‘A huge need to be addressed’
Kashif Khan, PhD candidate in experimental surgery at McGill University, also completed the QcSE program.
The experience provided him with the assistance necessary to further develop his startup, PLAKK, which focuses on solutions relating to heart attacks and strokes.
Through the use of artificial intelligence and deep learning, PLAKK aims to revolutionize how researchers and clinicians characterize atherosclerotic plaque.
“By better understanding what the plaque is made of, we will be able to improve the prediction, treatment and ultimately the prevention of heart attacks and strokes,” Khan explains.
“We spoke with researchers and clinicians, and we found that this was a huge need to be addressed.”
The job creators of tomorrow
The QcSE program is one of many ways that District 3 supports impactful solutions to the most pressing problems, including COVID-19. Life sciences startups are collaborating across sectors to bring better prevention, testing and treatment options to market.
“Researchers and innovators are the job creators of tomorrow,” Hervé says. “Their scientific knowledge, combined with the right support, could see several innovations come to market that positively impact employment in the province and country.”
A number of District 3 startups have joined the fight against the global pandemic. They include Affinité Instruments’ miniaturization and acceleration of testing, Molecular Forecaster’s computational approaches to repurposed drug discovery and IntelliStem Technologies’ development of a peptide-based vaccine.
Whether under the current crisis or beyond it, bringing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) research to market is a significant priority for District 3. Over the past six years, it has supported more than 530 startups in emerging technologies.
The centre is also working with the City of Montreal to help the biosciences and life sciences industries address shortages of scientific talent, as well as to train graduates who seek jobs to match their skill set. In June 2019, the city awarded District 3 $250,000 for the initiative.
With Concordia’s Applied Science Hub set to open this summer, the centre will be launching Montreal’s first biotech accelerator with a laboratory and co-working space. The Science Hub will generate a state-of-the-art collaboration between researchers, talent and industry.
If you are a scientist looking to bring your research to market and explore entrepreneurship, apply to the Quebec Scientific Entrepreneurship Program. The deadline for the spring 2020 cohort is May 1.
If you have a team and a potential idea, apply to the District 3 Innovation Center to assess the market viability and business model of your startup.
Stay tuned for the latest District 3 news, open events and workshops on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.