SCN and OBIO partner to enhance the commercialization of life science innovations through specialized training for scientists

May 16, 2023 (Ottawa/Toronto) – Today the Stem Cell Network (SCN) and Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®) are pleased to announce the formalization of their partnership as they expand their efforts to enhance the commercialization of Canadian life science innovations through specialized training programming for scientists.

Although SCN and OBIO® have been close collaborators for many years, including for OBIO’s® annual Investment Summit each February, the formalization of this partnership will allow the two organizations to offer the following:

• A Health Science Industry Training Course through OBIO’s popular Health to Business Bridge Program (H2BBä). This 27-hour course will arm trainees with the skills and knowledge to commercialize a therapeutic product or work in the health science industry.
• A half-day industry symposium at SCN’s Till & McCulloch Meetings this October in Toronto. This symposium will feature several industry and investment experts and heads of Canadian regenerative medicine and biotech companies who will share with attendees what it takes to start and grow a successful company in Canada.
• A brand-new Scientific Founders Program. This program will take the form of an intense one-week bootcamp aimed at new scientific founders or those who are considering creating a biotech start-up in Canada.

“The bottom line is that we need to create a ‘sticky environment’ here in Canada, where our researchers not only have the chance to innovate, but also have the opportunity to commercialize their research,” said Cate Murray, President and CEO of SCN. “OBIO® has a mandate to further the commercialization of life science innovations, and SCN’s mission is to advance research and train the next generation of scientists. This partnership with OBIO® will help to cement a full and complete pipeline from innovation to commercialization and ultimately build a stronger regenerative medicine sector within Canada.”

“OBIO® is thrilled to strengthen our relationship with Stem Cell Network,” said Dr. Maura Campbell, President and CEO of OBIO®. “Canada is already a leader in regenerative medicine, largely due to the efforts of SCN. Canadian researchers have attracted significant funding and their efforts in training have produced a highly skilled talent pool. The combination of these two elements has resulted in substantial innovation in the regenerative medicine space. However, the path to commercializing innovative cell therapies is long and arduous and requires more than technical expertise. OBIO’s® workforce development programs provide a bridge from the technical training of SCN to the commercial requirements of the life sciences industry. Through our partnership with SCN, together we will fill a critical talent gap that will ensure early-stage regenerative medicine innovations are successfully commercialized in Canada.”

For more details, please contact:

Samantha Rae Ayoub
Vice President, Communications & Knowledge Mobilization
srae@stemcellnetwork.ca

Doriane Rey
Manager, Marketing & Events
dorianerey@obio.ca

About the Stem Cell Network: The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is a Canadian not-for-profit that supports stem cell and regenerative medicine research; training the next generation of highly qualified personnel; and knowledge mobilization and transfer of stem cell and regenerative medicine research. From the lab to the clinic, SCN’s goal is to power life-saving therapies and technologies through regenerative medicine research for the benefit of all. Created in 2001, with support from the Government of Canada, the Network has grown from a few dozen labs to more than 270 world-class research groups, supporting over 250 research projects and 30 clinical trials. Since its inception, over 25 biotech companies have been catalyzed or enhanced and more than 6,400 highly qualified personnel have been trained. In 2021, the Government of Canada demonstrated its continuing trust and support in SCN with an investment of $45 million for the 2022–2025 period.

About OBIO®: Founded in 2009, OBIO® is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies that position Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. OBIO® advances this goal through collaborative partnerships with industry, the investment community, academia, the healthcare system and government. For more information, please visit www.obio.ca and follow OBIO® on LinkedIn and Twitter.