Life Sciences

Health Technology, Biotechnology and Clinical Innovation

Halifax is one of Canada’s most connected emerging life sciences hubs, combining health technology, biotechnology and clinical research within a collaborative ecosystem. Halifax stands out for its clinical-trial activity, coordinated provincial health system, specialized research infrastructure and strengths in vaccines, medical technology, neuroscience, genomics, and marine biotechnology.

Nova Scotia Health researchers participate in more than 1,400 projects annually, involving approximately 17,500 participants. This activity gives Halifax a strong foundation for clinical research, healthcare system partnerships, and evidence-based innovation.

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Industry Partners

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency supports life sciences companies and sector organizations through federal funding, business-growth programs, commercialization assistance, export development and investment-attraction initiatives.

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Atlantic Clinical Trials Network

The Atlantic Clinical Trials Network connects clinical-research capacity across all four Atlantic provinces, helping sponsors and researchers identify sites, expertise and patient populations for clinical studies.

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Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute

The Halifax-based Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute connects researchers, clinicians and trainees across Atlantic Canada to advance collaborative cancer research, training and innovation spanning laboratory science, clinical care and population health.

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Brain Repair Centre

The Halifax-based Brain Repair Centre connects scientists, clinicians and trainees from Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health to advance research and care related to diseases and injuries of the brain and nervous system.

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Canadian Center for Vaccinology

Based at IWK Health in Halifax, the Canadian Center for Vaccinology brings together Dalhousie University, IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health to advance vaccine discovery, clinical trials, infectious-disease research and public-health policy.

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Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university, contributing expertise in medicine, health, engineering, artificial intelligence, ocean science and biotechnology to Halifax’s life sciences ecosystem.

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Genome Atlantic

Genome Atlantic helps companies, researchers and governments use genomics to solve challenges in human health, aquaculture, agriculture, forestry, environmental sustainability and other regional industries.

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Halifax Partnership

Halifax Partnership is the city’s public-private economic development organization, working to attract investment, support business growth, strengthen key sectors and promote Halifax’s life sciences capabilities to companies and talent.

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IWK Health

IWK Health is an academic health sciences centre specializing in care, research and innovation for women, children, youth and families across the Maritime provinces.

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Life Sciences of Nova Scotia

Life Sciences Nova Scotia is the provincial industry association supporting sector growth through advocacy, partnerships, professional development and commercialization programs for life sciences companies and innovators.

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National Research Council (NRC)

The National Research Council operates specialized Halifax-area facilities supporting human health therapeutics, zebrafish research, natural-products analysis, algal science and marine biotechnology.

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Natural Products Canada

Headquartered in Halifax, Natural Products Canada helps Canadian companies develop, finance and commercialize naturally derived products and technologies for health, food, agriculture and sustainable industry.

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Neptune Bioinnovation

Located in Dartmouth, Neptune BioInnovation Centre provides industrial-scale fermentation, processing and manufacturing infrastructure to help biotechnology companies commercialize and scale bio-based products in Canada.

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Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub

The Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub connects researchers, clinicians, industry and government partners to advance health innovation, clinical research and the adoption of new technologies across the provincial health system.

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QEII Health Sciences Centre

The QEII Health Sciences Centre is Atlantic Canada’s largest adult health sciences centre, providing specialized care, research and clinical training in areas including cancer, cardiovascular health, neurosciences and transplantation.

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Springboard Atlantic

Springboard Atlantic connects companies with researchers across 19 Atlantic Canadian universities and colleges, providing commercialization funding, intellectual-property guidance and support for industry–academic research partnerships.

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Why Halifax for Life Sciences Conferences and Events

Centralized Access, Clinical Reach

Halifax’s universities, academic hospitals and innovation organizations are connected to a centralized health system serving urban, regional and rural communities. For event planners, this creates access to clinicians, researchers, clinical-trial leaders, and real-world healthcare perspectives that can strengthen speaker programs, technical sessions and site visits. Nova Scotia Health supports approximately 400 active clinical trials at any time, while the Atlantic Clinical Trials Network extends those connections across Atlantic Canada.

Commercial Momentum & Industry connections

Halifax’s growing life sciences ecosystem gives planners access to emerging companies, experienced entrepreneurs, investors and commercialization partners who can contribute speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and startup programming. Nova Scotia’s sector supports more than 2,000 jobs and contributes an estimated $200 million to provincial GDP. In 2025, Halifax-area medical technology companies raised 81.8 million, demonstrating strong commercial activity and investor interest.

Expert Speakers and Cross-Sector Perspectives

Halifax’s 6 universities, 3 academic teaching hospitals and specialized research organizations provide a strong pool of researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and emerging professionals for conference programs and local host committees. A collaborative life sciences ecosystem with connections to artificial intelligence, engineering, ocean science, and advanced materials also make it easier to build interdisciplinary sessions.


