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This year's OBIO Investment Summit was a success! Our CEO, Jayeish Singh, enjoyed networking with some of this city's greatest minds. He also enjoyed a great discussion with the Minister of Economic Development, the honorable Victor Fedeli, regarding the importance of growing our healthcare supply chain—also, special thanks to MP Han Dong and Minister Filomena Tassi for our continuous growth. OBIO has been actively involved in our footprint and, by extension, our technological advancement. The summit brought together budding Canadian health science entities and investors all under one roof.

We’re very proud to announce that Able Innovations is a beneficiary of the 2019 AGE-WELL Strategic Investment Program accelerator. The SIP is designed to support innovative post-discovery solutions (e.g. technologies, services or policies) aligned with AGE-WELL’s mission and vision. With the crucial support of principal investigator Dr. Bruce Wallace of Carleton University and the AGE-WELL SAM³ Hub (Sensors and Analytics for Monitoring Mobility and Memory) at Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital in Ottawa, we have been able to receive funding to develop a test system to measure and evaluate safe force thresholds on delicate tissue. This will allow us to conduct precise safety evaluation of our lateral-transfer device and processes, and verify its safe interaction with delicate human skin and tissue. In order to examine the shear forces and normal forces our device could exert on delicate skin and tissue, a test system will be developed and employed. This system includes a complex array of sensors and data acquisition monitors on a test mannequin configured in a manner to collect relevant interface information. This information will be used to determine the optimal form-factor design of the transfer mechanism and provide crucial data on its safety. This program provides vital support to meet a major milestone in our product development process, that is, demonstrating that our technology is safe to use in transfers of vulnerable and frail individuals. Safety of new technologies is of utmost concern in the procurement process for health innovations. As such, completion of this objective opens the doors for Able Innovations, and we aim for this project to be a major catalyst in fostering new partnerships with healthcare facilities, where we hope to begin validation studies with our beta-prototype in an appropriate setting in early 2020. This is a major step towards realizing our advanced transfer technology that will save costs and improve healthcare outcomes, and we graciously thank AGE-WELL NCE, Elisabeth Bruyere Hospital, Carleton University, and Dr. Bruce Wallace and the SAM3 Hub for collaborating with us and helping to make our exciting vision a reality. Click here to read more about our project and the other 2019 Strategic Investment Program projects.

Last week, Able Innovations had the pleasure of participating in the 5th Annual National AGE-WELL Conference in Moncton, New Brunswick. The theme was "Exploring the Future of Technology & Aging." AGE-WELL NCE Inc. is a federally funded Network of Centres of Excellence. Established in 2015, the organization connects stakeholders nationwide to drive forward Canadian research and innovation in the field of technology and aging resulting in solutions that make meaningful differences in the lives of Canadians. Since its inception, the AGE-WELL has made tremendous progress in this mission, and has grown to over 250 researchers at 42 universities and research centers across Canada, with nearly 400 partnerships. With Canada on pace to join the ranks of “super-aged” countries by 2025, AGE-WELL’s mission and vision is more important now than ever. Able Innovations is truly honoured to be a part of this network, and we look forward to continued collaboration with AGE-WELL to realize our own products that will improve the quality of life of older adults and their caregivers. With Able Innovations formally joining the network in early 2019, this was the first AGE-WELL National conference we’ve attended, and we must say, we’re quite impressed! The conference kicked off with a “Drinks and Demos” Networking Reception, which afforded the opportunity for AGE-WELL’s partnered startups to present their solutions to conference attendees. Able Innovations and Dr. Bruce Wallace, the Principal Investigator for our AGE-WELL Strategic Investment Program project, presented our effortless transfer technology to delegates and detailed our progress made to-date and future plans. With (some) humility, we can proudly say our technology garnered significant enthusiasm from attendees. The conference opened with remarks from the Chair of AGE-WELL, Mimi Lowi-Young, and the Honorable Dorothy Shepherd, minister of Social Development in New Brunswick. Following this was a keynote from former astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk, who detailed the future challenges of healthcare in deep-space, and how they relate to developments here on Earth today. Next was the first round of Innovation Talks, featuring presentations by Researchers and their partnered older adults or caregiver on their respective projects. Next was the first Poster Session, featuring research presentations from all aspects of the AGE-WELL network. There, Dr. Bruce Wallace presented the preliminary results of our AGE-WELL SIP Project, Test system to measure and evaluate safe force on delicate tissue, currently in progress in collaboration with Bruyere Research Institute, Carleton University, and the Sensors and Analytics for Monitoring Mobility and Memory (SAM3) Hub. The day continued with three "Lunch 'n' Learns" covering topics such as scaling solutions, collaborative design, and innovation policies. Following this were events featuring AGE-WELL's Highly Qualified Persons, who are researchers pursuing excellence in the fields of aging & technology. Overall, the conference was an extremely positive experience. It afforded Able Innovations the chance to connect with passionate, talented, and committed individuals who are working across the nation to improve the wellbeing of Older Adults and caregivers through the promise of emerging technologies. AGE-WELL's early support of Able Innovations has been invaluable, and we look forward to continued collaboration with the network.

