NanoTess is saving lives in war-torn Ukraine.
The Calgary-based biotech company, founded in 2020 by Megan Leslie and Julian Mulia, is known for its flagship offering, NanoSALV Catalytic.
NanoSALV Catalytic was authorized by Health Canada in 2022 to treat wounds and burns following a successful pilot with Alberta Health Services.
The technology has since been used in hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies across Canada—and, most recently and perhaps most effectively, within the embattled nation of Ukraine.
“We believe innovation carries a responsibility: to reach beyond the expected, overcome barriers to care, and bring solutions to the people and places where the need is greatest,” says chief executive officer Leslie.
At the CAN Health Network Annual Conference, Leslie announced that NanoTess’ wound care technology has now reached more than 6,000 soldiers and civilians in Ukraine.
“Seeing our Canadian-made technology, developed and validated in Canada, being used to its fullest potential in Ukraine reinforces why we do this work,” the CEO remarked.
Effective medical treatment in active conflict zones is “critical to our soldiers,” says Dr. Vasyl Voronets, a Military Surgeon working along Ukraine’s East Front.
Burns from drone attacks can quickly become life-threatening, especially without medical care, Voronets notes.
NanoSALV Catalytic is lightweight, non-flammable, and easy to use, according to its creators, which means it can be flown by drone to the front line and applied by people with limited medical training.
“It has helped us treat more people, more quickly, in extremely challenging conditions,” Voronets said. “Drone delivery has extended our reach to military units in remote areas, where access to medical resources can be limited.”
In Ukraine, “time is everything,” according to Hailie Uren, who functions as Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Research Lead for the Ministry of Health in Ukraine.
“A wound that might be manageable in a Canadian hospital can become life-threatening when evacuation is delayed, medical supplies are limited, and infection sets in,” Uren warns. “We need solutions that work in the realities of frontline care, not just in ideal clinical settings.”
“What makes innovations like NanoSALV so important is the potential to get wound care into the hands of those who need it, when and where they need it most,” stated Uren. “The commitment of Canadian companies like NanoTess to support Ukrainian medical teams is making a meaningful difference.”
Mulia, who serves NanoTess as Chief Scientific Officer, says that “Our mission has always been to help people heal, regardless of where they are or the circumstances they face.”
NanoSALV Catalytic is now available in more than 2,500 hospitals and health facilities and 14,000 pharmacies across Canada.
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