Our Technologies Launched Here
We’ve been on an adventure-filled journey of innovation for the last three decades, pushing boundaries to imagine – and realize – the seemingly impossible.
Our Key Milestones
Pre-Octane research yields new biomaterial discoveries
Nineteen years before co-founding the Octane Group of Companies with Ian Grant as business partner, Tim Smith leads a commercial biomaterials research collaboration with University of Toronto and Queens University, at a time when industry-academia partnerships are uncommon and undervalued. This leads to a patented biomaterial formulation, an innovation for osteoporosis diagnostics, and the forerunner of Octane’s skeletal reconstruction technology.
Our diagnostic tech takes off
As part of a NASA and Canadian Space Agency microgravity research program, the osteoporosis diagnostic technology is brought aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery to study bone loss in astronauts. Tim Smith is part of a team of scientists and engineers that designs a new instrumentation approach using disposable, cell culture bioreactor components. This unconventional design allows for extensive pre-flight testing on the ground and uncovers greater insights into the clinical significance of the microgravity results.
Integration: Cell therapy instrumentation meets tissue engineering and implants
In search of new applications for the space-age technology, the scientific team identifies an opportunity to use its instrumentation concepts to automate the development and clinical use of cell therapies. The team partners with Swiss medical products company Sulzer Orthopedics, in an initiative that connects cell therapy instrumentation with tissue engineering and medical implants. This integration lays the foundation for Octane’s game-changing regenerative medicine platforms.
Advancing work into skeletal reconstruction technology
As its cell culture and tissue engineering projects continue to advance, the team further develops the skeletal reconstruction technology, driving it successfully through product and process validation, regulatory approval and into onsite manufacturing. The first implants for spinaI reconstruction are launched through a new global partner program. The team is now active across three technology platforms and multiple multinational partners.
The genesis of Cocoon: Octane’s automated cell and tissue therapy system
The game-changing clinical potential for the cell culture and tissue engineering platform is defined and crystallized through a new vision for patient-scale production of personalized cellular therapy products such as cell-based implants. This is the genesis of Cocoon, Octane’s patient-scale automated production system for cell and tissue therapy.
Innovation takes shape in the Octane Group of Companies
In the midst of challenging economic times, the close team of scientists, engineers and product specialists reorganize to form the Octane Group of Companies. This new structure ensures each technology has a distinct corporate champion to form dedicated global partnerships for market access, and to deliver on development and commercialization goals.
We’re GMP-certified
Octane receives Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification for its clean room facility, designed for production of medical devices for therapeutics and implantation.
Octane expands technical team and programs
Octane expands the technical team responsible for the development of the Cocoon platform, to include mechanical, thermal and software engineering specialists. As part of this move, the company sets up separate programs focusing on orthopedics, stem cells and immunotherapy.
We partner with Aesculap Biologics and commission cutting-edge facility
Octane enters into a partnership agreement with Aesculap Biologics, LLC. This collaboration connects Octane’s tissue engineering technology with Cocoon to generate game-changing solutions for the clinical production of replacement cartilage for the knee. 2012 also sees the commissioning of a 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Octane medical design and production facility in Kingston.
Our collaboration with Jubilant begins
Together with Jubilant Radiopharma, Octane undertakes production process design and ongoing manufacturing of radioisotope patient infusion lines for RUBY-FILL, the most advanced Positron Emission Tomography delivery system for diagnosing soft tissue diseases.
Lonza Group comes on board to evaluate Cocoon
Octane and Lonza Group in Switzerland team up for an exclusive technology evaluation of Cocoon for personalized cell therapy manufacturing on a global scale.
A great partnership: Octane + Lonza
Octane Biotech — the Octane venture focused on cell therapy automation — concludes a commercialization partnership with Lonza, focusing on clinical introduction for immunotherapy applications. Lonza subsequently acquires a controlling stake in Octane Biotech to further accelerate clinical adoption of the platform in targeted markets.
Lonza acquires controlling stake in Octane Biotech
Lonza acquires a controlling stake in Octane Biotech to further accelerate the clinical adoption of the Cocoon platform.
New multi-year agreement with Jubilant
Octane Clinical Systems signs a new multi-year development and manufacturing agreement with Jubilant Life Sciences, enabling significant investment in robotic assembly of fluid pathway systems.
Octane introduces its next generation spinal implant
Built with Octane HyperPEEK — an advanced biocomposite that combines regenerative properties with extra strength — the Octane Exo Spinal implant is engineered for better implant integration and enhanced intervertebral stability.
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Octane Today
Building on our history of breakthrough insights into the linkages between biology, biomaterials and bioreactors, Octane continues to innovate with products that accelerate healing, improve outcomes and restore quality of life.
Through our ventures, we advance our innovations well beyond proof-of-concept to manufacturing and full global commercialization with our multinational partners. After more than three decades, we’re still pushing boundaries to make regenerative medicine the standard of care for all.
Our Vision and Team
It takes a collaborative team of drivers, out-of-the-box thinkers and tenacious science sleuths to bring our vision, of regenerative medicine as the standard of care, from laboratory bench to clinical application. Meet the masterminds at Octane.
Innovate With Us
Want to be part of a driving vision to transform healthcare through cutting-edge regenerative medicine? If you’re a forward-thinking team player in search of a forward-thinking team, Octane may be just the place for you.
Partner with Us
Be the game changer in your market with pioneering regenerative medicine solutions from Octane Innovations. Contact our business development team to explore opportunities in your area of specialization.
