As world health leaders warn that superbugs are now an urgent global threat — predicted to kill 39 million people by 2050, according to a new global analysis — a Hamilton researcher is being recognized for her cutting-edge work to develop a long-lasting antimicrobial coating for any high-touch surface that effectively kills drug-resistant bacteria on contact.
The innovation has earned Dr. Sara Imani a Mitacs Innovation Award — Outstanding Innovation, awarded by Mitacs, a leading innovation organization that connects businesses and researchers with unrivalled access to talent, financial support, and the partnerships needed to turn ideas into impactful innovations. The award was presented at a ceremony at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on November 17.
Imani — a postdoctoral researcher at McMaster University under the supervision of Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Dr. Tohid Didar and Engineering Physics Professor Dr. Leyla Soleymani — is being recognized for developing an antimicrobial surface coating that enhances hygiene by preventing pathogens from surviving on surfaces.
With a provisional patent filed and preparations underway for scale-up with Oakville-based FendX Technologies, the groundbreaking product has demonstrated more than 99 per cent efficacy at killing pathogens like MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa —resilient, healthcare-associated bacteria known for causing hard-to-treat infections and contaminating hospital surfaces and medical equipment.
“You simply apply it — similar to a standard paint or surface finish — and it remains effective over time, actively eliminating bacteria from the surface,” explained Imani, who credits Mitacs for providing the opportunity to “think bigger” about the possibility of advancing her product.
“It’s quite rare for a PhD student or postdoctoral fellow to gain direct experience in working to commercialize technology,” she said. “Through Mitacs, I learned about regulatory testing, scale up, and moving innovations from the lab to real-world application — experiences that most early-career researchers don’t typically encounter during academic research.”
Unlike traditional disinfectants that are short-lived, Imani’s coating — which is a near-invisible film once applied — offers long-lasting protection. Wear-and-tear testing also showed that it remained effective after abrasion and UV exposure, making it excellent for use on high-touch surfaces in hospitals, schools, businesses, stores, airports, and other public environments.
“Whereas regular disinfectants used in hospitals need to be routinely reapplied because they stop working over time, our coating is designed to provide continuous protection for bedrails, doorknobs, door handles, touchscreens or virtually any point of infection transmission,” explained Imani, who was motivated to investigate antimicrobial products during the COVID-19 pandemic when the spotlight was on avoiding high-touch surfaces.
The Mitacs Innovation Award — Outstanding Innovation recognizes extraordinary talent from across Canada whose Mitacs-funded research has the potential to achieve larger societal and economic impacts, driving innovation and addressing real-world challenges. Mitacs programs are supported by funding from the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments across the country.
Imani is one of 11 Mitacs award winners nationally, chosen from thousands of researchers who take part in Mitacs programs each year. Additional 2025 award categories include: four additional winners for Outstanding Innovation, two winners for Research Leadership, two winners for Canadian Start-Up Innovator of the Year, Inclusive Innovator of the Year, and Canadian Enterprise Innovator of the Year.
In congratulating the winners, Mitacs CEO Dr. Stephen Lucas reflected on the importance of innovation talent in shaping Canada’s future. “At a time when we need to build a stronger and more resilient economy, these eleven innovators and organizations demonstrate what’s possible when we invest in ideas, talent, and innovation,” Dr. Lucas said.
For more information about the Mitacs awards and a full list of winners, visit www.mitacs.ca/newsroom.
Image is of Dr. Sara Imani, Mitacs Innovation Award winner.
