Life Sciences Nova Scotia (LSNS) is more than just an organization; it is the cornerstone of Nova Scotia’s life sciences community, fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration across the province and Atlantic Canada. At its core, LSNS is driven by the belief that transformative ideas in biotechnology, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals can improve lives and generate lasting economic benefits. Through its support of businesses, promotion of cutting-edge research, and cultivation of meaningful partnerships, LSNS is solidifying Nova Scotia’s reputation as a global leader in life sciences.
The team at LSNS understands that behind every breakthrough is a story of persistence, creativity, and dedication. Their mission is to empower researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to overcome challenges, scale their solutions, and deliver impactful health outcomes. Whether by providing funding opportunities, hosting events, or facilitating collaborations, LSNS creates an ecosystem where innovation thrives, and ambitious ideas become reality.
Bridging Research and Real-World Applications
A key pillar of LSNS’s work is bridging the gap between academic research and practical industry applications. Translating groundbreaking discoveries from the lab into market-ready solutions can be an overwhelming journey, but LSNS ensures that valuable research reaches its full potential. By connecting universities, research institutions, and private companies, LSNS enables the creation of solutions that benefit patients while driving economic growth in the region.
To achieve this, LSNS offers critical resources such as access to capital, business development support, and guidance through regulatory complexities. These resources enable life sciences companies to focus on what matters most—developing innovative, life-saving technologies.
Success Stories: Companies Leading the Way
As a proud member of our Life Sciences Nova Scotia, we are thrilled to spotlight Precision BioLogic Inc., a trailblazer in the field of hemostasis diagnostics.
Based in Dartmouth, Precision BioLogic has established itself as a global leader in developing high-quality frozen hemostasis diagnostic products. Their dedication to advancing medical science and improving patient outcomes is truly commendable. By providing essential diagnostic tools to medical professionals and researchers worldwide, Precision BioLogic not only elevates the standard of care but also exemplifies the innovative spirit and expertise that defines our life sciences community in Nova Scotia. Their work in diagnosing and managing blood clotting disorders is a testament to the impactful and life-changing innovations that originate from our region. We are thrilled to highlight their work as a testament to the innovation in Atlantic Canada.
Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and part of a vibrant life sciences community, Precision BioLogic has been helping hemostasis labs around the globe deliver timely, accurate results for more than three decades. Specializing in high-quality frozen diagnostic products backed by a team of knowledgeable, caring professionals, the company seeks to improve the quality of life for all through scientific innovation and is continually developing new products to address challenges in the diagnosis and management of disease.
Precision BioLogic has not always specialized in frozen diagnostics—the idea crystalized in the early 1990s after careful observation and discussion with laboratory customers looking to operate more efficiently and deliver accurate results to help diagnose and treat patients.
Thus began CRYOcheck™, Precision BioLogic’s line of frozen hemostasis products. First with a normal control for routine coagulation assays that could also be used as an alternative to in-house collected pools of normal plasma, and then later with a suite of specialized frozen controls, calibrators, reagents, and diagnostic kits. All designed to help labs save time and money while reporting test results with confidence.
Fast forward to today and the company has expanded its collaborative approach to include industry thought leaders, as well as biotech and pharmaceutical partners. With 30 FDA-cleared products, Precision BioLogic recently introduced six new products and has several others in development. Among its latest offerings for clinical labs are Hex LA™, an automated screen and confirm assay to detect lupus anticoagulantin human plasma, and Chromogenic Factor VIII to determine factor VIII activity in human plasma and aid in the management of hemophilia A.
Together with its subsidiary, Affinity Biologicals, a leading developer of products used in hemostasis research worldwide, Precision BioLogic is advancing hemostasis diagnostics and research and exploring other areas to help labs make the best decisions, faster.
Similarly, 3DBioFibR, another prominent LSNS member, is pioneering advancements in 3D bioprinting technologies. By creating functional tissue models, the company is revolutionizing drug testing and personalized treatments. These tissue models not only play a crucial role in developing new therapies but also provide an ethical alternative to animal testing. LSNS has been instrumental in supporting 3DBioFibR’s work by offering networking opportunities and facilitating partnerships with academic and research institutions, helping the company advance its mission.
