CECR funding aims to exploit pent-up demand for commercialization projects

CECR Profiles

Like thoroughbred horses lining up at the gate, research centres across Canada are anxious to demonstrate that the vexing challenge of commercializing cutting edge technology is both achievable and potentially profitable for collaborators and Canada alike. Earlier this month, the federal government announced the initial field of 11 pioneering participants with $163.3 million in funding over five years. The join seven other Centres that were previously selected by the government last year (R$, May 31/07).

Three of those centres profiled here illustrate the range and breadth of what is being attempted through the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program, which is being administered by the Networks of Centres of Excellence. They also reflect the pent-up interest in commercialization from private sector and institutional sources, with impressive commitments of leveraged funding.

AAPS at TRIUMF

Advanced Applied Physics Solutions Inc (AAPS) is a new subsidiary of Univ of British Columbia-based TRIUMF and has committed to the creation of six joint ventures and four spin-off companies to exploit its world class expertise in subatomic physics. Companies such as Thales, D-Pace, CAMIRO, Cameco and others are on board to collaborate with TRIUMF in areas such as health care, natural resources, energy, environmental sciences and information and communications technologies. But it's the life sciences that appear to hold the greatest short-term commercial potential and TRIUMF director Dr Nigel Lockyer says his facility is ideally positioned to benefit.

"The future of nuclear medicine is about to go through a revolution where hospitals will be able to generate their own isotopes," says Lockyer. "We will be aggressive about raising private money to develop these products. There will be competition (but) we produce the best cyclotrons and injector systems."

AAPS has also committed to an aggressive training regime that will serve to attract talent from around the world. And it won't confine its activities to TRIUMF-generated R&D but will look globally for the technologies that can be combined for commercialization.

"We will look everywhere for good ideas. High energy physics is an open research world," says Lockyer. "CECR motivated us to explore collaborations with companies like Thales. The life sciences side of this is very exciting."

leveraging biomass

In Ontario, a similarly aggressive initiative to exploit the confluence between the chemical industry and bio feed stocks is generating considerable private sector interest. The Bioindustrial Innovation Centre (BIC) in Sarnia-Lambton has already received $10 million from the Ontario government to construct a facility in the Univ of Western Ontario's Sarnia-Lambton Research Park in a structure that once housed Dow Chemical Canada's research branch.

The office, laboratory and pilot plant will leverage the region's petrochemical expertise and plentiful access to various biomass sources to produce energy and value-added chemicals for the construction, automotive and other industries. BIC will also help to retain skilled engineering expertise in the region by reviving the level of R&D conducted in the region. Although Sarnia is still dominated by the petrochemical sector, much of the R&D operations have left as the era of centralized R&D labs receded.

"Cheap oil in the early 20th century moved aside a lot of bio-based products and now they're re-emerging," says Dr William Hewson, former head of Imperial Oil's research branch and BIC executive director. "We're aiming at large-scale bioindustrial research like soy bean oil. The Sarnia region is unique with big oil multinationals and farming side by side. It's an ideal situation for this initiative."

convergent technologies

Another Ontario-based CECR is the Centre for Commercialization Research (CCR), an initiative mounted by the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and based on its existing commercialization model. The CCR aims to accelerate the commercial exploitation of university-based research, initially in the areas of the environment, natural resources and energy, health and related life sciences and digital media.

"The OCE mandate and CECR objectives are a good fit. We have a 20-year history in this space," says OCE president and CEO Mark Romoff. "We already have strong Ontario funding and we will bring the benefit of CECR funds to drive significant advances in the commercialization of new technologies."

CCR will also assist in the development of convergent technologies involving multiple disciplines and national and international collaborations. Examples include medical technologies and linkages to information technology and photonics, with the result being next-generation medical equipment.

"The focus is on convergence and the sectors reflect that," says Romoff. "CECR allows us to dedicate more time and effort to developing technologies in these areas.

Romoff also foresees increased international linkages to tap into technological expertise being developed elsewhere. OCE currently has bilateral relationships with several countries including Israel, India and Spain and has a strong collaborative relationship with ISTPCanada (R$, April 14 & August 13/07). Collaboration is also planned with other CECRs such as BIC and MaRS. Even the activities of unsuccessful applicants to CECR are being considered if those organization are able to obtain alternative financing.

"In many ways, CECR mirrors what's already happening in Ontario. By choosing delivery vehicles, it puts the obligations on the 11 centres to demonstrate that this is the right way to go."

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In future issues, RE$EARCH MONEY will publish profiles of other CECRs funded in the initial competition.