The Pulse of Innovation

Picture this: a Halifax lab discovers a breakthrough material that could promote healing after surgery or make cancer treatments safer. The science is solid. The team is brilliant. The potential is life-changing.

And then…it stalls.

Not because the idea wasn’t good enough. Not because the need wasn’t urgent. But because there was no access to the specialized lab environments needed to propel the research into a prototype ready for testing, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals. No clear next step.

This is the reality for too many biomedical innovations in Atlantic Canada. Despite world-class research and a growing life sciences sector, the region lacks ISO-compliant wet labs—the critical infrastructure that turns ideas into impact. Promising therapies are delayed. Startups relocate. Talented student ventures vanish before they begin; and our promising young researchers disappear too, moving on to regions with more opportunity and infrastructure.

A Sector Poised for Growth

Nova Scotia has set an ambitious goal: grow the life sciences sector to $1 billion by 2032. Already, over 100 companies generate $300 million in exports annually, and Dalhousie researchers are tackling everything from infection control to cancer therapies. But without the right lab space, progress is stalled.

Enter the Pulse BioMed Hub—a bold new initiative housed in Dalhousie’s Life Sciences Research Institute (LSRI). This shared space will give researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs the infrastructure to move ideas from concept to clinic. They’re not just labs. They’re launchpads.

A Different Future

Imagine a future where both our brilliant researchers and students alike launch companies before graduation. Where startups find the lab support they need to attract investment. Where therapies are tested, validated, and prepared for patients—right here in Atlantic Canada.

For innovators like Coloursmith founder Gabrielle Masone, access to lab space and early-stage funding was the difference between a promising idea and a market-ready product.

While studying chemistry at Dalhousie, Masone envisioned a contact lens that could help people with colour vision deficiencies, and through extensive research and development, was able to commercialize her product.

“Shared wet lab spaces are critical to innovation.” she says. “The Pulse Biomed Hub would have addressed two major barriers: access and cost.”

Coloursmith now collaborates with global vision care companies and is building a product pipeline with plans to manufacture in Nova Scotia. Her story underscores why infrastructure like the Pulse BioMed Hub is essential: it gives researchers the tools, space, and support to turn ideas into impact

Innovation in Action: Dr. Yunyun Wu’s Vision for Smart Oral Health Monitoring

Dr. Yunyun Wu, Assistant Professor in Biomaterials & Applied Oral Sciences, cross appointed in Biomedical Engineering at Dalhousie University, is investigating the potential of a miniaturized biosensor embedded in dental prosthetics to monitor salivary pH levels in oral cancer patients—a group often left vulnerable to severe oral complications after radiation therapy.

“Saliva is important for buffering the pH of your mouth, and low pH means a high risk of developing cavities and needing tooth extractions,” she explains. “But nowadays, patients don’t have a very good tool to monitor their pH at home.”

Wu’s innovation isn’t limited to cancer survivors. She sees potential applications for elderly patients with dentures and broader wearable health technologies.

“Denture oral health is just a platform. The sensor could be implanted in your body, worn on your clothes, or in your shoes. It’s about wearable platforms that don’t interfere with daily life but give useful data about your health status.”

But translating this vision into reality requires infrastructure.

“The mouth is a dynamic environment—eating, drinking, bacteria, inflammation. Embedding sensitive electronics into a denture that’s comfortable and wire-free is a huge challenge.”

For Dr. Wu, the Pulse BioMed Hub is a bridge between concept and clinic.

“It’s where systematic testing, prototyping, and validation happen. It gives confidence in your work and motivates students. What’s the point if it doesn’t leave the lab?”

From Bench to Breakthrough: Dr. Vahid Adibnia’s Translational Mission

Dr. Vahid Adibnia, Assistant Professor in Biomaterials & Applied Oral Science with a cross appointment in Biomedical Engineering and Canada Research Chair in Functional Polymeric Biomaterials, is focused on getting solutions into the hands of patients.

“We target long-lasting medical problems—like osteoarthritis and traumatic bleeding—and try to come up with innovative solutions that can be translated into real-life products.”

His lab develops soft, gel-like biomaterials with therapeutic applications. One project involves injectable hydrogels that reduce pain and protect joints in osteoarthritis patients, potentially delaying the need for knee replacement surgery.

Another focuses on hemostatic sponges that rapidly stop bleeding in emergencies— from car accidents to military conflict—especially in remote areas where access to medical intervention isn’t available as quickly as necessary.

“We’ve developed a product that stops bleeding much faster than what’s currently available. This can save lives.”

But the path from lab to life-saving product is steep—and a lack of infrastructure is a major barrier.

“We need controlled environments that meet standards like ISO or GMP,” Dr. Adibnia says. “That’s where trainees can learn what it really takes to turn a material into a product.”

He sees the Pulse BioMed Hub as a potential incubator for startups, helping retain talent and grow the region’s biomedical economy.

“If we can bring all the research groups under the same umbrella and support startups coming out of the Hub, it could make Dalhousie a national leader in biomaterials innovation.”

Why It Matters

The Pulse BioMed Hub will have far-reaching impacts. It has the potential to transform health outcomes by accelerating access to treatments for diseases like cancer, arthritis, trauma, and more.

It will also drive economic growth by strengthening the startup pipeline, attracting venture investment, and creating high-value jobs in the region. For students, the Hub offers hands-on innovation experience that not only enhances their training but also encourages them to stay and build their careers in Atlantic Canada.

“The people who live here, love this region. What better way to grow Atlantic Canada than by supporting the incredible trainees we have here?” says Dr. Adibnia. “Their ideas can create jobs, companies, and real impact—but they need support to stay.”

Ultimately, the Hub positions the region as a national leader in biomedical innovation, fostering systemic change that benefits both the healthcare system and the economy.

Innovation Starts Here

Dalhousie has engaged leading biomedical innovators and is looking to partner with government, industry, and private donors to make this vision a reality. With the Pulse BioMed Hub, Atlantic Canada has a chance to build a sustainable health innovation engine.

Innovation starts here. With the right support, it can flourish here too.

To learn more about Pulse BioMed Hub and how you can support the project, contact us at medadvancement@dal.ca