The natural world is full of biopolymer fibers, such as cellulose and spider silk, with diverse biophysical, biochemical, and biomechanical properties that allow living organisms to thrive. 3DBioFibR Inc. (3DBF) is revolutionizing the field of biomaterials with its patented dry-spinning technology for biopolymer fiber manufacturing. Unlike competing fiber manufacturing approaches, dry spinning enables the production of biopolymer fibers with properties (biophysical, biochemical, and biomechanical) that closely mimic their natural counterparts, which has been demonstrated with a diverse catalogue of biopolymers. With a throughput 3,600 times greater than traditional methods, 3DBF is setting new standards in quality and scalability for the biopolymer fiber industry.
The company’s fully automated manufacturing system produces 3D fiber scaffolds with precise control over architecture, porosity, and thickness, unlocking innovative approaches across tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM). The TERM industry is a $26 billion market, and 3DBF’s goal is to dominate the material segment of this market by offering high performance, high quality, and consistent biopolymers, which, until now, was not possible.
Majority of the partnerships at 3DBF use collagen or chitosan fibers, but 3DBF’s biomaterial portfolio includes a wide range of network forming biopolymers that include fibrin, alginate, and spider-silk. To maximize the value of this platform, 3DBF’s business model is to work exclusively through partnerships, and the company has developed a growing number of partnerships (signed and/or under contract for investigation) with a wide range companies in cell therapy, orthopedics/orthobiologics, surgical materials, cosmetics and industrial applications that could disrupt multiple industries.
Coloursmith is another shining example of Nova Scotia’s life sciences ingenuity. This trailblazing company specializes in groundbreaking lens technology designed to enhance how people see and interact with the world. Coloursmith’s innovations include a patented system that embeds nano-filter technology into contact lenses, providing precise color management for those with color vision deficiencies. By offering this game-changing solution, Coloursmith is not only improving accessibility for individuals with color blindness but also opening new possibilities in lens technology for broader applications. LSNS supports Coloursmith’s work by connecting the company with industry partners, fostering collaborations, and helping them navigate the path from development to commercialization.
Coloursmith: Pioneering the Future of Vision Care
At the intersection of science and vision care, Coloursmith is transforming how we see and protect our eyes through cutting-edge light-filtering technology. The company’s journey began with a commitment to redefining the capabilities of contact lenses and vision care devices through groundbreaking research and development.
At the core of Coloursmith’s innovation is its proprietary encapsulation platform, enabling precise integration of light-filtering additives into contact lenses. This breakthrough technology delivers unparalleled customization in filtering harmful light and enhancing color perception, elevating both performance and visual comfort. Coloursmith’s approach not only sets new benchmarks for optical innovation but also meets the changing needs of our eyes in a world increasingly dominated by digital and environmental stressors.
Coloursmith’s achievements underscore its relentless pursuit of excellence. The company’s portfolio includes key patents approved in the USA and China, safeguarding its intellectual property, and cementing its position as a global leader in light-filtering applications. Partnerships with industry giants have propelled Coloursmith into collaborative ventures, advancing validation testing with top-tier manufacturers and driving progress toward commercialization.
The impact of Coloursmith’s technologies extends beyond product innovation. By enabling vision care companies to differentiate their offerings, Coloursmith opens new avenues for partnerships, market expansion, and customer value. Its work supports a healthier, more visually optimized future for millions, proving that innovation can be both practical and transformative.
As Coloursmith continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in vision care, its goal remains clear: to unlock the full potential of light-filtering technologies and redefine the standard for optical performance and eye health.
Building a Thriving Community
Beyond supporting individual companies, LSNS is committed to strengthening the broader life sciences sector. Representing over 250 life sciences companies, LSNS fosters a collaborative environment where businesses can share insights, access shared resources, and tap into expertise across the industry.
Regular events such as Life Sciences on Tap, a casual networking series, Life Sciences Introduces, Insight Hours, and LSNS Educates—educational workshops—bring together innovators, researchers, and investors, fostering a vibrant community that thrives on collaboration. LSNS also amplifies the voices of its founders and innovators through the New Wave Podcast, a platform that shares inspiring stories, insights, and the journeys behind groundbreaking ideas in Nova Scotia’s life sciences sector. Additionally, LSNS organizes BioPort Atlantic, Atlantic Canada’s largest life sciences summit, which serves as a hub for stakeholders to explore opportunities, share knowledge, and push the boundaries of innovation.
The Team Behind the Mission
The passionate team driving LSNS includes CEO Doris Grant, VP of Business Development and Strategy Krista Bezanson, Marketing and Communications Manager Laurie Ann Coring, and team members Kerri Mannette and Ciara McGlinchey. Together, they bring expertise, dedication, and a deep commitment to growing Nova Scotia’s life sciences ecosystem.
