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Focus on the National Research Council

After a year and a half of operation, the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC) is on track to meet its revenue targets and is contemplating an expansion into the emerging field of microfluidics as it positions itself as a key plank in the commercialization aspirations of Canadian photonics companies.

Ontario’s research and innovation strategy is taking a major step forward with the announcement of a $46-million Market Readiness Program (MRP) and $31.4 million in funding for 16 regional programs through its Ontario Research and Commercialization Program (ORCP).

With the appointment of Dr Thomas Hudson as the president and chief scientific officer of the recently created Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), Ontario has taken a major step towards implementing its “science to solution” vision for cancer research and the role it can play in the province’s economic and social fabric.

The Ottawa Life Sciences Council (OLSC) is merging with the Ottawa Centre for Research Innovation (OCRI), folding life sciences into the city’s main economic development corporation. The merged entity will represent virtually all sectors within Ottawa’s knowledge-based community, combining OCRI’s technology, marketing and promotional expertise with OLSC’s extensive market intelligence and technology transfer strengths.

Ontario has announced the blue-chip membership of its 13-person Ontario Research and Innovation Council (ORIC). Joining previously announced ORIC chair Dr Adam Chowaniec are:

Dr Douglas Barber, founder Gennum Corp;
Dominic D’Alessandro, president & CEO, Manulife Financial;
Mike Lazaridis, president & co-CEO, Research in Motion;
Dr Tak Mak, director, Princess Margaret Hospital institute for breast cancer research;
Dr John Mann, director of engineering/ regulatory affairs, DaimlerChrysler Canada;
Dr Elspeth Murray, managing director, Queen’s Centre for Business Venturing, Queen’s Univ;
Dr Gilles Patry, president & vice-chancellor, Univ of Ottawa;
Dr Janet Rossant, chief of research, Hospital for Sick Children;
Dr Molly Shoichet, professor of chemistry, Univ of Toronto;
Dr Mamdouh Shoukri, VP research & international affairs, McMaster Univ;
Dr Ilse Treurnicht, CEO MaRS Discovery District;
Thomas Vair, executive director, Sault Ste Marie Innovation Centre.

Federal agricultural research is about to undergo a significant expansion into biomass as part of a new strategy released earlier this year. The strategy will see an infusion of new funding, increased emphasis on partnerships and clusters and the replacement of the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council (CARC).

November 15 in Ottawa: Sixth Annual RE$EARCH MONEY Conference.

Theme: Research Incentives. This must-attend event will explore issues related to research and innovation incentives. Business leaders and other experts will elaborate how Canadian policy makers can utilize incentives to support a vital and growing private sector capable of winning globally.

Novel approach to commercialization

A bold new experiment in commercialization has attracted a formidable slate of talent to help move Canadian stem cell research and technology out of universities and research hospitals and into the marketplace.

ITAC and OCRI join forces

A new report on Canada’s R&D tax credit program is calling on the federal government to provide full refundability to all claimants and undertake a comprehensive review of the program’s objectives to determine whether it’s effective in boosting incremental industry spending.

The federal government spent 2.8% of its R&D budget on projects intended to directly benefit developing countries in FY04-05, according to a first-of-its-kind survey conducted by Statistics Canada and commissioned by the Office of the National Science Advisor (ONSA).