TRIUMF Innovations has successfully launched five of TRIUMF’s companies into the market.
ARTMS Inc.
Operating as a standalone company since 2016, ARTMS was founded by TRIUMF scientists to tackle projected shortages of of the world’s most-used diagnostic imaging isotope, technetium‐99m (Tc-99m). Today is a successful, venture-funded company with over 40 employees whose ARTMS's QUANTM Irradiation System allows hospitals to use their existing medical cyclotrons for the production of medical isotopes vital to patient care. Their technology has expanded from Technetium production to PET isotopes like Gallium-68. The latest round of funding in May 2020 has allowed ARTMS to focus on partners that need to produce large volumes of PET isotopes like Gallium-68 and Zirconium-89 used in the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals for Molecular Imaging studies, along with securing the proper regulatory approvals for this type of production and usage.
In 2021, ARTMS made a Health Canada submission for the production of diagnostic medical isotope Gallium-68 in co-operation with POINT Biopharma and the Canadian Molecular Imaging Probe Consortium and announced the production of Zirconium-89 using the QUANTM Irradiation System.
In 2024, Telix, an Australian-based, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) radiopharmaceuticals, entered into an agreement to acquire ARTMS. The acquisition includes ARMTS’ advanced cyclotron-based isotope production platform, manufacturing plant, and stockpile of ultra-pure rare metals required for consumable target production.
Telix expects to continue to operate and expand ARTMS’ R&D and production capabilities at the Burnaby location to support in-house and customer needs.
Ideon Technologies Inc.
Spun off from TRIUMF in 2018, Ideon Technologies Inc. is a world pioneer in the application of cosmic-ray muon tomography. Ideon has developed a discovery platform that integrates proprietary detectors, imaging systems, inversion technologies, and artificial intelligence techniques to provide x-ray-like visibility up to 1 km beneath the Earth’s surface – and their world-first miniaturized detectors deployable in narrow boreholes promise to improve the fidelity of these images. By detecting subsurface muons and transforming the data into reliable geophysical surveys and 3D density maps, Ideon helps geologists identify new mineral and metal deposits with precision and confidence. They drill less and discover more with Ideon – reducing cost and risk, saving time, and minimizing environmental impact.
In 2023, Ideon received a Governor General’s Innovation Award for low-impact mining technology.
Micromatter Technologies Inc.
Micromatter was founded in 1968 to manufacture thin carbon foils for the scientific community. Over the years, its business has expanded to include accelerator target foils and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) calibration standards, leading TRIUMF to acquire its assets in 2009; in 2015, Micromatter was again spun off as a separate incorporated company.
Micromatter products have applications in air quality monitoring, trace element detection, and particle accelerators. Their unique vapor deposition methods and significant capabilities in diamond-like carbon synthesis set them apart in target foil production and other key areas.
In 2016, Micromatter received the Surrey Innovation Award for their continuing commitment to excellence in accelerator target foils and XRF calibration standards.
IKOMED
Developers of systems to reduce X-ray radiation exposure during surgery and treatments for emphysema, IKOMED is a Burnaby, BC-based startup launched in 2010 with support from TRIUMF Innovations. IKOMED’s AI-guided x-ray shuttering system protects patients and medical staff during minimally-invasive procedures, including arterial stent procedures and neurological studies. Their in-development device for treating emphysema, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), will enable non-invasive treatments using radiofrequencies to target diseased tissue. Emphysema affects millions of people globally, and many more undergo procedures using x-rays each year; IKOMED technologies enable them to benefit from safe, effective treatment.
In 2023, IKOMED was selected as a finalist for the BCTECH Company of the Year Growth Award.
D-Pace - TRIUMF collaborator
D-Pace supplies products to the international commercial accelerator industry. Their areas of expertise include beamline systems, beam diagnostic devices, and ion sources for research, industrial, and commercial accelerator systems. With cyclotron component technologies licensed from TRIUMF since 2001, D-Pace provides ion sources for the production of H-, D-, C2-, and other ions. In 2014, electromagnet manufacturer Buckley Systems purchased a 50% stake in D-Pace, enabling a collaboration which has developed and commercialized approximately a dozen new products for the particle accelerator market.
