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G o l d e n H o r s e s H o e b i o s c i e n c e s n e t w o r k
w w w . .
t u r n i n G i n n o v a t i o n i n t o e c o n o m i c G r o w t H
GHBN Annual Report 2006-2007
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t u r n i n G i n n o v a t i o n i n t o e c o n o m i c G r o w t H
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w w w . .
Welcome to the inaugural annual report o the Golden Horseshoe Biosciences Network (GHBN).
Networks are all about new partnerships bringing people and organizations together to
create opportunities and solve problems, especially when it comes to large scale change.
Thats something we really believe in and are passionate about in the same way that were
passionate about the economic potential o the Golden Horseshoe.
The Golden Horseshoe has so mch to offer!
With ormidable strengths in manuacturing, engineering, medicine and innovative health
technologies, the Golden Horseshoe has incredible potential or growth. The commercialization
opportunities o bioscience link these strengths together, defning a dynamic and globally
unique uture economy or the region. The GHBNs role as a network is to bring regional
stakeholders together to ully realize this vision, and the approach has been to apply a highly
entrepreneurial model to the eort. In our frst three years, were proud o the extensive working
partnerships weve established with the municipal governments, hospitals, universities, researchinstitutions and industry o Hamilton, Halton and Niagara, resulting in a powerul shared vision
across the region. With more companies leveraging our services each year, more partners joining
the network, and more business support inrastructure being solidifed, our clients are able to
access the programs and services they need to grow.
Were an entreprenerial company thats dedicated to entrepreners
As a network, we open doors to knowledge and fnancial resources. We understand and communicate
government programs and related opportunities or growth. We replace inormation silos with
inormed communication. We understand the needs o our clients at all stages o development.
Through one-on-one consulting and acilitating access to additional programs and services,
we take an active role in client progress toward commercialization and thats an exciting road!
Thank you to the team, the Board o Directors and our partner networks or playing such a
valuable role in the GHBNs success. As we go orward, we will maintain the momentum by
continuing to ocus on the needs o our clients; and along with our partners we will enjoy
listening to the buzz o entrepreneurial activity that will defne the Golden Horseshoes
knowledge-based economy o tomorrow.
Dr. Darlene Homonko, Executive Director
Golden Horseshoe Biosciences Network (GHBN)
C o n t e n t sWho we are .............................
What we do .............................
Formula for success .................
Eye on the future .....................
About us .................................
C o n t a C tFor inormation please contact:
Ana Paredes,
Oce Administrator/
Incubator Assistant GHBN
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (905) 525-9140 ext. 26602
Fax: (905) 528-3999
www.ghbn.org
Dr. Darlene Homonko
Executive Director, GHBN
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who we areThe Glden Hrseshe Bisciences Netwrk (GHBN) is a regional network
o research organizations, companies, universities, and economic developers
involved in biosciences, biotechnology and related elds. Through relationship-
building and entrepreneurial support, the aim is to spur innovation, orm new
ties and develop new research and investment to ensure a thriving innovation
centre in the Golden Horseshoe.
Hw we started
The GHBNs history dates back to 2002, when the Province o Ontario
announced a biotechnology strategy to attract growth and investment, and
ultimately make Ontario one o the most competitive jurisdictions in North
America or biotechnology. The GHBN was incorporated in 2005 to execute the
strategy in the Golden Horseshoe, with a mandate to identiy the commercial
potential o initiatives within hospitals, universities and research institutions;
develop an entrepreneurial culture; create opportunities or start-ups; and put
the supports in place to help small businesses grow. This was a signicant
undertaking, with unctional connections among stakeholder groups virtually
non-existent, and success ultimately requiring undamental shits in mindsets,working relationships and unding models.
A longstanding advocate o the power o networks to eect change, the
approach adopted by Executive Director Dr. Darlene Homonko centered on
acilitating inormed partnerships across the public/private sector interace. A
concerted ocus on complementarities and resource sharing initiated awareness
across traditional silos in government, industry, academia, research institutes and
other ourth pillar organizations, moving toward a connected entrepreneurial
support inrastructure across the region.
