MACH32

MACH32 is a partnership between Chris Terriff, P.Eng, an engineer by training, and Dr. Marc Curial, MD, an emergency room doctor. The Edmonton-based startup brings together expertise in engineering and health sciences to create innovative medical devices to protect lives.

The company got its start with IMSAFE, an autoinjector device that can deliver life-saving medicine to trauma victims during emergencies. In the early days of the pandemic, the company shifted gears to create its Aerosol Containment Tent (ACT), which protects healthcare workers by reducing the risk of infection during intubation procedures.

Dubbed the ‘virus vacuum’ by Curial, the ACT creates negative pressure around a patient’s head, preventing aerosols from escaping. The idea came to Curial after a close call in the emergency room with a patient who needed a life-saving procedure. Realizing how vulnerable he and fellow healthcare workers have been throughout the pandemic, the company developed ACT as a solution. The device is now being used in hospitals throughout Alberta.  

In the year ahead, the company is working to complete an evaluation project for ACT with Alberta Health Services and W21C as well as pre-clinical testing of the IMSAFE prototype. UCeed’s pre-seed investment is allowing the company to expand its team, accelerate the development of IMSAFE, complete a market assessment and secure additional intellectual property.

Visit MACH32's website for more information.

MACH32 has received investment from UCeed, a venture philanthropy fund accelerating UCalgary and community-based startup companies to advance problem-solving research, create jobs and fuel the economy. A key program in the UCalgary innovation ecosystem, UCeed bridges the gap between innovation, demonstration and commercialization, and is managed by UCalgary’s knowledge-transfer and business incubator, Innovate Calgary.

The UCeed Haskayne Student Fund is supported by the generosity of the Cannonball Sport and Education Foundation, Tamaratt Fund at Calgary Foundation, Chris Erickson, Curtis Probst, Vincent Chahley and Patricia Irwin, Michael Lang, and Michael Culbert.

UCeed Health Fund is supported by the generosity of the River Fund at the Calgary Foundation and its mission to build a healthy and vibrant community where everyone belongs.