Canada is quickly becoming a hotbed for biotech innovation, with new startups emerging from coast to coast. From RNA therapeutics to novel diabetes treatments, the Canadian biotech ecosystem is buzzing with groundbreaking research and well-funded ventures. In this article, we’re spotlighting five up-and-coming biotech companies that are making waves and deserve your attention.
1. Borealis Biosciences (Vancouver, BC)
Founded in August 2024, Borealis Biosciences is an RNA therapeutics company focused on kidney diseases and nephrology. The startup launched with an impressive $150 million in venture funding from Versant Ventures and Novartis, building on the legacy of Chinook Therapeutics, which Novartis acquired in 2023 for $3.5 billion.
In December 2024, Borealis raised an additional $30 million in Series A funding led by Westlake BioPartners and brought on biotech veteran Christian Hordo as CEO. With a deeply experienced team, Borealis is poised to address major unmet needs in kidney health.
Check out job opportunities at Borealis Biosciences here.
2. Zucara Therapeutics (Toronto & Vancouver)
Zucara Therapeutics recently closed a $20 million Series B funding round with support from Sanofi and returning investor Perceptive Advisors' PXV Fund I. Zucara is developing ZT-01, a first-in-class, once-daily therapeutic designed to prevent hypoglycemia in people with Type 1 diabetes.
Their work addresses a major gap in diabetes care, and with strong backing and a growing team, Zucara is becoming a major player in the field of diabetes therapeutics.
Interested in working with Zucara? Browse their job listings here.
3. NorthMiRs (Toronto, ON)
Spun out of the University of Toronto, NorthMiRs is an early-stage microRNA therapeutics company founded by Sam McWhirter. Their lead candidate, NM-001, is aimed at improving outcomes for patients experiencing heart failure due to sepsis—a condition where current treatments are often insufficient.
The company recently won a $250,000 grant at a competitive pitch event, providing crucial support to continue development. NorthMiRs is a great example of how Canada's biotech community can rapidly turn academic research into real-world impact.
4. Inspire Bio Innovations (Montreal, QC)
While not a startup itself, Inspire Bio Innovations is a newly launched biotech incubator in Montreal, designed to support the next generation of pharmaceutical and life sciences companies in Quebec. Backed by JADCO, an asset management firm with over $1.2 billion invested in the province, Inspire Bio is strategically located in Montreal’s university quarter to tap into a rich pool of scientific talent.
Expect this incubator to play a key role in shaping Quebec’s biotech landscape for years to come.
5. Radiant Biotherapeutics (Toronto, ON)
Radiant Biotherapeutics, a Toronto-based company, recently secured a $35 million Series A round led by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Using their proprietary Multabody™ platform, Radiant is developing multivalent, multi-specific therapeutics aimed at tackling some of the world’s most complex diseases, including cancer and HIV. Their bold approach and high-profile backing make them a company to watch in 2025 and beyond.
Stay Tuned for More Canadian Biotech Spotlights
We hope you enjoyed this roundup of promising biotech startups across Canada. With so much momentum in the space, we’re excited to bring you more features like this in the future.
Looking for a job in biotech, pharma, or medical devices? Be sure to explore our biotech job board—one of these companies could be your next employer.