Adnavance Technologies (Saskatoon, SK)
CMDF Investment: $1,810,000 
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

Adnavance Technologies Inc. ("Adnavance") is an early stage technology company developing metallic DNA ("M-DNA") for application in large life sciences and nanotechnology markets. M-DNA is a new and novel form of DNA created by the ability to introduce metal atoms (nickel; zinc; cobalt; etc.) along the DNA double helix. The metal atoms can exchange or conduct electrons or electron energy in a manner similar to electricity flowing through a metal wire.

Agrisoma Biosciences (Burnaby, BC)
CMDF Investment: $2,164,000 
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

Agrisoma Biosciences Inc. is a private Canadian biotechnology company developing a chromosome-based gene delivery and expression technology in plant systems. Founded in 2001 as a spin-off from Chromos Molecular Systems Inc. (CHR:TSX); Agrisoma offers a unique and powerful approach to the development of high value crops and the production of industrial and therapeutic proteins. Agrisoma's technology known as 'The ACE System' is a gene delivery and expression platform capable of simultaneously introducing multiple genes into known sites in plants in an efficient and predictable way. Once delivered; the protein product of these genes is expressed from these plant cells; and is maintained stably over long periods of time. Agrisoma's technology will create value for two growing industries. Firstly; the Company will apply its expertise for the development of high value crops. The platform chromosome will confer commercially valuable traits that will enhance yield and quality. Secondly; the Company will apply its expertise for the production of industrial and therapeutic proteins in plant systems.

Excel-Tech (Markham, ON)
CMDF Investment: $3,000,000 
Private Company
Focus:Central Nervous System Disorders  Other  
Company Website

Excel-Tech is a manufacturer of high end; technologically advanced neuromuscular and neuropsychological instruments for the complete spectrum of diagnostics through monitoring of patients over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. Excel-Tech has developed the expertise to provide the most reliable;technologically advanced; high performance systems available today through 15 years of advancements in multiple areas of research and development such as: perfecting the acquisition of medical signals and broadcasting this data synchronized with voice and video over IP networks; electronic layout and design; 3D mechanical design; robotic mechanical manufacturing; and advanced process control.

IsoTis S.A. (Irvine, CA, Lausanne, Switzerland)
CMDF Investment: $8,065,000 
Public (TSX : ISO;SWX:ISO)
Focus:Osteoporosis  Other  
Company Website

IsoTis OrthoBiologics was created in Q4 2003 through the merger of GenSci OrthoBiologics; a US-based orthobiology company; and IsoTis SA; a Swiss-Dutch biomedical company. The company operates out of its corporate headquarters in Lausanne; Switzerland; and its facilities in Bilthoven; The Netherlands and in Irvine; California; US. IsoTis OrthoBiologics has approximately 150 employees; a product portfolio with 6 orthobiology products on the market and 9 others in development; pro-forma product sales of US$ 23 million in 2002; an established North American independent distribution network of 400 sales representatives; and a rapidly expanding international presence. The field of orthobiologics combines advances in biotechnology; materials sciences and tissue biology to promote and enhance the body's natural ability to regenerate and repair musculoskeletal tissue. The company is a dedicated and global orthobiologics player focused on the market of orthopaedics and bone graft substitutes. IsoTis is developing a broad presence in both "natural" demineralized bone matrix (DBM) products and "synthetic" bone graft substitutes; carrier technologies and biologically-based growth factors. Orthobiologics is the fastest growing segment of the US$16 billion orthopedics market.

MedInnova Partners (Toronto, ON)
CMDF Investment: $10,500,000 
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

MedInnova Partners Inc. is a technology incubator company that identifies and develops novel; patentable technologies that meet large; unmet needs in the life and health sciences marketplace. These technologies will lead to medical products and/or provide platform technology in drug discovery or health care delivery.

MedTech Partners (Ottawa, ON)
CMDF Investment: $13,000,000 
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

Working closely with Quebec's universities; hospitals and affiliated research institutes; MedTech Partners focuses on adding significant value; through seed investments; to very early stage biomedical discoveries. Through its extensive network of scientific and business contacts; MedTech Partners brings both critical scientific review and business development expertise to the determination of the future commercial potential of scientific discoveries.

MEF Finance Corp. (Toronto, ON)
CMDF Investment: $50,000 
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

Provide ongoing equipment financing for on-site equipment used by customers of Evolved Digital Systems Inc.

Networc Health (Calgary, AB)
CMDF Investment: $1,284,000 
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

Networc Health Inc.is a provider of health-related services in a number of centres across Canada. The goal of Networc Health is to build a major health care company dedicated to reducing the cost and duration of medical absenteeism. Networc Health is anchored upon the foundations of the two core businesses it owns or controls; Columbia Health Care Inc. and HRG Health Resource Group Inc. Columbia Health Care Inc. is already a market leader in providing interdisciplinary medical; occupational and vocational rehabilitation services and disability management solutions to employers; insurers and Workers Compensation Boards in Western Canada. HRG Health Resource Group Inc. is a private health care company that provides surgical and diagnostic procedures as well as inpatient medical and rehabilitation services in its thirty-seven bed facility in Calgary; Alberta. HRG provides the key clinical; surgical intervention and in-patient facilities required for insured and third party injury cases.