the power of network
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Early milestones
Three years int the mandate, the GHBN has:
nEstablished a powerul regional, provincial and international network in support o
a growing culture o innovation in the Golden Horseshoe
nDemystied access to
- Provincial programs that are part o the Ontario Commercialization Strategy
including Ontario Centres o Excellence (OCE), Ontario Commercialization
Investment Funds (OCIF), Next Generation o Jobs Fund, and the Business
Mentorship and Entrepreneurship Program (BMEP)
- Federal programs including the Scientic Research and Experimental
Development (SR&ED) tax credits, Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP),and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)
nDemonstrated an accelerated commercialization capacity in the Golden Horseshoe,
by helping more than 30 bioscience start-ups and small businesses to grow, through
one-on-one business consulting and linkages to knowledge and fnancial resources
nEmbraced the challenge o sector diversity ranging rom traditional biotechnology
to manuacturing, automotive, horticulture, agri-ood and wine, e-health and
emergent medical devices, clinical trials and bioenergy by acilitating broader
program development and execution through partners
nSet the stage or new commercialization opportunities or entrepreneurs and
researchers, through delivery o a business plan or an 80,000 sq t business
incubator/accelerator centre in association with McMaster University
and McMaster Innovation Park
But perhaps the greatest demonstration o success to date is that the GHBN has
created an audible buzz in the region, with an increasing number o bioscience
entrepreneurs and companies knocking at the door or help in growing their
businesses. Over the next three years, the goal is to maintain momentum and
help more companies evolve and grow. Extensive networking will be central to
the exercise, as the GHBN transitions rom a small but determined group toward
regional icon or eective bioscience business development in the Golden Horseshoe.
In three years o
operation, the GHBN
has replaced almost no
connection between industry
government and academia in
the Golden Horseshoe with a
connected environment that
cultivates entrepreneurship
and commercialization.
An enormous amount o
networking has been central
to this accomplishment, as
people have come together
and created a buzz about the
current activity and potential
o the region. While there
is still much work to do
to create a true innovation
culture here, through the
GHBN weve created an
inormation resource that all
sectors can beneft rom.
Lauren Cuddy
Executive Vice President, i3 Innovus,and Chair o the Board o Directors,Golden Horseshoe Biosciences Network(GHBN)
o effect change
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whatwe do
With extensive experience in bioscience commercialization, a strong commitment toclient needs, a results-oriented attitude and no individual stake in particular innovations
or companies, the GHBN provides a uniquely expedient and non-political route to
bioscience commercialization, with programs and services centered on:
nNetworking and events, to create linkages within and outside the region
nCommunicating government programs
nFacilitating business support inrastructure
nCreating new business opportunities
nHelping companies grow, through mentoring and resource identication
nMeeting entrepreneurial needs, at all stages o growth
Networking & eventsWork at the GHBN is approached as a ull-contact activity with considerable time spent
meeting with entrepreneurs, researchers, partners and government representatives, as well
as attending and hosting related events. Through these eorts, the GHBN is able to:
nMaintain strong relations with partners in economic development and the universities
through proactive communication about individual companies
nWork with decision makers at all levels o government to be well-inormed about
programs and opportunities, and well-poised to help clients gain access
nParticipate in a broad spectrum o partner events and initiatives across Ontario, the
Northeastern U.S. and Europe, to urther enhance the realm o resources or clients
The GHBNs own roster o events is also central to the overall networking eort, with
more than 20 events hosted annually and increasing participants, requests to partner,
and requests to assist other Regional Innovation Networks (RINs) in establishing similar
programs or their clients. Key successes to date include:
nInnatin Ca, the GHBNs fagship discussion series targeted at entrepreneurs,
with central themes o innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership
nPeer t Peer, ocused learning and networking opportunities or senior business leaders
entrepreneurs and small businesses, including the highly successul Seeding Medical
Technology Partnerships Cross-Border Conerence in partnership with York Biotech,
The Health Technology Exchange (HTX), Trillium Medical Technology Association (TMTA),
Bualo Niagara Partnership, MedTech and the Canadian Trade Commissioner ServicenResearch t Receptr Frms, hal-day conerences bringing researchers and
companies together in various cities to advance the discussion o unctional ood and
agriculture research and innovation, conducted in partnership with MaRS Landing and
C4 Consortium
Each o these events/series has gained momentum in the
last three years, with growing numbers o participants and
requests to partner, as well as requests to assist other RINs
in establishing similar programs or their clients.
With universities
traditionally not promoting
their scientifc strengths in
industry circles, its been
very difcult to fnd out
about current research
programs. The greatest
value oering o the GHBN
is acilitating that industry-
university connection.
