To Market, To Market: Ontario, Canada’s vision to improve commercialization of healthcare research

Abstract

Transforming medical research findings into viable commercial enterprises is a persistent challenge. Ontario, Canada, has deployed several approaches that could be applied in other regions. The provincial government has created R&D tax incentives, investment funds and commercialization incubators, along with streamlining clinical trials regulatory processes, to increase speed-to-market for medical biotechnology innovations. By creating supportive government policies, providing seed capital, and promoting partnerships between research institutions and industry, Ontario helps start-ups such as ApneaDX and OtoSim attract follow-on funding and access markets.