Sulys and TransBIOTech Secure $120,000 to Develop Portable Molecular Detection Technology for Aquaculture
Lévis, QC, September 2, 2026– Sulys, a technology company specializing in the development of portable molecular detection solutions, announced today, in partnership with TransBIOTech (Lévis, Quebec), that it has been awarded a $120,000 applied research and development (RDA) grant. Awarded under the Innovation in Colleges and Communities (ICC) program, administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), this funding will support the development of an innovative health monitoring technology for the Canadian aquaculture sector.
Spread over three years, this funding will enable Sulys to leverage TransBIOTech’s recognized expertise in molecular biology and diagnostic test development to accelerate the development of its portable DNA detection platform. The project aims to develop molecular tests targeting pathogens in salmon and oysters. This work will help improve the early detection of health risks and enable aquaculture producers to take action more quickly to protect their farms.
As a college-based technology transfer center (CCTT) specializing in industrial research, TransBIOTech will draw on its expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, and the development of diagnostic tests. Researchers will design and optimize isothermal amplification assays (RPA, LAMP, and HDA) targeting priority pathogens in aquaculture. They will also develop a simplified protocol for extracting DNA directly from production water and validate all assays on the Sulys platform, particularly during evaluations conducted under real-world aquaculture operating conditions.
The technology developed as part of this project is based on Sulys’ proprietary platform, over which Sulys will retain full control—including development, commercialization, and intellectual property rights. In keeping with its CCTT business model, TransBIOTech will not claim any intellectual property rights arising from this collaboration.
"Our vision is to make molecular testing as accessible in the field as it is today in laboratories. Thanks to TransBIOTech’s scientific expertise and the support of the ICC program, we will accelerate the development of our platform, which will help aquaculture producers detect health threats more quickly and make informed decisions to protect their farms."
Louis-Philippe Noël, CEO and co-founder of Sulys
"We are delighted to support the development of the Sulys platform and to contribute to the advancement of health monitoring tools for the Canadian aquaculture sector. This funding demonstrates the value of applied research collaborations in accelerating the development of rapid, reliable detection technologies that can be used directly in the field. Together with researcher and professor Yvan Boutin, and in close collaboration with the Sulys team, we will apply our expertise to ensure the success of this project.”
Frédéric Couture, Ph.D., researcher and division head at TransBIOTech
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About Sulys
Sulys is a technology company that develops portable molecular detection solutions for the aquaculture industry. Its platform combines rapid DNA detection directly from production water, on-site results, AI-assisted interpretation, and—ultimately—features for estimating biomass, all within a portable device designed for use in real-world conditions. For more information: https://www.sulys.ca/fr
About TransBIOTech
TransBIOTech is a College Technology Transfer Center (CCTT) affiliated with the Cégep de Lévis and a nonprofit organization specializing in biotechnology. Since 1999, the organization has been supporting companies in the development of drugs, diagnostic technologies, and other innovations in the life sciences through its expertise in pharmacology, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology. Its researchers develop customized experimental approaches to evaluate the mechanism of action, efficacy, and robustness of new technologies at various stages of their development. For more information: www.transbio.tech
