

Early sales focused on spas and skin clinics, supported by intensive product education.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought steep challenges for his new business, as their primary distribution channel vanished overnight. St-Onge says they shifted into survival mode and adapted by focusing more on direct-to-consumer sales while also supporting valued spa partners.

“You reconnect back into the meaning, the purpose of why you did this.” says St-Onge. “It does have its way of shifting your energy. The fact that we still exist as a company today is truly a testament to that.”

Building a mission-focused culture

That connection to their mission not only helped their team stay resilient through a crisis, it’s served them well as they grow.

They are a market leader in this sector, and have expanded sales across North America and Europe. They plan on launching a new product this year that supports hydration as well as increases energy levels and muscle protein synthesis.

Working now as a team of seven, he’s proud of how they’ve remained focused on, and motivated by, their company’s purpose.
“When we apply work towards meaningful goals, it produces positive feelings. Those positive feelings help a company culture to thrive,” says St‑Onge.

Sustainable growth

One of their team values, even during this phase of growth, is prioritizing sustainability. Bend Beauty is a Certified B Corporation, meeting the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility. They also donate 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes through 1% for the Planet.

“I do not believe that we ever own anything. I think we simply borrow it and pass it along to the next generation.” says St‑Onge.

Powered by ecosystem support

Their success has been fuelled by Life Sciences Nova Scotia (LSNS) at crucial junctures. Through targeted support - from sales training and digital marketing consulting to strategic guidance - LSNS has helped Bend Beauty build their team’s capabilities.

They’ve also benefited from participating in sector events hosted by LSNS, and learning from other life sciences founders.

“You find ways to collaborate, sharing reciprocal knowledge and intelligence. Sharing what you learned through your mistakes or opportunities that might be relevant,” says St‑Onge.

Redefining beauty standards

As Bend Beauty combines meaningful purpose with groundbreaking science, St-Onge hopes they can influence beauty culture itself. In a sector which can focus on toxic or unreachable standards, they want to shift the conversation towards people showing up as the best version of themselves.

“If we can help redefine what beauty is and establish more body‑positive, life‑affirming standards, then we can help people live a little bit more consciously and authentically.” says St‑Onge.

Darcy Shannon founded Drumlin Plasma after seeing a critical void in the supply of plasma

When Darcy Shannon, CEO of Drumlin Plasma, onboards new staff or meets new donors, he starts with a simple, but resonant, message.

"We are helping thousands and thousands of people every day," says Shannon. "You need to know that when you go home every day, that what you're doing is great."

That impact, and the success, of Drumlin Plasma are growing hand-in-hand. This new Halifax-based company collects plasma from donors, which is used by diagnostic test kit manufacturers. Their kits help doctors identify and monitor diseases worldwide, particularly bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, and require a steady supply of plasma.

One donation of plasma collected by Drumlin can help over 500 people be diagnosed.

Spotting a Void in Plasma Supply

Shannon was working in supply chain operations for a medical device company when he noticed a trend.

Increasing amounts of plasma were being used for direct medical treatments, which meant less available for critical test kits that diagnose medical conditions.

As a supply chain professional, he saw the opportunity, and felt a duty, to ensure a steady supply of plasma so these conditions would continue to be promptly diagnosed.

“I finally realized - I know this and I know how to solve it. So it's my job to try to contribute here,” says Shannon.

Creating a Comfortable Experience for Donors

Once Shannon committed to tackling this issue, he needed to surround himself with the talent who could help him successfully build this company. With his existing operations experience, he prioritized building a team with scientific expertise that could determine how to safely collect plasma in Nova Scotia and distribute it efficiently to their clients.

They opened in July 2024 and have already collected enough plasma to diagnose more than two million people.

At their location on Hollis St. in downtown Halifax, they’ve focused on creating a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere for donors. Their space is open and bright, including an area to relax and enjoy a snack after donating.

“Every single donor is important to us. We talk you through the entire process and we try to make the experience as enjoyable as possible,” says Shannon.

Safety Protocols That Put Donors First

Drumlin Plasma follows rigorous safety protocols for plasma collection. First-time donors undergo comprehensive screening, including vital signs assessment and a physical examination with a Registered Nurse. The donation process itself takes 45-60 minutes, with donors able to contribute twice weekly while maintaining at least two days between sessions for optimal recovery.

