Innovation Saskatchewan Expands STSI Program to Accelerate Life Sciences Innovation

Released on April 21, 2026

Innovation Saskatchewan is broadening eligibility for the Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive (STSI) to include life sciences companies.

The expansion opens the program to startups working in areas such as agricultural biotechnology, therapeutics, medical devices, genomics and digital health, connecting more Saskatchewan founders to critical early-stage capital and strengthening pathways to move research from lab to market.

"STSI is among Canada's most competitive tech tax credits and expanding it to life sciences technology allows Saskatchewan to capitalize on emerging global opportunities," Minister responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Warren Kaeding said. "By attracting private investment into this fast-growing sector, we are accelerating Saskatchewan-made solutions, creating high-value jobs and driving innovation-led economic growth."

The expanded eligibility aligns with Saskatchewan's Research Strategy, which identifies life sciences as a high-potential sector where the province can translate strong research foundations into market-ready innovations. This includes expertise supported by world-class institutions such as the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), the Canadian Light Source (CLS) and the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation.

By improving access to early-stage capital, STSI helps bridge research excellence with industry growth, supporting research spinoffs and strengthening Saskatchewan's life sciences innovation pipeline.

The expansion builds on STSI's proven track record of attracting private investment and accelerating startup growth across the province. To support long-term momentum, the expanded program has been extended to 2029, providing greater certainty for startups and investors and enabling continued investment across the life sciences sector.

"Expanding STSI to life sciences is a gamechanger for companies like OncoForma," Founder and CEO of OncoForma Biotechnologies Roshan Thomas said. "Early-stage investors need every reason to back deep-tech health companies in Saskatchewan-and a tax incentive that reduces their risk makes those conversations far easier."  

STSI offers a non-refundable 45 per cent tax credit to investors who support eligible early-stage Saskatchewan tech companies in digital and clean technology-and now, life sciences. Since 2018, the program has helped startups raise more than $122 million in private investment, supported over 550 jobs and connected 128 companies with more than 480 investors. In 2025, the program's annual funding cap was nearly doubled, further strengthening Saskatchewan's innovation and investment ecosystem.

More information on STSI program guidelines and eligibility is available at: https://innovationsask.ca/programs/stsi/.

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