Seven finalists vying for Arthritis Ideator Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
$200,000 to be awarded at competition event on April 20, 2023
TORONTO – Seven leading innovators from across Canada have been named finalists in Arthritis Society Canada’s second Arthritis Ideator AwardsTM for their promising ideas that could transform the lives of people living with arthritis.
Three innovations will be selected by an expert panel of judges at the pitch-style competition at Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District on April 20, 2023, and one will be selected by popular vote. Each will receive $50,000 to help them grow their venture.
“It’s time to think differently as we work to solve the challenges of arthritis, a debilitating disease that impacts 1 in 5 Canadians and has no cure,” says Trish Barbato, President and CEO of Arthritis Society Canada.
“The Arthritis Ideator Awards reward bold, fearless thinking and will help get these innovations to the people who need them most – as quickly as possible.”
The seven finalists are:
Cadence Health Analytics
Based in Windsor, Ont.
Inspired by his own experience with arthritis, Stefan Gertz and his team have developed an app that helps healthcare professionals provide more timely care by analyzing real-time patient self-assessment data, while increasing patient engagement in care.
eNable Mobility Analytics
Based in Fredericton, N.B.
Alex Roberts, Sarah Diaz and Dr. Erik Scheme created eNable Mobility Analytics, sensor technology that augments walking aids such as canes and walkers and integrates with a mobile app to monitor the gait of people with arthritis, to predict falls and motivate them to meet their physical activity goals.
FirstHx
Based in Toronto, Ont.
As a web-based medical intake platform, FirstHx integrates with a physician’s electronic health records, empowering people with arthritis to use their own smart phones to provide more robust information while also reducing medical errors and enhancing clinical efficiency.
Heal Mary
Based in Vancouver, B.C.
Launched by Cassandra Hui, Heal Mary is a digital tool that leverages machine learning to engage and support people with arthritis during the often-complicated search and application process for a clinical trial that might benefit their health.
Imaging Reality
Based in Vancouver, B.C.
Imaging Reality is an immersive virtual reality experience narrated by a rheumatologist that will help newly diagnosed osteoarthritis patients better understand their diagnosis, ease their anxiety and support compliance with their treatment plan.
Joints on Point
Based in Ottawa, Ont.
Developed by physiotherapists, Joints on Point is a mobile app and web platform delivering educational videos and exercise programs for the knee, hip, low back and wrist to improve the confidence, motivation and symptoms of people living with osteoarthritis.
Pillcheck
Based in Toronto, Ont.
Because more than 99 per cent of people have genetic variations which affect their response to different medications, Pillcheck combines clinical pharmacy services with DNA analysis to help quickly find the right medication in the right dosage for people living with arthritis and other diseases.
The expert judging panel includes Mohamad Fakih, Executive Chair and President, Paramount Fine Foods; Jasmin Ganie-Hobbs, Director Tech Financing, BDC; Andrew Oliver, President and CEO, Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality; Ronald Reuben, Founder and Executive Chairman, Medicom Group; and Trish Barbato, President and CEO, Arthritis Society Canada. Canadian sports commentator, Rod Black, will be the Master of Ceremonies.
In addition to funding, Arthritis Ideator Award winners receive expert advice from Arthritis Society Canada and the broader arthritis ecosystem, as well as from people living with arthritis who can support beta testing or provide feedback through focus groups or surveys.
Learn more about the competition process.
Learn more and buy tickets for the April 20, 2023 evening event in Toronto.
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About Arthritis Society Canada
Fueled by the trust and support of our donors and volunteers, Arthritis Society Canada is Canada’s national health charity fighting the fire of arthritis with research, advocacy, innovation, information and support. We represent the six million Canadians living with arthritis today, and the millions more who are impacted or at risk. Without action now, the number of Canadians living with arthritis will grow to nine million by 2040. Arthritis Society Canada is accredited under Imagine Canada's Standards Program. For more information, visit arthritis.ca.
For more information or to arrange interviews:
Katherine Janson
Senior Director, Corporate Communications and Content
416-882-5773
kjanson@arthritis.ca
Brigitte Fortin
Directrice du marketing et des communications
514-688-0533
bfortin@arthrite.ca
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