With the goal of fast-tracking innovations from the lab to the marketplace, the Federal Government today announced $61.1 million in grants to five new Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR), including $13.3 million to The University of Western Ontario.
The Centre for Imaging Technology Commercialization and Research (CITCR), to be led by Robart’s Research Institute scientist Aaron Fenster, will address the barriers that prevent Canadian medical imaging companies from commercializing imaging technology.
The CITCR will also receive $14 million from other investors for a total of more than $27 million.
CITCR will help these small and medium-sized enterprises with the expertise, technical capabilities and infrastructure needed to become internationally competitive. It will also promote training and investment in imaging technology through the cultivation of new partnerships between the private sector and academic centres and will play an active role in managing intellectual property.
These activities will then attract new investments that lead to jobs and economic growth and will encourage greater interaction between academic centres and the private sector. CITCR provides the Canadian medical imaging sector with the best opportunity to establish and maintain worldwide leadership in innovation and technological development and have the greatest impact on the economy and the health care system.
“Our government understands that an innovative society and economy depend on creative thinkers whose potential is encouraged and supported,” says Minister of Industry Tony Clement. “That’s why we are investing in the ideas, products and technologies generated by these Centres of Excellence to create jobs and businesses, help develop highly skilled people, strengthen our economy and position Canada for long-term prosperity.”
Also creating new centres for commercialization and research are the MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (Bromont, Quebec), the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (Toronto, Ontario), Leading Operational Observations and Knowledge for the North (St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador) and the Wavefront Wireless Commercialization Centre (Vancouver, British Columbia).