Steve Boyajian
Business Development Manager,Activation Labs
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Through the GHBN events
I have a much improved
understanding o the
challenges and opportunities
that companies ace, and
where there are opportunities
or my organization to identiy
potential solutions. The more
I know, the more Im able to
serve their interests.
Yvonne Gruenthaler
Trade Commissioner Lie Sciences,Science and Innovation, Regional Oceo the Trade Commissioner Service,Ontario Region, Foreign Aairs andInternational Trade Canada
Going orward, the GHBN also intends to broaden the scope o learning and networking opportunity
or entrepreneurs through more event-based collaboration. Partner organizations will include:
nBioEnterprise, an agency established to help promote the creation, growth and expansion
o businesses in the Agri-Food and Agri-Lie Sciences and Bio-Product IndustriesnRegional and national angel investment networks
nInnovation Synergy Centre Markham (ISCM)
nIndustry associations ocused on materials and manuacturing,
such as the Institute o Electrical Engineers (IEE)
nRegional networks with demonstrated success in strengthening various innovation
sectors relevant to innovation and the Golden Horseshoe, such as the Business
Inormation Technology Network (BitNet)
Communicating government programs
As a Regional Innovation Network (RIN), the GHBN is uniquely positioned to communicate
government programs in both directions to entrepreneurs and small companies that need them,and back to government where direct insight about what companies need helps to inorm program
improvements. Among bioscience companies, theres limited knowledge o government programs
designed to help them grow. The GHBN plays a key role in creating awareness o programs including:
nScientic Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits
nIndustrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), through which the GHBN
also administers $50K year or mentorship programs
nSustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)
nOntario Commercialization Strategy Programs, including:
- Ontario Centres o Excellence (OCE)
- Ontario Commercialization Investment Funds (OCIF)
- Next Generation o Jobs Fund- Business Mentorship and Entrepreneurship Program (BMEP)
Following awareness, the GHBN provides hands-on assistance with program application processes,
as well as one-on-one business development consulting. The GHBNs goal is to ensure that our
companies are as prepared as possible to reach the next level o growth. Companies that have
received signifcant unding through these and related programs to date include:
nAtreo Medical (CPRGlove) (medical devices)
nAdjuvent Inormatics Inc. (medical sotware)
nVineera or Lie (wine/agri-ood)
nBeeBiomedical (medical products)
nCenturion Biouels (biouel)
The growth achievements o these companies are big wins or the GHBN, and the network
looks orward to providing urther value through the addition o an Experts-in-Residence
program beginning in 2009.
...network for change
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To capture the lie sciences
knowledge were generating
in the Golden Horseshoe,
we need the special
purpose space created by
an expanded incubator/
accelerator, to avoid the
knowledge and its potential
or commercialization going
elsewhere in the world.
By creating an important
interace o collaboration
with McMaster and the City
o Hamilton, the GHBN
is playing an important
acilitation role in ensuring
the required physical
inrastructure is in place.
Nick Markettos
Director, Strategic Partnerships and McMasterInnovation Park Liaison, McMaster Universityand Vice-President o Business Development,Board o Directors, Golden HorseshoeBiosciences Network (GHBN)
Facilitating new business support infrastructure
Strengthening eisting incbatr space
Upon inception o the GHBN in 2005, business incubator acilities in the Golden
Horseshoe were extremely limited. Recognizing a growing entrepreneurial appetite, the
commercialization potential o various research initiatives, and the value o co-location
or convergence o ideas and technologies, the GHBN played a lead role in ortiying
the McMaster Bioscience Incubation Centre (MBIC) in the Michael G. DeGroote Centreor Learning and Discovery, where the network is currently housed. MBIC provides
entrepreneurial researchers and start-up companies in the lie sciences sector with
resources to develop commercially successul products and services. Resources include
laboratories, scientic equipment and research requirements as well as business
mentoring and support services. In addition, MBIC oers shared administrative acilities
and oce equipment, executive meeting space, business advice and reerral services,
networking opportunities, and programs or o-site clients.
