Innovative Projects Realized

L2M Validate / Qc Winter 2026 / Optimizing Recycling of Polyamide 6- Upcycling with Polymer-polymer composite,

Polyamide (PA), particularly PA6 and PA66, is a vital engineering polymer used in automotive, aerospace, electrical, and textile industries because of its strength, heat resistance, and durability. However, most commercial grades are petroleum-based, energy-intensive, and difficult to recycle due to strong hydrogen bonding and high melting temperatures. In Canada, the recycling and upcycling of polyamide remain extremely limited: post-industrial and post-consumer waste is often downcycled or exported, leading to the loss of valuable materials and a higher environmental footprint.

The Canadian PA6 market reached USD 473.9 million in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 745.9 million by 2030 (CAGR 6.7 %). Yet the recycled segment remains small, though it could expand by ~9 % annually between 2026–2033. In Québec, several SMEs process PA6 and PA66 components for transportation and aerospace sectors, generating up to 10 % post-industrial scrap that is rarely recovered. Despite having 25 plastic recyclers listed by RECYC-Québec, none currently process polyamides—raising the question of what happens to this valuable waste stream. Successful polyamide recyclers abroad prove that the opportunity is both technically and economically viable.

This project aims to address this gap through a twofold innovation. First, it will develop reactive additives to restore molecular weight, melt strength, and mechanical integrity during PA6/PA66 recycling, enabling recycled grades that rival virgin resins. Second, it will create a lightweight polyamide-based composite to replace PA–glass-fiber systems in automotive and aerospace applications, offering comparable strength, higher impact resistance, and lower density for improved fuel efficiency.

Fully recyclable and aligned with circular-economy goals, this initiative will transform Québec’s untapped polyamide waste into high-value, sustainable materials, strengthening Canada’s polymer innovation ecosystem and creating new industrial and investment opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

Bacterial genome integrity under growth-limiting conditions

Many bacteria live in environments where food and energy are scare. When this happens, they may start copying their DNA and then run out of resources mid-way, puuting their genetic material at risk of damage. This project will study how Escherichia coli protects its DNA under sudden nutrient starvation. We will track whether cells finish copying their DNA or stall , and we will identify the proteins that help stabilize and repair the copying machinery during stress. To do this, we will use safe lab strains with flow cytometry and live-cell fluorescence imaging , as well as a pull-down method (iPOND) to capture proteins located at sites of newly made DNA. The results will improve our basic understanding of microbial survival, inform future biotechnology, and support training in advanced experimental methods.

Biological evaluation of a novel 1,4-diazine scaffold as potential neuraminidase inhibitors for anticancer and antimicrobial strategies

Development of novel pharmaceutical agents typically starts from an initial “hit” compound. These initial hits are then optimized using chemical synthesis and then tested for activity. Many active agents are designed based on known starting compounds. These previously identified compounds serve as a starting scaffold on which to make modifications that will improve activity. In this proposal, we plan to investigate novel scaffolds that would allow targeting of a class of enzymes, known as neuraminidases, that are found in humans, bacteria, and viruses. Neuraminidase enzymes cleave terminal sugar residues from glycoproteins in cells and play roles in normal human physiology and disease. The viral neuraminidases are the enzymes targeted by oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which are used as antivirals. Current scaffolds used to target neuraminidase enzymes are synthetically challenging and novel scaffolds could help identify new classes of inhibitors. As part of this proposal, an intern will work in a Canadian laboratory to test a series of compounds they synthesized using a novel scaffold designed to target neuraminidases. In Canada, the intern will learn biochemical assays to validate their compounds against human and bacterial neuraminidase enzymes. Compounds will also be characterized for properties that could indicate their potential for use as pharmaceuticals.

Research, identify, develop and test innovative use cases community and societal issues to support advancing smart cities capabilities

SimplyCast is an ISO 27001:2013-certified, all-in-one hyperautomation platform that operates on a no-code basis. The management has created a distinctive Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution that integrates communication, marketing, engagement, and emergency communication functionalities into a unified platform. This exceptional platform offers unparalleled capabilities for both present and future use cases. One of the major advantages for clients is SimplyCast’s ability to seamlessly incorporate new use cases into the platform without disrupting existing processes. This aspect is a crucial value proposition of the SimplyCast platform, enabling businesses to secure growth capital and effectively scale as new use cases emerge in the market.??

