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Genome Canada has secured the services of a distinguished British researcher as its new chief scientific officer (CSO). Dr Michael Morgan comes to the agency from the UK where he has held a number of high-profile positions, including director of research partnerships and ventures with the Wellcome Trust, chief executive of the Wellcome trust Genome Campus in Cambridge and a major role in the international coordination of the Human Genome Project.

Two teams of scientists and a researcher have been recognized for their work in moving research out of government labs and into the marketplace. The awards were presented in Ottawa on June 1 by Federal Partners in Technology Transfer (FPTT) – a 10-year-old organization dedicated to developing and disseminating best practices.

The Liberal government’s drive to emphasize health R&D during its 13 years in power has fuelled a remarkable increase in outlays from all sources, accounting for 22.7% of Canada’s gross expenditures on R&D (GERD) in 2005.

Genome Canada is investing $18.6 million over 15 months in platform technologies at four genome centres as it develops a new targeted approach to future funding competitions. The platform funding was awarded to projects that were successful in Competition III and announced after consulting with recipients on their capacity and equipment requirements.

R$ Vancouver Conference

Canada is in a race against time if it wants to fully participate in the S&T explosion now occurring throughout the Asia-Pacific (A-P) region. It also needs a detailed strategy that emphasizes skills, immigration and increased investment.

The US-based Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) has released its first report devoted exclusively to Canadian technology transfer and commercialization in the higher education sector.

Day4 Energy using Russian technology

In just a few weeks, Day4 Energy Inc will begin commercializing proprietary Russian solar energy technology that has attracted nearly $10 million in early-stage funding since its founding in 2001.

End to 10-years of innovation-friendly Budgets

The federal government is taking another shot at developing a national science and technology strategy and will initiate an accountability and value-for-money review of the granting councils.

Federal Budget

The Conservative government used its first Budget to announced a series of 29 general and targeted corporate tax cuts designed to make Canadian business more productive and competitive.

A novel pilot program designed to match the technology needs of smaller firms with expertise in publicly funded research institutions is hoping that its initial success will convince other organizations to replicate its unique approach to technology adoption.