The opportunity
Some compounds used in pharmaceutical and clinical research are hard and costly to synthesize, yet occur naturally in plants. Nova Scotia has abundant wild plant populations, some of them invasive, that may offer a sustainable natural source.
Our approach
GEO-SIM develops the plant supply and coordinates research partnerships. All extraction, purification and analysis would be carried out by Health Canada-licensed partner laboratories, in full compliance with federal regulations. Because wild plants vary in content and often cross with other strains, we plan to grow selected, consistent strains on partner farmland in the Annapolis Valley alongside wild harvest.
First project: reed canary grass
Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) is an invasive wetland grass found throughout Nova Scotia. Certain strains naturally produce alkaloids of growing pharmaceutical interest. Harvesting it also supports wetland management, and plant material left after extraction may be evaluated as an input for our biofertilizer work.
Future plants
We plan to evaluate other Nova Scotia plants and plant-derived compounds, for pharmaceutical and natural health product uses, using the same model: local supply, research partners and licensed processing.
Roadmap
We are early, and we are taking the steps in order.
Survey and sample Now
Survey and sample local populations.
Analyze
Analyze compound content and variation between strains.
Select strains
Select strains for cultivation trials.
Build partnerships
Partner with university researchers and licensed facilities.
Pilot extraction
Run a pilot extraction with a licensed partner.