The Government of Canada is acting quickly to ensure that we are mobilizing our innovation programming and resources to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 30, 2020, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) Phase 1 funding for the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) COVID-19 Challenge: Magnetic reagents for detection of COVID-19 and other RNA based molecular diagnostic kits.
This National Research Council Canada (NRC) sponsored challenge, which launched in May 2020, is seeking a solution for magnetic reagents for detection of COVID-19 and other RNA based molecular diagnostic kits.
Following the call for proposals and evaluation, one company was successful in securing ISC Phase 1 funding for their response to the challenge:
- Galenvs Sciences Inc. is receiving $266,500 for a proposed strategy for adapting magnetic-based reagents for efficient RNA extraction.
This investment in research and innovation supports Government of Canada efforts to respond to the ongoing pandemic.