Winnipeg firm Kane signs Canadian distribution deal for wound care product

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This article was published 19/03/2025 (233 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In addition to a solid portfolio of patents and intellectual property, Kane Biotech also has a lot of determination.

The small Winnipeg biotechnology company focused on technologies and products that prevent and remove microbial biofilms just signed its first Canadian distribution deal for its antimicrobial wound care product, Revyve.

It’s a product Kane has been working on for years and is now aggressively engaged in its commercialization.

The three-year deal with New Brunswick-based Best Buy Medical will, the company said, hopefully start to introduce Revyve into the Canadian market. It received Health Canada approval in November and has also received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Kane CEO Marc Edwards said teaming up with Best Buy will give the distribution broad reach into hospitals and pharmacy groups across the country.

“These things don’t happen overnight,” he said. “I really believe Best Buy is the right partner.”

Best Buy has five distribution centres across the country (but none in Manitoba).

James Weldon, vice-president for partnership development, said the company likes to partner with new and up-and-coming partners.

“We are looking for disruption and innovation and, ultimately, products that improve patient outcomes,” he said. “Kane aligns with that very well.”

Last year, Kane signed with a U.S. distributor. That company was subsequently acquired by a larger company Edwards said will work out in Kane’s favour.

The company also has distribution in some countries in South America and the Middle East.

Since getting Health Canada approval, Kane has been actively working to promote the product, running case studies and working with key opinion leaders focused on demonstrating Revyve’s effectiveness in infection management and wound-healing.

“The results we’ve had so far are extremely compelling,” Edwards said. “We have what I believe to be the best antimicrobial dressing anywhere in the world and it was developed right here in Manitoba.”

Kane will be presenting some of those case studies at industry and academic conferences in Canada this year.

Best Buy will be able to introduce the product to large buying groups that many hospitals rely on, acute care centres and national and regional pharmacy chains.

Best Buy distributes about 17,000 products from 120 manufacturing partners.

Edwards said it is working on getting Revyve on the provincial formularies, an outcome he said “will be imminent.”

The product is already available through the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, which provides eligible First Nations and Inuit people with coverage for a range of health benefits not on other plans.

Meanwhile, Edwards said the partnership with Best Buy Medical allows Kane to improve access to innovative solutions for Canadians suffering from chronic, non-healing wounds.

“By expanding our distribution network, we are not only helping patients and health-care providers access effective infection management and wound-healing solutions, but we are also tapping into a significant financial opportunity in the Canadian wound care market,” he said.

Last year, the company sold off its animal oral care business for $11.5 million; Edwards said the move has allowed it to apply all its resources to the commercialization of Revyve.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca