September 5, 2024

OBIO^® MEMBER UPDATE

Risk Management in Life Sciences:

The Role of Specialized Insurance

September 24 I Webinar

Are you planning your product launch or thinking about your next clinical trial?

Are you considering entering your first service contract with a strategic partner, or collaborating with a research partner requiring insurance coverage?  

Get a crash course on life sciences insurance coverage and as a founder, understand your needs as you progress along your commercialization journey. The session will feature guest speakers from Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management, who will highlight and discuss case studies covering clinical trial risks, cybersecurity insurance and data breach, and IP and R&D insurance coverage. 

Are you Hiring for Roles in Software & Data Science?

The graduates of the previous cohorts of our Health Science Technology Training for Software and Data Professionals are ready to transition into high-demand roles in the health science industry. We are inviting companies that are hiring for roles such as Data Scientist, Software Engineer, Software Developer, Full-Stack Developer, and other software-related positions to explore the profiles of our program graduates who are equipped with specialized skills and knowledge required to build a successful career in the health tech sector.

If you are an employer looking to hire or upskill your team, contact Garima Ghale.

Medical Device Seminar:

A CSA Group and OBIO^® Event

October 2 I 8 am - 1:30 pm

Are you involved with the manufacturing, designing or regulatory compliance

of medical devices?

In partnership with CSA Group, OBIO^® is excited to invite you to attend a half-day seminar on Electrical Safety Testing & Certification, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing & Certification, and Global Market Access. This is a valuable opportunity to learn and expand your current knowledge of medical device testing and certification, ask industry experts questions, and network with fellow professionals.

Navigating CDMO Partnerships:

A Practical Guide for Early-Stage Companies

October 16 I 12 - 1 pm

Are you a biotech and pharma start-up going through

drug discovery and development?

Equip yourself with the tools and practical knowledge to effectively collaborate with a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) partner. This webinar taking place on October 16, from 12-1pm EDT will feature guest speaker Geoff Evans, President of Eurofins CDMO Alphora.

Join us and learn about:

• The importance and role of a CDMO
• The Request for Proposal (RFP) process
• Key factors in selecting the right CDMO partner for your program
• And more...

AbbVie Partnering Day

September 26 I Toronto

AbbVie, in collaboration with OBIO^®, is hosting a Partnering Day, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, and biotech companies from Canada. This is a private event. All attendees will need to be pre-approved by the AbbVie team.

Deadline to submit applications for one-on-one partnering meetings: September 6

OBIO's LSCTC Supports Synaptive Medical and Unity Health to Leverage AI for Brain Surgery

Planning brain surgery is a delicate process that requires precision to avoid damaging surrounding brain tissue and to prevent post-surgery complications. Synaptive Medical, a leader in medical technology, is set to enhance this process by evaluating its new software called Modus Plan, at Unity Health Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital, with support from OBIO’s Life Sciences Critical Technologies & Commercialization (LSCTC) Centre of Excellence.

Under OBIO’s LSCTC Centre of Excellence’s technology adoption stream, Synaptive Medical will be testing Modus Plan in real-world surgical situations. The focus will be on how easy the software is to use, how well it fits into existing surgical routines, and how it impacts the outcomes of the surgeries performed.

*In Case You Missed It*

Insights from OBIO's President and CEO

Novartis Celebrates Canada-wide Implementation of Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. (Novartis) applauds the work done by Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the provinces to ensure that every newborn in Canada will be screened to detect spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). All provinces and territories have implemented newborn screening programs for SMA. With these programs in place, a blood test routinely done shortly after birth will be able to detect SMA before symptoms appear.

This is a significant advancement for this rare, often debilitating genetic disease, which for some babies can be life-threatening. Novartis has contributed to this shift in policy across the country through a multi-year multi-phase collaboration with Muscular Dystrophy Canada. 

Novartis is an OBIO^® member.

National Research Funding Competition

Competition opens Sep 3

SCN announced the first of the two national research funding competitions for 2025-29 funding cycle.

Fueling Biotechnology Partnerships Awards (up to $430,000) supports academic partnerships with emerging Canadian regenerative medicine biotech companies to bring innovative technologies or therapies to the clinic

or market.

