SAULT STE. MARIE, February 13, 2015  — eQOL, a Sault Ste. Marie-based company working to enhance patient independence and a graduate of the second University of Toronto Early-Stage Technology (UTEST) incubator’s second cohort, has received $435,475 from the Ontario Government. David Orazietti, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie, made the announcement on February 13, 2015.

This announcement was covered by BetaKit, The Sault Star and SooToday.com.

The funding, which includes $415,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) and $20,475 to hire an intern under the Northern Ontario Internship Program also through NOHFC, will allow eQOL to complete clinical studies using their Dialysis Platform for Communication, Assistance and Training (DiCAT) product.

“With this support from our government, eQOL is able to use their innovative new technology in clinical studies – the first step towards commercializing the technology,” said Orazietti. “This software will not only enhance the quality of life for dialysis patients, but will also benefit our health care system and community as it streamlines processes and alleviates strain on hospital resources.”

DiCAT, a mobile technology solution for independent/home dialysis, aims to simplify and reduce the intimidation that patients experience with this self-care process. Its iPad and web-based applications provide enhanced connectivity, access to resources, and process management, which will promote a shift from in-centre care to in-home care. Successfully completing the clinical study and implementing DiCAT will allow patients who live far away from healthcare centres to receive care at home without having to relocate, which will have a great impact in northern regions.

Founded in 2012, eQOL is creating innovative solutions that allow individuals living with chronic conditions to care for themselves and transition out of a hospital setting. In addition to today’s funding announcement, in 2013 the company received a provincial investment of $100,000 to help eQOL develop stages of DiCAT.

“We are happy to have the opportunity to develop our company in Sault Ste. Marie and there has been tremendous support from the people and organizations in the community,” said Binh Nguyen, president & CEO, eQOL Inc. and a U of T graduate. “We have also received outstanding support from the Provincial government and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. We look forward to working in Sault Ste. Marie with its community members and building a truly great company.”

“Providing the best and most advanced patient focused health care to the community of Algoma is the driving goal of the Algoma Regional Renal Program and Sault Area Hospital,” says Dr. David Berry, nephrologist and medical director of the Medicine Program at Sault Area Hospital. “We are excited and proud to be working with eQOL in developing technology dedicated to that goal and making the lives of the people in our community better through improved access to health care.”