#technology #aging #agewell #techforgood

Press Release: OBIO's Early Adopter Health Network advances technologies to address pressing challenges in the healthcare system as featured in Financial Post and Business Wire We are proud and excited to announce our partnership with Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital and OBIO to advance our technology. Over the last 2 years, Able has worked closely with Bruyère and its researchers to understand challenges faced by front-line staff and how transformative technology can address them. Able Innovations thanks OBIO for facilitating the alliance through its Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN). We appreciate OBIO’s continuous support towards scaling the ALTA Platform™ throughout the Canadian healthcare system. The partnership will serve as a model for facilities, as they look to reduce the level of burden and injuries caused to front-line staff - ultimately making caregiving more sustainable for all. Able strives to relieve healthcare facilities and staff from the lasting effects of the pandemic by optimizing patient transfer.

Able Innovations is thrilled to announce our partnership with the Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network , a federally-funded organization that works directly with leading healthcare operators across the country to identify their biggest challenges and match them with Canadian-made, innovative solutions. By partnering with CAN Health, companies gain access to real healthcare environments where they can implement their market-ready solutions, gain valuable feedback from end-users, and scale across the Network and beyond. This partnership is an important and exciting milestone in Able Innovation's growth trajectory, and we are grateful for the many doors it will open for us. CAN Health has built a stellar reputation by supporting companies and commercializing several product launches through the unique power of its private-public partnerships. Further, they have noted an impressive 80% success rate of a product being purchased after the CAN Health project. The Network tackles market access barriers for innovators, fast-tracks the procurement of solutions for health organizations, and serves as an integrated marketplace for actively advancing technology and healthcare. Working with CAN Health will further cement the value of Able’s technology in the Canadian health sector and drive our growth. The ALTA platform™ is a cutting-edge solution for lateral patient transfers – creating efficiencies when patients are moved from a laying down position. By using the ALTA platform™ for patient transfers, care facilities and hospitals reduce the risk of injury to staff and patients, reduce the number of staff required to move an individual patient, and reduce the amount of time it takes overall for each transfer. Additionally, through collaborations with healthcare providers within the CAN Health Network, Able Innovations will be able to demonstrate the effectiveness and value of the ALTA platform™, leading to faster adoption and scalability in Canada. Able is excited to work with potential partners in the healthcare industry to ensure our product continues to fit their needs and requirements and to build synergies in how the ALTA platform is used and adopted. Read more about our partnership here .

As proud members of the Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange , Able Innovations presented our ALTA Platform™ to numerous world-class clinicians, staff and key opinion leaders at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. It was great to see the enthusiasm and excitement across the board for our technology - with many describing it as “refreshing”. Able's Jayiesh Singh and Sebastian Martinez had fantastic discussions with Mayo staff regarding the positive impact of our technology. Of particular interest was our technology’s ability to reduce the risk of injury to frontline staff and patients, enhance clinical efficiencies, and restore dignity to patients at a vulnerable point in their care journey. Being members of the Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange allows us the opportunity to collaborate with world class subject matter experts, gaining top quality insights and connections as we look to enter the U.S. market. Our participation is timely as this further strengthens our position that the ALTA Platform™ is the new standard of care for patient transfers.

