- Ontario budget allocates $12-million to Health Technology Accelerator Fund for healthtech procurement
- Neuralink opens applications to Canadian patients for experimental assistive technology
- Dialogue Health Technologies acquires assets of Koble Care for undisclosed amount
- Pelago Health raises $58 million in Series C round for telehealth services
- Notman House in Montréal up for sale, Guiker seeks community investors to acquire it
Ontario’s $12 million Health Technology Accelerator Fund
The Government of Ontario has taken a significant step in supporting the healthtech sector by allocating $12 million to establish a Health Technology Accelerator Fund. This fund aims to assist healthcare service providers in procuring and implementing innovative technologies that can enhance patient care. According to Skaidra Puodziunas, the director of Ontario affairs at the Canadian Council of Innovators, this initiative provides a promising opportunity for health technology companies in Ontario to introduce their cutting-edge products and services into the provincial healthcare system. The funding may not grab headlines, but it signifies a positive pathway for advancing healthtech solutions in the region.
Neuralink’s Acceptance of Canadian Patients
In an exciting development, Elon Musk’s brain computer interface company, Neuralink, is now open to applications from Canadian individuals interested in receiving its experimental assistive technology. Canadian applicants must be over 18 years old and have specific conditions such as quadriplegia, paraplegia, vision loss, hearing loss, speech impairment, or major limb amputations. This move comes amidst criticism faced by Neuralink in the U.S., with concerns raised by a lawmaker regarding the FDA’s oversight of the company prior to human trials. The inclusion of Canadian patients signals Neuralink’s commitment to expanding access to its groundbreaking technology.
Dialogue Health Technologies Acquires Koble Care
Dialogue Health Technologies, a virtual healthcare platform, has completed the acquisition of assets from Toronto-based digital parenting platform Koble Care. The deal encompasses Koble’s suite of proprietary content, software, and intellectual property. Swati Matta, the founder and CEO of Koble, will join Dialogue as the head of women’s health, bringing her expertise in supporting birthing parents, partners, and support figures through personalized guidance during pregnancy and postpartum stages. This strategic acquisition underscores Dialogue’s focus on enhancing its offerings and expanding its reach in the healthcare sector.
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Pelago Health’s $58 Million Series C Funding Round
Pelago Health, a telehealth company backed by Y Combinator, has secured a substantial $58 million in its Series C funding round. The company specializes in using cognitive behavioral therapy to assist individuals dealing with tobacco, alcohol, and opioid addictions. With this new capital injection, Pelago aims to onboard more users, advance its clinical research initiatives, and develop additional products to further support individuals struggling with addiction. The funding round marks a significant milestone for Pelago Health as it continues to make strides in the telehealth space.
The healthtech sector is experiencing notable developments in funding, acquisitions, and technological advancements that are shaping the future of healthcare delivery. Initiatives such as Ontario’s Health Technology Accelerator Fund, Neuralink’s acceptance of Canadian patients, Dialogue Health Technologies’ acquisition of Koble Care, and Pelago Health’s successful funding round highlight the ongoing innovation and investment in health technology. These trends underscore the growing importance of leveraging technology to enhance patient care, drive efficiencies in healthcare delivery, and improve overall health outcomes.
Links to additional Resources: 1. https://www.neuralink.com/ 2. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01992-3 3. https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/23/23611835/neuralink-canadian-patients-clinical-trials