Most Canadians are well-acquainted with the achievements of Fluid Biomed Inc., an ambitious a Canadian MedTech company. What began in 2012 as a research spin-off from the University of Calgary has evolved into a global innovator. The founders set out with a clear mission: to develop a safer, more effective treatment for brain aneurysms. Their solution? The world’s first bioabsorbable (self-dissolving) neurovascular stent. Calgary1.one explores how this local startup is ushering in a new era of neurosurgery and innovative business.
The Origins of Fluid Biomed Inc.
The company was co-founded in 2012 by Dr. John Wong and Dr. Alim Mitha, two neurosurgeon research partners from the University of Calgary.
Dr. Alim Mitha serves as President, Chief Technology Officer, and Co-founder. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary and leads a dedicated campus laboratory that collaborates with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Libin Cardiovascular Institute.
Dr. John Wong is the CEO and Co-founder. In addition to being an MD and MBA, he is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Radiology at the Cumming School of Medicine.
Fluid Biomed Inc. is a medical device developer focused on healing blood vessels. These neurosurgeons engineered a polymer-based stent capable of diverting blood flow away from weak brain aneurysms, allowing the vessel to heal naturally.
The duo continues to work tirelessly to support stroke survivors. This drive to improve patient outcomes led these top researchers at the University of Calgary to pioneer their unique stent technology.
In late 2025, the company strengthened its leadership by appointing John Kilcoyne as independent Board Chair. An industry veteran, Kilcoyne brings over 40 years of executive experience in the medical device sector.
Tackling Brain Aneurysms
Fluid Biomed’s researchers developed the world’s first polymer flow-diverting stent to address a critical health crisis. Statistics show that up to 5% of the population may suffer from brain aneurysms, which can lead to strokes. In the U.S. alone, approximately 6.5 million people have unruptured aneurysms. Every year, about 300,000 people suffer a rupture—tragically, one-third of these cases are fatal.
A multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, scientists, and engineers met this challenge by creating a hybrid polymer-metal flow diverter. This innovative device uses a soluble polymer combined with a minimal metal framework for superior healing and better vessel visualization. The technology works much like dissolvable stitches: it performs its function and then disappears.
Fluid Biomed Inc. is confident that this technology will significantly improve the quality of life for patients globally. Key advantages include:
- Unlike traditional metal stents that remain in the body as permanent foreign objects, Fluid Biomed’s smart polymer stent supports the vessel until it heals, then naturally dissolves.
- The stent acts as a smart traffic sign for blood, diverting the main flow away from the aneurysm to reduce stroke risk while ensuring surrounding brain areas receive full blood supply.
- The polymer is invisible on X-rays, meaning it doesn’t cause the glare or interference often seen with metal stents during MRI or CT scans. This allows doctors to get a crystal-clear view of the brain.
- Because the body doesn’t react to it as a permanent foreign object, patients may be freed from the lifelong medication often required with metal implants.
- The device is highly flexible and self-expanding, eliminating the need for complex balloon inflation inside the delicate vessels of the brain.
Clinical Trials and Growth
The first successful human implantations of the polymer neurovascular stent took place in 2023. Following a successful $27 million Series A financing round in December 2024, the company has focused on expanding its clinical trials through 2025 and 2026. This research is backed by a powerhouse investment group led by Amplitude Ventures, along with IAG Capital Partners, LifeArc Ventures, ShangBay Capital, and METIS Innovative.
Data published in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery confirms the technology’s high safety profile and its effectiveness in securely sealing off aneurysms.
As of 2026, the company is finalizing the data collection required for regulatory certification. Current projections suggest that Fluid Biomed will submit applications for commercial use within the next 12 to 24 months.
Contact Information
Fluid Biomed Inc. is headquartered in Calgary at 3710 33 St NW. The office is open weekdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on weekends.
To reach the team, you can email [email protected] or complete the online contact form.
Fluid Biomed stands as a prime example of how academic research can be transformed into a life-saving commercial product. Their technology is poised to redefine the gold standard for neurovascular care worldwide, promising better patient outcomes and reducing the long-term healthcare costs associated with repeat surgeries.
Sources:
- https://www.ucalgary.ca/uceed/about/portfolio/fluid-biotech
- https://fluidbiomed.com/our-story/our-story/
- https://lifearcventures.com/fluid-biomed-inc-raises-27-million-usd-in-oversubscribed-series-a-financing-to-advance-worlds-first-bioabsorbable-polymer-based-stent-to-treat-brain-aneurysms/
- https://educationnewscanada.com/article/education/level/university/1/1125321/fluid-biomed-from-a-research-project-to-an-innovative-health-care-tech-business.html
- https://www.lifesciencemarketresearch.com/insights/the-memo-fluid-biomed-pioneering-bioabsorbable-stents-to-cure-brain-aneurysms