District Digest
August 12, 2020
Dalhousie Prof. Appointed to Co-Lead Canada’s Covid-19 Vaccine Task Force
Last week, the Government of Canada named Dr Joanne Langley of the Departments of Pediatrics and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University, among the members of Canada’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force to advise the government on how best to support vaccine research in Canada and help ensure Canadian leadership in vaccine development. Dr Langley will co-chair the task force which includes vaccine and immunology experts, as well as industry leaders with a proven ability in developing and commercializing vaccines.
From COO to Interim to CEO; Martha Casey Appointed to Lead Volta
Halifax-based innovation hub, Volta has named Martha Casey as their new Chief Executive Officer. Martha was appointed interim CEO since March and has overseen the organization through the pandemic and is working together with her team and the board to release a new strategic plan in the fall. “Something that our team identified as a priority early on in our strategic planning process is the importance of inclusive innovation, which is something that underpins everything we do,” said Martha Casey, CEO of Volta.
FDA Approves Appili Trial Expansion
Halifax-based Appili Therapeutics has received the green light from the Food and Drug Administration in the US to expand its Phase 2 clinical trial into the U.S. to evaluate the safety and efficacy of favipiravir tablets in preventing outbreaks of COVID-19 in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Favipiravir has been cleared for emergency use in India and Russia and as a pandemic influenza antiviral medication in Japan. The company believes the recent approval is a significant advance in the fight against the effects of the pandemic in LTC facilities.
Local Consultant Opens PR Firm for Startups
Public Relations Consultant, Michael Kydd has launched a new PR firm, the Kydder Group which focuses on small and medium-sized businesses including startups. The group's specialty is in crisis management and supports innovation driven companies such as Fundmetric, which helps charities increase donations and Bursity, which helps minority students access scholarships and bursaries. Kydd has worked in the government, academic and private sectors, including a recent role with a Calgary-based technology and disability services company.
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Take Your Idea to Market With the NSPDDC
The Nova Scotia Product Design and Development Centre (NSPDDC) is a design engineering lab in the Faculty of Engineering, Dalhousie University. They consult and develop products and processes for STARTUP NS companies to solve real, multidisciplinary industrial problems. Each project is based on a contract with a Nova Scotia company in various counties.