Neuroscience Development Inc. (Ottawa, ON)
CMDF Investment: $1,700,000 
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

The Partnership has been organized by MDS Capital Corp. and NRI-NeuroResearch Inc.; representing The NeuroScience Network; to allow investors to participate in the growth and development of neuroscience businesses and enterprises in Canada and internationally. The Partnership has been designed to bring together commercially promising science; industry expertise and investment capital - three elements critical to the development of neuroscience businesses and enterprises.

Praxim Corporation (La Trouche, FR)
CMDF Investment: $6,542,000 
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

Praxim (a Canadian affiliate of Praxim Medivision) develops computer assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS) systems. The company uses hardware and software applications to allow surgeons to accurately position surgical implants; during orthopedic procedures; using a 3-D model of the target tissue. The 3D model allows the surgeon to objectively plan out critical surgical variables; and to perform the surgery while localizing his tool in real time on the 3D bones on the screen. In addition; the software can suggest to the surgeon an optimal implant strategy based on the particular shape of the implant and the corresponding anatomical criteria.

SMC Ventures (Vancouver, BC)
CMDF Investment: $0  (CMDF holds shares)
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

Biotechnology products in the areas of orthopedics; neurosurgery and oral maxillofacial surgery.

Systems Xcellence (Milton, ON)
CMDF Investment: $3,577,000 
Public (TSX : SXC)
Focus:Other  
Company Website

Systems Xcellence (SX) is a leading provider of patient-centric electronic transaction processing solutions for the managed care sector of the healthcare industry. Their suite of software solutions facilitates the online electronic processing of transactions between healthcare payers and healthcare providers. Patient specific information is drawn upon from varying software applications in the processing of healthcare transactions; thereby allowing payers and providers the ability; through the use of the centralized database; to provide multiple healthcare services.

University Medical Discoveries (Toronto, ON)
CMDF Investment: $14,900,000 
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

UMDI was established to develop and commercialize early-stage biomedical innovations. It provides funding to protect intellectual property developed at Canadian universities; hospitals and research institutes. It also provides business development expertise; as well as funding for prototype development or proof-of-principle demonstrations

WV CMDF Queen’s Scientific Breakthrough Fund (Kingston, ON)
CMDF Investment: $1,380,000 
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

The venture fund will invest in enterprises formed by Queen's University researchers looking to protect; commercialize and market health and life sciences research discoveries. The Fund was the second fund to be launched under the Ontario Government's Community Small Business Investment Fund (CSBIF) Program. Established as a partnership between Queen's University; Working Ventures Canadian Fund and CMDF; the new Fund will be managed by PARTEQ; Queen's technology transfer arm. The program was founded to provide a local source of capital to small; high-growth businesses and to provide stimulus for investment partnerships between investment pools; universities and their local communities. The fund will make initial investments of to $25;000 and follow-on investments of up to a total of $1.4 million in companies with less than $1 million in assets. While the fund will focus on investing in biotechnology and health and life sciences enterprises; researchers from other technology fields could also qualify.

ViOptix (Toronto, ON)
CMDF Investment: $7,071,000 
Private Company
Focus:Other  
Company Website

ViOptix was founded in 1999 with the vision of greatly improving the state of the art in clinically applicable optical systems to monitor internal physiological characteristics. Advances in modern laser technology; in combination with fundamental technical discoveries by the company's founders; led to our inception. With our patent-pending optical technology; we are developing diagnostic and monitoring equipment which can be used in a wide variety of clinical situations including diagnostic imaging; vascular assessment; clinical monitoring and ischemia evaluation. ViOptix has developed the proprietary breakthrough Optical Diffusion Imaging and Spectroscopy (ODIS) technology which enables non-invasive; direct; real-time measurement of local tissue oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration. Oxygen and hemoglobin are key parameters in many clinical areas such as tissue viability; revascularization; cancer management; circulatory exploration and muscle assessment. Use of our lead product; the ODISsey Tissue Oximeter; can lead to early detection of medical disorders; improving medical outcomes and decreasing cost.

Xillix Ltd. (Subsidiary of Xillix Technologies) (Richmond, BC)
CMDF Investment: $5,000,000 
Private Company
Focus:Cancer  Other  
Company Website

Xillix is a leader in the research; development and commercialization of proprietary medical imaging technology; based on tissue fluorescence; a technique that substantially improves upon the clinician's ability to detect the early presence and localization of cancerous lesions. Their lead product is the LIFE-Lung system is the company's lead product for lung cancer detection; and is approved for sale in the U.S.; Canada; Europe and Japan. In clinical studies of Xillix's first generation lung device; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed that the company's device improved the physician's ability to detect lung cancer by 171% compared with conventional white light bronchoscopy alone.