REACH Nexus

What REACH Nexus does

REACH Nexus is a Canadian national implementation science research group housed within the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto. It addresses inequitable access to HIV, Hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) testing, care, and treatment across Canada, with particular focus on Indigenous Peoples, African/Caribbean/Black communities, gay men and MSM, people who use substances, youth, and rural/remote populations. The organization operates six core programs: Tests to Market (clinical trial partnerships with bioLytical, OraSure, and MedMira that secured Health Canada approval for Canada's first HIV self-test in 2020, dual HIV/syphilis rapid tests in 2023-2024, and the OraQuick oral self-test in 2026); I'm Ready (a national mobile app-based HIV self-testing program with 60+ community pickup locations); Our Healthbox (a smart vending machine network of 22+ units across six provinces/territories dispensing free HIV self-tests, naloxone, and harm reduction supplies); Ayaangwaamiziwin Centre (an Indigenous co-led initiative targeting 11,500+ people across the Prairies and Northern Canada); Rapid TLC (mobile confirmatory testing using 56 GeneXpert PCR systems delivering results in under 90 minutes); and The Positive Effect (a stigma-reduction movement including the Pozcast podcast).

REACH Nexus generates no commercial revenue from end users — all products and services are provided free of charge. Its operating model is grant-funded by federal agencies (CIHR, PHAC, Indigenous Services Canada), philanthropic foundations (Jackman, Power to Give, CANFAR), and corporate partners (Staples Canada, BMO), with supplementary clinical trial service revenue from biotech partnerships. Headcount is 11-50 employees led by Dr. Sean B. Rourke (Director), with directors overseeing operations, testing and clinical trials, plus research coordinators, data analysts, and an implementation scientist. The organization has reached 140,000+ people through HIV testing, distributed 76,000+ health supplies via Our Healthbox, and connected 100+ undiagnosed individuals to care. Its primary distribution channels include the I'm Ready mobile app, community agency partnerships, smart vending machines, and mobile testing events.

Name

REACH Nexus

Legal name

REACH Nexus

Website

https://reachnexus.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

REACH Nexus is a Canadian implementation science research group within St. Michael's Hospital that addresses HIV and STBBI inequities through six national programs: HIV self-testing, smart vending machines, Indigenous-led care, mobile confirmatory PCR testing, clinical trial partnerships, and stigma reduction, serving underserved populations across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health / HIV and STBBI Community Health Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Infectious Disease & STI Testing-to-Treatment with eRx + Pharmacy Fulfillment (HLALAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medication Adherence, Digital Therapeutics & Remote Coaching (condition-specific programs) (HLALAFAF), Behavioral Health-Integrated Chronic Care (SUD comorbidity, collaborative care) (HLALAFAK)

Keywords

• HIV self-testing programs
• STBBI diagnostic research
• Harm reduction services
• Community health outreach
• Public health implementation

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Research Grants: Primary funding from Canadian government agencies including Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for research initiatives, clinical trials, and public health interventions.
2. Foundation and Corporate Donations: Funding from foundations including Jackman Foundation, Power to Give Foundation, Staples Canada (Even the Odds partnership), and corporate partners like CANFAR and BMO for specific programs such as Our Healthbox deployments.
3. Clinical Research Services: Conducting clinical trials for biotech companies (bioLytical Laboratories, OraSure Technologies, MedMira) to secure Health Canada approvals for new HIV and STBBI tests, contributing to Canada's first HIV self-test and dual HIV/syphilis rapid tests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

REACH Nexus is a national implementation science group that delivers free HIV and STBBI (sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection) testing, care, harm reduction supplies, and community health programs to underserved populations across Canada. The organization conducts clinical trials to bring new diagnostic tests to market through Health Canada approval, operates a mobile app-based HIV self-testing program, deploys smart vending machines for free health supplies, runs mobile confirmatory testing using portable PCR technology, and leads stigma-reduction initiatives for people living with HIV.

