NATO backs Avivo’s universal blood tech in DIANA 2026
Vancouver biotech company Avivo has been selected for NATO's 2026 Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) Innovators Cohort.
Avivo develops enzyme-based methods that convert donated blood and organs into type O. Type O blood is widely used in emergency care because it can be given to most patients without prior matching. Universal blood products can simplify storage and distribution logistics. They can also reduce wastage when specific blood types are in low demand.
The company's ECO-Blood platform focuses on the blood supply chain. The technology removes specific sugars from the surface of red blood cells. These sugars determine a person's blood group.
Avivo is one of 150 companies chosen from 24 NATO member states for the next DIANA Challenge Program. The firms span ten defence and security themes, including biotech and human resilience. The cohort will enter the accelerator in January 2026.
NATO DIANA links start-ups and scale-ups with military users, mentors and investors. It focuses on dual-use technologies that can function in both civilian and defence settings.
Participation in the program will give Avivo access to NATO defence laboratories, military medics and testing environments. DIANA runs a network of 16 accelerator sites and more than 200 test centres across 32 NATO countries.
The selection places Avivo's work within NATO's broader focus on medical readiness and casualty care. Universal blood is of particular interest for field hospitals and remote deployments where blood typing and storage are constrained.
John Coleman, Chief Executive of Avivo, said the recognition links the firm's science with operational requirements.
"Being selected by NATO DIANA validates universal blood as a strategic capability-not just a scientific advance," said Coleman. "As a Vancouver-based Canadian biotech, we're proud that our ECO-Blood platform is being recognized as essential to modernizing field transfusions and strengthening global medical readiness. Access to NATO's defence network will accelerate our ability to bring universal blood into real-world, operational models."
Avivo draws on research in glycoscience and enzymology that has come out of Canadian universities.
The company's approach centres on enzymes that strip away antigens from blood cells. These antigens can trigger immune reactions if blood types do not match, and their removal can produce red blood cells that are compatible with a broader range of recipients.
Interest in this work has grown as health systems seek more resilient blood supplies. Ageing populations, rising surgical volumes and more frequent extreme weather events have increased pressure on donor networks.
Stephen Withers, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at the University of British Columbia, said the selection reflects a broader trend in Canadian life sciences.
"NATO's recognition of Avivo demonstrates the global impact of Canadian biotechnology," said Withers. "Vancouver has become a hub for breakthrough research in glycoscience and blood systems, and this milestone shows how Canadian companies can reshape the future of trauma care and emergency response."