Left to right: Jayiesh Singh-CEO Able Innovations, Prateek Mishra-Operations & Business Development Manager Able Innovations, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario We are fortunate to live in a society with leadership in place that values and supports innovation. The team here at Able Innovations is happy to see our hard work acknowledged by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario ( FedDev Ontario ), as we received a repayable investment of $797,031 through the Business Scale-Up and Productivity stream. With this funding, we will purchase new equipment to advance our manufacturing processes as well as to fund the creation of critical jobs. As a result, this support is benefitting both the growth of our business in addition to the well-being of the technology manufacturing ecosystem in Canada. We want to take a moment to thank our federal government, specifically the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, for taking the time to assess the merit of our business and taking real steps towards supporting entrepreneurs that are innovating to create a real impact in our society. At Able, we believe in using technology for good, and it brings us great joy and honour to feel supported by our government in this pursuit. Find our more here : Official Government of Canada news release

Eased travel restrictions allowed the Able Innovations team to meet with many U.S. partners and collaborators in Chicago last month. The team had the chance to connect with several key leaders in the healthcare space who are closely involved with the issue of patient transfer. When visiting Edward Hines VA Hospital in Chicago, the team was able to witness the scale of operations first-hand and better understand the applicability of the ALTA Platform ™ in such settings. Hallways that stretched as long as 2km between wards validated the need for recent features of the ALTA Platform ™ such as transport assist. Able Innovations is deeply grateful for the time and energy everyone put forth to make the visit a success. Most notably, the team would like to thank: Matthew Knight for his support in navigating the inner-working of facilities including the various stakeholders involved in patient handling; collaborators at MATTER Chicago who engaged the team with interested healthcare facilities and the Trade Commissioner Service at the Consulate General of Canada in Chicago for enabling their trust in Able to connect them with strategic investors.

Article: Advocate Aurora Health chooses finalists for 2021 Health Tech Venture Challenge Able Innovations was founded to help our front line staff- who now, more than ever, need recognition and support. Advocate Aurora Health and Matter.Health have teamed up to launch the 2020 Health Tech Ventures challenge. This year’s focus is to grow and sustain the culture of well-being for busy clinicians and accelerate solutions that address worker burnout. From a competitive field, we are honored and excited to make it to the finals of this competition. Our solution offers a unique approach to reduce burnout by focusing on reducing repetitive strain and dependency. We hope to use this opportunity to continue to innovate with Advocate Aurora Health to make a real positive impact on the day-to-day operations of our staff.

Article: Able Innovations announces $7.5 million to take the pain out of patient transfer Able Innovations is making waves - all thanks to its astounding supporters. Since the onset of the 2020 pandemic, the issue of patient transfer has become increasingly well-known. Healthcare facilities around the world have taken notice of the severe risks associated with the physically-laborious and mentally straining task of patient transfer for both patients and caregivers. Most notably, are two healthcare experts, Dr. Gaurav Puri and Dr. Andrew Vellathottam, who started supporting Able's mission early-on. This article provides insight into the seriousness of the issue of patient transfer and the excitement surrounding Able Innovations' solution, the ALTA Platform ™. With the massive support gained from multiple parties including NorthSpring Capital Partners, Ontario Centre of Innovation’s Market Readiness Fund, University of Waterloo’s Velocity Health Tech Fund, and Dr. Puri and Dr. Vellathottam - the company is looking forward to validating their tech across North America this year!

The team had a wonderful experience exhibiting for the first time at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conference in Chicago! Our technology, the ALTA Platform™, generated tremendous excitement among leading OEMs in the industry, as well as experts in the medical imaging field. The conference provided an atmosphere that did not disappoint. Our CEO and Business Development Manager left the conference feeling enthusiastic as the event marked the beginning of several crucial strategic conversations to establish the ALTA Platform as the standard of care for patient transfers in diagnostic imaging! RSNA is a non-profit organization committed to technological innovations, patient care, and healthcare delivery via education. Their annual conference is geared towards the growth and development of the radiological space. ALTA Platform™ presents a unique opportunity for diagnostic imaging departments to operate imaging suites at higher capacity while preventing injuries. We're proud of our solution and excited to see how it helps patients and healthcare professionals alike!

Article: Able Innovations paves the way for better patient care Thank you ventureLAB for this excellent feature. We are proud to be a client and look forward to collaborating to solve one of healthcare's most critical issues. Able Innovations continues to push for the improvement of patient care and healthcare workers' conditions. Through our ALTA Platform, we hope to transform the MedTech landscape. We recently had the pleasure of participating in the MedTech Demo Day hosted by ventureLAB, along with a few other Canadian innovators.