Life Sciences Critical Technologies & Commercialization (LSCTC) Centre of Excellence 


OBIO® is inviting health science companies to apply for the Life Sciences Critical Technologies & Commercialization (LSCTC) Centre of Excellence. The LSCTC Centre will catalyze a globally competitive collaborative ecosystem by leveraging and building on Ontario’s expertise and capabilities to accelerate the health science industry’s use of critical technologies: 5G and advanced networks, ethical artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, quantum and robotics.

LSCTC Centre of Excellence

The LSCTC Centre of Excellence provides infrastructure, commercialization, technology adoption and talent programming to Ontario small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and emerging ventures to drive intellectual property creation and advance innovative made-in-Ontario technologies, including but not limited to therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices and digital health. OBIO® is working with key partners to support life science, medtech and healthtech ventures to ensure Ontario innovation stays competitive in the global market.

ScaleAI

Scale AI is Canada’s AI Global Innovation Cluster dedicated to building the next-generation supply chain and boosting industry performance by leveraging AI technologies. A business-led consortium, Scale AI will drive economic growth, bolster Canada’s leadership in the global innovation race, support the building of world-leading businesses, create highly skilled jobs, and accelerate the adoption of AI-powered technologies. Scale AI will contribute to the development of an innovative, competitive, diverse and inclusive Canadian economy, with a focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Participants will benefit from:

  • Programs with non-dilutive funding streams to support projects related to:

i. De-risking of emerging technologies & venture creation,

ii. Strengthening technology commercialization, including proof-of-concept, validation, demonstrations to advance product development milestones, and/or

iii. Technology adoption;

  • The LSCTC Centre hub with access to subsidized shared office space (based on availability for OBIO® Members);

  • Early-stage AI development projects can also access funding through ScaleAI;

  • OBIO’s Knowledge Centre, including advisory, market research databases & industry resource library for OBIO® Members;

  • A network of partners with expertise in the critical technologies and health science sector; and/or

  • Business development and commercialization training.

Eligibility Criteria

    • Be either a private health science company based in Ontario, or an emerging venture with intellectual property (IP) developed in Ontario;

    • Focused on developing human health science products/services, including but not limited to medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, health IT and therapeutics;

    • Working to develop, integrate or have integrated at least one critical technology (5G/advanced networks, ethical artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, quantum, and/or robotics) into your products, services and/or operations;

    • Committed to the creation and commercialization of made-in-Ontario IP.

  • i. De-risking of emerging technologies & venture creation

    • Be either an emerging venture with intellectual property (IP) developed in Ontario, or an early stage, private health science small or medium enterprise (SME) (fewer than 500 paid FTE) based in Ontario;

    • For emerging ventures, high potential for company creation with operations in Ontario; and

    • Seeking support with IP management, company creation, technology de-risking.

    ii. Strengthening technology commercialization

    • A private, health science SME based in Ontario;

    • Demonstrates that the technology solves a critical problem and a market exists for the product/service;

    • Company owns or has license agreement(s) in place for intellectual property associated with the technology;

    • Demonstrate that the completed project advances the company toward a significant value creation event; and

    • Provide 2:1 cash matching funds for the overall commercialization project to advance technology proof-of-concept, validation, demonstration, testing, and/or deployment. Companies may apply to be considered for funding between $25,000 to $50,000 CAD.

    iii. Technology adoption

    • A private, health science SME based in Ontario;

    • Successfully completed an initial pilot/validation study with supporting data;

    • A market-ready product/service, ready to commercialize at scale;

    • Raised dilutive funding or generating annual recurring revenues; and

    • Provide 2:1 matching funds for an adoption project to have the technology evaluated by a healthcare organization. Companies may apply to be considered for up to $250,000 CAD.

    iv. Scale AI

    • A private, health science SME based in Canada;

    • Demonstrates the need and intent to implement AI to enhance their product;

    • Demonstrates that the technology solves a critical problem and a market exists for the product/service;

    • This program is reimbursement-based and the maximum funding available for approved projects is $50,000 CAD.

Application Process 

Complete and submit your application to join the LSCTC Centre of Excellence network. One application per company/venture. Application must be submitted by a member of your senior management team. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

  1. Approved applicants meeting eligibility criteria will be invited to access LSCTC resources and events. 

  2. Selected applicants will be invited to submit detailed project proposals to the non-dilutive funding streams for further consideration. 

  3. Successful project proposals will be integrated into a Project Agreement. Projects may be initiated as early as two months after initial application submission. 

For more information, please contact Yuvenne Deng.

Projects:

 

This Centre is funded in part by the Government of Ontario and Scale AI.