Creating capacity t absrb erfw
Further to MBIC, a need was also identied or expanded physical inrastructure to
accommodate the divergent needs o the broader biotech community. As a result, the
GHBN took on a catalyst role in developing the Bioscience Incubator/Accelerator atthe McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) delivering the business plan in association with
McMaster University and McMaster Innovation Park in 2007. Government unding is
now being pursued with groundbreaking or the proposed 80,000 sq t acility targeted
or 2009. The proposed acility oers entrepreneurs the most comprehensive convergence/
synergy centre opportunities in the region. As such, the GHBN plans to relocate to the
acility within three years to better serve the needs o clients and to most eectively
expand its own oering o events and workshops applicable across bio-related elds.
Creating new business opportunities
Fnding r clinical trials
Creating low cost access to clinical trials or SMEs has been a key priority or the GHBN
rom the outset in order to advance the commercialization potential particularly in
emerging sectors including medical devices. In partnership with The Health Technology
Exchange (HTX), Hamilton Health Sciences Centre and McMaster University, the GHBN
has helped secure over $300K or medical device clinical trials to take place between
2008 and 2010. The rst companies to be unded include:
nAtreoMedical Inc. (CPRGlove)
nTakeControl Cosmedix
nGolden Horseshoe Lie Sciences Inc. (ormerly Venowave Inc.)Bienergy adancement initiatie
In partnership with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, the GHBN is playing a
acilitation role in establishing an energy-ocused demonstration initiative to benet
the wine, horticulture and agriculture industries in Niagara, as well as new economic
development and training opportunities. The project is in the ormative phases with
next steps including an RFP to secure a consultant to manage execution o the
demonstration project.
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Ater eight years o research
and working with patients,
we have a ull-scale research
and development program
underway thanks in large
part to the mentorship and
connections provided through
the GHBN. Their assistance
in deciphering government
programs and connecting me to
the right people within the right
organizations at every stage
along the way has taken the
guesswork out o how to grow
my business. I look orward to a
continuing relationship with the
GHBN and highly value their
assistance to date.
Brandy Gowling,CEO / FounderTakeControl Cosmedix Inc.
nAtre Medical Inc., a medical devices company responsible or CPRGloveTM, a portable,
inexpensive, and adaptive device designed to greatly improve the success rate o cardio-
pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and useul in CPR emergencies as well as training/testing
scenarios. A business mentor rom the companys early days, the GHBN has been
instrumental in helping Atreo:
- Develop its business plan
- Prepare or investor presentations
- Facilitate a clinical trial
- Secure a combined 775K in unding rom Ontario Centres o Excellence (OCE) the Investment
Accelerator Fund, and the GHBN/HTX/HHS/McMaster University Venture Funding Pilot
GHBN has been providing support and guidance to Atreo rom the very
beginning. They worked with us to develop our frst business plan and
investor pitch presentation, then helped us connect with the right people
and organizations to take us to the next level, including fnancing and
participation in the new clinical trials program GHBN is running in
partnership with HTX, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences.
GHBN has provided all o this to us, and has asked nothing in return. It is
this altruistic spirit that sets GHBN ar apart rom other organizations.
Sarah Smith, B.Eng,COO, Atreo Medical Inc.
nBee Bimedical Inc., a small biopharmaceutical company, is involved in the manuacturing
o anti-viral, anti-infammatory topical skin therapies based on the bioactive compounds o
honey and propolis. The GHBN is helping the company to:
- Become investor-ready
- Identiy new nancial resources
- Access consulting services through the Business Mentorship and Entrepreneurship
Program (BMEP) oered through the Industrial Research Assistance Program o the
National Research Council (NRC-IRAP)
- Facilitate a clinical trial
- Gain contacts at the Agriculture Council o Canada and Ontario Centres o Excellence (OCE)
Funding results to date total almost $400K in development research.