The Atlantic Ocean Advantage

Halifax offers life sciences conferences a direct connection to ocean research and marine biotechnology that inland destinations cannot easily replicate. Local experts are developing health products, biomaterials and other high-value innovations from seaweed, algae, and seafood byproducts. This expertise can support distinctive speakers, sustainability-focused sessions and technical visits to coastal and marine research facilities.


Halifax Life Sciences Expertise

Digital Health – Transforming Care Through Data and Technology

Halifax’s digital health sector combines healthcare system access with expertise in artificial intelligence, health informatics, clinical bioinformatics, precision medicine and human-centred technology. The Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub serves as a first-of-its-kind centre of excellence in Atlantic Canada, connecting clinicians, researchers and companies to test, evaluate, and scale healthcare system solutions within a unified provincial health system.

Nova Scotia Health has also launched first-in-Canada technology that integrates oncology information in real time, while the IWK Centre for Clinical Bioinformatics supports data-driven precision medicine with appropriate privacy, security, and ethical governance.

Medical Technology – Engineering Better Health

Halifax’s medical technology sector brings engineers, clinicians, researchers and companies together to develop new diagnostics, medical devices, imaging systems, biomaterials, and surgical technologies. Dalhousie University’s biomedical engineering researchers work across medical imaging, implanted devices, tissue engineering, and novel biomaterials, while Nova Scotia Health provides a coordinated environment for testing technologies in clinical care.

Halifax’s med-tech capacity sits within a broader life sciences ecosystem of more than 100 companies spanning medical devices, digital health, biotechnology, and bioproducts.

Natural Products & Bioproducts — Natural Resources Become New Solutions

Halifax’s natural products and bioproducts sector draws on Nova Scotia’s marine biodiversity, agricultural resources and expertise in biotechnology, biomaterials, and process engineering. Researchers and companies are transforming seaweed, algae, seafood byproducts and other biological resources into health products, functional ingredients, advanced materials, and sustainable technologies.

The NRC’s Marine Research Station in Ketch Harbour supports algae cultivation and the recovery of valuable compounds from marine resources, while Natural Products Canada helps Canadian innovations reach market. Dartmouth-based Acadian Seaplants has built a global business around high-value seaweed products, and the emerging Neptune BioInnovation Centre will add commercial-scale precision-fermentation and spray-drying capacity.

Neurology – Brain Research Hub

With over 200 clinical trials in neurology underway at any time, Halifax is a focal point for new discoveries. The Brain Repair Centre unites researchers investigating therapies for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, brain injury, migraines and more. Halifax is also a global leader in pain research, especially pediatric pain, shaping treatments used around the world.

Oncology – Advancing Cancer Research and Care

Halifax is a leading centre for cancer research, oncology innovation and clinical trials in Atlantic Canada. More than 50 principal investigators work across cancer biology, immunotherapy, precision medicine, diagnostics, and treatment.

Nova Scotia Health supports approximately 30 to 50 active oncology trials across medical, radiation, and surgical oncology, including studies that have achieved world-first patient recruitment. Its 10-year partnership with Varian, valued at up to $175 million, is also bringing advanced imaging, treatment technologies, software, and digital solutions into cancer care.

Pediatrics – Leadership in Children’s Health

Halifax offers conference organizers direct access to one of Atlantic Canada’s strongest pediatric health and research communities. Anchored by IWK Health, a specialized academic health sciences centre for women, children, youth, and families, the city brings together approximately 120 investigators and 400 research employees; supported by 64,000 square feet of dedicated research space.

Halifax expertise spans pediatric pain, vaccines, neonatal health, autism, genomics, precision medicine, and surgical innovation. Internationally recognized research centres, close connections between scientists and clinicians, and a strong record of hosting pediatric health conferences give organizers access to knowledgeable speakers, potential collaborators, and meaningful local content for scientific and medical programs.

Pharmaceuticals & Vaccines – Innovating from Lab to Market

Halifax is advancing pharmaceuticals, vaccines and biotechnology from early research through clinical testing and commercialization. The city’s collaborative ecosystem connects researchers, hospitals, health-system partners, and growing biopharma companies working in vaccine development, immunotherapy, infectious disease, and drug discovery.

Nova Scotia Health supports approximately 400 clinical trials at any given time, while the Atlantic Clinical Trials Network extends access across a regional population of roughly 2.5 million people. The Canadian Center for Vaccinology adds more than 20 investigators working across vaccine discovery, clinical evaluation, implementation, policy and ethics, strengthening Halifax’s role as a launchpad for health innovations with national and global potential.

Watch & Learn More

Sit back and listen to the Discover Halifax Podcast and watch a sector overview video: