Month: April 2026

Are you an export-ready SME? Seeking R&D? Intrigued by global commercialization? All of the above? Join us for the second Export Café YYT Session, hosted by the Trade Commissioner Service, featuring special guest Jean Léger of NRC-IRAP. 

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/export-cafe-yyt-featuring-jean-leger-of-nrc-irap-tickets-1987603510605?aff=oddtdtcreator

Date: May 7th, 2026

Time: 9:00am – 10:00am

Location: Co. Innovation Centre

Description

Global trade is changing rapidly, and it can be hard to keep up. The Trade Commissioner Service and Government of Canada partners at the frontlines to help you navigate through this evolving landscape. Join your local St. John’s-based Trade Commissioners, along with Special guest Jean Léger from the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program at Export Café YYT. Jean will speak about NRC-IRAP’s international programming, and how they support companies with international R&D partnerships. 

Export Café YYT is a bi-monthly drop-in session hosted by the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) in collaboration with Co. Innovation Centre. These sessions are designed to help Newfoundland and Labrador export-ready companies explore, prepare for, and grow in international markets. We can help refine your international business strategy, leverage our extensive network of Trade Commissioners around the world, and dive into TCS programs and services.

If your company is growth-stage, R&D-active, or ready to take your product or service global, this session was built for you.

Gloves Off: Patent Realities for Life Science Companies
April 29, 2026 | 10-11:20 a.m. ADT | Hybrid

Hosted by Springboard, Life Sciences Nova Scotia, PEI BioAlliance, Bounce, Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, ResearchNB

Building a strong patent portfolio in the life sciences industry isn’t just about innovation—it’s about strategy, timing, and making tough financial decisions. Gloves Off: Patent Realities for Life Science Companies is a candid, no-nonsense workshop designed to give founders and innovators a clear view of what it really takes to protect intellectual property in this space.

This session dives into the true costs of patenting—from initial filings to multi-jurisdictional prosecution—and unpacks realistic timelines that often stretch 3–7+ years. Attendees will gain practical insight into how to prioritize filings when budgets are tight, when it may actually make sense not to patent, and how to leverage alternative strategies such as trade secrets.

Whether you’re building your first IP strategy or reassessing your current approach, this workshop will help you make smarter, more informed decisions with limited resources.

Speaker:

David Nauman
Patent Agent, Partner, BLG

David Nauman is a registerd patent agent in Canada and the US, specializing in patent protection strategy for clients in the life sciences and manufacturing sectors. He advises corporate, government, and academic organizations on building and managing patent portfolios, with expertise in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, chemistry, and oil and gas.

He brings hands-on research experience from his time at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and a biotechnology startup, with a scientific background in synthetic organic chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and cell surface remodeling.

Wednesday, April 29

10:00 am – 11:30 am Atlantic

in-person & virtual

Register

AI for Export Bootcamp
Application deadline extended: April 20, 2026

This program, supported through ATIGS, is designed to help companies use AI to accelerate international growth. Participants will explore practical workflows including market intelligence, lead generation, localization, and business development through hands-on training and guided implementation.

Companies that complete the bootcamp may be eligible for reimbursement of up to $2,500 to cover subscription costs for approved AI tools.

Learn more.