Donors receive financial compensation—$100 for each of their first three donations—paid via e-transfer within 48 hours. The plasma is frozen and then sent from their Halifax location to global customers.

Scaling Up: Rapid Growth in Nova Scotia

Their team has already grown from five to 20 employees, which includes a mix of operational staff, medical screeners and healthcare professionals. Shannon has hired new graduates from local universities and colleges at the start of their careers. They get immediate, hands-on experience in a medical setting, and work directly with donors to make the process both professional and friendly.

They’ve doubled their amount of donation capacity and aim to build a second facility in Halifax in 2026. Shannon says that Nova Scotia—and Halifax in particular—was the ideal place for Drumlin to launch, thanks to strong local support from the life-science community, its collaboration-minded healthcare professionals, and exceptional access to top-tier talent.

What’s Next for Drumlin Plasma

Their plasma is in high demand and Shannon is getting enquiries from global customers about potentially supplying other blood products in the diagnostics sector. He expects to expand those partnerships and provide even more for their test kits.

Even while planning the next phase for Drumlin Plasma, Shannon emphasizes the key to their future success is maintaining a committed, motivated group of donors.

“I'm crazy passionate about the impact that we're making,” says Shannon. “My favorite part of my role is expressing that to donors and staff. It's all of these people that are enabling Drumlin to do what it does.”

Marc Garcia (L) and Mohamed Parpia (R) from Ryan support life sciences companies in Atlantic Canada.

Historically, companies in Atlantic Canada have faced challenges getting their Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit claims approved. As a result, many firms grew disillusioned with the process and began walking away from the program.

Ryan, a global tax services firm, saw an opportunity to change that trajectory and help Canadian companies realize the full potential of SR&ED incentives. When applied effectively, SR&ED tax credits can reduce tax burdens and fuel momentum for innovation.

With a growing presence in Nova Scotia, the Ryan team is helping life sciences companies leverage SR&ED and other related government funding programs to drive their business growth. Rather than viewing SR&ED as a one-time, annual transaction, they want founders to focus on adopting a year-round, holistic approach to non-dilutive funding.

Speaking Your Language

Mohamed Parpia, a Director in Ryan’s SR&ED practice with a background in chemistry and nanoscience, says his role “satisfies [his] science bug” because he’s constantly exposed to cutting edge innovation happening across the region. Since he understands the technical details and “speaks their language,” Parpia is uniquely positioned to help life sciences clients succeed.

Ryan’s approach is already yielding results. The local early-stage startups Parpia worked with have since become recognized industry leaders. One of the team’s largest SR&ED claims in Eastern Canada was filed for a life sciences client that Ryan began supporting back in 2016. “I love that I played a small role in helping them achieve that,” says Parpia. He especially enjoys supporting life sciences companies because of their potential to directly improve people’s health and wellbeing.

Orchestrating Your Story for the Most Impact

Over the years, Parpia’s role has evolved from hands-on technical writing to leading a national team of engineers and scientists. His focus today is on ensuring every claim is audit-ready, well-documented, and fully optimized, without crossing compliance lines.

“We don’t inflate claims. We don’t take unnecessary risks. We get clients what they’re entitled to, no more, no less,” says Parpia. His goal is always the same: “leave clients in a much better place than we found them.”

But Ryan’s success in Nova Scotia isn’t just about technical precision, it’s also about relationships. That’s where Marc Garcia comes in.

“You Show Up, and You Show Back Up”

As Director of Client Services at Ryan, Garcia is the connector, he is the person who listens, learns, and links companies with the right tools. He serves as a bridge between clients and the technical expertise on Ryan’s team.

Garcia and Parpia are both committed to building strong, long-lasting relationships in Nova Scotia’s life sciences community. Much of their success comes from positive word of mouth as satisfied clients share their experiences with fellow entrepreneurs.

“You have to put in time to get to know those stories and know those people,” says Garcia. “You show up, and you show back up.”

Ryan’s Nova Scotia team supports companies at every stage of growth. Their team’s approach is to provide the right support at the right time. Often, that includes connecting businesses with additional funding programs that complement their SR&ED claims.

