Kitchener-based biotech startup HeadFirst could revolutionize concussion detection and give sports leagues a new way to protect their players.
The company, co-founded by Waterloo Engineering alum and University hockey player Andrew Cordssen-David (MBET '23), has developed a rapid saliva-based test to provide a quicker, more objective method for identifying concussions.
The test detects a biomarker released by the brain after traumatic injury, producing results within minutes. The innovation stems from Cordssen-David’s own experiences with head injuries and the limitations of subjective concussion protocols.
Several individuals from the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Engineering have played pivotal roles in advancing this research. Dr. Shazia Tanvir, a biomedical nanotechnology researcher and HeadFirst’s co-founder and chief technology officer, has been instrumental in developing the test’s lateral flow assay technology. Oliver Aramini, a recent graduate of the nanotechnology engineering program, has contributed as the team's research and development engineer, helping overcome technical challenges like pre-treating saliva samples to enable accurate biomarker detection.
The company is part of Velocity, Waterloo’s startup incubator and received further guidance from chemical engineering professors Dr. Marc Aucoin and Dr. Bill Anderson. Aucoin, a long-time youth hockey coach, sees immense potential for the test, envisioning its eventual use beyond sports to help anyone assess head injuries.
Pilot trials are underway with the with the University of Waterloo’s Athletic Department to establish baseline readings and refine the technology.
Although still in development, this test could profoundly impact sports safety by preventing premature returns to play and reducing recovery times. The combined expertise and collaboration at Waterloo signal a promising future for this innovative solution.
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