November 21, 2005 Source: University of Manitoba:
http://myuminfo.umanitoba.ca/index.asp?sec=209&too=100&dat=11/24/2005&sta=3&wee=4&eve=8&npa=9546 RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP LED BY UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA RECEIVES $1.2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING Partnership will accelerate technology transfer in Manitoba The Manitoba Intellectual Property Mobilization (IPM) partnership has received $1.2 million in new funding from the Government of Canada. This partnership encourages and facilitates cooperation among the province’s research-intensive institutions to refine and develop new technologies to a commercialization-ready stage. The funding was announced in Winnipeg on November 7, 2005, by Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board. The new funding comes through the Intellectual Property Mobilization program, a cooperative arrangement involving the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).The program is designed to accelerate the transfer of knowledge and new technology being developed in Canadian universities, hospitals and colleges for use in the Canadian economy. Led by the University of Manitoba, the IPM Partnership also includes CancerCare Manitoba, St. Boniface General Hospital, the Health Sciences Centre, The University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, and Red River College. Originally established in 2001, the Partnership has resulted in numerous patent applications filed in the life sciences and a number of successful licensing and start-up development activities. "The University of Manitoba is a leader in technology transfer and in forming university-industry research and development partnerships," said Gary Breit, Executive Director of Technology Transfer at the University of Manitoba. "We are proud to lead this collaborative effort that will add value to new technologies and increase the likelihood of keeping those technologies, start-ups and jobs in Manitoba." "This partnership has helped us move technology generated by scientists at the Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology forward as well as highlighting our commercialization capabilities," said Dr. Jim Davie, Director of the MICB, a joint institute of CancerCare Manitoba and the University of Manitoba. "We are also benefiting from greater access to network opportunities and varied expertise." "As a research hospital, it is essential that we work with other research institutions to develop the expertise and tools needed to manage and protect intellectual property related to our research programs," said Vic Janzen, Manager of Business Development at St. Boniface General Hospital. "Our scientists are on the leading edge of new technology development, and it is vital that these technologies can make the transition to industry as quickly as possible." "It really makes sense for us to work together with these other five institutions," said Dr. Blake McClarty, Director of Research at the Health Sciences Centre. "It allows us to develop the capacity for patent application and intellectual property protection that we would not be able to do individually." "The University of Winnipeg is actively engaged, with a number of partners, in research that will facilitate the development of new materials, drugs, treatments and scientific tools that have the potential for industrial applications," said Kerry Murkin, Research Officer, The University of Winnipeg. "Through collaboration and partnership – key values of The University of Winnipeg – we can achieve together far more than any one institution alone." "This joint venture with other institutions in Manitoba will open intellectual property possibilities across Brandon University, from the Creative Arts to Business to Science," said Dr. Jeff Williams, Vice-President (Academic & Research) at Brandon University. "Helping faculty to commercially develop the knowledge and artistic works they have created will benefit the University and the Province as a whole." "The Manitoba IPM Partnership will enhance Red River College's applied research and commercialization efforts," said Ray Hoemsen, Director of Applied Research and Commercialization at Red River College. "We look forward to working with our partners and positively impacting community economic development." CIHR is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR’s mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to close to 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. For further information, please visit www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca. SSHRC is an independent federal government agency that funds university-based research and graduate training through national peer-review competitions. SSHRC also partners with public and private sector organizations to focus research and aid the development of better policies and practices in key areas of Canada’s social, cultural and economic life. NSERC is a federal agency whose role is to make investments in people, discovery and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians. With an annual budget of more than $860 million, the agency supports more than 22,000 university students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 10,000 university professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 600 Canadian companies to participate and invest in university research projects. For more information, please contact: Gary Breit Executive Director, Technology Transfer Office University of Manitoba 204-474-6930 Frank Nolan Research Promotion University of Manitoba 204-474-7300 For more information, contact:
Chris Rutkowski
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