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University of
Alberta Spin-Off Companies

University of
Calgary Spin-Off Companies

University of Alberta Spin-Off Companies

Since 1961, over 75 spin-off companies have been formed through the University of Alberta and with the assistance of the Research Services Office (formerly the Industry Liaison Office). These companies represent U of A innovation and scholarship in the life and physical sciences, and information technology. The following selection of spin-off company profiles speaks to this diversity and the research excellence at the U of A.

BioMS Medical Corp.

This graphic demonstrates that MBP8298 targets the chronic progressive type of multiple sclerosis (MS). BioMS Medical Corp. is a public biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the developing and making available innovative therapies. Targeted diseases include multiple sclerosis (MS). Through decades of research, Dr. Kenneth G. Warren and Dr. Ingrid Catz of the University of Alberta have developed a treatment for MS, MBP8298, a pharmaceutical licensed through the Giese family, an Alberta family with strong commercial and community ties. The Gieses became involved because a family member has MS and was aided by clinical trial treatments with MPB8298 (a synthetic Myelin Basic Protein peptide). The technology is still in the testing and regulation process, but results have been positive and many are hopeful the treatment will soon be available and prove successful.

Isotechnika Inc.

ISA(TX) 247 is being developed under a global collaboration agreement with Roche. This photo is of a granulation bay in a Roche production facility.Founded in 1993 by Dr. Robert Foster, Isotechnika is an international life sciences company that specializes in treatments to help patients accept transplanted organs and medications that suppress the immune system. These drugs are developed by the company in Edmonton. Isotechnika recently signed an agreement with the Swiss pharmaceutical company Hoffmann La Roche. The deal was the largest of it’s kind at the time, with Hoffman La Roche intending to invest $215 million into the development of Isotechnika’s lead organ transplant drug, ISA(TX)247. Isotechnika also has a subsidiary company called Isodiagnostika, which develops breath-based test kits for onsite diagnosis.

Chinook Multimedia Inc.

Chinook Multimedia (est. 1997) is an experienced and trusted developer of Flash software, Web sites, and learning objects for the general public as well as for the education and corporate markets. Chinook's innovative cooleSuite of online software offers users sophisticated authoring and display tools for creating Web-based multimedia activities, documents, slideshows, photo albums, and scrapbooks.

Dynastream Innovations

Two AMP 331 components: The Amp Pod (left) and the AMP Link (right).Dynastream Innovations grew out of the research of Dr. Ken Fyfe in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta. Dr. Fyfe studied biomechanics using inertial sensors concentrating on athletics. Located in Cochrane, Alberta and partnered with Nike Inc., Dynastream concentrates their production, research and development on proprioceptive, or "smart" devices—machines that have self-perception and which increase the accuracy, improve the reliability and foster the possibilities of measuring the body’s motion. Expanding from the realm of sports sensors, Dynastream is now producing devices that have medical applications for amputees.

Click here for more information on the technology developed at Dynastream Innovations.

L & R Wang Enterprises Ltd.

Created by University of Alberta professor Dr. Wang, Access bars were designed to unlock adenosine.Based on his research on the subject of improved cold tolerance in humans and animals, Dr. Larry Wang of the University of Alberta has become involved in the corporate enterprise that produces the Access Fat Burning Bar (formerly known as the Coldbuster Bar). This bar enables the body to produce heat by helping it to burn its own fuel through enhancing muscle activity. The bar was first produced for the Canadian military but is now marketed worldwide.

Click here for more information on Dr. Larry Wang.

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