The cofounders of local startup-to-watch NanoTess were this week named honourees at Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Awards.
Megan Leslie and Julian Mulia were recognized for the impact of their Alberta upstart’s flagship medical device, NanoSALV Catalytic.
The award spotlights the positive effect NanoSALV Catalytic has had on Canadians living with wounds, burns, and severe dermatological conditions, as well as pair’s contribution to the advancement of catalytic healthcare innovation more generally.
Mulia was compelled to establish NanoTess following the loss of both parents to complications from non-healing wounds.
“We founded NanoTess in 2020 from a deeply personal place,” the Canadian entrepreneur recalls. “Our mission became clear: bring advanced catalytic technologies to the growing number of people living with compromised healing capacity.”
Mulia believes that complex wounds “are an escalating health crisis.”
“Canada spends close to $13 billion every year on wound care,” he explains, “nearly as much as the health system spends on lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer combined.”
Unlike cancer, however, “we don’t have dedicated wound-care hospitals, centres, or an equivalent national infrastructure built for these patients,” Mulia laments.
Moreover, products that kill bacteria “do not necessarily address why a wound has stopped healing.”
“A clean wound can still be a chronic wound,” Mulia says. “That distinction matters, especially for seniors and other vulnerable patients who often assume that because a wound has been disinfected or covered, it will heal.”
NanoSALV Catalytic, now available in 15,000 hospitals, healthcare facilities, and pharmacies across Canada, is a “fundamentally different” solution.
Megan Leslie, who serves NanoTess as chief executive officer, says that “we remain committed to reducing the obstacles that stand between people and healing.”
“We’re proud of what we have achieved as a team,” she stated, “and excited for the milestones–and the impact–that are yet to come.”
Founded in 1995 by Caldwell, Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 recognizes the achievements and contributions of outstanding young leaders.
Other Alberta-based honourees for 2026 include Scarlett Crockatt, CFO of Calgary’s Calfrac Well Services, and Jamie Heard, VP of Capital Markets for presenting sponsor Tourmaline Oil.
Jeff Freeborough, a managing partner at Caldwell, described the year’s list as “an impressive and inspiring group of leaders.”
“They are accomplished in their fields, committed to their communities, and already making a meaningful impact across Canada,” Freeborough remarked.
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