About Us
We are a Canadian-based technology company engaged in the development and commercialization of products that prevent and remove microbial biofilms.
About Kane
The Company was formed in 2001 to study the genetic mechanisms of biofilm formation, which has led to the discovery of novel compounds that inhibit or disrupt biofilms.
Mission Statement
To improve Human and Animal welfare through the research and development of solutions to biofilms and anti-microbial resistance.
Vision
To be recognized as THE Biofilm company. We aim to discover, develop and commercialize technologies that resolve the biofilm problem and improve quality of life.
Our Location
Kane Biotech’s offices and laboratories are located in the University of Manitoba Smartpark Innovation Hub. It includes two independent analytical laboratories and three independent and well-equipped microbiology suites.
Click on the Matterport links to take an immersive 3D virtual tour of Kane Biotech’s offices and laboratories.
Smartpark is a world-class research and technology park adjacent to the University of Manitoba, the most research-intensive university campus in the Province of Manitoba. Smartpark’s vision is “Building a Community of Innovators” on the doorstep of the University of Manitoba. Smartpark continues to advance its mission, vision and mandate to become a symbol of science, innovation and advanced technology at the University of Manitoba while also playing a wider role within the regional knowledge-based economy.
Corporate Strategy
Kane Biotech is a discovery and development company focused on novel products that prevent and disperse bacterial biofilms. Kane was formed to translate these discoveries into innovative solutions for human and animal health, as well as industrial applications. Kane’s commercial strategy is to create value for shareholders through the establishment of global partnerships and licensing agreements with leading companies to commercialize our innovations. To de-risk our technologies towards commercialization we will conduct more advanced clinical studies and achieve regulatory and safety certifications.
Discovery
- Internal discovery of novel technologies that inhibit and disperse biofilms and control microbial infections
- In-licensing of exclusive, novel biofilm technologies: University of Toronto and University of Manitoba – Canada, Rutgers University – USA
Development
- Develop and test prototypes
- Conduct pre-clinical performance tests
- Examine durability, stability and biocompatibility
- Joint development agreements or partner assisted clinical trials
Commercialization
- Partnerships or licensing agreements are developed with leading companies to manufacture and commercialize products.
- Test products for market acceptance and create brands for market launch.
Our Team
Meet the people behind Kane Biotech.
Management Team
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Marc Edwards
Bromont, Québec, Canada
President, Chief Executive Officer, Director
Mr. Edwards was appointed as the President and CEO of the Corporation on September 10, 2018. He is the founder and President of VétRx Inc., a Montreal‐ based technology company specializing in data collection, cleansing, marketing and pharmaceutical compliance for the veterinary industry. He also co-founded and was vice president of Oxygen Corporate Health from 2003 to 2008 which was later acquired by CGI Inc. Mr. Edwards holds a bachelor’s degree (Finance) from l’Université de Sherbrooke and an MBA from Concordia University. He is also the Board Chair of STEM Animal Health, a subsidiary of the Corporation, and is a Board member and past Chair of Toujour Ensemble Inc.
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Ray Dupuis
Chief Financial Officer
Ray Dupuis joined Kane Biotech as Chief Financial Officer in September 2017. Mr. Dupuis has more than 25 years of financial leadership experience across a broad range of industries including 15 years at a rapidly growing public biotechnology company and brings to the organization considerable financial acumen and strategic skills. Mr. Dupuis is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) and possesses Bachelor of Science (Biology), Bachelor of Arts (Administrative Studies) and Master of Business Administration (Finance) degrees.
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Dr. Nanda Yakandawala
Vice President, Research & Development
Nanda Yakandawala joined Kane Biotech in 2003 and leads the Company’s research efforts. Originally graduating with his B.Sc. from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, Dr. Yakandawala completed his M.Sc. in biotechnology at the University of Adelaide in Australia followed by his Ph.D. in molecular biology at the Swiss Federal Institute in Zurich. Dr. Yakandawala is a recognized expert in biofilms and is widely published in his field.
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Wendy Nachtigall
Director, Marketing
Wendy Nachtigall joined Kane Biotech in October 2015 as Director, Retail. With 15+ years in the marketing communications industry, Ms. Nachtigall brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in planning, implementing and evaluating strategic marketing and communications initiatives in the consumer, institutional and B2B sectors, including new product and service introductions, brand development strategies and growth of business. Ms. Nachtigall has a proven track record in project management, as well as developing and maintaining long-term business relationships.
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Lori Christofalos
VP, Quality & Compliance
Lori Christofalos joined Kane Biotech as VP, Quality & Compliance in August 2019. Ms. Christofalos has over 25 years of leadership experience in Quality, Compliance, Validation and Regulatory Affairs in regulated Pharma industry in both domestic and international domains. In addition to this she brings to the organization extensive knowledge of Strategic Planning and process development. Ms. Christofalos has served on Industry boards, is a member of ASQ and holds a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) and a diploma in Bioengineering-Chemical Technology.
