🗳️ Question of the Week

Alberta tech could improve patient care

Genome Alberta and Genome British Columbia (Genome BC), with support from Government of Alberta and other key partners, have announced funding for eight new projects to accelerate adoption of new technologies for improving patient care.

Researchers in Alberta and B.C. will come together to help bring technology to patients, making it faster to test, diagnose, or treat health conditions and to improve the delivery of personalized medicine in both provinces.

Teams hope to make progress in the following areas:

• Early-stage detection of lung cancer with a fast, cost-effective, at-home screening test.

• Establishing performance criteria for rapid testing of blood stream infections to reduce time needed for life-saving antibiotic prescribing decisions.

• A health economics evaluation of proactive genomic surveillance for early interventions to prevent the spread of multi-drug-resistant bacteria in healthcare environments.

• Improving treatment outcomes and reducing side effects from medications by standardizing reporting of genetic test results helping doctors better tailor doses and medication choices for individual patients.

• Safer chemotherapy for children by improving tests that predict severe drug reactions in pediatric cancer patients.

• Improving kidney transplant success rates by using an improved, non-invasive test to detect signs of organ weakness earlier and more precisely monitor the health of kidneys.

• More precise cancer testing with upgrading testing for gene fusions—genetic changes that drive many cancers.

• Improved heart failure detection with an earlier and more precise diagnosis of a hereditary condition that can result in heart failure.

The projects are supported through the Healthy Outcomes through Genomic Innovations initiative and have a total value of $5.9M.

🤝 Funding, Deals, and Partnerships

• Councillors to mull additional $60 million boost for OCIF. Councillors approved the technical merit of a Notice of Motion calling for a topping up of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, a pool of cash that was to be used for targeted investments to spur Calgary’s local economy. Livewire Calgary

• Alberta Cancer Foundation partners with CDL Cancer to advance oncology innovation. The partnership brings together a shared commitment to accelerate the development and commercialization of cutting-edge technologies that aim to transform the future of cancer care. Alberta Cancer Foundation

• Calgary’s Kaleidoscope XR garners funding to improve healthcare training with AI tech. An Alberta-based upstart this month received capital toward its tech-forward approach to tackling the complex problem of dementia. Calgary.Tech

📰 Need To Know

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• City procurement, investments under watchful eye with US tariff volatility. The often confusing and fluctuating state of tariffs between the US and Canada is one of the most challenging aspects of managing tariff-related impacts, according to Amit Patil, director of supply management with the City of Calgary. Livewire Calgary

• AIMCo stops non-essential business trips to U.S. amid trade war. Employees can no longer travel to attend conferences or speaking events in the U.S. Financial Post

• Helcim speeds up merchant payouts with faster deposits. Calgary’s own Helcim has announced the rollout of “Faster Deposits,” a new feature aimed at accelerating cash flow for small and mid-sized businesses across North America — at no extra cost. Calgary.Tech

• The51 appoints fintech pioneer Colleen Moorehead as board chair. Moorehead brings decades of experience at the intersection of capital markets, technology, and governance, including leadership roles in both public and private sectors. Calgary.Tech

• Bright leaders of Calgary: Carolyn Levy, Randstad Digital. In a city known for its entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability, Calgary is powered by leaders advancing innovation, inclusion and talent development. Calgary Economic Development