Advancing Diagnostic Innovation from Calgary’s Life Sciences Ecosystem

Supporting researchers, startups, and industry partners, Cytodiagnostics is helping to transform scientific discoveries into practical diagnostic technologies

Headquartered in Ontario, Cytodiagnostics chose to expand into Calgary’s life sciences ecosystem, finding its home in the Life Sciences Innovation Hub (LSIH) at University Innovation Quarter (UIQ) as part of its next stage of growth. The strategic move gives Cytodiagnostics direct access to specialized lab space and core amenities to support researchers, startups, and industry partners in developing the next generation of diagnostic and detection technologies.

Its Calgary laboratory serves as a hub for assay development, nanotechnology research, and scientific collaboration, helping bridge the gap between innovative ideas and real-world applications.

Cytodiagnostics team pictured left to right: Gem Lascano, Research Assistant and Fariha Chowdhury, Regional Director

Advancing Innovation Through Collaboration

What makes Cytodiagnostics unique is its collaborative approach to scientific development. They work with a range of partners, including academic researchers, early-stage start-ups, and established organizations seeking to develop new detection methods and diagnostic tools.

Custom assay development and contract research projects are delivered through CytoGroup, the company's dedicated innovation and research solutions division. By working closely with clients from concept through development and optimization, CytoGroup helps translate scientific ideas into reliable, application-ready technologies.

Instead of viewing projects as individual transactions, the team works closely with partners to understand the science, applications, and long-term goals behind each idea.

“We see our clients as partners, not simply projects sitting in a queue. We take the time to understand the science, the applications, and the long-term goals behind every idea,” - Fariha Chowdhury, Regional Director of Cytodiagnostics

This approach has allowed Cytodiagnostics to support projects across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, environmental monitoring, food safety, and biotechnology.

Researchers at Cytodiagnostics conduct assay development and testing in their lab located in the Life Sciences Innovation Hub (LSIH)

More Than a Laboratory Facility: The Value of University Innovation Quarter

Cytodiagnostics established its Calgary operations with the Life Sciences Innovation Hub (LSIH) in 2024, attracted by the combination of flexible laboratory space, specialized equipment, and access to a growing network of innovators.

The company operates from a dedicated laboratory space through UIQ while also utilizing shared scientific equipment, meeting rooms, coworking areas, and collaborative spaces provided in their Innovate Calgary membership. For the team, the decision to locate within UIQ is about more than physical infrastructure.

“We chose UIQ because it offers something very valuable for biotech growth, including access to a community that understands the needs of science-based companies. Combined with access to specialized facilities and resources, it gives companies like ours room to grow without having to build every piece of infrastructure ourselves,” - Dr. Kha Tram, COO of Cytodiagnostics

Innovate Calgary has played an important role in the company’s expansion into Calgary. Through an Innovate Calgary membership and networking opportunities, operational support, and connections to the broader University of Calgary ecosystem, Cytodiagnostics has established new partnerships and become part of the city’s growing life sciences community.

UIQ’s location has also been a major benefit, providing convenient access to public transit, nearby amenities, and a collaborative environment surrounded by researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

Home to Cytodiagnostics’ Calgary operations, LSIH provides the infrastructure and support needed to support their technology

Transforming Technologies to Real-World Impact

Cytodiagnostics specializes in nanomaterials, immunoassays, and assay development. The company originally specialized in gold nanoparticle manufacturing, a commonly used technology in rapid diagnostic testing. The team has since expanded its expertise to include custom assay development and molecular detection technologies for a wide range of applications and industries.

• Rapid Diagnostic Technologies

The general public became familiar with rapid diagnostic testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the technology has applications beyond healthcare. Rapid tests can be used to detect contaminants in water, food toxins, environmental pollutants, and disease biomarkers. Cytodiagnostics develops and optimizes a range of rapid testing formats, including lateral flow assays (LFAs) and vertical flow assays (VFAs), enabling fast, reliable detection for diverse research and commercial applications.

• Immunoassays and Molecular Detection

In addition to rapid tests, Cytodiagnostics designs and develops laboratory-based immunoassays, including ELISA and ELASA (Enzyme-Linked Aptamer Sorbent Assays). By leveraging both antibodies and aptamers as recognition molecules, the company creates highly sensitive and specific detection platforms tailored to each application's unique requirements.

Whether the goal is biomarker detection, protein quantification, or analytical assay development, Cytodiagnostics works closely with partners to optimize assay performance from concept through validation.

• Nanotechnology and Assay Development

Building on its expertise in gold nanoparticles and molecular detection, Cytodiagnostics works with partners to develop customized detection platforms tailored to specific scientific and commercial needs. Their team supports every stage of assay development, including reagent selection, nanoparticle conjugation, assay optimization, analytical validation, and performance characterization.

A recent addition to the company's technology portfolio is digital Surface Plasmon Resonance (dSPR), which enables real-time, label-free characterization of biomolecular interactions. This platform allows researchers to measure antibody-antigen and aptamer-target binding kinetics, affinity, specificity, and epitope binning, providing valuable insights that accelerate reagent screening and rational assay design.

Together, these complementary technologies enable Cytodiagnostics to provide end-to-end assay development services- from biomolecular interaction analysis to fully optimized diagnostic platforms. This work supports research-stage innovation and the development of technologies that can ultimately be deployed in real-world settings.

Fariha Chowdhury highlights the spaces available to their team through their Innovate Calgary membership, including their dedicated workspace at LSIH, where the company develops diagnostic and detection technologies.

Strengthening Calgary’s Life Sciences Future

As Cytodiagnostics continues to grow, its vision extends beyond advancing diagnostic technologies. The company sees an opportunity to help strengthen Calgary’s life sciences by supporting collaboration between academia and innovation organizations. Through partnerships with researchers, startups, and established companies, the team hopes to establish Calgary as the centre for biotechnology and diagnostic innovation in Canada.

“We really want to help build stronger connections between industry, academia, and innovation hubs. Calgary continues to grow in this sector, and we’re excited to be part of that momentum,” - Fariha Chowdhury, Regional Director

Laboratory equipment and testing materials used by Cytodiagnostics to support assay development, nanotechnology research and diagnostic innovation

Expanding the Future of Diagnostic Technologies

Cytodiagnostics’ expansion into Calgary highlights the important role innovation ecosystems play in supporting science-based companies. By combining specialized expertise, collaborative partnerships, and access to world-class facilities, the company is helping transform scientific ideas into practical technologies that can make an impact across healthcare, environmental monitoring, food safety, and beyond.