Government of Canada invests in new health solutions

OTTAWA – Canada is a global hub for life sciences, thanks to our strong research and development (R&D) ecosystem, highly skilled professionals, top-tier academic institutions, and many opportunities for research collaboration and skills development. The Government of Canada is investing in the potential of businesses and entrepreneurs who are developing innovative health technologies to provide care Canadians deserve.

Recently, the Honourable Filomena Tassi (pictured), minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), joined by the Honourable David McGuinty, member of Parliament for Ottawa South, the Honourable Mona Fortier, member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier and Marie-France Lalonde, member of Parliament for Orléans, announced an investment of over $4 million for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (CHEO RI), in partnership with Bruyère, to establish the 8-80 Collaborative.

“The 8-80 Collaborative is a great example of how health research organizations in Ontario are doing things differently to find solutions to the current challenges facing our healthcare system. The 8-80 Collaborative is bringing together research and innovation, which will create modern health solutions for Canadians. The Government of Canada will continue to invest in people as they reach their potential and turn possibilities into realities,” said Minister Tassi.

CHEO RI is a not-for-profit corporation that connects talent and technology to find life-changing solutions for every child, youth and family in Ottawa and beyond. With this investment, the organization will work with Bruyère to bring together regional representatives and early-stage innovations from Eastern Ontario’s health professionals with companies delivering health solutions for patients from youth to older adults.

“Supporting early-stage innovation is key to conquering some of the most pressing problems facing healthcare today. Leveraging our thriving innovation culture at CHEO and the expertise and invaluable insights of our clinicians and researchers, the 8-80 Collaborative partnership with Bruyère will bridge the gap between business, healthcare and research, and serve as a catalyst and connector for bold new ideas and solutions for our youngest to oldest patients,” said Dr. Jason Berman, chief executive officer of the CHEO RI, and vice president of Research, CHEO.

Through the four-year project, CHEO RI and Bruyère will work together to provide innovators with coaching and mentorship, seed funding and access to other health innovation supports. They will also work to help innovators in the early stages of product development with planning, industry networking and seed funding.

“The 8-80 Collaborative empowers us to advance our pioneering work in connecting the people behind innovative solutions with the most pressing healthcare challenges. Together, Bruyère and CHEO are creating a platform that will support early-stage innovators to bring new ideas and health tech products to life for the benefit of older adults and youth, knowing these solutions, once implemented, can benefit everyone,” added Guy Chartrand, president and chief executive officer, Bruyère.

By project completion, the 8-80 Collaborative is expected to support over 30 businesses, provide training and mentorship for 50 people and create over 85 jobs.

About the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute
Established in 1987, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (CHEO RI) is a global centre of excellence in pediatric research that connects talent and technology in pursuit of life-changing research for every child, youth and family in the CHEO community and beyond. Visit cheoresearch.ca.

About Bruyère
Bruyère is Eastern Ontario’s leading health organization specializing in aging, rehabilitation, and care for those with multiple complex medical conditions. As a member of the CAN Health Network, Bruyère will work with the 8-80 Collaborative health tech innovators to overcome the barriers that prevent health innovation companies from scaling to their full commercial potential. Visit www.bruyere.org.