Since I became an active client o the GHBN, Darlene Homonko has
taken her role as a navigator or my small company very seriously. She
introduced me to the bioscience business world, acilitating networking
with several crucial companies and scientists that could help my company
grow by accelerating research and commercialization o Bee-Biomedical
products. The unding Ive received has been instrumental to advancements
in my research on Canadian honey as an antibacterial agent, and a
commercial product is near. Katrina Brudzynski, Ph.D,Scientist, Bee-Biomedicals Inc. Adjunct Proessor, Brock UniversitynTakeCntrl Csmedi Inc., a medical devices company ocused on silicone-based
camoufage or disgurations caused by accidents, burns, skin cancer etc. A key relationship
acilitator or the company, the GHBN helped TakeControl to navigate through municipal
and provincial unding programs, resulting in:
- An R&D program with McMaster University and Ontario Centres o Excellence (OCE)
unding o $15K under the Interact Program
- $2500 rom the Industrial Research Assistance Program o the
National Research Council (NRC-IRAP)
- A clinical trial
- Clinic space allocation in the Hamilton Hospitals Assessment Centre,
under the umbrella o the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation
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F a s t F a C t sNumber of employees at GHBN: 4
Bioscience companies in theGolden Horseshoe: 175
Companies weve worked with: 32
Entrepreneurs weve worked with:
Clinical trials were facilitating: 3
Partners we work with: 35
R&D programs weve helped
facilitate:12
Trade shows weve helpedclients attend: 6
Key provincial programs weve
helped companies access: 4
Key federal programs weve
helped companies access: 3
International research programs
weve helped facilitate: 2
Future incubator/accelerator squa
footage weve helped establish:80,000
Individuals engaged in youth
outreach activities: 653
Investor presentations weve
assisted with: 5
Events hosted annually: 22
Event participants annually: 1,493
Grabbing new hnrs
McMaster University inventors o the
CPR Glove Nilesh Patel (let) Corey
Centen and Sarah Smith (absent rom
photo). The custom-made glove, design
to assist in cardio-pulmonary resuscitat
eorts, won in the undergraduate cate
at the Collegiate Inventors Competitio
in Caliornia.
sourCes oF Funding For the rin
by thenumbers
number oF Companies assisted
investment Leveraged
Funding ($) sourCed For Companies
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Knowing our clients
The GHBN stands out because they really understand their clients.Brad DeFoe,Manager/A, Commercialization Branch, Ontario Ministry o Research and Innovation
A 2005 survey o stakeholders and clients in the biomedical and medical space in the
Golden Horseshoe was the oundation or the GHBNs current database. The next survey
planned or 2009 will incorporate the convergent space around bio, providing greater
insight into regional business development opportunities. While the number o companies in
the database will increase, the approach will remain highly ocused and knowledgeable o
individual company needs, to ensure the right resources are in place to continue propelling
companies orward.
Partnership promotion
The GHBNs partnership-based approach has ensured highly productive and non-competitive
relationships with partners within and outside the region. Regionally, collaboration with
the City o Hamilton and McMaster University has resulted in the business plan or the
Bioscience Incubator/Accelerator at the McMaster Innovation Park (MIP). Within Ontario,
collaboration with other Regional Innovation Networks (RINs), related ourth pillar
organizations and industry associations has resulted in jointly coordinated events, such as:
nA speaker panel series with partners BioDiscovery Toronto, Western Greater Toronto
Area Convergence Centre (WGTACC), YORKbiotech, and the Institute o Electrical
Engineers (IEE)
nGovernment program inormation sessions in partnership with the Health Technology
Exchange (HTX) and MaRS Discovery District
Internationally, the GHBN is ocused on opening the doors to new markets and creating
reciprocal training opportunities, through:
nPrograms including the Ontario-Israel Industrial Collaborative Research Projects
nCluster-to-cluster initiatives with universities and research institutions in France,
China, Italy and Brazil
nAn ongoing partnership with Bualo Niagara Enterprise (BNE)
Over the last ew years, Bualo
Niagara has ormed a very
positive working relationship
with our regional counterparts
rom Southern Ontario, including
the GHBN. By working together,
we can assist one another in
developing our innovation and
lie sciences based economies;
leveraging regional strengths to
promote business growth and
strengthen the overall economic
capacity o the bi-national region.
David S. Tyler,Business Development ManagerLie Sciences, Bualo Niagara Enterprise (BNE)
networking, partnerin
formulafor success
0
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Focusing on what were good at
As a RIN the role o GHBN is to connect companies to the services they need to grow,
which requires us to acquire an in-depth o understanding o the company and use
our industry experience, business acumen and program knowledge to dene the most
ecient route to the next stage o development and beyond. Were true acilitators
in this regard, being careul not to use our limited resources in a way that duplicates
the capacity o partners and potential partners. The result is a oundational culture o
innovation ocused on synergies; where previous communication
silos have been replaced by awareness o services, and
more and more companies have the opportunity to take
advantage o the supports available.