Trade Accelerator Program

Accepting applications

The TAP Life Sciences program empowers SMEs in the MedTech industry for strategic international growth. This program, spread over seven weeks, is designed for leaders, CEOs, owners, and C-suite executives of Ontario-based MedTech companies. Through workshops and mentorship sessions led by seasoned professionals, participants will develop an effective commercialization strategy for international markets.

Age-Well National Impact Challenge

Deadline: Tomorrow, September 6

Are you an entrepreneur or start-up with a technology-based solution that can support the health and quality of life of older adults and/or caregivers? The competition, taking place as part of the AGE-WELL Annual Conference in Edmonton in October, recognizes top start-ups and supports entrepreneurship in Canada’s AgeTech sector.

envisAGE AgeTech Connection

September 10 I Virtual

AgeTech Connection unites innovative SMEs with Community Lab (CL) partners -- leaders of real-world environments or services for older adults. It's an opportunity for SMEs ready to integrate their technology and connect with Community Labs seeking new tech solutions to enhance the services they provide to older Canadians.

Excellence in Canadian Board Governance

Deadline: Sep 10

Applications are open for the 2025 cohort of Excellence in Canadian Board Governance. The program offers an unparalleled professional development experience in Board Governance. For more info, write to the team.

*RFP* Developing Medicines through Open Science program

Info-session on Sep 11

The Developing Medicine through Open Science Program will offer a total of $5M in funding and partnership opportunities. The program will focus on fostering collaborative drug discovery and development for orphan diseases, support projects undertaking clinical research, and more.

Valley Ready Fall 2024 Cohort

Info-session on Sep 11

CELS Valley Ready Program is a 3-month cohort program that coaches participants with 1:1 mentoring and a curriculum of interactive workshops, investor meetings, and connections into Silicon Valley life science ecosystem.

Join the info-session on September 11 to learn more about the program.

Global Healthcare Innovation Summit

Sep 11-12 I Ottawa

Join the Global Healthcare Innovation Summit, a two-day event dedicated to the latest advancements in healthcare innovation.

OBIO's President and CEO, Dr. Maura Campbell, will be speaking at the Summit.

OBIO^® members can use the promo code "GHIS50" for 50% off the regular ticket prices of $500.

Get Discounted Rates for BIO-Europe

Deadline: September 13

The registration discount for BIO-Europe is 10% off the prevailing registration rate. OBIO^® companies can also apply for a special fee for the Young Innovator category.

OBIO^® is excited to be an official supporter of this event.

H2i Ten Year Celebration

September 17 I Toronto

This event celebrates ten 

years of Health Innovation Hub (H2i). The event will explore perspectives on the relevance and importance of health commercialization supports like H2i, through panels and discussions featuring founders, mentors, and partners alike.

Category III CPT Codes: Challenges & Opportunities

September 17 I Webinar

In this webinar, MCRA reimbursement experts will deep dive into practical considerations for getting Category III codes, establishing appropriate payment, obtaining coverage, and converting to Category I codes.

Proposals for Science & Tech Challenges

September 18

The Canadian Safety and Security Program has launched 8 new science and tech challenges to improve public safety and security capabilities in Canada. Apply for 'Shields up – Responding to neglected, emerging, and re-emerging diseases.' The challenge accepts tech pilot, R&D, and more.

Applications open for BioInnovation Scientist Programs

Apply before Sep 20

Applications are open for the Fall 2024 cohorts of the adMare Academy BioInnovation Scientist Programs (BIS): Foundations and Industry Essentials. These programs are intended to provide early career professionals with the knowledge they need to get a head start and succeed in their life sciences careers.

Global Biotech Week

Sep 22-28 I Boston

The purpose of Global Biotech Week is to raise awareness of the industry and its global potential among policymakers, policy influencers, and the general public more broadly. All countries are invited to join in on the celebration and use Global Biotech Week to showcase their country’s success and the industry’s global significance.

Life Science & Medical Device Market Japan

September 23 I Webinar

The webinar, delivered in English, aims to provide Ontario SMEs and start-ups with perspectives of business opportunities in the life sciences and medical market related initiatives in Japan. A life sciences speaker from Japan will further discuss the market trends and commercial sourcing interests in Japan.

