From Clinic to Combat: Canadian Biotech Adapts Healing Gel for Military

CALGARY, AB – April 27, 2026 – A revolutionary wound-healing gel already used in Canadian hospitals is being adapted for the battlefield, thanks to a new federal investment in Calgary-based startup NanoTess. The Government of Canada grant will help the biotechnology firm re-engineer its proven civilian medical technology for the unique and demanding conditions of military operations.

NanoTess is the creator of NanoSALV Catalytic, a wound and burn care treatment powered by its proprietary Catalytic Tissue-regenerating Material (CTM). This innovative technology, which has been authorized by Health Canada since 2022, is now being positioned as a critical tool for the Canadian Armed Forces, marking a significant step in Canada's strategy to leverage domestic innovation for national defense.

A New Frontier in Battlefield Medicine

Modern military conflicts present extreme medical challenges. Soldiers often suffer complex traumatic injuries in austere environments where immediate evacuation is not guaranteed. In these scenarios, the ability to stabilize wounds, prevent infection, and accelerate healing can mean the difference between recovery and permanent disability, or even life and death.

NanoTess's CTM technology is designed to meet these exact needs. Unlike traditional treatments, it employs micron-scale catalysts that leverage copper to amplify the body's own regenerative signals. The result is a versatile gel that accelerates healing, reduces inflammation, and provides a powerful, broad-spectrum defense against bacteria and viruses.

Dr. Eric Fung, a specialist with the Edmonton Firefighters Burn Treatment Unit at the University of Alberta Hospital, has used NanoSALV Catalytic to treat traumatic thermal injuries and complex wounds that closely mirror those seen in combat.

"I have used it in patients with poor access to care and seen it support prolonged dressing intervals, reduce pain, accelerate epithelialization, and hasten surgical and chronic wound recovery," Dr. Fung stated. He sees a direct application for the military, explaining that it could mean "a faster recovery and return-to-duty from soft tissue injuries and burns and a chance to stabilize wounds longer, reduce dressing complexity, and preserve limbs when evacuation is contested."

The technology's robustness is a key factor. NanoTess co-founder and CEO, Megan Leslie, describes CTM as a "Swiss Army Knife for healing in the field."

"The catalysts within CTM are designed to be tough, durable, and versatile, making them well-suited to austere environments and extreme temperatures," Leslie explained. The gel conforms to irregular wound shapes and remains effective over long periods, making it ideal for the unpredictable and often inhospitable conditions faced by military personnel.

Proven on the Home Front

Before its potential as a defense asset was fully realized, NanoSALV Catalytic established a strong track record within Canada's civilian healthcare system. After receiving Health Canada authorization in 2022, the product was adopted by major provincial health authorities, including Alberta Health Services and the BC Provincial Health Services Authority.

Today, it is accessible in over 2,500 hospitals and 14,000 pharmacies nationwide. Its classification as a medical device, rather than a drug, places it in an entirely new treatment category, highlighting its unique catalytic mechanism of action. The technology doesn't introduce foreign active pharmaceutical ingredients but instead enhances the body's innate healing capacity.

The gel's effectiveness has been particularly notable in challenging patient populations. Frontline healthcare workers, including paramedics and community health teams, have successfully used NanoSALV Catalytic to treat individuals experiencing homelessness, who often face complex healing challenges due to limited access to shelter and sanitation.

"NanoSALV Catalytic's durability and effectiveness is proven by frontline healthcare heroes from coast to coast," said Leslie. "Through our continued dialogue with these incredible teams, we know that our technology makes a difference in the lives of people with complex healing challenges, every day." This real-world validation in difficult, resource-limited civilian settings provides a powerful proof-of-concept for its deployment in military field operations.

Canada's Dual-Use Innovation Strategy

The investment in NanoTess is not an isolated event but a clear example of Canada's growing emphasis on "dual-use" technologies—innovations with applications in both civilian and military sectors. This strategy aims to build sovereign capabilities, strengthen national security, and foster economic growth by investing in Canadian companies.

Federal programs like Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) are designed to bridge the gap between commercial innovators and defense needs, ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces have access to cutting-edge solutions. By supporting companies like NanoTess, the government accelerates the delivery of critical capabilities by utilizing technologies that have already been validated in the commercial market.

Kathryn Ambler, Executive Director of Alberta Aviation, Aerospace and Defence, emphasized the strategic importance of this approach. "High-value dual-use innovations, such as NanoSALV Catalytic, significantly accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities to our military through the utilization of proven, validated technologies," she explained. "By driving advancements in both the civilian and military sectors, companies like NanoTess play a key role in meeting the nation's goals for technological advantage within the Canadian Armed Forces while fundamentally improving lives globally."

This approach creates a symbiotic relationship: military funding helps de-risk and advance technologies that can later flow back into the civilian market, while proven civilian products provide the military with reliable, off-the-shelf advantages.

The Path from Lab to Front Line

For NanoTess, this new funding brings its journey full circle. The company, founded in 2020 by Megan Leslie and Julian Mulia, received its first seed of defense-related funding in early 2021 with a grant from Canadian National Defence for early-stage research and development. The team then successfully commercialized the technology for the broader healthcare market, building a robust product and a strong distribution network.

Receiving this subsequent government grant to specifically adapt the now-commercialized product for defense applications validates the technology's dual-use potential and marks a major milestone for the Calgary startup. It represents a strategic progression from initial research to a market-proven product now being tailored for a high-stakes, specialized application.

To further bridge the gap into the defense sector, NanoTess is actively engaging with industry leaders and military stakeholders. The company is scheduled to present its technology at several key defense conferences this spring, including the Trauma Association of Canada Conference in Calgary, the Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence Summit in Edmonton, and the major Canadian Association of Defence and Securities Conference (CANSEC) in Ottawa. This proactive engagement is crucial for translating a promising technology into a standard-issue piece of life-saving equipment for those serving on the front lines.