Communicating effectively
Starting out three years ago, it was dicult tocomprehend the eort required to get the word out
about bioscience commercialization capacity in the Golden
Horseshoe, and to keep the story current. Accompanying the ull-
time job o networking, event participation and speaking engagements,
the GHBN also assumed responsibility or:
nBuilding and maintaining a compelling website, www.ghbn.org
nProducing a robust quarterly newsletter, Bio-Matrix
nDeveloping original content or top industry publications including Biotechnology
Focus, Canadas leading news authority on the Canadian lie sciences industry
Tools that help build knowledge and knowledge fow are a critical parto a successul Regional Innovation Network (RIN). Feedback on the GHBNs
communication tools to date has been excellent, with audiences becoming increasingly
inormed about the level o bioscience innovation happening in the Golden Horseshoe.
Going orward, the GHBNs communication tools will be enhanced through new
initiatives to produce:
nMore original content to drive additional trac to the website www.ghbn.org
nOnline billboard space to promote communication among industry clients
nAn online social networking tool to signicantly expand the network in a
non-obtrusive way
Through investment in expanded communications, the GHBNs goal is to provide
clients with the ability to increasingly source and create the connections they
need on their own; eectively helping clients to help themselves.
collaborating
GHBN knows the companies
in the Golden Horseshoe,
and through the scientifc and
entrepreneurial background o
Executive Director Dr. Darlene
Homonko, the network is well
qualifed to assist the companies
in their plans or growth. Even
at the pre-export stage, GHBN
is an extremely strong advocate
committed to ensuring well-
established business plans
so companies can begin the
process o working with us to
become export ready.
Patricia CosgroveInternational Marketing Consultant,Ontario Exports Inc
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eye on the futureMoving forwardAs the network moves orward, the GHBN will continue to ocus on the needs o
entrepreneurs to achieve business growth and commercialization. Top scientists will look
to the GHBN or eective promotion and assistance with commercialization o innovations.
Partner relationships will be enhanced as the network continues to grow. Increasingly the
GHBN will be known as the entity capable o both overcoming traditional silos between
academia, government and industry; and channeling the potential o regional innovation
into a sustainable, community-supported business model.
To be successul it will be important to ensure nancial resources are maintained in
accordance with the program and services oering. As more companies come into
the old, the GHBN also needs to grow with additional well-qualied sta. Possibleadjustments toward a membership model will enhance the breadth and depth o client
engagement, enabling:
nStronger industry linkages
nA sense o ownership among companies
nA clear value proposition or companies at each stage o growth
nOngoing program relevancy
nExpanded networking and promotional opportunities
Within bioscience, medical and assistive devices currently provide the greatest potential or
the region, with a relatively short return on investment timeline, and an excellent t with
academic, research and manuacturing strengths. As such bioscience commercializationwill remain the networks core ocus, though the convergent space accompanying the
new synergy centre will necessitate build-out to embrace innovation and entrepreneurism
more broadly.
According to creative class guru and University o Toronto Proessor Richard Florida,
the economic activity, number o patents, rate o growth and location o the Golden
Horseshoe make it a virtual shoe-in to be part o a major economic boom, although
ultimate success will be determined by broad-based cultural support o innovation.
The GHBNs role in achieving that success or the Golden Horseshoe is centred on active
promotion and partnership to identiy and access the knowledge and nancial resources
required by entrepreneurs.
The strength o the region is in its ability to be convergent. The GHBN looks orward to the
buzz created by a bustling new synergy centre as well as ongoing partnerships to support
creation o a prosperous knowledge-based environment in the Golden Horseshoe. There is
great potential here.
Brad DeFoe, Manager/A,Commercialization Branch,Ontario Ministry o Research and Innovation
By adopting an inclusive
innovation ocus, the
Golden Horseshoe has an
opportunity to become a
powerhouse in the province.
there is great potenti
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aboutus
Board of DirectorsE xE Cu T I vE
Laren CddyCHAIR OF THE BOARDEXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENTi3 Innovus
Nick MarkettosVICE-PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTDIRECTOR, Strategic Partnerships andMcMaster Innovation Park LiaisonMcMaster University
Elaine HoldingSECRETARYDIRECTOR, Client Services and MarketingSB Partners
Robert KloetTREASURERCertifed Management AccountantKloet Management Services
Darlene HomonkoPhDEXECUTIVE DIRECTORGolden Horseshoe Biosciences Network
D I RE CT o RS
Dr. Ian BrindleASSOCIATE VICE-PRESIDENTResearch & International DevelopmentBrock University
Dr. John CaponeDEAN OF SCIENCEMcMaster University
Dr. Stephen CollinsASSOCIATE DEAN OF RESEARCHMcMaster University
John DavidsonDIRECTOR
Business Development CentreRegional Municipality o Halton
Dr. Mo ElbestawiVICE-PRESIDENTResearch & International AairsMcMaster University
Michael J. Evelegh PhDEXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENTClinical & Regulatory AairsPreMD Inc.