Scientific Advisory Board
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Dr. Gordon Guay
Chairman of Kane’s Scientific Advisory Board and Scientific Advisor to the CEO
Dr. Gordon Guay has over twenty-five years of experience in R&D and new product development. He has worked as a Research Fellow at Proctor and Gamble serving as the lead scientist within a range of different P&G business units including: Oral-B, Gillette, Olay, Right Guard, CoverGirl, Max Factor and Duracell. Gordon has received over 11 international awards for new products developed while he is working at P&G. Prior to P&G, Gordon was the Director of Research at Catalytic Antibodies Inc. Gordon received a Ph.D. in molecular genetics from the University of Illinois. His research focused on bacterial resistance to sulfonamides. He also conducted post-Doctoral work at Lederle Laboratories on substrate specificity of tetracycline efflux pumps.
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Dr. Gregory Schultz
Chief Scientific Officer
Gregory Schultz, PhD, is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Institute for Wound Research at the University of Florida. A major area of his research focuses on defining the role of bacterial biofilms in stimulating chronic inflammation and proteases that impair healing in chronic wounds. Dr. Schultz has co-authored 400 scientific publications that have been cited over 23,000 times, has received $38 million USD in grant support as Principal Investigator or Co-investigator, is an inventor on 36 patents, and is a co-founder of two biotech companies in the areas of antimicrobial coatings and anti-scarring drugs. He served as President of the Wound Healing Society (1999-2001) and as a member of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (2007-2010). In 2021, Dr. Schultz was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
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Rivka (Rashieda) Gluck
Scientific Advisory Board Member
Ms. Gluck currently serves as Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Operations at Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. since February 2018 and has also served as its Vice President of Clinical Operations since January 1, 2016. She previously served as Vice President of Clinical Operations at Qu Biologics Inc., where she led the clinical development of their platform immunotherapeutic treatments. Prior to that, Ms. Gluck served as Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Operations at Vifor Pharmaceuticals, based in Zurich Switzerland post acquisition of Aspreva Pharmaceuticals where she was Vice President of Clinical Operations. In her career, Ms. Gluck served in increasingly senior positions at major pharmaceutical companies including Novartis, Organon, and GSK. Ms. Gluck holds a B.Sc. in Nursing from the University of British Columbia.
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Dr. Robert Huizinga
Scientific Advisory Board Member
Dr. Huizinga is the Executive Vice-President of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. Prior to this, he was the VP, Clinical Affairs for Isotechnika from 2002-2013. He has been involved in more than 80 clinical trials from Phase I through Phase IV and the successful development of numerous compounds. Dr. Huizinga holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership, a Masters in Clinical Epidemiology, holds his Nephrology certification and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau. He holds a certificate in leadership from EQUIP Leadership.
Board of Directors
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Marc Edwards
Bromont, Québec, Canada
President, Chief Executive Officer, Director
Mr. Edwards was appointed as the President and CEO of the Corporation on September 10, 2018. He is the founder and President of VétRx Inc., a Montreal‐ based technology company specializing in data collection, cleansing, marketing and pharmaceutical compliance for the veterinary industry. He also co-founded and was vice president of Oxygen Corporate Health from 2003 to 2008 which was later acquired by CGI Inc. Mr. Edwards holds a bachelor’s degree (Finance) from l’Université de Sherbrooke and an MBA from Concordia University. He is also the Board Chair of STEM Animal Health, a subsidiary of the Corporation, and is a Board member and past Chair of Toujour Ensemble Inc.
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Georges Morin
Westmount, Québec, Canada
Director
Mr. Morin is a corporate director who sits on the Boards of Strom Spa in Montreal, Immervision Inc. (Chair from 2010 to 2019), la Chamber de sécurité financière (Audit Committee and Chair of the Human Resources Committee), the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (Executive Committee and Chair of the Marketing Committee) and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities (Audit Committee). As a founding partner of Cossette, Canada’s largest communications group, Mr. Morin was instrumental in the growth of the firm nationally from 1973 until he left the firm in 2009. Mr. Morin holds a BA in Business Administration from Laval University as well as an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and has completed the Owner/President Management program at Harvard University.
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Philip Renaud
Milan, Italy
Director
Mr. Renaud is Chairman, CEO and President of Redecam Group, a global leader in providing highly engineered industrial air pollution control solutions. A graduate of Franklin College of Switzerland with a Bachelor of Arts in international financial management, Mr. Renaud has been instrumental in securing many private equity financings and has an extensive European and North American network. He is a past director and chairman of a number of publicly traded companies including Sierra Metals Inc.
Careers
Working at Kane
Kane Biotech is always looking for bright, talented, and hard working individuals to add to our high performing team.
If you would like the opportunity to work in an exciting and innovative biotech industry, send in your resume for possible future openings.