“Everybody Gets the Best That We Have”

Parpia has a bird’s-eye view of groundbreaking life sciences research happening across Canada. He notes that Nova Scotian companies are quietly advancing global innovation while staying remarkably humble about their work.

To strengthen that momentum and the team’s growing success in the province, Ryan is soon opening an office in Halifax to further increase their local presence in supporting business growth.

Parpia says that for the Ryan team, success isn’t measured by the number or size of SR&ED claims filed, but through client satisfaction.
“We don't pick and choose where we deploy the best of our resources,” says Parpia. “For us, it's one approach: everybody gets the best that we have.”

Beyond SR&ED: Ryan’s Comprehensive Support

While SR&ED is a powerful tool for innovation, it’s only one part of Ryan’s value.

Life Sciences Nova Scotia is proud to partner with Ryan, so our members can benefit from their team’s expertise, strategically access funding sources and accelerate their growth in Nova Scotia.

Connect with Mohamed Parpia and Marc Garcia to learn about how your Atlantic Canada company can take full advantage of available tax credits and funding programs.

It was a chance encounter in a Shopper’s Drug Mart in Bedford that led to a major breakthrough in the dental industry. That chance encounter, in 2017, brought Dr. Daniel Boyd, a professor and researcher at Dalhousie University, and Andrew Doyle, a business strategist and entrepreneur together for a first meeting.

Boyd was doing cutting edge research into technology for sensitive teeth—an ingredient that would not only help people with pain, but also promote remineralization and repair damaged tooth enamel—and Doyle had the skills and experience to bring it to market. The two discussed their business philosophies and how they might be able to work together. “In fact, we continued to talk for most of the next year, aligning our vision of where we wanted to take the company,” says Doyle.

In January 2018, they incorporated their new company—IR Scientific—and proceeded to build a community of investors. “It was important for us to get the right kind of investors, ones that would see the value in us paying ourselves a decent wage for doing the hard work of creating a start up,” says Doyle, who became the director of the company and head of business development.

To that end, Doyle reached out to Peter Hickey, a local investor with 20+ years experience leading both established and start-up companies with a global focus. He had already cofounded a few other companies in the life sciences sector and came on as the third co-founder and Executive Director, specifically taxed with securing investment funds.

ACOA’s Business Development Program was one of the first funders, providing a $500,000 repayable contribution. This enabled the company to quickly set up a research lab, a production facility, and hire staff over the course of weeks rather than months. Private investors kicked in another $1 million and the company immediately poured a portion of that money into market research.

“Three out of four people experience pain from sensitive teeth, which has a real impact on quality of life,” says Doyle. The company talked to 4000 consumers in the U.S. to find out which factors were most important for sensitivity relief. Unsurprisingly, the first thing consumers mentioned was speed—how fast would the product work? The second thing they cared about was how long that relief would last. And the third thing was taste. “At the end of our research phase, we had a really good understanding of what consumers with teeth sensitivity want in a product.”

The end result of this research and a recent successful clinical trial, is a product called Sensi-IP. “Our toothpaste encourages the body to unlock its own power of repair and regeneration.” And it does so simply, with two minutes of brushing in the morning and the evening. It’s been described by a retired professor at Harvard School of Dental Medicine as: “The first scientific innovation in toothpaste in decades. It’s not an evolution. It’s a revolution.”

All of this is music to the ears of IR Scientific’s founders, who are continuing to reap the benefits of being based in Nova Scotia. “Our region has such a great network of passionate folks and amazing support systems too.” Doyle adds that in the beginning, the company felt very well looked after by organizations such as Life Sciences Nova Scotia, who not only provided insights into funding opportunities, but also lots of connections and introductions.

Over the last few years, the company has grown to 12 employees at their lab in the Invest Nova Scotia facility in Halifax. Doyle says that the company loves to hire people who thrive in an early-stage infrastructure and who are naturally curious, solution-finding team-players.

“We build things to be used by people, not just studied,” says Doyle, who contends that positive energy and empathy are important in their line of work. “We are a company of excited problem-solvers, dedicated to finding solutions to human problems.”