The company’s main goal is to develop use cases that can be deployed by cities, villages, provinces, and Canada-wide that can improve citizen’s lives in every aspect. Municipalities across North America are facing increasing pressure to manage aging infrastructure, optimize limited budgets, and respond quickly to citizen needs. Current systems for asset management, permitting, inspections, incident reporting, and crew scheduling are often fragmented, highly manual, or reliant on expensive legacy solutions. These gaps result in inefficiencies, slower response times, and higher operational costs, and this is where SimplyCast can help. The project will assist SimplyCast in designing a solution that enables municipalities to efficiently manage work orders, inspections, incidents, and permits and that will Integrate IoT sensor data and predictive analytics for proactive maintenance, providing mobile-ready, user-friendly tools for crews and citizens. SimplyCast is aware that what they will build will be competing with established platforms such as Citadel, LLumin, and Cityworks, but can offer a more flexible, cost-effective, and citizen-focused alternative.

L2M-LigandQI: Accelerating drug discovery with quantum-powered insight

This project will launch LigandQI, a next-generation Contract Research Organization (CRO) that empowers researchers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors with advanced molecular-interaction analysis. LigandQI applies state-of-the-art quantum chemistry and computational modeling to reveal, with exceptional precision, how drug candidates bind to their target proteins, enabling faster, more accurate lead optimization. Through the Lab2Market Launch program, the team will identify pilot partners, demonstrate the scientific and commercial value of its services, and secure its first industry contract. By supporting the creation of this deep-tech venture, DMZ Ventures will help establish a Canadian CRO that bridges cutting-edge science and industry needs, accelerating drug discovery and strengthening Canada’s global leadership in health innovation.

L2M Validate / Qc Winter 2026 / Antenna sensor for monitoring applications

This project focuses on advancing a novel battery-free, antenna-based sensor platform designed for continuous wireless monitoring in healthcare and environmental applications. The technology enables the creation of thin, flexible, and low-cost “sticker-like” sensors that operate without batteries or wired power. These sensors can detect key parameters such as temperature, humidity, and pH, transmitting real-time data remotely to improve decision-making and reduce maintenance costs. In healthcare, the technology targets the urgent need for smarter chronic-wound monitoring. Current manual wound assessments are time-consuming and prone to delays that increase infection risk and healthcare costs. The proposed sensor acts as a smart bandage capable of wirelessly reporting wound moisture and pH levels, to continuously track healing progress and alert caregivers, allowing early intervention and improving patient outcomes. In parallel, the same platform can be customized and deployed for environmental monitoring, such as detecting early signs of wildfires through temperature and humidity changes, supporting rapid response and minimizing damage. Through the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship and the Lab2Market Validate program, the intern will perform market validation, stakeholder engagement, and business-model development to transform this academic innovation into a viable commercial opportunity. This includes identifying customer needs, analyzing competitors, and assessing regulatory pathways. For the partner organization, this project provides access to an innovative, sustainable technology that aligns with Canada’s goals in digital health, green technology, and climate resilience. The expected outcome is a validated commercialization plan and market strategy that demonstrate how this antenna-based sensor can create social and economic value through improved health outcomes and early environmental risk detection.

Keypoint-Based Behavior Detection and Individual Identification in Nile Tilapia

Aquaculture needs scalable, noninvasive tools that can see what farmers miss. This project will build an AI system that recognizes individual Nile tilapia and flags behavior shifts signaling stress or disease. Using YOLO for fast detection and a key-point model for anatomical landmarks, we will extract precise coordinates for the snout, operculum, fin bases, and tips. From these points, we compute distances, angles, and motion cues to create stable biometric signatures and behavior indicators robust to growth and lighting changes. Data will be captured in Brazil with high-resolution imaging under controlled conditions and rigorously annotated; modeling and validation will be led at Dalhousie in Canada, in close collaboration with UNESP. The outcome is a noninvasive, scalable pipeline that enables longitudinal identification, early-warning dashboards, and reproducible welfare analytics. Expected benefits include reduced manual handling, faster health interventions, improved feed conversion, and stronger selective-breeding programs through objective phenotypes. The project will deliver a curated dataset, open methods, and a proof-of-concept tool ready for farm pilots, positioning Dalhousie and UNESP as leaders in digital aquaculture and strengthening Canada–Brazil research ties. By pairing computer vision with aquaculture science, we aim to set a new benchmark for precision husbandry and sustainable fish production at scale.

