New institute to move discovery into clinical trials

University Health Network and the Univ of Toronto have launched The Techna Institute for the Advancement of Technology for Health to integrate and fast track the R&D and commercialization of new healthcare technologies. The institute was launched with $10 million in start-up funds. The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation committed $4 million after receiving a $5-million "challenge" donation from Toronto philanthropist Carlo Fidani. An additional $1 million was donated by an anonymous individual. The institute aims to cross traditional silos to take developing technologies into the clinic more quickly. It provides a collaborative environment for faculty and students in clinical, biomedical and bioengineering fields to create biotechnical solutions for diagnostic and therapeutic products and services. Technologies currently being tested in a clinical environment include a so-called GPS system for surgeons that integrates real-time data in 3-D images for greater precision in operating and mobile applications software to help patients track and manage their own health data....