Facedrive’s TraceSCAN technology garners interest among companies globally; Canada’s National Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy has its first researcher council, and a new consortium takes shape to accelerate the commercialization of quantum computing.
Organization: MaRS Innovation
University of Toronto spinoff firm helping to map COVID-19’s molecular structure
A PhD student’s novel software is revolutionizing drug discovery and laying the groundwork for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Innovation Conversations: Q&A with Molly Shoichet
In an interview with RE$EARCH MONEY, Molly Shoichet discusses her new biotech startup, her experience as Ontario’s chief scientist, and her views on innovation in Canada.
Pfizer Canada funds MaRS Innovation for health sciences research
Pfizer Canada has contributed $800,000 to MaRS Innovation to support new ideas or technologies in health sciences research in areas of therapeutics, diagnostic and treatment tools, and manufacturing technologies. The MaRS Innovation – Pfizer Translational Research Fund will be managed by MaRS Innovation. Priority projects are in cardiovascular disease, inflammation, immunology, rare diseases, vaccines, and…
Encycle raises $2.85 million in start-up funding
Encycle Therapeutics Inc has completed financing of $2.85 million to support development of its nacellin platform chemistry and advance its therapeutics pipeline. The investment in the Toronto-based firm — spun off from the Univ of Toronto in collaboration with MaRS Innovation — will allow it to build on its relationships with pharmaceutical companies and position…
ChipCare finalizes $5-million series A financing
ChipCare Corp has closed a $5-million series A financing to bring its handheld, blood-testing platform for HIV and other infectious and non-communicable diseases to market. Financing for the Univ of Toronto start-up was led by Puffin Partners LP, Dallas TX, and includes MaRS Innovation, Maple Leaf Angels, Winfield Venture Group, Epic Capital and US and…
ChipCare finalizes $5-million series A financing
ChipCare Corp has closed a $5-million series A financing to bring its handheld, blood-testing platform for HIV and other infectious and non-communicable diseases to market. Financing for the Univ of Toronto start-up was led by Puffin Partners LP, Dallas TX, and includes MaRS Innovation, Maple Leaf Angels, Winfield Venture Group, Epic Capital and US and…
AvidBiologics completes VC financing round
Toronto-based AvidBiologics Inc has closed a financing round to move its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technologies into clinical trials. The privately held firm — a 2011 spinout from YM BioSciences Inc — secured an unspecified amount of financing from Lumira Capital (lead), MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund, MaRS Innovation, Rosseau Asset Management and the company’s founding investors.…
Three CECRs receive $4 million from Merck Canada
Merck Canada is investing $4 million in three Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) as part of a $100-million commitment it made in 2010 when it closed its Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research in a global restructuring (R$, July 19/10). The funding goes to the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer…
CECR and BL-NCE funding extensions announced
The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) secretariat has released the results of its competition to determine which of the original recipients of its two industry-facing programs will receive extended funding. The competition awarded renewed funding for four of the original 11 Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) and one of the four…