Neil EversonEXECUTIVE DIRECTOREconomic Development DepartmentCity o Hamilton
Yosef Haj-Ahmad PhDPRESIDENT / CEONorgen Biotek Corp.
Dr. Jack HirshPROFESSOR EMERITUS OF MEDICINEHenderson Research CentreHenderson General Hospital
Patty HoogendoornCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERAfnity Biologicals Inc.
Start McKeenSENIOR POLICY ADVISORMinistry o Research & Innovation (MRI)Government o Ontario
John PellerCEO/PRESIDENTAndrew Peller Limited
Dr. Ian RodgerVICE-PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH & ACADEMICSt. Josephs Healthcare Hamilton
Brian underdown PhDMANAGING DIRECTORTechnology InvestingLumira Capital
Dr. Salim YsfPROFESSOR OF MEDICINEMcMaster University
DIRECTORPopulation Health Research Institute
VP OF RESEARCH,CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICERHamilton Health Sciences
The teamSupported by the Board o Directors, the GHBN team includes:
Dr. Darlene Hmnk, Executive Director: [email protected]
Alice Bradbry, Special Projects and Events Coordinator: [email protected]
Jstin Plicarpi, Research Analyst: [email protected]
Ana Paredes, Oce Administrator/Incubator Assistant: [email protected]
Dr. Darlene Homonko has been Executive Director o the GHBN since its inception in 2005.
Through previous roles, Dr. Homonko has more than fve years experience in lie sciences commercialization
including our-plus years in venture capital. She has been instrumental in the creation o commercial
value rom innovative research secured in Milestone Medica Corporations (MMC) portolio companies.
From 2002-2004, Dr. Homonko was Director o Operations and Business Development or MolecularTemplates Inc., an MMC company. In 2004-2005, Dr. Homonko was also an Industry Liaison Ofcer
at the University o Toronto Innovations Foundation where she ocused on identiying new spin-out
opportunities in the lie science and convergent medical technologies.
Dr. Homonko has a valued reputation in the commercialization o lie sciences innovations with specifc
experience in start-ups. As well, she has a strong background in intellectual property management,
technology evaluation and analyzing corporate research and development in commercial alliances or sound
business practice. Dr. Homonko holds a Ph.D., Neuroscience rom the University o Toronto, Institute o
Medical Sciences; a M.Sc., Kinesiology rom Dalhousie University; and a B.Sc., Physical Education, Health,
General Science rom the University o Rhode Island.
here
p a r t n e r sAdvanced Food and Materials Network(AFMNet)
AllerGen NCE for Allergy / ImmunologBioDiscovery Toronto
BioEnterprise
BitNet
Brock University
Buffalo Niagara Economic DevelopmenCorporation
Canadian Obesity Network (CON)
City of Hamilton
Department of Foreign Affairs andInternational Trade Canada (DFAIT)
Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Innovati
Network (ELORIN)
Golden Horseshoe Angel Network
Golden Horseshoe Venture Forum (GHV
Hamilton Health Sciences
Health Technology Exchange (Htx.ca)
MaRS Landing
MaRS Discovery District
McMaster University
Mohawk College
Niagara College
Niagara Regional Economic Developme
Corporation
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food anRural Affairs (OMAFRA)
Ontario Agriculture and Food Technolog(OAFT)
Ontario Centre for EnvironmentalTechnology Advancement (OCETA)
Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE)
Ontario Exports Inc.
Region of Halton
R.I.C Centre
Southwestern Ontario Bioproducts
Innovation Network (SOBIN)
St. Joseph Health Care (Hamilton)
The Biotechnology Initiative (TBI)
Toronto Angel Group (TAG)
Trillium Medical Technology Association
Venture Niagara
Waterloo Research and Technology ParAccelerator
YORKbiotech
8/14/2019 Golden Horseshoe Biosciences Network - Annual Report
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