The innovative technologies range from chronic pain management to cancer detection
Kingston, Ontario – January 30, 2026 – Kingston Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that five innovative life sciences companies have been selected for the Helix Funding program. These Kingston region companies will accelerate the commercialization of groundbreaking technologies in collaboration with the Validation Network—a group of over 20 Kingston Life Sciences ecosystem partners. The undertaken projects will total over $565,000 with the required matching funds.
The approved projects span medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, and femtech solutions, addressing critical healthcare needs from chronic pain management to cancer detection. Each company has been matched with experienced validation partners who will provide specialized equipment, expertise, and resources to strengthen regulatory readiness, clinical validation, and commercialization pathways.
“Helix Funding is a critical investment in the growth of our regional life sciences economy,” said Donna Gillespie, CEO of Kingston Economic Development Corporation. “By combining federal support with a deeply connected validation network, we are helping companies move faster from innovation to commercialization, creating jobs, attracting talent, and reinforcing Kingston’s role as a life sciences hub in Eastern Ontario.”
Launched in April 2025, the Helix Funding is designed to support early-stage and scaling life sciences businesses with a focus on innovation and accelerating commercialization. The program is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and delivered through Kingston Economic Development Corporation. The Helix Funding program is a cornerstone of Kingston’s $3.4 million life-sciences initiative, with the goal to support over 100 businesses and creating or maintaining more than 400 high-quality jobs over the next three years.
“Canada’s life sciences innovators are driving breakthroughs that improve health outcomes while strengthening our regional economies. With Government of Canada support, the Kingston Economic Development Corporation’s Helix Funding program is helping early‑stage companies accelerate commercialization, scale their technologies, and create high‑quality jobs here in Eastern Ontario. Congratulations to the successful companies — your projects exemplify the potential of our region to lead in health innovation.”
– The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Helix Funding is designed to meet companies where they are and help them overcome real commercialization barriers,” said Ben McIlquham, Investment Manager, Life Sciences & Health Innovation at Kingston Economic Development Corporation. “These projects are advancing regulatory strategy, clinical validation, and go-to-market execution, critical steps for scaling life sciences innovation and attracting future investment.”
“Support from the Helix Funding has been crucial in advancing the commercialization of LenSense, a Queen’s University–developed smart contact lens for glaucoma patients,” said Tanzila Afrin, Product Manager, LenSense Inc. “It enabled the hiring of PSG to lead key regulatory activities, which are essential for the upcoming pilot clinical trial, the first step toward commercialization.”
To learn more about the Helix Funding program and the Validation Network, visit investkingston.ca/helix
Meet the first cohort of Helix Funding Recipients
Cntrl+
Cntrl+ Inc., is a femtech startup developing a Class II vaginally inserted bladder support device for women experiencing stress urinary incontinence. The device offers a discreet, non-surgical alternative enabling women to remain active and confident. This project will accelerate commercialization readiness in Canada and the United States by leveraging Launch Lab’s Digital Lead Generators Program and engaging a Chief Revenue Officer through Launch Lab’s advisory network to lead a coordinated commercialization strategy.
eTransplant
eTransplant, supported by the Centre for Advanced Computing, is developing a secure, patient-centered digital application to modernize communication between kidney transplant patients and their healthcare teams. The mobile and web-based platform will provide real-time updates, appointment tracking, test results, and secure messaging. This project focuses on custom application development and pilot testing with the Kingston Kidney Transplant Program, laying the foundation for broader use across transplant programs.
LenSense
LenSense Inc. is developing a non-invasive smart contact lens system for continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. The technology combines sensor-integrated contact lenses with a connected mobile application powered by machine-learning models. In partnership with Pharmaceutical Sciences Group (PSG), LenSense is establishing a robust Canadian and international regulatory strategy for its Class II medical device and associated software as a medical device (SaMD), supporting the company’s goal of bringing continuous, patient-friendly eye pressure monitoring to market.
mDETECT
mDETECT Inc., in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Computing, is developing a liquid biopsy platform for the detection of multiple cancers. The project focuses on building a cloud-based software user interface to support mDETECT’s DNA methylation-based cancer assays. The goal is to advance the technology to a level where it can be demonstrated in an operational environment, supporting future clinical adoption and commercialization.
Octane
Octane Innovation Inc. is advancing a wearable electromagnetic field device designed to treat chronic pain. Supported by Limestone Clinical Trials Unit, the project includes production and safety testing of the device, preparation of ethics and regulatory submissions, and execution of a first-in-human clinical trial focused on chronic low back pain. This work will significantly advance the technology’s readiness for broader clinical and commercial use, positioning Octane for future growth in the chronic pain treatment market.
Media Contacts:
Daniel Solorio
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
613-329-9270
solorio@investkingston.ca
Sofia Ouslis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
sofia.ouslis@ised-isde.gc.ca
About Kingston Economic Development Corporation
Kingston Economic Development Corporation is focused on building a strong community and supporting Kingston’s thriving economy. Its mission is to provide dynamic and collaborative leadership by leveraging Kingston’s unique assets to create jobs and investments in order to sustain, grow, and transform Kingston’s economy to meet the needs of the 21st century.
About FedDev Ontario
Since 2009, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impact the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our impact stories, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.
