NGBideas

Join host Jim Wilson for a conversation with Simon LaPointe, founder and CEO of EncephalX in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

EncephalX is a medical device company focused on helping people recovering from severe head injuries and strokes. Their main invention, the Dynamic Cranioplasty System, aims to turn two dangerous brain surgeries into one by creating a special implant that allows the brain to swell and heal safely without having t...

Join host Jim Wilson for a conversation with Dylan Horvath, founder and principal of Cortex Design in Toronto, Ontario. 

Cortex helps MedTech teams take medical devices from early concept through to commercialization, with a focus on designing for real users and the full set of stakeholders who influence adoption. 

Dylan shares how a childhood obsession with robotics led him into systems design engineering, then into industr...

In this episode of NGBi Lab, host Jim Wilson welcomes Loreen Wales, the Founder and CEO of Revive Wellness and My Viva.

Discover the harrowing origin story that fueled Loreen's mission: a near-fatal accident at age 19 that left her with a miracle survival and a relentless drive to transform how we deliver patient care.

From her early days as a dietitian in Edmonton to realizing that the healthcare system lacked a personalize...

In this episode of NGBi Lab, host Jim Wilson welcomes Akeem Gardner, CEO and Founder of Canurta Therapeutics. Discover how Akeem transitioned from law school and farming into the biotech space to build a company developing botanical drug candidates for neurodegenerative diseases, with a lead program targeting ALS.

From his unconventional entrepreneurial journey and the shift from ingredient supplier to full biotechnology co...

In this episode, host Jim Wilson sits down with the team at McCallum-Sather Architects to explore their forward-thinking approach to sustainable, integrated design in the life sciences sector. Mary Georgious and Liam Brown share how their architectural and mechanical engineering expertise come together to shape high-performance lab environments. They discuss the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and user-centered ...

Dr. Amol Deshpande shares his journey from a Toronto upbringing to a diverse career spanning chronic pain medicine, emergency and cardiac care, healthcare consulting, and venture support at MaRS. He reflects on key experiences at UHN, WSIB, Toronto Rehab, and AIoT Health, as well as launching his podcast Reboot Health.

Amol also discusses the state of Canadian life sciences, the need for genuine collaboration, and the impor...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Nima Zamani, co-founder of Cobionix, as he shares the inspiring journey of building a cutting-edge robotics company. Discover how Cobionix is revolutionizing healthcare with its needle-free AI-powered robotic injection technology, addressing labor shortages, and pioneering autonomous medical solutions. Nima also delves into the challenges of entrepreneurship and the critical role o...

In this episode Jonathan Bramson walks us through his path from childhood in Montreal to pursuing a PhD at McGill and becoming a leading voice in gene and cell therapy. He reflects on early influences, academic anxieties, and the unexpected turns that led him into oncology and biotech. We explore the evolution of gene therapy, the power of mentorship, the realities of building in the life sciences sector, and the creativit...

In this episode of NGBiLab, host Jim Wilson welcomes the innovative minds behind YellowBird Diagnostics: Nicholas Calvert, Alexia Kirby, and Adam Shuhendler. Discover how this dynamic team, spun out of the University of Ottawa, is revolutionizing disease diagnosis with cutting-edge chemical technologies. From their entrepreneurial journey to the challenges of bringing molecular imaging to the clinic, this conversation delv...

In this engaging episode, Jim Wilson sits down with Marc Jeschke, a renowned surgeon and researcher, to explore his fascinating journey from Germany to becoming a leading figure in burn care and research. Marc shares insights into his early life, the challenges and triumphs of his career, and his vision for the future of healthcare. Discover how his passion for innovation and dedication to patient care have shaped his path...

In this archived episode of NGBiLab, host Jim Wilson revisits his conversation with Bronwyn Bridges, CEO and co-founder of PragmaClin, a pioneering startup from St. John's, Newfoundland. PragmaClin's innovative digital tool, Prims, is designed to enhance the assessment of Parkinson's disease, offering more objective and efficient pathways for neurological care. Bronwyn reflects on her journey, the hurdles overcome, and the...

In this archive episode of NGBideas, host Jim Wilson sits down with Professor Christine Allen from the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. Join us as we explore Dr. Allen's remarkable journey from her early days in Ottawa to becoming a globally recognized leader in drug formulation and development. Discover her insights on the integration of AI in drug development, her experiences in academia and indust...

In this throwback episode of NGBiLab, host Jim Wilson sits down with Kevin Neal and Jean-Francois Mio from Tatum Bioscience in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Discover how they are revolutionizing cancer treatment by programming bacteria to become cancer-fighting drugs. Learn about their journey, the challenges they face, and their vision for the future of immunotherapy. Tune in to explore the cutting-edge innovations in Canada's life...

In this throwback episode of NGBideas, host Jim Wilson sits down with Brigitte Nolet, President and CEO of Roche Canada Pharma. They explore Brigitte's journey as a trisector leader, her personal experiences as a patient, and her insights into Canada's life sciences sector. Discover the importance of honesty in leadership and the potential of healthcare innovation. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, am...

This week, we’re throwing it back to when Jim connected with Sydney Robinson, CEO and co-founder of Vessl Prosthetics, based in London, Ontario. Sydney and her team are pioneering next-generation prosthetic solutions specifically designed for below-knee amputees. Their innovative technology features automatic adjustments that ensure a consistently comfortable fit—greatly improving quality of life for many.

In 2025, Vess...

This week, we’re revisiting an episode with Cate Murray, President and CEO of the Stem Cell Network (SCN) in Ottawa. SCN is a Canadian not-for-profit supporting three main objectives: advancing stem cell and regenerative medicine research, training the next generation of researchers, and sharing breakthroughs in this incredible field.Founded in 2001 with federal support, SCN has grown from a few dozen labs to over 270 worl...

Join host Jim Wilson as he sits down with Dr. Arinjay Banerjee and Dr. Volker Gerdts from the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) in Saskatoon. Discover how VIDO is at the forefront of infectious disease research and vaccine development, bridging human and animal health. Learn about their cutting-edge facilities, global partnerships, and the ambitious plans to make Canada a leader in pandemic preparedness. T...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Shanil Ebrahim as he shares his journey from Saudi Arabia to Canada, navigating cultural transitions, and building a successful career in healthcare consulting. Discover how his experiences shaped his leadership style and his vision for creating a lasting impact in the healthcare industry. Shanil's story is one of resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

This week on NGB Ideas, we’re revisiting a Season 1 conversation with Gordon McCauley, President & CEO of AdMare BioInnovations. Gordon has built his career at the intersection of politics, investment, and life sciences — and today, he’s at the center of Canada’s growing biotech ecosystem. In this episode, Gordon shares his journey from political staffer to venture capitalist to leading one of Canada’s most influential...