Product overview

REACH Nexus is a national implementation science group offering multiple interconnected public health programs addressing HIV and STBBIs in Canada. The portfolio consists of six core programs: Tests to Market (clinical trials and regulatory support for new diagnostics), I'm Ready (national HIV self-testing platform with mobile app and virtual navigation), Our Healthbox (smart vending machine network for health supplies), Ayaangwaamiziwin Centre (Indigenous-led testing/treatment initiative), Rapid TLC (mobile lab testing using GeneXpert PCR technology), and The Positive Effect (stigma reduction movement). These programs work together to reach undiagnosed individuals, expand testing access, connect people to care, and reduce stigma across Canadian communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• pozcast: A Toronto-based but globally focused podcast hosted by James Watson, featuring candid conversations with people living with HIV, exploring what it means to be 'poz' today.

Products and services

• Tests to Market Partners with biotech companies to conduct clinical trials required by Health Canada to bring new HIV, syphilis, and other STBBI tests to market. Led pivotal studies that secured approval for Canada's first HIV self-test in 2020 and subsequent dual HIV/syphilis rapid tests.
• I'm Ready HIV Self-Testing Program National HIV self-testing program using a mobile app (iOS and Android) that allows users to order up to two free HIV self-test kits for delivery or pickup at 60+ participating community agencies, with virtual health navigation support (I'm Ready, Talk) for connection to confirmatory testing, PrEP/PEP education, and care.
• Our Healthbox Smart Vending Machines Smart interactive vending machines providing free, 24/7 access to HIV self-testing kits, naloxone kits, harm reduction supplies, sexual health items, and wellness products. Features touchscreens with health information and service directories, with real-time data analytics to monitor usage patterns.
• Ayaangwaamiziwin Centre Indigenous co-led initiative (meaning 'carefulness and preparedness' in Ojibwe) delivering HIV, syphilis, and STBBI testing, treatment, and culturally safe care to underserved communities across the Prairies and Northern Canada, targeting 11,500+ people through community-based testing.
• Rapid Testing Linkages To Care (Rapid TLC) Brings confirmatory HIV/STBBI testing directly to remote and underserved communities using GeneXpert portable PCR systems, delivering lab-quality results in under 90 minutes with immediate linkages to care and treatment.
• The Positive Effect Movement led by people living with HIV to reduce stigma, dismantle barriers, and amplify voices of those thriving with HIV through stories, the Pozcast podcast, and peer-led Positive Actions initiatives.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 STBBI tests brought to market including HIV self-tests, dual HIV/syphilis tests, and syphilis tests
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• FreddiemajorTechnology or Integration · 19 February 2026Canada's leading online PrEP provider partnering with I'm Ready program to integrate virtual PrEP intake and clinical services, removing barriers between HIV testing and prevention access for underserved communities.
• CAAN Communities, Alliances & NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2025Indigenous-led organization co-leading the Ayaangwaamiziwin Centre initiative alongside REACH Nexus and Indigenous Services Canada to test, treat, and connect 11,500+ people to culturally safe care for HIV and syphilis in the Prairies and northern territories.
• Siksika Health ServicesmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 September 2024First Our Healthbox in Alberta at Siksika Health and Wellness Centre, providing free health information and life-saving supplies to Siksika Nation members aged 16+.
• Indigenous Services CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal department co-leading the Ayaangwaamiziwin Centre initiative, providing funding and supporting Indigenous-led, culturally grounded, trauma-informed health services for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
• MAP Centre for Urban Health SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution at St. Michael's Hospital where REACH Nexus is based. Canada's largest research centre focused on health equity and social determinants of health.
• CepheidcoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of GeneXpert rapid testing systems (56 units) used in Rapid TLC program, supplied by Public Health Agency of Canada, enabling PCR-quality STBBI results in under 90 minutes.
• AbbVieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company sponsoring the Swan River, Manitoba Hepatitis C screening event led by Manitoba Harm Reduction Network with GeneXpert technology from REACH Nexus.
• Gilead Sciences CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company providing additional support for Swan River Hepatitis C screening event and community-based testing initiatives.
• OraSure TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of OraQuick HIV oral self-test, approved by Health Canada in February 2026. REACH Nexus/St. Michael's Hospital serves as exclusive distributor in Canada.
• bioLytical LaboratoriescoreTechnology or IntegrationB.C.-based manufacturer of INSTI HIV self-test, Canada's first Health Canada-approved HIV self-test (November 2020) based on clinical trial led by REACH Nexus.
• TAIBU Community Health CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlack-led community health centre serving Greater Toronto Area, leading the Safe Steps study with REACH Nexus to improve culturally responsive PrEP access for African, Caribbean, and Black communities.
• Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanada's largest Black-focused AIDS service organization partnering on Safe Steps study to expand HIV prevention access through culturally grounded, community-led approaches.
• Africans in Partnership Against AIDS (APAA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based AIDS service organization serving African communities in Greater Toronto Area since 1993, partnering on Safe Steps study for HIV prevention in ACB communities.
• Manitoba Harm Reduction Network (MHRN)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNetwork bringing together people with lived experience, service providers, and community members advancing health equity for people who use substances. Led Hepatitis C screening event in Swan River using GeneXpert technology from REACH Nexus.
• Women's Health In Women's Hands Community Health CentremajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNorth America's only community health centre providing specialized primary care for Black, racialized women, trans, and non-binary people. Hosting Our Healthbox for culturally safe sexual and reproductive health tools.
• Dixon HallmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMulti-service agency serving over 10,000 people annually in downtown Toronto, hosting Our Healthbox with support from CANFAR and BMO to provide free HIV self-tests, naloxone kits, and harm reduction supplies.
• People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre (PDIFC)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNon-profit providing culturally appropriate programs for Indigenous people in Stephenville, Newfoundland. First Our Healthbox location in Newfoundland and first to offer OraQuick oral HIV self-test for free.