L2M Validate / Qc Winter 2026 / Drug encapsulation in liposomes for cancer therapeutics

This project will explore the market potential of liposome based drug delivery systems for cancer therapeutics. By interviewing cancer patients, clinicians, and experts from the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, we aim to better understand their needs and the challenges they face with current cancer treatments. The insights from this work will help guide with the commercialization of the technology, ensure that it is the right fit to the market and help with the navigation of regulatory pathways. This will benefit our partner organization by giving them valuable insights into the market, helping reduce risks, and improving the chances of success when introducing a new healthcare solution.

A Multimodal Approach on Parkinson’s Disease: Structural and Functional Analysis in Freezing of Gait

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting more than 23,500 people in Quebec. Freezing of gait (FoG), a disabling motor symptom characterized by the sudden inability to initiate or continue walking, occurs in up to 80% of patients in advanced stages increasing fall risk and reeducing quality of life. While structural, diffusion, and functional MRI studies have each revealed brain alterations associated with FoG, no work has integrated these modalities.
This project aims to identify multimodal biomarkers of FoG in PD by combining voxel-based morphometry, diffusion MRI tractometry, and resting-state functional connectivity. MRI datasets from MexPD (UNAM) and HBCL (McGill) patients will be preprocessed using standardized softwares. Structural analyses will examine gray matter volume, diffusion metrics will study white matter integrity tractography, and functional connectivity will be analyzed in locomotor networks. Multimodal overlap will be assessed by mapping convergence across modalities and testing associations with clinical measures.
This will be the first multimodal study of FoG, bridging disconnection with functional network and relating these to gait impairments. This research has the potential to improve early detection and guide rehabilitation strategies supporting mobility and independence in people with PD across Canadian and Mexican cohorts.

L2M Validate / Qc Winter 2026 / Blüm: A mobile game app to prevent dementia and stroke

Dementia and stroke are growing threats to both our well-being and the healthcare system in this aging society. Research has shown that 40% of dementia cases and 60% of stroke cases may be preventable through lifestyle changes. The problem is that the general public, especially people at high risk for dementia and stroke, lacks a clear, structured and science-backed roadmap for how they can reduce their risk by changing their daily habits. Our solution, Blüm, is a free gamified mobile application designed to help users track, build, and reinforce daily habits that improve their brain health. The Brain Care Score (BCS) is used to measure their brain health status and identify areas for improvement. Personalized feedback and recommendations will be provided based on their BCS. A virtual garden and an avatar with various rewards and achievements are designed to keep users engaged and motivated. Articles in lay language will be shared regularly in the app to promote users’ health literacy. Unlike most existing brain health/wellness apps, Blüm uniquely combines scientific rigor with an engaging design and gamified framework. We will help our users reduce their risk of dementia and stroke and achieve their brain health goals in a realistic, engaging and accessible manner. Blüm has the potential to become a robust public health tool to promote healthy aging in the Canadian population. Additionally, this project will contribute to Lab2Market’s mission by demonstrating the potential of its program to support evidence-based innovation and early-stage health entrepreneurship.

L2M Validate / Qc Winter 2026 / Bellycure

This project will evaluate whether existing microbiome testing methods can be applied in a more affordable and practical way. The focus is on validating feasibility rather than creating a new approach. To do this, microbiome sequencing, analysis, and sample preparation will be outsourced to commercial facilities, ensuring reliable results at a lower cost. If the necessary permits are obtained, some steps may later be tested within the lab. The partner organization will benefit by gaining clear evidence on whether pursuing this direction is worthwhile, helping guide future decisions about accessible microbiome-based tools for patients and healthcare providers.

L2M Validate / Qc Winter 2026 / Thanos Medical Inc

Le projet de Thanos Médical vise à développer une sangle intelligente de rééducation intégrée à un fauteuil roulant à verticalisation assistée. Cette sangle textile multisensorielle permet de mesurer en temps réel les paramètres biomécaniques du patient (tension, posture, pression, mouvement) grâce à des capteurs connectés. Les données sont transmises à une application mobile sécurisée pour un suivi personnalisé par les cliniciens et les patients. L’objectif est de faciliter la télé-réadaptation et le suivi des progrès thérapeutiques, en améliorant l’autonomie des personnes à mobilité réduite. Le projet s’inscrit dans une approche multidisciplinaire combinant ingénierie biomédicale, intelligence embarquée et sciences de la réadaptation, avec un fort potentiel d’impact clinique et social.