2024 HBA Annual Conference

Sep 23-25 I Toronto

Join the HBA at their first Annual Conference outside the U.S., to chart your own course for accelerating transformational leadership. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in inspiring keynote addresses, workshops, and networking opportunities.

ON Trade Mission to RESI 2024

September 25 I Boston

The mission package will include - 1:1 export advice and consultation,

pre-mission webinar, introductions to potential partners and investors,

on-site B2B meetings arranged through RESI partnering system, and more. For more info, contact Patricia Cosgrove.

Life Sciences Partnering Canada Fall Meeting 2024

Sep 25-26 I Toronto

Join the meeting to hear founders and experts talk about their experiences in building great partnerships and lasting deals in healthcare. 

OBIO^® at RESI Boston

September 25 I Boston

OBIO^® start-ups are eligible for the 'tech hub rate' at all RESI conferences.

1) 3-day (in-person + virtual) ticket: $1995 --> $1495 USD – Use Code “OBIO3DAY”.

2) 2-day (virtual) ticket: $1195 --> $895 USD – Use Code “OBIO2DAY”

3) 1-day (in-person) ticket: $1695 --> $1195 USD – Use Code “OBIO1DAY”

Regional Development Program

Deadline for Application Period Five: Sep 26

The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream will provide financial support to advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on SMEs across Ontario. The fund supports businesses & organizations in advanced manufacturing sectors including life sciences

& more.

The Chrysalis 

Innovation Challenge

Deadline: September 27

The Chrysalis Innovation Challenge, powered by SE Health, is a national competition seeking innovative solutions to address aging issues in Canada. Selected finalists will compete for up to $30,000 in cash prizes, national recognition, and networking opportunities.

Access funding for R&D projects

Deadline to notify CQDM: September 27

Conscience and CQDM join forces to promote collaborative projects in drug development. This initiative emphasizes an open science approach in fields historically neglected by the pharmaceutical industry. The deadline to participate in the selection round with a full application is Oct 16.

For info, please contact Mathieu Paquette.

*Applications open* Sweet BioPharma Day

October 9 I Quebec

The 4th edition of Sweet Biopharma Day, will be held in Sainte-Julie, Quebec. This invitation-only event is dedicated to start-ups and biotech companies with fewer than 25 employees. It offers a privileged platform to showcase their innovations to leading figures in the biopharmaceutical industry, paving the way for potential collaborations and strategic partnerships.

ON Trade Mission to Medical Japan

October 9-11

The Government of Ontario is organizing a Medtech Export Business Mission to Medical Japan in Tokyo. Joining the Ontario mission to Medical Japan represents an excellent opportunity for innovative Ontario companies with healthcare technologies or services interested in Japanese and Korean markets.

*Call for ideas* Platforms for Therapeutic Drug Discovery

Deadline: October 10

CQDM is pleased to launch a call for ideas for the upcoming CQDM Connect-Pharma: Pitch Day. Inviting passionate Canadian researchers and visionary teams to submit innovative ideas that have the potential to transform the landscape of medicine and improve patient outcomes!

Amplifying Access to Mental Health Innovation QuickFire Challenge

Deadline: October 11

Innovators are invited to submit novel precision neuroscience and digital health approaches that both aim to advance health equity and transform mental healthcare in the United States and beyond (with particular interest in Brazil, India, and Kenya).

The MedTech Conference

October 15-17 I Toronto

The MedTech Conference happening in Toronto will feature world-class speakers, a cross-cutting educational program, invaluable networking, and next-level technology. This forum for transformational ideas is a can’t-miss event for the industry’s prominent and most promising companies.

Annual Invest in BC

Oct 29 - 30 I Vancouver

Life Sciences BC is pleased to announce the 9th annual Invest in BC presented by Lumira Ventures. This highly anticipated event serves as a premier gathering for healthcare innovators in British Columbia, connecting them with global investors.

International Regenerative Medicine SuperPitch

November 21 I Virtual

CCRM Nordic is co-hosting the VII SuperPitch event alongside CCRM Australia and CCRM in Canada, leveraging the successful format pioneered by CCRM Australia.

Canada’s Regulatory & Quality Medtech Conference 2025

April 23-25, 2025

Mark your calendars for the Medtech Canada Regulatory & Quality Medtech Conference 2025, hosted by Medtech Canada.

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