Ontario Brain Institute and Ontario Centres of Excellence Partner to Launch the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs in Neuroscience

New entrepreneurship fellowships jointly funded by OBI and OCE aim to commercialize brain research and turn brain researchers into business owners

TORONTO, May 7, 2012 /CNW/ -

NEWS

The Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) and the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) are giving some of the world's top young entrepreneurs the chance to turn their discoveries into viable neuroscience-based businesses. Through the OBI Entrepreneurs program, up to ten post-graduate (M.Sc., PhD and post-doctoral fellows) and early-stage entrepreneurs will receive $50,000 for one year to support the commercialization of their discoveries to help diagnose, treat or cure brain conditions.

Three of the OBI entrepreneurs will be jointly funded by the OBI and the Ontario Centres of Excellence under the OBI-OCE Entrepreneurial Fellowships program.

Applicants must submit both a written funding application and a video application by May 28, 2012.  For full program details, please visit the OBI website at www.braininstitute.ca.

Successful candidates will be notified by June 18, 2012. The OBI Entrepreneurs selected for this program will work full-time with the OBI and its partners from across Ontario on commercialization activities related to their neuroscience-focused opportunity.

The Ontario Brain Institute is an organization dedicated to, among other things, growing Ontario's neurotechnology cluster by "doing science differently." The OBI Entrepreneurs program is an example of this philosophy in practice. The OBI is an independent, non-profit corporation funded in part by the Ontario Government. It is dedicated to improving the prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and management of brain conditions.

Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. drives the commercialization of research through the development of innovators and entrepreneurs. OCE partners with Ontario's industry, academia and research hospitals investing in key sector areas. OCE's federally supported Centre for Commercialization of Research (CCR) promotes businesses growth and commercial success. A partner in delivering Ontario's Innovation Agenda, OCE is a member of the Ontario Network of Excellence (ONE), a group of regional organizations helping Ontario entrepreneurs achieve growth and job creation.

QUOTES

"The world is hungry for the discoveries that young, leading-edge brain researchers are making in Ontario today. This collaboration will help them bring their best ideas to market, improving the quality of life for Ontarians while creating good jobs and promoting economic growth."

• Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation

"The vision of this initiative is to drive the entrepreneurial spirit in Ontario's neurotechnology cluster. Through our collaboration with the Ontario Centres of Excellence and other partners, the Ontario Brain Institute will continue to deliver results-based programs that support innovative life sciences companies.  In this case, we are fostering the growth of a new generation of Ontario entrepreneurs."

• Mr. Joseph L. Rotman, Chairman, Ontario Brain Institute

"The OBI Entrepreneurs is the first program to be launched under the Ontario Brain Institute's Experiential Education Initiative. This initiative aims to encourage entrepreneurial spirit, while providing practical experience and targeted training for neuroscientists across the province to help expand their post-research career options. Our partnership with the Ontario Centres of Excellence exemplifies the collaboration among government, industry, academic institutions and philanthropy that is needed to achieve significant research, improved treatment, and commercialization of outcomes for Ontario."

• Dr. Donald T. Stuss, President and Scientific Director, Ontario Brain Institute

"Our partnership with the Ontario Brain Institute enables us to further assist post-graduate students and early stage entrepreneurs in accelerating their ideas to viable commercialization opportunities and start-ups.  We look forward to working with OBI, leveraging our networks and resources to help foster a new wave of entrepreneurs in neuroscience."

• Dr. Tom Corr, President and CEO, Ontario Centres of Excellence

QUICK FACTS

• The global market for central nervous system diagnostics and therapeutics is estimated at $130 billion and is growing by 10 per cent per year.
• Canada is among the top five countries in the world in neuroscience research, and the province is a leader in Canada, with a number of world-recognized strengths.
• Ontario is home to more than 500 top neuroscientists.

LEARN MORE

About the Ontario Brain Institute
About the Ontario Centres of Excellence

Shiva Amiri, PhD
Senior Program Lead
Ontario Brain Institute
T: 647-847-3145
E: [email protected]    

Shari Balga
Media Relations
Ontario Centres of Excellence
T: 416-873-1143
E: shari.bal[email protected]