The Health Innovation Roundup, sponsored by Health Cities, is written and published weekly by Taproot Edmonton to bring you the latest news and events in research, technology, companies and people changing health for the better in Edmonton. Sign up to get the full edition delivered directly to your inbox. Use the code HEALTHCITY & you’ll get 10% off the first year. Here are some highlights from this week’s Health Innovation Roundup: Headlines Edmonton’s 48Hour Discovery, which specializes in peptide-derived drug discovery, is collaborating with Fusion Pharmaceuticals to develop radiopharmaceuticals to treat cancer tumours. “This project will further validate the potential of our billion-scale molecular libraries and cloud-based discovery pipeline to accelerate the advance of peptide drug candidates in the radiopharmaceutical field,” said 48Hour Discovery CEO Ratmir Derda in a release. Innovate Edmonton announced that it will move into a new home on Jasper Avenue in the fall. “We’re aiming to position Edmonton as a city for global innovation, known for innovators that tackle great global challenges like the climate emergency, public health, food security, digital inclusion, and reconciliation,” said CEO Catherine Warren said. The TELUS Community Safety and Wellness Accelerator has announced its first cohort of 20 startups aiming to use technology for social good. This includes Edmonton’s Areto Labs and PALcares, Calgary’s Pedesting, and companies from around the world. Karim Fouad, a researcher at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, is working with teammates from Mend The Gap to explore the use of biomaterials to treat spinal injuries. The biomaterials are injected into the site of the injury and act as a kind of bridge to aid in the regrowth of nerve fibres. Research out of the University of Alberta studies the long-lasting impacts of the smoke from the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires on the lungs of first responders. The study looked at 218 officers, and found that the smoke changed the structures of their lungs, which could increase their risk of respiratory disease, though it’s unclear how long this might persist. Reg Joseph of Health Cities and Cam Linke of Amii are set to speak at the IoT North Conference, held online and in Calgary on March 30 and 31. A number of health-related employers are listed on the 2022 list of Alberta’s top employers, published by Mediacorp in Postmedia. The list includes Alberta Innovates, whose CEO Laura Kilcrease spoke about focusing on mental health during the pandemic by doubling its mental health benefits and fostering connectivity between employees. The University Hospital Foundation is also on the list. Events Jan. 26, 6:30pm: Transform Your Stress: The Resilience Advantage – Strategies for Managing Stress in Challenging Times Feb. 1: Maz Move-A-Thon, part of Heart month and a fundraising opportunity to support the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute Feb. 3: Improving the discovery of novel drugs with artificial intelligence Feb. 3, 4pm: Virtual Expedition: Cardiac Care, part of Heart Month Feb. 3, 4:30pm: Top 20 Pitch Night for the Life Sciences Investment Summit Feb. 7, March 7, April 11, 10am: Thrive in Life: Enjoying Post Cancer Happiness – Edmonton Feb. 12, 10:30am: Free STI Screening Clinic at Aurora Social Club Feb. 15 and 16: 2022 Digital Law Forum Feb. 24: University Hospital Foundation’s Heart Pledge Day on Up! 99.3, a fundraising opportunity to support the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute Feb. 25, 7pm: Free Naloxone Training March 17: Startup TNT Life Sciences Investment Summit March 30-31: IoT North Conference May 24-27: Amii’s AI Week Have a suggestion for a future edition? Send it to hello@taprootedmonton.ca for consideration. Become a “Roundup Cultivator” and sponsor Taproot Edmonton to help them chronicle health innovation in Edmonton. Learn more