Scale indicators25 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Together TakeMeHome: CDC-funded national HIV self-testing distribution program operated by Emory University. Comparable as a national free HIV self-test mail-order program reaching underserved US populations.
• Freddie: Canada's leading online PrEP provider and I'm Ready program integration partner. Comparable as a digital-first Canadian HIV-prevention service targeting access barriers for underserved populations.

Direct peers

• San Francisco AIDS Foundation: Large US HIV/AIDS service organization providing testing, harm reduction, and care navigation across community sites. Comparable as a multi-program, community-led HIV service organization with harm-reduction and self-testing components.
• National Harm Reduction Coalition: US harm-reduction advocacy and capacity-building organization supporting drug-user health and naloxone/supply distribution. Comparable to REACH's harm-reduction and supply-distribution mission through Our Healthbox.
• CATIE: Canada's national source for HIV and hepatitis C information, knowledge exchange, and frontline service support. Comparable as a national Canadian HIV/STBBI intermediary that translates evidence into community practice.
• AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT): Toronto-based HIV/AIDS service organization offering community-based testing, prevention, and support programs. Directly comparable to REACH Nexus in mission and population served across the Greater Toronto Area.

Others

• OraSure Technologies: Manufacturer of the OraQuick HIV oral self-test, for which REACH Nexus holds exclusive Canadian distribution rights following Health Canada approval in February 2026. Comparable as an upstream technology partner.
• bioLytical Laboratories: BC-based manufacturer of the INSTI HIV self-test — Canada's first approved HIV self-test, brought to market through REACH Nexus-led clinical trials. Comparable as an upstream technology partner in the HIV self-testing value chain.

Broad incumbents

• AIDS Healthcare Foundation: Global HIV/AIDS healthcare provider operating clinics, pharmacies, and testing/outreach programs worldwide. Comparable as a much larger incumbent offering testing-and-care delivery across diverse geographies.
• ViiV Healthcare: Global HIV-focused pharmaceutical company (majority GSK) developing and supplying HIV treatment and PrEP medications. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the HIV care ecosystem in which REACH Nexus operates its linkage-to-care programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/REACHNexusCA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@reachnexus
• Facebookfacebook.com/REACHNexusCA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reach-nexus-ca
• Instagraminstagram.com/reach_nexus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about REACH Nexus