Pitching for solutions: Tackling healthcare challenges in Estonia & Nova Scotia

Join us for the second collaboration event between Tehnopol Science and Business Park, the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub and Life Sciences Nova Scotia!

Date: May 29th 2025
Time: 3PM to 5PM Estonian time, 9AM to 11AM Nova Scotia time
Format: Online via Teams (the event will be recorded)

Following the success of our first event, where we explored the healthcare markets, soft-landing opportunities, and funding possibilities, this time, we’re diving deeper into the real-world challenges and solutions shaping both ecosystems.

The event kicks off with clinical representatives from Estonia and Nova Scotia sharing the key problems they currently face and the types of solutions they’re seeking. This will be followed by a pitching session featuring eight innovative life science companies – four from each region – who will present their cutting-edge solutions, followed by an engaging Q&A.

Event is moderated by Madli Rahuvarm, Healthtech development specialist at Tehnopol Science and Business park, and Krista Bezanson, VP Business Development and Strategy at Life Sciences Nova Scotia.

Agenda

09:00-09:05 / 15:00–15:05 Welcoming words from Merilin Varsamaa, Director of Healthtech at Tehnopol Science and Buisness Park

09:05-09:20 / 15:05–15:20 Challenges and Potential Technological Solutions at North Estonia Medical Centre – Insights from Terje Peetso, Chief Medical Innovation Officer

09:20-09:35 / 15:20–15:35 June Tavenor, Senior Director, Innovation Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub

09:35-09:45 / 15:35–15:45 ELDYcare (EST), Ruta Labalaukyte, Head of Partnerships, Country Manager

09:45-09:55 / 15:45–15:55 Better Medicine (EST), Chris McKee, Managing Director

09:55-10:05 / 15:55–16:05 Dermtest (EST), Priit Kruus, CEO

10:05-10:15 / 16:05–16:15 Nanordica Medical (EST), Olesja Bondarenko, CEO

10:15-10:25 / 16:15–16:25 Scotiaderm (NS), Johanna Mercer, CEO

10:25-10:35 / 16:25–16:35 DeCell Technologies Inc. (NS), Sean Margueratt, CEO and Cofounder

10:35-10:45 / 16:35–16:45 Theranib Inc. (NS), Paola Marcato, Co-President

10:45-10:55 / 16:45–16:55 PITCH 8 company TBC (NS)

10:55-11:00 / 16:55–17:00 Closing words

Join us to discover some of the most promising healthtech innovations and connect with potential future collaboration partners!

North Estonia Medical Centre is one of the largest and most advanced hospitals in the Baltic region, providing high-quality specialist care in oncology, cardiology, psychiatry, trauma, and more. With over 4,800 staff and strong ties to academic and research institutions, PERH is a leading teaching hospital and a hub for medical innovation. The hospital integrates digital health solutions and advanced therapies, including nuclear medicine and precision oncology, to enhance patient outcomes and drive healthcare development.

ELDYcare is a digital care management platform designed to streamline operations for nursing homes and home care providers. By centralising care plans, scheduling, communication, and compliance tracking, ELDYcare enhances care quality, reduces administrative burdens, and fosters collaboration among caregivers, families, and service providers. The platform supports mobile access, automated documentation, and regulatory compliance, making it a comprehensive solution for modern care management.

Better Medicine is an AI-driven health technology company transforming oncology diagnostics through a holistic, multi-organ approach in medical imaging. Its flagship platform, BMVision, combines advanced AI models with intuitive imaging tools to assist radiologists in detecting, classifying, and managing primary and metastatic lesions across the entire body. By integrating both fully automated and human-guided lesion management strategies, Better Medicine delivers immediate value while accelerating the path to full-body diagnostic coverage. With a focus on streamlining radiology workflows and enabling secure data sharing, Better Medicine aims to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce clinician workload, and support earlier, more precise cancer detection. Notably, the company developed the world’s first CE-certified AI software for kidney tumor detection, underscoring its commitment to innovation and better patient outcomes.

Dermtest is a digital health platform that empowers healthcare providers to improve the early detection and management of skin conditions, including melanoma, chronic wounds, psoriasis. By enabling secure clinical photo capture, specialist teleconsults and remote patient monitoring (RPM), Dermtest supports faster diagnoses, better treatment decisions, and seamless integration with clinical workflows. Our special RPM model Dermapy is a clinically validated country-wide model to improve life-quality of patients with psoriasis and other complex chronic skin conditions.

Nanordica Medical is a healthtech company developing first-in-class wound care products for fast healing of chronic wounds. Their products are based on PREMOTIV® nanotechnology designed to prevent infection and promote wound healing simultaneously and is therefore suitable for infected wounds and wounds at risk of infection. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Nanordica’s flagship product, an advanced antibacterial wound dressing, supports healing of diabetic foot ulcers nearly twice as fast as traditional treatments. Nanordica Medical’s mission is to improve wound management, reduce healthcare costs, and help hundreds of millions of people with wounds by developing innovative products that prevent infection and promote wound closure simultaneously.

Scotiaderm Inc. is a Top 5 Canadian Women-led Impact company dedicated to solving the hidden and stigmatized wound care problem, Moisture Associated Skin Damage. Their proprietary Dermategrity products are differentiated between Prevention and Treatment to be quickly, safely and effectively managed for MASD. Scotiaderm’s Mission is to have the Standard of Care transformed.

DeCell Technologies Inc. is a Canadian regenerative medicine company focused on advancing wound care with its flagship product, DermGEN™ — a next-generation human-derived tissue matrix designed to accelerate healing in chronic and complex wounds. Backed by clinical evidence and trusted by leading hospitals, DermGEN™ delivers superior outcomes while reducing the burden on healthcare systems. DeCell is committed to transforming patient care by offering effective, easy-to-use solutions that align with hospital priorities of cost savings, efficiency, and improved quality of care.

Theranib Inc. is a Nova Scotian biotechnology startup co-founded by Dr. Paola Marcato and Dr. Concettina La Motta. Theranib is developing precision medicine-based cancer therapies to stop metastasis. Metastasis accounts for 90% of cancer-related deaths, yet no therapies specifically target ALDH1A3, a key driver of metastasis and tumor growth. Theranib’s precision medicine approach combines an innovative small molecule drug with a biomarker assay to identify patients most likely to benefit, ensuring maximum efficacy and minimal side effects. Preclinical studies have demonstrated significant reductions in tumor growth and metastasis, positioning Theranib as a transformative solution for patients with metastatic cancers such as breast, lung, and melanoma. Backed by world-leading expertise in cancer biology and drug design, Theranib is poised to address a critical unmet need in oncology. By targeting a rapidly growing $400 billion global cancer market, Theranib aims to improve patient health and deliver strong returns for investors.